The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1889-12-28

fertilizers is to supply plant food to the SC
needed to produce satisfactory crops. TT
first question we should ask, therefore, i
what food does the plant require? or VIII;
ne fertilizing elements are most likely to
s. needed to supply the deficiencies of the soil
IA As an economical question we need concer
, ourselves only with the supplies of phos
-, phoric acid, potash and nitrogen, although
lime may be incidentally considered.
~ The natural sciences enable us To ascer
J. tain just what quantities of these differen
j. forms of plant food are taken from the sol
Vi by the various crops or those parts of crops
b which are generally removed from the lane
l. on which produced. To Illustrate have
r compiled table showing the plant food OF
|. ferflliZing elements taken from the Soil by
n an average ton of the farm crops familiar in
. Maryland, such as corn (grain and fodder.
q wheat (grain and straw, grass and hay,
= potatoes and tobacco. And as a graphic
, representation is often more effective than
the figures of a table, have also prepared
chart, showing the same thing in colors.
(The director here exhibited tables and
charts and proceeded to explain them in
detail. This portion of the subject cannot
be reproduced in this report, but it is under
stood that it will be embodied in a bulletin
to be soon issued from the Experiment Sta
tion.)
The main point shown is that in all our
common agricultural plants, the demand
for potash greatly exceeds that for phos-
phoric acid, the average being nearly i've
to one. IL is also seen that plants require
comparatively little lime.
Illustrating in a similar way, the COM
| position of the standard commercial fertli-
| zers in the market, it is seen that they gem
orally contain undue proportions of phos-
phoric acid and lime. Averaging them it
Is found that, including the leading brands
| OF mixed goods, or complete fertilizers"
they contain nearly five times as much
phosphoric acid. as they do of potash, per
ton, and at least five times as much lime as
the plants can use.
A more rational system of compromising |
commercial fertilizers is therefore demand |
ed. This demand is being met by the in
creasing tendency to special mixtures for |
special purposes, and the sale of the fertil-
izing elements in different forms to be
mixed on the farm.
The speaker then described at some
length the natural sources of supply and
fhe different commercial forms of phos-
Porto acid, potash and nitrogen, and their
| 'peial uses, as well as the physical and
ohehical changes in the soil resulting from
'ne Jufcious application of lime.
IL Wa argued in closing, that while a
general Eowledge of this subject is rapidly
extending among farmers, there still re-
inaius so mlch mystery connected with the
purchase anduse of commercial fertilizers
ana so many Opportunities for the practice
vi fraud upon consumers, that adequate
law to control the traffic and examination
VI 'his line OF Merchandise is necessary.
Inc defects In the existing fertilizer law of
Aaryland were pointed out and compare
sons made with the laws of other states
Ieiating to this subject.
In the way of advice as to the purchase
use of commercial fertilizers, the fol.
pg suggestions were submitted.
It, by practical experiments, like the
saoss of special crops, determine the
:. = - the soil for the purposes for which .
used. Or, ascertain the special
rr,,,,s a,,,1t particular crops to be produced.
IT, 60, 80 know what to buy and in
. aosoio, Il so often happens that land
a.o.,.;oI =, lnly one or two of the three
,,n,,o,.,,J,,, 90 IS of plant food, that it is
s,ou So buy fertilizers in the SIM t
plete" goods. VI 0oni-
cheaper to transpoI :. 'oiih' are e
tion and e.oier 70 teess liable to adultera-
is advocated only VIII nu' nome mixing a
are favorable. 'no oonui'ions e
Bulk is necessary for Y
plication and even distfs sake Oh easy ar- G
ness of mechanical conditiiio ana nhe- n
portant, so that, in most ca n,suiS iui- a
facturer can do the mixing b 'ne hhanu-
farmer. 'n"n 'he
Generally, the high grade goo g
economical, in the end, than cheao li'oio
1t is reasonable claim, on theoas. "
buyers, that they should know VIII, oi
buy and get what they pay for. May
law does not effect this At present. e
best and almost the only guarantee aga9 a
fraud, is the reputation and reliability
the seller. t,
Discussion OF the subject matter the
address being in order, Major AIvod at
it's close again invited a geneal exchnge |
} of opinion upon any kindred matte of
interest to our farmers, and some me
was spent in asking and answering q,s-
tions relative to manures, grasses, 10
chemical constituents and uses of Lin.
and other subjects, all of which prov
of unusual interest and profit to the
present.
At the conclusion of the colloquial dill
cussion dinner was announced, whicI
suffice it to say was discussed quite a.,
creditably and no less pleasurably than
the subjects referred to.
: Upon re assembling after dinner, Mr..
Thos. G. Bond, for himself and he be.
lieved for all present, expressed his graf.
ifioation at listening to Major Alvord
and moved a vote of thanks of the Club
for his able and instructive address and
which was unanimously given.
The chairman having designated
Messrs. Noyes, Sutton and Bond the
? committee to examine premises, stock,
D etc., reported through Mr.. Noyes that in
the performance of this duty they had
= noticed multiplied evidences of judicious
8 and careful farming by Mr.. Coudon and
0 commended especially the fine condition
! of his premises and the improved appli
ances recently adopted by him, particu
. larly that for supplying water for hi
dwelling and outbui!dings.
f After an unusually pleasant meeting
= the next place of assembling was fixed a
$ MIR. S. R. Carson's on Wednesday, Janu
d airy %, 1890.
}. Re-Opening of Cherry Hill nj. E
L Church.
:. The Methodist Episcopal Church a
Cherry Hill, which has been closed TO
q several months past while extensive i'm
- movements were being made was re