The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1881-01-05
Which are the Cheapest and Best
Fertilizers for the Orange
:s1T0yeS.
ttgTOyeS

Orange Farmers ard Frat GrOaoers' GLIB
ApopkG, Fla, NcrembeT 2Ith, 1880
A few years ago 3 large amount OF
money was expended by farmers in
having their soil analysed by chem
lists, under the impression thatif they
knew what mineral ingredients were
lacking, that by the addition of those
substances the analysis showed were
deficient, they would be able to bring
up their lands to their tull capacity of
productiveness.
1t has been said in connection with
this subject when investigating the
soundness OF the theory, The chem
isiry of Nature and ofArt are so dit
ferent that relationship can hardly
be said to exist between them: and
in the process of combustion and de-
composition, Nature holds in scorn
the attempts of man t. follow her
steps by his utmost Investigations
into the operations OF the grand
laboratory of the universe. The
highest excellence of Art is to initiate
the beautiful productions OF Nature;
but the chemist can only watch and
slowly understand the wonderful
modes Of her operations, he can re-
duce the materials, but not combine
them; and after the most minute III
vestigations, he remains compare
lively in ignorance Of the wondrous
powers and means by which the vast
variety of organic substances are pro-
duced."
This theory OF supplying the wants
OF the soil by the addition of such
substances as are found to be de6ci-
ent, when put into practice does not
always prove satisfactory. For in
stance the analysis may show lack
OF lime, and when this substance is
applied to land defcientin humus, or
10 other words, vegetable matter,
tails to produce any visible effect.
This result is one of the strong argu
ments in favor of the theory which
snpposes the existence OF two distinct
classes of mannres-one serving as
the TODD of the plants and the other
assisting in preparing that TODD by
combining with substances in the soil
and putting them into form that the
plant can assimilate, or by changing
those that are inimical TO vegetable
growth. Thus when lane is applied
to a sour mucky piece OF land we
say the lime has sweetoned it. The
acids in muck are changed by the use
of lime or potash, by combining with
them as base and become valuable
manures.
at has long. been known that
plants, besides the organic matter of
which their bulk is composed, con-
tain a small per cent. OF mineral mat
matter that remains as an ash when
the vegetable part OF the plant has
been burned. From the constant
and universal existence of this min>
eral matter in all plants. it is
now conceded by all intelligent ag-
riculturists that 1t is essential to their
growth, and therefore they give their
assent TO the following aciom: That
the theory of manures consists i'll APP
plying to the soil those inorganic
constituents which are contained in
the ashes Of the plants intended to be
cultivated; and that nitrogen or nit
rogenous substances in the form of
nitrates or ammonia aud It's salts is
indispensable to insure permanent
fertility, assimilation and perfect
growth
Agriculturists and holtlculturists
are now governed in their application
OF manures By the information OBJ
tanned from the analysis Of the ash OF
such plants and trees as they cult
vate and though they do not discard
home made manures, add or supply
each plant with food in the form OF
SPECIAL Fertilizers" which are pre-.
pared in such proportions as each
class OF plants require. One may
need q larger amount OF ammonia
than Ne sol furnishes 10 force il into
rapid groIth Shile another may re-
qulre large quantity OF phosphates,
etc. These manures when prepared
by honest manufacturers and properly
manipulated have proved 10 be val
liable assistant, to the orange grower.
Analysis shows thai .he ash OF The
orange tree and fruit contains Il large
per cent: Ofpotash, lime and phospho-
TIC acld, besides small quantities OF
other mineral ingredients There
can bc oblainedSin Folreeier's Orange
Tree Mature AID also in that pre-
pared by Prof. Mspes, they both con