56 Action and Practical Application of Bones 
5. Can their united action be promoted ? 
6. By what means? 
7. Will sulphuric or muriatic acid answer the purpose ? 
8. If so, what part of the action of the mixture is to be attri- 
buted to the direct influence of the acid as a manure, 
and what to the increased action of the bone ? 
On the practical application of bones as a manure for the turnip- 
crop, it is intended to ask, — 
1 . What are the peculiarities of the action of fresh bones ? 
what of boiled bones ? what of burnt bones ? 
2. What sort of bones should the turnip-grower use ? 
3. Is it economical to boil or burn bones before using them? 
4. In what state of division should bones in their natural 
state be used ? 
5. What is the comparative effect of bones in their natural 
state and bones dissolved in acid ? 
6. What are the peculiarities in effect arising from the use 
of dissolved bones ? 
7. What sort of bones are best adapted for use in a dissolved 
state ? 
8. What quantity of such bones is it best to apply ? 
9. What sort of acid should be used ? 
10. What proportion should the weight of the acid bear to 
that of the bones used ? 
1 1 . What proportion of water should be added to the mixture 
before application? 
12. What effect has the acid itself as a manure ? 
13. What are the general advantages of the solution of bones 
as a manure ? 
14. Is there any other feature connected with the preparation 
or application of the solution which the present trials 
suggest as worthy of our notice ? 
II. — Method of Inquiry. 
The soil selected for the experiment was a deep sandy loam 
upon a gravelly subsoil, perfectly dry, free from wood, level, and 
exposed on all sides. Having had a crop of wheat during the 
previous year upon clover stubble, depastured in the autumn, the 
field was properly fallowed and cleaned. 
In the middle of the field a patch of 2 acres was next staked 
out, and subdivided into 20 plots, each containing one-tenth of an 
acre. These were set out in ridges, at 24 inches distance from 
each other, and drilled upon the ridge withMatson's white globe 
turnip-seed on the 1st of July, 1844. 
The various manures fixed upon for trial were applied in the 
quantities and order shown in the subjoined chart of the particu- 
lars of the experiment. 
