The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1884-04-02

that bone phosphate can be decomposed
by alkalies as we'll as by acids. Next TO
phosphoric acid alkalies are the most nee
essary to use on our soils, and it would
seem the part of wisdom to use alkalies
for decomposing phosphates, instead of
acids particularly, az it reduces the cost.
Plants can take neutral salt like phos-
phate of potash without injury, but when
an acid salt is used the soluble phosphoric
formed reverts before it can be utilized
by the plant, or it is an injury instead of
benefit to the plants; but in the form of
phosphate of potash it is Immediately
available to the plant, and can absorb it
with good results. An important ques-
tion is the process adopted to secure these
results, and the relative cost of acid and
alkaline phosphates. These will not vary
much from the the following:
1000 pounds mineral phosphate, 2s per cent sl2
800 pounds saiphurc acid, one cent per pound 5 90
2VO pounds water wv
1900 pounds, ton, costing sl4 90
contaipg eleven per cent, or two hundred
and twenty pounds soluble phosphoric
acid of the estimated value. For the pur-
pose of comparison by the experiment
pound, or 1927. so the ton, for what costs
but $14:
1000 pounds mineral phosphate, 2s per cent, sl2
500 pounds salt, one-fourh per cent. iS
500 pounds lime, one-fourth per cent.......... l2S
1900 pounds, or one ton, costing. IS 50
containing eleven per cent, or two hum
dred and twenty pounds soluble phos-
phoric acid, at twelve and one.half cents,
the estimated value of the experiment
stations, $3.50 per ton, for what costs
$8 80 per ton. The above mixture pro-
duces phosphate of soda equally as
good for corn as the following mixture
for phosphate of potash:
1000 pounds mineral phosphate, % per cent, sl2
500 pounds murate potash. ........,.......... SIS
900 pounds iime'' l%
1000 pounds, ton costing. SIS 20
containing eleven per cent, or two hum
dred and twenty pounds soluble phos-
phoric acid, twelve and one-half cents, or
1927 so, and twelve and one-balf per cent,
or two hundred and fifty pounds actual
potash at four and one half cents, or
81 %, making in all $3S rs, at the esti-
mated ualue, by the experiment stations,
of what costs $16. From the above it is
seen that soluble phosphate can be made
from an alkali in the form of phosphate
of soda forty per cent cheaper than an
acid phosphate, reckoning the price of
sulphuric acid used in making the acid
phosphate at only one cent per pound,
about one-half the price it can be pur-
chased at. Alkaline phosphates are in
better form than acid phosphates for
foods for plants. The plants need ak allies
as well as phosphoric acid The alkalies
not only furnish food for plants, but neu-
tralizs the acids of the SOIL liberating the
plant food, putting the soil in its most
favorable condition. with proper cultiva-
ton, to produce profitable crops. An
other advantage to the farmer of an aka
line phosphate is, that it is so easy to
make he can do it himself, all the articles
used in its manufacture being we'll known
and easily handled, while in acid phos-
phate the reverse is the case. There is
danger of breakage in transporting the
sulphuric acid. 1t is danger ous to use
by those not accustomed to using it,"