Bone Meal is used as an organic fertilizer.  It is made up of crushed and coarsely ground bones.  It is a slow-release fertilizer.  Bone meal is primarily used as a source of phosphorus.  We have always used it, around our roses particularly.  We put it around the stem out to about 8 inches or more, and dig it in a bit.  It has worked very well for us.
	
		
			
		
		
	
			
			