The Iola register., 1891-01-30
UTILIZING seNEs.
How to Prepare Them for Application to
NewIy-Set Trees in Spring.


Different modes are adopted for utiliz.
ing bones, each having its advantages
and drawbacks. In every case it is im-
portant to break them up in as small
fragments as practicable, by using
sledge, placing them on a smooth, wide
and solid flagstone, with hoop or ring
to confine them within bounds, or COW
ering them with thin layer of straw
which will not impede the force of the
sledge; or by crushing with a twenty
pound weight working on spring-pole
But applied in such broken fragments
they would be of comparatively little
value without further preparation. as
years would be required for them to be-
come worked down in the soil. If
ground in bOne-mill as fine as Indian
meal they would become positively use
full, the difference between the meal
and broken fragments being shown by
by the fact that fine meal, the grains of
which are n fiftieth of an inch in diam
eter, is rated in market as double the
value and price of the meal with gran
ules twelfth of an inch. If bone
mill can not be used or obtained, the
crushed bones may be placed in alter
mating layers with heating or ferment-
ing manure. the layer of bones being
half an inch or an inch thick, and the
layers of manure several inches. If
the manure has about the same degree
of heat as common hot bed. it will
gradually soften and reduce the bones,
and in the course of several weeks they
may be chopped up and pulverized and
mixed with the manure, adding
much to its richness and value.
Old and dry bones require more
time than fresh ones. Another mode
of treating them is to mix them with
fresh wood ashes in large kettle, with
peck of lime to each barrel to make
the ashes caustic. Soak and cover the
whole with water, and then apply heat
for one, two or three days. They will
become sOftened, and may be worked
over and may be mixed with any alb
sorbent. or placed in layers in the COM
post heap. Ground bone may be mixed
at once in alternating layers in ferment-
ing manure, adding greatly to its eff
cheney on all soils needing phosphate.
Reduced to super-phosphate. the bone
becomes more efficient and rapid in
action. For this purpose, they should
be first ground or very finely broken,
and the oil of vitriol having been pro-
cured, add sixty pounds very gradually
land with great caution not to touch or
spill the acid, in a strong tub to as
much or more water, and then put in
twice as much bone. Stir well and
often. In few days add some alb
sorbent or drying powder, as plaster,
to render it capable of being separated
into powder. We would not recommend
this mode to any one not familiar with
handling the powerful acid. When fine
bone meal can be procured, it is doubt
less cheaper fertilizer than super
phosphate bought at present prices in
market, and if the bones already on
hand can be ground, valuable enricher
of the soil can be had at a moderate
rate. for such soils as are distinctly
benefited by it. In the absence of IA
cilities for grinding, the operation of
the fermenting manure or of the lye
from wood ashes is to be recommended.
The former may be accomplished dur
ing winter in the warm and sheltered
basement of a barn.-Country Gentle
man.