The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1878-10-10
How to Make Bones Us eful.
BY A. II. LEDOUX.

The chief value Of bones as a sourc-
of plant food consists in the %phosphoe
ric acid and nitrogen which they on
tain. The former is combined with
lime as phosphate of lime, and in ne w
bones this phosphate Of lime should
constitute 80 or 90 per cen of the
whole. The remaining 40 to so per
cent being made up of cartilage, gela-
tine, magnesia, &C., &c. The nitrogen
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 permeated. When
acted upon by the soil, the fibre and
other organic matter are decomposed,
their nitrogen being converted into
ammonia, while the phosphoric acid is
gradually rendered soluble and D
BILE of being assimilated by the growing
crop. In view of these facts, two
points are to be taken into considera-
ton by the farmer. First, the commit
mutton by which the action Of the soil
is aided and accelerated. And secondly,
the means of artiticially rendering the
phosphoric acid soluble.
If no mill is convenient, it 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 heterogeneous
organic compound is o~btainable, it
will pay to burn the bones. if it is
found difficult to break them, 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. Tho follow
ing directions can be easily followed,
but those not familiar with the hand
ling of SO powerful an acid as oil Of
vitriol should use the greatest care.
The bones should first be broken up
into the size of walnuts, and weighed
out into lots of about 100 pounds each.
A large tub can be used for the opera
ton, 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
NdStllI1S SCOd VI Z W PuC upoIl
the hands or face, as an antidote,
should a drop of acid touch them.
Place a layer of bones s or 10 inche-
deep in the bottom of the tub. Pour
the oil of vitriol from the carboy slows
ly and steadily into a pitcher, or other
article of stoneware (Which was previ-
ously weighed until full. Wet the
layer of bones in the tub thoroughly
with water, then pour acid cautiously
upon them from the pitcher to the
amount of about 90 or % pounds of
acid to 100 pounds of bones, stirring
and mixing the whole mass with a
wooden shovel or an old hoe. Then
put III another layer ofbones on top of
the first, and repeat the process until
the tub is full. After standing from
3 to y hours, shovel the whole out into
a heap, and mix with it, if obtainable,
some ground plaster. This will help
to dry the mass thoroughly and render
it more readily broken up when it is to
be applied.
| have given these outlines some
what hurriedly owing to pressure OF
work, but 1 think they will be found
sufficiently plain. Let me once more
caution those who use sulphuric acid