Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1880-04-16

and not to bring large yields, and does
not show how well chemical fertilizers
may do. The complete fertilizers" pre-
pared by reliable dealers for special crops
are of course more appropriate for them
and would give better results than this
mixture
= r" The mixture of supcrphos-
phate and potash salt, costing $9.23 per
acre, brought triile less corn and decid-
edlv more potatoes than farm manures.
s. The mixture of nitrate of soda and
superphosphate, I'D, which corresponds
closest of all to the ordinary ammoniated
superphosphates, fish manures and guano,
though costing more than the mixture of
superphosphate and potash salt. brought
less increase Of corn, potatoes, turnlps,
sweet potatoes, and indeed OF every crop
but oats. The number Of experiments
with oats, however. is too small for any
general conclusions 1t is very probable
that they and the cereals generally would
be more helped by nitrogen, and less by
potash, than the other crops. The mix
ture of nitrate of soda and potash salt,
''E, was the least efficient of all.
O. As to the efficiency Of the materials
separately, the nitrate of soda by itself
was seldom of much use, the sulphate of
lime was frequently, the muriate of pot
ash very often. and the superphosplate
generally profitable. Doubtless consid-
cradle of the effect OF the esuperphosphate
was due in many cases to its sulphuric
acid and lime.
To- The results with ashes (see full re-
port are variable, though generally they
were eflicacious.
ARTIFICIAL FEITILIzcIs rs. .FARMaaSrREs.
II. As appears from the figures IN the
table the complete chemical fertilizer
brought Il larger and Ike mixture Of sl-
perphcsphate and potash salt about the
same average increase as the farm man
ures, taking these as actually used. The
quality of the produce was generally as
good or even better with tine chemicals
than with the farm manures. Potatoes,
especially, were finer i'll quality and less
disposed to rot with the artificial fertili-
zers than with the farm manures. To
counterbalance the better produce with
the chemicals and their greater conve-
nience in handling and applying, the
farm manures have the advantage of be-
ing in general more lasting in their effects.
T. From results for details Of which
there is not room here, it would seem that
an excellent and, perhaps, for most farm
ers, the best way to use chemical fertili
zers is to supplement light dressing of
farm manure. The results from thus
using the two together have been very
satisfactory.
Is. The proper way is to make the
most and best manure possible upon the
farm and piece out with such materials as
experience and experiment show TO he
profitable.
METHODS OF APPLYING THE FERTILIZERS.
As between applying artificial fertili-
zcrs broadcast or in the hill or drill, the
testimony Of the experiments is, on the
WHOLE in favor of the former The best
results in the majority of eases came
where the fertilizers were sown broad
cast. In some OF The very best the ma
terials were scattered over stripa couple
Of feet or SO wide along the rows. Such
concentrated materials when too close To
the seed are apt 10 injure the plant, expc-
cially i'll dry weather. The nitrate of
soda and muriate of potash often do harm
III this way.