Smyrna times., 1881-11-09
For the Smyrna Times.
PhOsphorio Acid Its Nature and
Tendency to Revert.
BY s..


commercial valuations Of the different
fertilizers sold in this State, great activity
was displayed on the part of those manu-
facturers who were fortunate enough 20
obtain high valuation with a correspond
ing apathy on the part of those whose
valuation come under their expectations.
Suddenly the Peninsula was flooded
with pamphlets, agents talked I2alnedly
and made invidious comparisons between
this and that phosphate engines groancd
away in the still hours of the night to
keep up with the orders that came pour
ing in; transportation could not be sufi-
ciently had, and the like was never seen
i'll "GOtham.' And now in the uuiet
reaction that follows the storm let us in
quire into what it amounts to. all this
bitter elimination and recrimination. and
perhaps we may in a spirit of fair inquiry
discover that some, and il may be all.
have been more ''sinncd against than
shining under the new law.
law that should commend itself to
the hearty support Of all, more especially
when it seeks to throw It's safeguard
around the interests of the farming COM
manity, to render the pound for pound"
equivalent, not however for one interest
but for all alike. Under this law compcn-
sation is only allowed for soluble phos-
phOric acid, potash and ammonia To
these three compounds as they exist only
has there been accorded any value bat
what is relative, and as such not at all
reaching the true basis of valuation, and
! frankly it must be admitted that such a
basis should exist for the pro.e"ton of all
whether they be farmers or manufacturers.
Phosphoric acid, as it is found in nature.
! is known to commerce r. "'i'r-hasit PIN s
/ phate of Lime" indicating thereby tha. i,
/ is composed of three bases, or equivalents
Of lime and one base or equivalent Of
! Phosphoric acid, and as such is but spar
ingly soluble in water. BY the appica-
ton of Sulphuric acid, 4 powerful dis
entegrating fluid, Il change takes place in
the construction Of the original Phosphate
| of Lime, the acid lsulphuricl attacking
two Of the three equivalents OF lime
drives of the carbonate which they are
formed Of and unitcs with those two to
form Sulphate of Lime, leaving the cremain-
ing one equivalent of lime united with
the one equivalent Of Phosphoric acid to
form Soluble Phosphate, or true Super
. I phOCt,hafn nf I iv,n 70
merce. And, while it may he stated that
Sulphate of Lime has but low agricul-
tural value, that of Soluble Phosphate has
all the elements necessary for plants
wanting PhOsphoric acid Tor seed develop
ment, hence has high and decided value
But it must be remembered, under The
reading of the present law, 10 compcnSa.
ton is or can be allowed for any per cent.
age Of bone earth made soluble, although
being directly available as plant food
The one equivalent of lime that is united
with the one equivalent Of Fh0sphOriC
acid and called Soluble Phosphate, and in
which they are at no time separated, i.
made so by the chemist to show the per
centagc of Soluble Phospholic acid, anG
as such only allowed for by the law, not
withstanding the removed portion is ~
equally valuable. However the fact re.
mains that it Is not allowed therefore i,
not n factor i'll the calculation. This sub.
traction could be readily borne with were
there not abundant evidence to prove
that this coveted quality Of Soluble Phos
phoric acid is of itself one of the most
unstable of compounds, that it is always
evincing disposition, so to speak, tC
change or revert from its soluble condi
tion to that of u compound having some
mineral for base like soda, magnesia oil
even back again TO Phosphate of Lime
instability being its marked characteristic
coupled with the fact that it is never ever
in the most fertile soils found alone. Iti.
self-evident that in manipulated fertili
Zer containing potash, magncsia, soda, The
oxides Of iron, or lime phosphoric acc
will always be found never wholly solubl,
but always in combination with some bas,
whose affinity may be greatest. Hence il
cannot but follow that fertilizer SHOWING
ample supplies Of Soluble PhoSphori,
acid when freshly made will after tht
lapse of a few months show considerahl,
less of Soluble Phosphoric acid lhan thl
first test gave with an increase Of per
centage of the reverted Phosphor;a acid
so really the fine dry mechanical condi
ton that farmers 80 desire IN their phOs
phate to avoid buying moisture Is done al
the expense of the manufacturer. II i.
impossible by any means known, yet
neither is il desirable since it Is well
known that in the form OF reverted phos
phOric acid it is bound to become in con
act with the soil, to prevent this reyer.
sion, but is it equity, to subject any in.
dustry to tests that it is well nigh impos
sible to guard against. The fresher the
sample the more value, the older the
sample the less value, when as far n:
plant food goes and the rear interest o.
the farmer is Concerned, phosphate Will
q large percentage Of moisture and also o
Soluble Phosphoric acid is not by any
means so valuable as Que with less mois
ture, the ncid the same because no mat
I 4.