The news., 1882-03-30


worthlesss-KD.
COMMERCIAL FERTILIZERS. - A
few years back dealers in fertilizers
placed upon the market certain grades
which they claimed to be especially
adapted for all crops. 1t was soon
discovered that some Of the causes Of
dissatisfaction on the part Of users
were due to the fact that a fertilizer
might be very good for certain crops
and not beneficial to others. Nearly
all fetilixers contain nitrogen Gas am
monia), phosphoric acid, potash, lime,
soda, magnesia, sulphuric and other
acids and organic matter. The acids
with the lime, etc., usually COM
prise about rs per cent. of the whole,
leaving the remaining Is per cent. to
be apportioned between the phosphor-
10 acid, nitrogen and potash. Now
the chief value Of q fertilizer consists
in this matter Of superintendent, the
slightest variation affecting its COM
mercial as well as its enconomic value
several dollars per ton. If nitrogen
be in excess 1t greatly increases the
worth Of the fertilizer; phosphoric
acids and potash come next in order
Of value - leading constituents.
We can at once, by noticing the
arrangement Of these ingredients in
their several proportions, understand
why . fertilizer for potates should
cost more than that intended for
fruits and vines. So we learn, also,
that instead Of any particular fertili-
ger being adapted to al soils and all
crops, each crop has requirements Of
is own aud the most economical
method Of uaing fcrtilissrs is to apply
them in proportions adapted to meet
the wants ofthe crop. The fertilizers
formulated for potatoes are proportion
toned that not only must the substan-
% for the growth of the tubsrs be
supplied but that for the vines also.
The proportion Of ingredients for a
complete fertilizer for potatoes is
usually about 4.76 per cent. Of ammo
mia, 9 per cent. Of phosphoric acid,
2 per cent. Of potash and about 80
per cent. Of lime, or organic matter,
etc. These proportions vary slishtIy
with different manufacturers, but they
are about the quantities required.
The price Of such . fertilizer accord
ing to present cost Of the ingredients
should be about s47 per ton Of 1000
pounds. Il Il very different with
Ssrtilisera for fruits and vines, for
they are formulated with aboat $50
Per cent. Of ammonia, 7 per cent. Of
phosphoric acid, $50 per cent. Of
potash, 81 per cent. Of lime, organic
matter, etc. The price should be in
the nsighboahood Of $40 per ton.
This difference In cost arises from the
different quantities Of ammonia In the
two fertilizers --the one beng 4.76
nor cent. and 2.60--which seems like
: very small amount.
Another look into the bags, and
W stop to consider the akind' Of
lertiliser We are buying. Solubilty OF
the ingredients ID the main object to
DO considered, but II does not follow
that the farmer has been cheated
because the ingredients are not all
soluble. His want is to ct once sup
ply his crop with food readily prspar-
Cd and while II may not at FIRST be rs
readily available as desired, il
may be IN good condition for
succeeding crop. 1t makes . great
difference what form ammonia, phos-
phoric acid or potash take in the fer
tihzer. For instsnc, If ammonia
exits In the shape affording good
Peruvian guano, or as nitrate Of soda
Or sulphate Of ammonia, it is in
form to be readily available for plant
food; but If It existed 10 powdered
leather chips Il would not be SO salts
factory, for time would be required to
dissolve Ii in the soil; and yet in
buying such q fertilizer the farmer
would not be really wronged, for
analysis by chemist would show it
TO contain the proportion ofammonia.
But the fertilizer would not be
available for quick action; yet the
money would not be lost in
the end, especially if the dressing
were applied on clay soil. Two per
cent. Of nitrogen in soluble condition
Is ordinarily better than ten per cent
Of it in an improper state.
Phosphoric acid is mostly prepared
from bones, but as the market has
been largely supplied with South
Carolina phosphate rock, an excellent