It consists in softening and friability of the bones from a deficiency of lime salts, and appears to be mainly connected with an inherited weakness of constitution, unsuitable feeding, cold, close, damp buildings, microbian infection, and other conditions inimical to health.
"Special Report on Diseases of Cattle"
U.S. Department of Agriculture J.R. Mohler
A great drawback to the usefulness of most kinds of peat-fuel, lies in their great friability.
"Peat and its Uses as Fertilizer and Fuel"
Samuel William Johnson
While buckwheat is a good green crop to plow under, if the cultivator can wait for the more slowly maturing red-top clover, he will find it far better, both to enrich and to lighten up his heavy soil; for it is justly regarded as the best means of imparting the mellowness and friability in which the roots of strawberries as well as all other plants luxuriate.
"Success With Small Fruits"
E. P. Roe