The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1862-03-08
Agricultural.
Eresna Bones-preparation of by
ptsf sefaCfiOfa.

Prof. +. L. Tyson, State Chemist, in
his report for 1861, says:
"This mode has been evidently COM
ing more and more into use within few
years past, and we often find directions
in the agricultural journals for effecting
1t, most generally by making them into
eomposts with stable manure or other
matter. / have, however, met with
nothing in that way that appears likely
to answer better purpose than that
practiced by me 10 years ago, experiment.
ing to some extent. And as inquiries
have been made in answer to which I
had found it necessary frequently to
describe the process, it will nov be
repeated in full.
Having smoothed over the surface of
the ground, (under shed, if conveniently
place thereon evenly, layer of 3 inches
of ground bones, and then an even layer
of good fine soil or eafth, free from
stones or sticks. Give good sprinkling
of gymsum over each layer of earth
Ano her layer of bones is applied upon
the Layer of earth, and the same allerna-
tons are to be repeated with the gypsum
until we have four of each bones and
earth, and the height of the pile will be
"a inches. AS the bones are usually,
dry, each layer should be we'll moistencd
with water or better with urine, in order
to has en- the process. 1t is proper to
place two or more sticks in the Pile
reaching to S base which should be fire.
quently examined by feeling them, in
order to judge of the degree Of heat pro-
duccd. If the weather be warm they
will begin to heat in few days, and in
week or two will become hot. When
upon taking out the sticks they feel
unpleasantly hot, the process should be
checked by chopping or spading down
the mass from top 10 bottom, which, if
carefully done, mixes the materials we'll
together, and they are ready for spread
ing.
If the process be commenced DUNG
cold weather it may be FASTENED by
placing at the bottom layer of fresh
horse dung about 6 inches thick, and
covering the pile with straw Or fodder to
retain the Eeat.
There is much testimony in favor of
using salt as manure and it cannot be
applied more advantageously than with
the bones, because it promotes their
solubility. 1t would be better to place
the proper dose of salt viii the gypsum
upon each layer of the earth.
In reference to the quantity of bones
to the acre | may say, that after trying
them in quantities from 80 bushels down
to 10, came to the conclusion that 10
bushels to the acre was the most advan-
tageous guam iy. l became satisfied
also that this quantity, prepared as l
have just indicated, and uniformly sown,
viii be as effective for Il year or two as
double the quantity applied in the dry
state.
Should the soil be dry when wheat
ground is dressed with dry bones, aud
continue SO for some time after, bu5
little effect will be produced by them
upon the autumn growth.
The effecs Of the purified bones will
be obvious within few days af err the
young wheat appears above the surface.
The pu!refaction in the first ease goes
on very slowly; but when the bones have
been once heated it will proceed more
readily and of course furnish an earlier
supply of the much needed ammonia, as
we'll as phosphoric acid
When bones arc applied, either dry
or in the manner / have suggested, (3,)
they are giving out their ammonia as the
crops require it, but in cold weather the
putrefaction is nearly or quite suspended,
according to the temperature. and again
resumed in the spring; at first slowly
and then in hot weather, when it is most
wanted by the crop.
| have very rarely met with those
who have used bones for manure without
being satisfied with their effects. En-
perience has shown, however, that their
effects are not so promptly evinccd in
stiff clay soils as in those of a more
porous character. The compactncss Of
very stiff soil prevents sufficient access
of air to assist in the decay of the bones.
When applied to very wet soils the ami
NAL matters decompose SO slowly as to
produce little benefit to crops.
Prof. Tyson in last report 1852 says.
/" l have nothing new to add in reference
to the use Of ground bones, or mode Of
preparing which l gave here ofore.-
The good and prompt effect produced
upon crops by the use of bones prepared
4" this manner have been experienced
by others as we'll as myself. Bones
though apparently costly are an econom-
ical manure, remunerating by increased
crops for long period. They should
be carefully sown by hand on ground
previously narrowed, and then narrowed
again, but by no means turned under
with the pillow.