The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1878-02-07
Homemade Fertilizer.
John Il. Patrick, Esq.

John T. Patrick, Esq.
DEAR SIR: Your favor of the 9th,
asking for directions to render bones
available as a fertilizer. is at hand.
and l take pleasure in replying at once
of plant food consists In the phosphor-
ic acid and nitrogen which they con-
tain. The former is combined with
lime as phosphate of lime, and in new
bones this phosphate of lime should
constitute 80 to 60 per cent of the
whole. The remaining 40 to so PEI
cent being made up Of cartilage, gela-
tine, magnesia, &c. &c. The nitro
gen is in the organic matter cartilage
and gelatine.) The phosphoric acid
in combination with the lime, is held
in a comparatively insoluble state by
the organic matter with which the
bone is surrounded and p~ermeated.
When acted upon by the soil the fibre
and other organic matter are decOm-
posed, their nitrogen being converted
into ammonia, while the phosphoric is
gradually rendered soluble and capa-
Bile Of being assimilated by the grow
ing crop. In view of these facts, two
points are t o be taken into cOnsidera-
ton by the farmer. First, the COM
minution by which the action of the
soil is aided and accelerated. And
secondly, the means of artificially rem
dering the phosphoric acid soluble.
If no mill is convenient 1T will pay
the planter to set a hand at breaking
up the bones into as small pieces as
possible, which may be done by a
heavy hammer and a little patience.
When cotton seed or other nitroge-
nous organic compound is obtainable,
it will pay to burn the bones, if it is
found difficult to break them, and then
there will be but little difficulty in get
ting them into good subdivision.
Bones are rendered soluble with
great ease by treating them with oil
of vitriol, and where this acid may be
obtained cheaply, it will pay in almost
every case to employ it. The follow
ing directions can be easily followed,
but those not familiar with the hand
ling of SO powerful an acid as the oil
of vitriOl should use the greatest care.
The bones should first be broken up in
to the size of walnuts and weighed out
into lots of about 100 lbs each. A large
tub can be used for the operation,
which is conveniently made by saving
a petroleum barrel in half. And now
we are ready to begin the work. Let
the manipulation put on old clothes
which will be no great loss, should the
corrosive acid spatter upon them. Have
at hand a solution of washing soda or
weak lye to put upon the hands or face
as an antidote should a drop of acid
touch them. Place a layer of bones s
or 10 inches deep in the bottom of the
tub. Pour the oil of vitrOil from the
carboy slowly and steadily into a pitch
or nv. O{hor orf u IF xvo NO I-l IL
previously weighed) until full.
Wet the layer of bones in the tub thor
oughly with water, then pour the acid
cautiously upon them from the pitcher
to the amount of about SO or 60 lbs of
acid to 10 lbs of bones, stirring and
mixing the whole mass with a wooden
shovel Or an old hoe. Then put in an
other layer of bones on top of the first,
and repeat the process until the tub
is full. After standing from 3 to -
hours, shovel the whole u into a
heap and mix with it, if obtainable.
some ground plaster. This will help
to dry the mass thoroughly and rem
der it more readily broken UP when 1t
is to be applied.
l have given these outlines some
what hurriedly owing to pressure of
work, but I think you will find them
sufficiently plain. If any point need
further explanation please drop me a
line and | will take pleasure in r%espon-
ding. Let me beg you once more to
caution those who use sulphuric acid
against its dangerous corrosive prop
critics. When used with care, it is per-
manageable, but a dangerous
pour ucdter into acid. When desiring
mix them, pour the acid into the
water, stirring all the time. I have Of
recommended mixing the water
and acid separately, and pouring the
mixture upon the bones. When this
is done, pour into a tub about 3 tim es
as much water as you propose to take
of acid about $50 lbs water to 100 lbs
bone). then pour from the pitcher.
and steadily the acid into the
water, stopping every little while and
the mixture. 1t need not sur
prise One if the water grows very hot
and the acid falls into it with a .gurg-
ling sound. Should any spatter upon
person wipe it off at once and an
ply the soda or I've.
Rendering bones soluble in this way
increases their value, and with
q little trouble the farmer can make at
home as good or better fertilizers than
lAAony Ao ouyo IoI tWlCe Tie cost or his
and acid.
rendered soluble by acid or not. bones
should always be applied underneath
he's surface of the ground. recently
Jaw a large vineyard, every vine hav-
ing a pile of bones about it. The own
er was wise to save the bones. but had
broken them up, or, at least, buried
hem a few inches, they would have
his labor in time, and effect a
hundred fold.
l shall always be glad to help the
armers in your section, and hope thew
will write to me, if l can be of any SER
Yours sincerely.
ALBERT R. LEDOUX.
.Wddesboro Herald.