Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1878-11-19
Homemade Supe,phosphate.

Homemade SuperphOsphdte.
In the November number of the Jour-
nal of Chemistry, DR.. Nichols gives the
following short notice of his field meeting
and lecture on manufacturing chemical
fertilizers, at his farm at Haverhill, which
meeting We were prevented by previous
engagements from attending:
We have long held the view that some
method should be devised to afford prac-
teal instruction to the men who have in
charge the farms and gardens of the coun-
try-men who, although they may have
reached middle life, are DESTROYS OF avail
ing themselves of the facts and principles
of modern husbandry Our schools and
agricultural colleges are designed to in
struct only those who have not entered
upon the actual labors of the farm, or
only the young men who are seeking an
education. Periodicals and journals de-
voted to agricultural matters for the most
part do good work, but they fail to bring
the results of modern research and im-
pTovements home to the farm; and the
same may be said of the ordinary lectures
delivered at farmers meetings As far
as words 60 they accomplish all that can
be accomplished, but something more is
needed. Instruction is better conveyed
by seeing than by hearing, and when both
are conjoined the highest and most salts
factory results are attained.
With the view Of testing the practical
bility of this kind Of instruction, We call
ed together about a hundred working
farmers in September, and held the meet
ing on the floor of the farm barn at Lake
side The first half hour was devoted to
an examination of the farm buildings
the barn, tool room, repair shop, the room
for manufacturing fertilizers, and the ana
lytical laboratory, where analysis is made
Of soils, fertilizers, etc. The topic design
cd to be presented was chemical or artih-
cial fertilizers; their nature, history, uses,
methods of manufacturing aud compound
ing. Iu order to make all plain, the use
OF blackboard was called into requisi-
ton, and on the table were placed vessels
holding the different salts and combna-
tons used as plant food. Still further to
elucidate and enforce the facts Of the
topic, series of Illustrative experiments
was devised, in which the principles OF
combination and chemical reaction were
seen. As final experiment, the gentle
men were invited into the barnyard, to
witness the manufacture Of FIVE hundred
pounds of superphosphate as conducted IN
the usual way upon the farm.
That this method might be shown to be
quite simple, and one to be undertaken by
any ordinarily intelligent person, the whole
process was carried through under the
direction Of Mr.. Davis, our farm super
intenjent He placed on a platform
lead.hned tank made Of pine plank, four
feet square and one foot deep Into this
he poured ten gallons OF water, and then
the contents Of one csrboy Of sulphuric
acid tl65 lbs.) Into this he shovelled
gradually $50 pounds of fine bone char
coal, such as the sugar rehners use, and
| after the violent reaction was over, IN
about sn hour, he had about quarter OF
ton Of genuine superphosphate analyz
ing 1850 per cent. soluble phosphoric
acid, ready for the field. twas perfectly
dry in two hours, and could be taken IN
the hand, and it needs no grinding In
this simple way, Mr. Davis made twelve
tons during leisure days last winter; more
than enough to meet our wants 10 thesum-
mer. The apparatus Is the result OF much
experience, and is exactly adapted 10 the
wants Of farmers Our method is per-
fectly practicable when the South Carolina
phosphate rocks are used, pulyerlzed, IN
stead of the bone char, 10 order to show
that it is practicable for the inexperienced,
We will state that Hon +. II. Rollins,
United States Senator from New Hamp-
shire, spent a day with us at the farm,
and from the brief instructions given he
has been able TO make a tank, and man
uiacture several tons Of superphosphate
at his farm 10 Rolinsiord, \. IL, the
past month,
The barn lecture occupied one hour,
and it was indeed novel sight-one per-
haps never before witnessed in this country.
Seats were placed in spaces between the
COW stalls, and on the floor, and every
thing wore IN aspect of comfort and facl-
ity Of observation. The methods Of com.
biniog the salts OF ammonia and the
nitrates and potash salts TO obtain perfect
manure were explained, and also their
nature and chemical relationship. The
language employed was plain ana simple,
without technicaiities or confusing FORM
ulas. At the close, it was gratifying to
listen to the expressions Of approval OF
the plan, and the statements of how many
new and useful facts were obtained from
the farmers present Theexperiment con-
clusivey proved that our farmers arc not
only eager for practical instruction, but
capable of compromising the important
principles upon which modern scientific
husbandry rests.-Exchange.
an american Ritchen-gdrden.
A step into an American kitchen-gar-