SoluUlity of Phosphatic Materials. 
189 
The bone-meal, ivon-dust, and boiled bones were cxlianstcd 
with three successive quantities of water, and several solutions 
were obtained, in which the amounts of" nitrogen and dissolved 
bone-phosphates were determined as before with the following 
results : — 
Table ahoicing the amount of Bone-phosphate and Nitmjen dissolved hy 
1 gallon of Water lift in contact for 24 hours with Bone-meal and Jwnj- 
dust, in the proportion of 500 grains to 1 decigallon. 
Bouc-nical 
Ivory-dust 
)3oiic-phosi)li!it(.'. 
Nitrogen, 
Aniiiiuuiu. 
1st solution 
y-io .. 
.. 7-01 
8-51 
2nd „ 
2-80 .. 
.. 3-50 
4-25 
3id 
1-70 .. 
.. 3-15 
3-82 
1st solution 
.. G-BG 
8-33 
2nd „ 
2-45 .. 
.. 3-43 
4-lG 
;ird „ 
2-80 .. 
.. 2-74 
3-33 
1st solution 
4-20 .. 
.. 17-50 
21-25 
2nd „ 
2-10 .. 
. 2-10 
3-27 
3rd „ 
2-15 .. 
. 1-78 
2-lG 
Boiled bones (refuse bones 
ol' j^lue-inakcrs) .. 
In conformity with similar trials the 1st solution in each case 
contained more phosphate of lime than the subsequent ones. 
The glue-makers' refuse, it will be seen, yielded to water 
about the same quantity of bone-phosphates as the ivory-dust, 
and the bone-meal about twice as much. 
These variations in the proportions of soluble phosphates in 
the various forms in which bones are used in agriculture, no 
doubt must have a considerable influence on the readiness with 
which they are appropriated by our crops. 
Experiments with rotten Bone-dust. 
Professor Wohler, of the University of Gottingen, if I am not 
mistaken, first pointed out that bone-dust, moistened with a 
little water, in the course of a few days yields a considerable 
quantity of phosphate of lime to water, and that this solubility 
rapidly increases with the putrefaction of the gelatine. 
Many years ago the late Mr. Pusey, it may be remembered, 
suggested that bone-dust moistened with water and mixed with 
ashes, sand, or porous earth should be placed in a heap, and the heap 
kept moist by occasionally pouring water, stale urine, or liquid 
manure upon it. Adopting this suggestion, practical men soon 
lound that bones broken into rough pieces with a sledge-hammer, 
may by this simple means not only be reduced to a finer state of 
division, but also rendered much more efficacious as a manure 
lor root crops. VVohler's direct experiments upon putrefying 
bones afford a rational explanation of the benefit arising from 
preparing bones in accordance with Mr. Pusey 's recommcnda- 
