Connecticut western news., 1885-04-08
AGRICULTURAL.
REPORT OF THE CONNECTICUT Rx-
 TREATMENT STATION FOR 1884.
In Regard 10 AmmonlRted superphos- plates. Etc.-AInikinE Their Own Mix

The report of the Connecticut Experi- ment Station for 1884 is made up of the results of analyses of fertilizers offered for sale in the State. Of nitroganized, or sometimes so-called "ammoniated" superphosphates, 52 samples were ana lyzed, and their value was estimated in the customary manner on the basis of the cost of the raw, that is, unmixed materials, in the markets of the State. These raw materials are such as sulphate of ammonia, nitrate of soda, dried blood, dry ground fish scrap, szotin; all of which may be used fqr charging super phosphates and special manures with nitrogen; or such as plain superphos- phate, providing soluble phosphoric acid, or muriste or sulphate of potash for adding potash to these manures, or bone for adding both insoluble nitrogen compounds and phosphate. It was found on comparing the average price paid for superphosphate, and the aver age retail cash prices of these raw materials, that for dollar one could buy enough of the said raw materials to mix up fertilizer which would cost dollar and quarter if purchased already mixed; or that, by expending S33.13 in these raw materials, just as good a manure could be made by thoroughly mixing them together as could be bought for S4o.73, or the average price of these superphosphates ready mixed up. This is an average case; there were in the list of those analysed other cases not SO bad, but then there were others that were much worse; the worst of all was an instance where a consumer paid $45 ton for superphosphate containing only S25. 1S worth of the raw materials.
 Ofcourse,it would be essential that the farmer, in attempting to make this sav- ing by procuring the raw materials, should be able to get them without any doubt as to fair quality and at a fair price; he might be imposed upon in buy ing these, as we'll as in buying the super phosphate made from them. But the experience of few Connecticut farmers is much in favor of making their own mixture. One of these put together four tons of pure dissolved bones, one ton of muriate of potash and one ton of sulphste of ammonia, thus making an excellent and really ammoniated superphosphate that cost him, freight, mixing and all, only $36. 20 ton; on analysis at the station it was valued at S48.54; it gave excellent satisfaction when used. Sulphste of ammonia is the most costly as well as the best raw material for use in charging a superphosphate with nitrogen the phrase " ammoniated superphosphate" is therefore taking one, and 1t is sometimes used where there is not the slightest warrant for its use, or at the best only fiimsy excuse, for there are some supers called am- moniated that do not contain a particle of ready formed ammonia compounds, nor even of nitrate, which is no less valuable for it's nitrogen; there are others bearing the same attractive title, to which just enough of ammonia com. pounds has been added to save the truth, but still not enough to add materially tc the value of the manure. If the farmer buys intelligently, with such help as the Experiment Station can give him, and makes his own mixtures, he stands e much better chance of knowing what his fertilizer is really composed of, thar even with all the help that the station can give if he buys his superphosphate ready mixed.