The Monitor. [volume] (Woodstown, N.J.) 1884-1892, 1891-02-27

peas in the rotation. we introduce two leg
luminous crops, making it necessary to add
to the soil chiefly the relatively cheap
mineral elements, phosphoric acid and
potash, in order to secure maximum crops
Another point Of Importance for tie
farmer to consider Is the amount Of plant
food elements removed by the crops;
clover lay was n abundant crop this year
and the farmers are selling it for from sc
to 50 per ton. Each ton contains an ay
erage 40 lbs. of nitrogen, 7 lbs. phosphoric
acid and 81 lbs. of potash, which if sold at
the higher figure, IS per top, would bring
when food value is entirely d~isregarded
but Is cts per pound for the nitrogen, 8 cts.
for ~phosphoric acid and 4 cts for potash,
less than he would have to pay for THEM
In good commercial fertilizers. A ten of
tomatoes contains % lbs. nitrogen, IA OF
phospaoric acid aud 5 lbs. potash, which,
at Sc per ton, would bring the farmer
si.44 per pound for the nitrogen, 72e. for
phosphoric acid and Acc. for potash. That
these are not extreme cases could be easily
demonstrated. for on this basis potatoes
at 75c. per Blu. bring 50 40 per pound for
nitrogen, af.24 for phosphorie acid and
&c. for potash. The point is clearly shown
that in raising vegetable crops the farme,
is converting his capital in the soil into
profitable products, while in the case OF the
leguminous or grain crops, whether the
nitrogen come from the air or not, he
sells his fertility at a loss. In the matter
or corn and peas it has been demonstrated
that the part Of the crop sold to the pack
ers contains less than 80 per cent. of the
total plant-food elements contained in the
whole crop, the remainder in both cases
making excellent animal food.
In the central and northern portions of
the State the peach, pear and apple have
been shown to be well adapted to the con-
ditions existing there. These also remove
comparable ely small quantities of plant
food. The area of these crops could be
almost indefinitely increased and would
furnish a valuable addition to your in-
dustry.
The second point, which is of more i'm
mediate interest to yourselves, is the
quality of the produce. In our studies
chemical analyses were made of the to.
matoes, and while it was not possible to
measure those peculiar flavors of the val
liable diuretic qualities, it was clearly
shown that the proper application of fer
tilizers had a tendency to improve quality
and thereby enhance food values. That
this is also true in the case of potatoes
was shown this year, ard that it would be
true for all crops is an undeniable seien-
tito fact.
The State of New Jersey has always had
the reputation of producing high quality
of fruit and vegetables. This was p~articu-
larly noticed by people from other States
and even foreign countries, at our Centen-
NAL exposition in 1876. II, therefore, our
climate and situations are naturally adapt
ed for these crops, the improvement of the
natural condition must benefit the products
in a direct ratio with the improvement.
There is no good reason then why
the canned goods of New Jersey should
not include all the crops now used any
where in the Eastern States, and have
a worldwide reputation for higher
quality. The adoption by the farmers
of the methods and crops suggested aid
largely in attaining this end. 1t, however,
can only be brought about by the earnest
endeavor and hearty cooperation of all the
Institutions now interested in the develop
ment of the agricultural industries of tie
State in connection with just such a~ssoeia-
tions as yours, and those of yon who are
growers as well as packers, must take the
initiative.
At the request of your president, l men,
ton one point more in reference to the
value Of the waste from tomato canneries.
An analysis made of a sample sent to us
showed it to contain 0.42 per cent. nitro
gen, oil phosphoric acid. and DIS potash.
This would make it worth about $3.50 per
ton as q manure, and though containing
considerable of the food compounds, l
should not recommend its use.
lin this short and disconnected address
l have touched upon any subject that may
be of value to you or lead to any work
that shall be directly or indirectly valua-
bic to the farming interests of New jersey,
it will be ali ample reward.
Tb1 haaIfhu UrnUtl nf tba hah iE ia