408 
On the Use of Bone Manure . 
is formed, which finally produces the grasses: they again, by 
their decay, form more and more fertile soil. This process 
proceeds more or less speedily, and to greater or less perfection, 
as the original rock contains more or less the elements necessary 
for vegetation, one of the principal of which is lime in the state 
of a carbonate, or more powerful still as a phosphate, and for a 
particular genus of plants (the trefoils) as a sulphate. In 
many soils this is wanting, and this is particularly the case with 
a very considerable portion of the soil in this country otherwise 
fertile—that formed by the decomposition of sandstone, or as it 
is commonly called freestone. To this and to clay, lime is 
particularly beneficial, but in different combinations. To the 
clay as carbonate, which is the form into which burnt lime 
finally returns, and which requires to be employed in com¬ 
paratively large quantities to become a sufficient and active 
ingredient in such soils. But in light and sandy soils, the 
phosphate is the best combination of lime, which has the 
additional recommendation of being required in a very small 
quantity if applied immediately to the root of the plant. The 
form in which it can be most economically used is that of 
powdered bones, which contain besides a large quantity of 
decomposable animal matter ; and the plant best suited to sandy 
soils, and most benefitted by bone dust, is the turnip; not that 
it is not useful on clayey stiff lands, but that carbonate of lime 
bein£ cheaper, and more abundant, can be more economically 
applied to such lands in sufficient quantity to overcome their 
adhesiveness, which is the only fault in general of such soils. 
But to whichever it may be applied, it is easy to follow out the 
principle which it adds to the fertility of the soil. Mixed in 
with the turnip seed, it immediately, by the animal matter 
contained in it, stimulates the seed to a healthy germination, 
which, supported in its several stages by the slow absorption of 
the lime in its best form, and other constituents of the soil, 
becomes a vigorous and prolific plant. This again fed off by 
stock returns to the soil in new combinations, and still farther 
fits it for v the production of the succeeding crop. Thus this 
manure acts not merely by its own intrinsic power, but by 
bringing into action the before inert and uncombined, or un¬ 
decomposed elements of the earth. That it has been successfully 
applied, the change in the face of many parts of England and 
Scotland, where it has been plentifully used, is the best evidence. 
That its value is still more and more appreciated is proved by 
the increasing importation of bones, at a vast expense, from 
every part of the continent within reach of our shipping, and 
the best effects are now produced by what, until within a few 
years, were as much disregarded as they are here at present. 
We have often thought that the proper application of the 
quantities of tliis valuable manure now lying useless in many 
parts of the Colony would be attended with flic happiest effects 
