Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1874-06-05
Cost of superphosphates.

In Part III of the Bulletin Of the b ussey
Institution of Harvard University, Mr.. L.
N. StoreI, professor Of agricultural chemistry,
gives the costs and analyses of several En-
glish and German superphosphates. 1t ap-
pears that the Lawes superphosphate, contain
ing say IL per cent. of soluble phosphoric
acid, is sold at their works for 93 los, or
say S20.63 per ton, and that it should be
landed on wharf in Boston by sailing ves-
sci frou London, in quantities of not less
than ten tons, for S36 per ton, or say 12I
cents for each pound of soluble phosphorIc
acid Also that English superphoshpate Of
higher grade than that of Lawes', yielding
10 aud Is per cent. of soluble phosphoric
acid, would cost, landed here, respectively
IL and IA cts. per pound Of the acid. In
Part [ of the bulletin Of the Bussey Insti.
tuition, issued in January, Prof Storer has
given analyses and values compared with
selling prices Of eleven of the best known
commercial superphosphates sold in Boston,
and after allowing 6 cents for each pound of
their insoluble phosphoric acid, and 20 cents
for each pound Of their nitrogen, of uncer-
tain value, it appears that the average cost
to the purchaser Of each pound Of soluble
phosphoric acid that these eleven superphos-
pilates contain is 3l.S0 cents, and that the
average quality is 6.65 per cent, the highest
being 1928 per cent, and the lowest l.4G
per cent.
The researches of Prof. Storer show that
the American-made superphosphates hitherto
available to New England farmers are Of too
high cost aud too little value to be bought
and used to advantage, and that it is posi-.
bic to make and sell better article at a
lower price, still leaving fair profit to the
maker or importer and the correspondence
ELECTED by his publications has also brought
to light facts confrmatory Of his conclu-
sions, and encouraging to the many who are
compelled to use artificial manures. For
instance, Mr. Geo. Il. White Of 100 Front
St., New York, writes to Prof. Storer, April
10, that he will sell to such as wish to buy
in lots not less than ten tons, superphos-
phate yielding 10 per cent soluble phos-
phoric acid, at S25 per ton Of 1000 lbs,
delivered on cars or vessel at New York,
in bags or barrels at his cost and on April
80 he writes 81 offer to deliver in Boston
soluble phosphate of lime of high grade,
guaranteeing ~ per cent. Of anhydrous
phosphoric acid, soluble in water, at $50 per
ton" This is highly concentrated fertili-
ger Of foreign manufacture, and great excel
lence. The cost of the soluble phosphoric
acid in these two articles would be about
III cents pound, or as low as the Lawes
Supcrphosphate can be imported for, aud
very much less than in any commercial fer
tilizer hitherto available here. Mr.. White
says: alt seems as though We ought to be
able to compete with the foreign manufac-
turers, and it is my opinion that both plain
and ammoniated superphosphates can be
made in the neighborhood of this city as
cheaply as at any point in the world. say
this with a full knowledge of the cheap sup.
ply of sulphuric acid which foreign makers
command"
This Is certainly most encouraging, and if
farmers hereafter will persist in buying an
inferior article at $50 or $50 ton, when
they can get better article for about half
the money, aud the result is failure, they
will have only themselves to thank for it.
One trouble is that many farmers buy and
use something of which they only know that
it is sold as a fertilizer, when it may not be
what they need for their land or crops. One
might as well go into druggists shop and
take dose from the first bottle he sees,
kill or cure, as use commercial manure of
which he does not know the properties and
adaptability to his present needs. Prof.
Storer, in the Bulletins above referred to,
has begun a work which | confidently hope
aud believe will be, and indeed in the num-
bers already issued Is, Of the greatest value,
as supplying from scientific and practical
date, aud in language clear, concise, and free
from technicalties, the information We must
all have before we can select the best mate
rails, aud use them to the best advantage
Cor. Country Gentleman.