32S 
On Superphosphate of Lime. 
land especially. The ashes must be moderately damp, for dry 
ashes, 1 found, do not exert any action upon the bones. 
Such are the assured advantaees to be derived to the turnip 
crop by the solution of bones, but we may further hope to see 
the use of Superphosphate extended even to corn crops. Theory 
certainly requires it, for, according to Boussineault, a crop of four 
quarters of wheat to the acre draws from that acre of ground at 
least 30 lbs. of phosphoric acid. Experience countenances it, for 
though bone-manure is usually applied to the turnip crop, its 
effects, as is well known, are seen in the following corn crops. 
But further, a direct experiment, too, has proved its success. 
This was made by Mr. Pemberton Leigh upcm wheat, and pub- 
lished in our Journal* last year, but is so much in point that I 
must give it shortly again : — 
One Acre. 
No manure 
Rape-dust, 5 r;wt. . 
Urate, 6 cwt. . 
Dung, 30 loads . 
Guano, 3J cwt. 
Superphosphate, 6 
The increase of 24 bushels, that is three quarters of wheat per 
acre, by the use of Superphosphate, is enormous, equal, in fact, 
to the whole average yield of many farms, and could hardly be 
expected again ; but though we must not hope for so large a return 
in money as eight pounds for two, this manure is so cheap that a 
much smaller increase in the wheat crop would pav for its use. 
I have drilled it in this year with wheat, but Air. Leigh's plan 
of using it as a top-dressing in March may be a better one, be- 
cause it is not wanted sooner, being chiefly required for forming 
the grain, and if applied in the autumn is liable to be washed 
down during winter. I think that it desenes trial on wheat, and 
I am sure that we ought now to give great attention to the cheap- 
enins; of artificial manures. We have succeeded in reducing the 
expense of draining to one-third of its former cost, and I do not 
despair that, by equal perseverance, we may, in three or four 
years, bring down the cost of manures in equal proportion. I 
believe that all bones should now be sold to the farmer in the 
cheaper and readier form of manufactured Superphosphate ; and 
that of all compound manures, though potash and ammonia may be 
required in them, a main ingredient must be Phosphorus. 
Pusey, December 29, 1845. 
Yield of WTieat 
Increase 
Cost. 
per acre. 
per acre. 
£ 
s. 
d. 
. 29 bushels. 
1 
12 
6 . 
. 38 do. 
9 bushels. 
1 
12 
6 . 
. 38 do. 
. 9 do. 
4 
10 
0 . 
. 40 do. . , 
. 11 do. 
2 
4 
0 . 
. 40 do. 
, 11 do. 
2 
4 
9 . 
. 53 do. 
. 24 do. 
See account given by Mr. Strouts, vol. v. p. GO.*i. 
