The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-11-21
Artificial Fertilizers.

The reports of agricultural colleges and
experimental stations, the discussions at
farmers meetings and the agricultural
newspapers have done much to educate the
farmer to an intelligent use of artificial
fertilizers, says a writer in a recent journal.
He is no longer obliged Co purchase pre-
pared fertilizer supposed to be good for all
crops upon all soils. trusting to the honor
and the business qualifications OF the manu-
facturers for a chanc9 of its being good for
something somewhere; but il he buys such
he knows by the analysis which accompa-
MES IL just what elements he will add to
his soil by its use, and has reasonable ex-
pectation, thanks TO our fertilizer laws, Of
getting what he pays for.
But this education has done more than
shis for him. 1t has taught him something
OF the especial needs of certain soils, and of
some or the various crops, and what to buy
to supply those needs, without buying and
adding 10 the soil these elements which he
has reason to suppose are already abundant
there. The market gardener now buys
nitrate or soda or sulphate Of ammonia to
obtain nitrogen to stimulate she more rapid
growth Of his spinach his dandelions or his
asparagus, without having to buy with il
phosphoric acid and potash, which ne thinks
he does not need. The grain grower, who
supplies his soil with nitrogen by the plow-
ing under OF clover, no longer needs to
pay 20 cents a pound for 10, in blood or
tankage, but has only TO supply the phos-
phoric acid needed 10 make the grain plump
and mealy, by the use of ground bone or
ground South Carolina phosphate, eth
raw or treated with acid, as he thinks best,
and to buy the muriate of potash to give
additional stiffness to the straw and prevent
lodging. If he has reason to believe his land
is we'll supplied with potash, and is deficient
In the other two elements. he can buy "a
dried fish that will average from z or per
cent. nitrogen and to . per cent. phos-
phoric acid, or dried tankage from 6 to z
per cent. nitrogen and 10 to II per cent
phosphoric acid, or fine ground raw bone,
slow acting, but of lasting benefit to
the soil, that will be about per
cent. nitrogen and "a Per cent. of phos-
phoric acid. If nitrogen alone is needed,
but required to be less rapid in action than
nitrate of soda or sulphate of ammonia,
yielding up to the demands of the plant
roors as it decomposes through the season,
then he can buy dried blood, which is 10 or
IL per cent. nitrogen and about 2 per cent
phosphoric acid, or azotine dried meat),
that Is little stronger III both elements and
a little longer in decomposing and little
higher in price. Phosphoric acid alone can
be bought in the rock phosphates. Potash
alone in the muriate or sulDhate Of potash
ms Cah puy "hdG ne tuluks ne n9eus, ana
not have to buy the other, or be can buy
and mix In such proportions as his knowl-
edge OF his business may lead him TO think
they will most benefit him.
The principal fertilizer manufacturers
and dealers keep nearly all of these on hand,
and will sell them, guaranteeing the quail
ity. and If quantities required are
sufficiently large, Will mix them as the pur-
chaser may desire, doing the work much
more thoroughly than it can be done by
hand. The farmer who does not have a
definite idea of the special needs of his SOIL
will usually do better to purchase those
which they have already prepared either
adapted as nearly as any one thing can be
for the various soils and crops, or prepared
for especial crops upon such formulas as
experience has SHOWN the crops to require,
and to be the most benefited by upon the
average good soil.