Bones and Sulphuric Acid as Manures. 
461 
secured at a less cost of application than by the ordinary method. 
Thus from the foregoing trials we see — 1st. That a moderate 
quantity of bones well dissolved acts as a tillage for the turnip- 
crop; and that a small quantity, even two bushels, of bones per 
acre, thoroiighly dissolved, will produce a crop superior in weight 
to the usual quantity applied in their ordinary condition. 2nd. 
That a large quantity of bones very partially sprinkled with acid 
exhibits greatly augmented fertilizing influence ; so that even the 
direct advantage, or saving, which we receive is a double one; viz., 
a saving in the quantity and the cost of the manure, and a saving, 
or gain, in the quantity of produce; for both of which advantages 
a pound, shilling, and pence estimate is in the preceding cases 
supplied. There are, however, other or indirect advantages, 
attendant on the application of bones in a state of sobition, to 
which a monetary value cannot be assigned ; they are, however, 
not the less important, or unworthy of our attention. Thus, in the 
first place, Ave have a quick growth of plant in the earlier stages 
of the season — a point which is universally allowed to be the grand 
desideratum in the cultivation of the turnip ; since, by being 
pushed on, its infancy is shortened, and the many dangers 
of that period lessened, and the plant is enabled to defy the 
ravages of the fly and to spread at an earlier period its green leaf 
to the atmosphere ; for the turnip derives a large share of its sus- 
tenance by the absorption through its leaves of the carbonic acid 
of the atmosphere. 
In the next place, we have a continued quick growth and 
a tendency to form bulbs — advantages which may be turned to 
account. Thus, say that we care nothing for the chance of greater 
produce at a less cost — nothing for the almost certainty of con- 
quering the fly and the other enemies of the turnip's infancy — 
there are many circumstances under which the power to grow a 
crop speedily is peculiarly valuable. For instance, it will enable 
us to grow a crop of turnips often, instead of rape, for autumn 
Potatoes, 1843. 
Top-dressed upon farm dung. 
Bones dissolved in Sulphuric Acid andl , ^ ena ii*. i l 
1 i r ivT ■ t at cost of 28s. . 14 tons. 5 cwt. per acre. 
Carbonate oi Magnesia gave . . . j » 
No dressing gave 11 „ 16 „ „ 
Oats, 1842. 
Bones and Sulphuric Acidl ikv. u ooiu i (weighing 42 lbs. per bush., 
, " > gave 15 bush. 38 lbs. per rood') ? ^ f i 
as a top dressing . . . J ° \ at a cost oi 7s. per rood. 
No top dressing .... 11 „ 11 „ „ weighing 39 lbs. per bush. 
Soil — partly moss and partly gravel. 
Oats, 1843. 
Bones and Sulphuric! lo u i, oo n i (weighing 39i lbs. per bush.. 
Acid . ... . } e^^" 2^ '^'^ i cost L 4rf.%er rood. 
No top dressing ... 15 „ 15 „ „ weighing 39 lbs. 
Soil — stiff alluvial loam. 
