64 
Action and Practical Application of Bones 
Scotland, March, 1844). In this case, then, the increase arising from 
the 45 per cent, of organic matter (water, oil, and gelatine) is about 
1 ton 17 cwt. per acre, while that arising from the earthy part is about 
8 tons 11 cwt. per acre. This last result is obtained by subtracting the 
produce of the soil without manure (No. 20), viz. 5 tons 12 cwt. per 
acre, from that of No. 7 (burnt bones dissolved). It will also be ob- 
served that none of this effect arises from the action of the acid as a 
manure of itself ; for though it promotes the action of the bone, it has 
no effect of consequence if applied alone. ( Vide Nos. 18 and 19.) 
2. That the organic part of bones has also a very beneficial 
effect upon the crop. 
The remarks under the foregoing conclusions will illustrate this. In 
all cases where it is applied in addition to the earthy part it will be seen 
that it has encouraged vegetation. Thus compare No. 1 with No. 3, 
and No. 6 with No. 8. It should also be observed, that its total action 
is greater than the difference between No. 1 and No. 3 shows, because, 
as will be shown, the phosphates, &c. in No. 1 do not act so fully as in 
No. 3. The effect therefore of the animal matter is not clearly shown 
by a comparison of No. 6 and No. 8. It will be observed, too, that one 
part of the animal matter, the gelatine, has also a visible effect in the 
cases where boiled bones are used. 
3. That the action of the organic and inorganic parts of bone 
applied in natural union, is not equivalent to the total of their 
separate fertilizing capabilities. 
In proof of this it will be seen, by reference to the ' Summary of Re- 
sults,' that any means of separating, or reducing the particles of the 
bone, so as to make their separation more easy in the soil, greatly in- 
creases the effect arising from the manure. This increase of effect 
arises, therefore, from the increased action of their materials. In ordi- 
nary cases, therefore, we may conclude that they do not act up to their 
real capability. For example of this, note the greater efficacy attained 
by pulverizing, or by dissolving the bones before using, compared with 
the inferior action of bones in a rough state. The increased effect of 
the bones dissolved is threefold; as one-fourth the quantity used gene- 
rally here answers as well as the larger quantity. And as the acid 
has no effect as a manure, the effect from the bones is trebled ; in their 
ordinary condition they, therefore, oidy act partially, or that action 
could not be increased. 
5. That this circumstance is not owing to one of the matters 
having a non-fertilizing influence, but to the action of the earthy 
part being retarded, and consequently for that crop lessened, by its 
union with the animal oil, «Scc. of the bone. 
The first part of this position has already been j)roved — both the ani- 
mal and earthy matter having been shown to be manures. That the 
animal oil retards the action of the other portion is shown by the cir- 
cumstances that the dissolution of the unicm of the two parts by an acid 
promotes both the immediate and total action of the manure ; that the 
pulverization of the bone, and the consequent more free admission of 
