The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1879-07-30

Now, you ask, if this superphos-
phate will remain soluble as it is for
long time? answer, probably not
all of it. The mono-basic phosphate
has tendency to go back, or revert,
as the change is sometimes termed,
and this means that it will, to some
extent, that is, the phosphoric acid,
take up another equivalent OF lime In
the compound and thus become BIZ
basic phosphate. l regard this as a
not untavorable change, tor the rea.
son that it is more slowly soluble in
the soil, it is not so quickly available,
and, therefore, is more enduring in its
action upon the crops. 1t is not GER
tain but that we shall find it better
to convert all of our phosphates into
the bi-basic form, rather than into
the mono basic, as that form OF acid
may be too strong to be assimilated
by plants. We do not yet know
precisely in what condition the acid
is taken up; we certainly know it
must be soluble in water, however.
But you may say, perhaps, that
bones have proved excellent fertiliz-
ers without dissolving them in acid;
that is true, but you must remember
that in such condition, the carbonic
acid Of the soil and air, does the work
Of the vitriol in the laboratory. The
lime of the bones is seized by that
acid, and it becomes carbonate of
lime; this sets free the phosphoric
acid, and is made available to plants.
1t is, however, slow process, unless
the bones are finely ground, and
much better to render them more
speedily available, as money interest
is to be considered. In what l have
said about the Importance of having
plant nutriment soluble, you will IN
fer that water is needed to serve as
the important solvent. If any form
of fertilizer is used in dry season,
it is not of service, for want of water
to hold it in solution, and that fact
we must never loose sight of. The
peach orchard by the hill yonder, re-
ceived, for six consecutive years,
dressings Of bone and other substan-
ces, but during the past seven years
nothing whatever has been given TO
it, and yet the hay crop continues to
be very large. This year the timothy
was very heavy, and l have no doubt
the yield will continue good for some
years. The explanation is, that we
have had very many dry seasons
since the dressings were applled, and
further, some OF them were in con-
dition to be slowly available. Two
very nonsensical notions have some
how got into the heads Of farmers,
respecting artificial fertilizers One
is, that such manures are quick gone;
the other, that they burn up, or rem
der soils, in the long run, sterile.
Look abroad, gentleman, on these
fields, for sixteen years under these
fertilizers, and Judge if they are ster-
lie, or likely to become so.
Now, | must turn to a brief consid'
Grafton of the other important sub
stances employed as artificial tertii-
izers, and first, let us consider the
sources OF nitrogen. In the use OF
the name of the element, it must not
be understood to mean that nitrogen
in its. naked condition is avaible. /
once had a farmer call at my labora-
tory in Boston, and asked if | could
furnish HIM nitrogen, and if so, the
price. He was told that he could
very easily obtain all he wanted
without much cost, by simply burn
ing phosphorus in confined air. This
substance will attract and appropriate
nearly all the oxygen OF common air
and leave the nitrogen free for use.
But che wanted it in considerable
quantities for fertllizing purposes"
All, you are now understood, that is
quite another matter You cannot
use nitrogen, as it exists In air, and
pity it is that we cannot, or, SEEM
ingly so.
Nitrogen is only available as it ex-
lists in some one OF its combinations,
as nitric acid, salts, or ammonia.
Nitrogen, in itself is dead, negative
element, and yet in its combinations
t is the source of some of the most
startling exhibitions of explosive
force, which come under our notice,
and also in plants it is the element
which gives TO the cereal grains the
power of producing and sustaining in
men and animals all the muscular
and nerve force they are capable Of
exhibiting. There are, upon the table,
vessels holding nitrate Of soda, sui
plate Of ammonia, nitrate OF potassa,
and aIsn animal dnst and nnann