Bones and Sulphuric Acid as Manures. 
457 
the fertilizing constituents of the bone are reduced to a state best 
adapted to afford the turnip an immediate supply of food — ^by 
which reason less than one-half the quantity used in tlieir ordinary 
condition will suffice to supply all the wants of the crop. 
Such, then, are the ground-works and the details of the theory 
of the action of dissolved bones. Practice has already tested that 
theory, and careful experiments fully developed the peculiar action 
and etFccts of the application. These experiments are not very 
numerous ; nevertheless, they will, I think, be found sufficient to 
carry out the truth of the theory which their results corroborate; 
as they bear on themselves evident marks of the care and correct 
observation which has attended their execution ; thus, though 
carried on at one time, and in various places, it will be found that 
each experiment was observed to develope one certain peculiar 
effect. The experiments which I have met with, having special 
reference to the question, are those made by Mr. M. Williams, 
Mr. Geddes, and Dr. Monson, and reported to the Morayshire 
Farmers' Club; those of the Duke of Richmond, communicated 
to the Royal Agricultural Society of England; of Mr. Fleming, 
of Barochan, Paisley, published in the Appendix to Professor 
Johnston's ' Lectures;' and those of Mr. Finnic, of Swanston, 
communicated to the Highland and Agricultural Society of Scot- 
land. My own experiments on the same subject were reported 
to the same Society in my Prize Report " On the effects of Special 
Manures." — ( Vide Transactions, March, 1844.) 
The following is a summary of the particulars and peculiarities 
of the action of the dissolved bones as exhibited in the trials alluded 
to: — 
Mr. M. Williams's Experiments. 
No. 1. 
Date. 
Manures and Quantity. 
Application. 
Produce 
per Acre. 
Cost per 
Scotch Acre. 
1812. 
Bones 
. 20 bush. 
Drilled .... 
Tons. c« t. lb. 
12 4 3 
£ s. d. 
3 3 0 
Bones . 
Sul. Acid 
Water . 
4 bush. 
. 116 lbs. 
. 224 lbs. 
jin 6,400 lbs. or 6401 
> gallons of ivaler, > 
j in furrow . .J 
17 
4 5 
1 8 6 
Bones 
Sul. Acid 
Water . 
. 20 bush. 
. 76 lbs. 
. 126 lbs. 
1 » > J > 
13 
0 52 
3 12 6 
Peculiarities. — Difference between the applications and bone-dust 
applied in the usual way " was most marked " — " the sulphuric 
solution brought the turni^is to the hoe 10 days earlier than the bones 
alone, and 4 days before the bones sprinkled with acid." " Came 
