St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-03-30
IMPORTANT QUESTION TO FARMERS
Shall Manufactured Fertilizers be Used
Discussion IF the Matter by
HOrticrtItmrists.

HOrticuIturistS.
The seed store of..Northrup, Braslan & Co.
was found inadequate for the crowd of in
terested agrculturists who gathered and con-
sequently the meeting of hortculturists was
adjourned to Market hall. President Pierce
called the attention of the society to the fact
that proper fertilizers were getting to be the
CRYING needs of our country, and through
the east and south more especially, patent
fertilizers were considered indispen sable by
the best farmers. We in the northwest are
Just beginning 10 awaken to the knowledge
of the fact that our fertile lands are gradually
losing those qualities which have given US
our abundant crops. That nine-tenths of
the farmers of Minnesota were
robbers, inasmuch as they are
constantly taking out and putting
nothing back This fact rendered 1t of prime
importance that all interested in the pros
perity of the great Northwest should take
lively interest in the subject Of fertilizers.
That IT, by the action of the society, the ball
could be set in motion towards securing the
results aimed at, it wonld ccomplish grand
mission.
Mr. Charles P. Braslin stated that while in
Boston the preceding week, he had an inter
manufacturers of fertilizers. They expressed
their surprise that
THE WESTERN PEOPLE,
30 quick usually to grasp at anything which
promised fair remuneration, should have
30 long neglected this important question,
and wished Mr. Brasin to exert what in
auence he could toward awakening a more
general interest, and promised that they
would afford every facility in the shape of
low prices or in forwarding small quantities
free for trial, to help along the cause.
The discussion was not as animated as
usual, owing to the fact that so few present
had practical experience in super phos-
pilates.
Mr.. Northrup said that al recognized the
necessity of rccuperltihg the land each year
1t is an accepted fact that i'm
povershed land must be fortified.
This being the case, the question
became n very simple one. Is 1t best to
use fresh manure, such as is ordinarily drawn
out from the city at a large expense, and
which often contains foul seed, or q clean,
manufactured preparation which gives in
correct proportions the properties most need
full for the land, which is easily applied aud
contains no foul seedl
Would 1t not be for the highest interest Of
each member to give the matter candid con-
sideration and a fair trials
Mr.. &. l.. Smith said that the results Of
his experiments with commercial fertilizers,
as compared with stable manure, were
vastly in favor Of superphosphates,
aud that one important cousidera-
ton was the fact that by the
use Of proper commercial fertilizers quicker
results were obtained than by the use of the
best stable manure.
Mr. Wolsley said that we had plenty of
good manure at home. The city uudoubtly
had 10 900 loads which it would give to any
one who would carry it away. With this
AT OUR DOORS
II would be folly to forsake 1t for some manu-
featured preparations of which farmers knew
nothing lie granted that IL the formula
OF ingredients was correct that its value could
not be questioned, but as the society knew
nothing Of this it would be better 10 give II
the cold shoulder. Mr. Northrup asked
how this ignorance could be overcome If n
trial were not granted. that certainly the
farmers OF the East and South were not paw
ing out their money for these preparations
unless they were getting satisfactory returns
IN the shape Of increased crops, sud that
while undoubtedly there were many uuscrup-
ulous manufacturers Of phosphiteS aud many
bogus analyses, the names Of the leading
manufacturers, such as Bradley Fertilizer COM
pany, etc, were synonyms of honor Mr..
Braslau said that in Massachusetts,
where this fertilizer was manufactured
there was law oblgiug the
manufacturer TO attach the analysis
Of the preparation toeach bag, and that con-
seQueutly no deception need be feared.
Mr.. y. q. Abbott said that he had used
fertilizers on plants with grand results. That
3 few days after application the result could
be seen in the appearance Of the plant and
he should think the same results would fol-
low the use OF the fertilizer on the farm.
Mr.. HodESop said that every seed put in
the laud VAS draft msde upon its reserve
forces, and that We, as intelligent, reasoning
beings could not expect these
drafts 70 be honored unless we
made deposits. Mr.. Braslau said that be
had no doubt that the Bradley Fertilizer com
pauv, In order 70 afford the members OF the
society al opportunity TO demonstrate by
practical experiment the real value Of its
fertilizer, would chcerfuIly donate a quantity
sufficient for experiment, providing the
members Of the society in return would agree
to give It sn intelligent trial snd report re-
suits. The provisional offer was accepted,
the Bradley Fertilizer company 20 be notified
81 the action Of the society AZ once by North
rup, Braslsn < Co.
in view Of the rapid approach Of the season
when farmers will be unable 10 attend these
meetings. il Was decided 20 discontinue them