The Marietta journal. [volume] (Marietta, Ga.) 1866-1909, 1894-09-13

! though often containing minor constit-
uents and serving as vehicle to convey
the fertlllZlng material i'll the best form
for distribution upon the soil.
The true value of the fertilizer is in
the number of pounds and the character
of the plant food it contains; and, as in
feeding we can increase or lessen the
value of farmyard manures at greater
or less expense, SO, i'll commercial fer
tilizers, we can use the cheaper or high
er priced goods, the value of each de-
pending on the amount and the proper
tions it contains of the three most yalu-
able elements.
In using ton Of rich stable yard
manure, we know that we get only a lit
tie over one twentieth of available plant
food. In a ton of commercial fertilizer
we get one tenth and upwards of such
valuable material. When "filler" is
used, this amount must be guaranteed
by the manufacturer, and if, on analy-
sis, any brand is found to run below the
laws requirements, its sale is forbidden
Ii the manufacturer furnishes this full
amount, the law says nothing on the
subject of filler, hence the department
cannot prohibit it's use when there is
nothing in the filler" which might in
jure the land or the crops, or prevent
the plant food in the fertilizer from be-
ing appropriated.
1t is the utilization of the various
forms of fertilizing materials and their
different combinations which create
competition and reduce the commercial
goods to their present price. The crude
materials vary so greatly in their price,
by virtue Of their greater or less amount
OF valuable ingredients, that were no
filters" allowed, there are some goods
which would be virtually excluded from
the market, because their necessary
price would be considerably beyond that
OF those made from the lower grade ma.
terials.
have often advised that the farmers
buy the ingredients and mix at home,
thus avoiding the expense incurred by
the inert material 1t is a satisfaction
to know exactly what one is using; but
accuracy and care are. absolutely essen
tial to obtain the best results.
Unless there is some mistake or fraud,
the commissioner of agriculture has no
control over this matter, but under the
law every power of the department will
be used for the full protection of the
farmers.
1t has been the policy of the depart
ment to encourage the use of high grade
goods as being actually cheaper when
their content of plant food is considered,
there being considerable saving on
hauling, sacking, freight and other ex-
penses, on account of the much smaller
weight of such material for q given
number OF pounds of plant food It
would contribute greatly to our success
II, IN addition to study of the most
important elements Of plant food, we
also study what might be termed the
minor constituents, or uncomputed ele-
ments, the various forms in which thew
are supplied and their adaptability to
plants and soils. The difference in the
value OF the various forms of fertilizing
material is as varied as the purposes for
which 1T is required, the plant under
which 1t is to be placed, the character of
the soil, and whether rapid or slow &C
ton is desired
The law of Georgia, like that of other
states, attaches no valuation to the
minor constituents, which are vet more
or less valuable. For instance. acid
phosphate, in addition to the phosphorio
acid, recognized and computed, contains
large per cent. of sulphate of lime or
gypsum. The gypsum increases in pro-
portion to the phosphoric acid, and in
the high grade goods there are fewer of
the impurities, which, in the low grade.
take the place of both the sulphate of
lime and the phosphoric acid. This
lime, which is therefore the principal
minor constituent of all acid phosphate.
has value on some soils as fertilizer
and puts very stiff and very sandy soils
III better mechanical condition.
In cotton seed meal, the minor constit-
uent OF value to the farmer, is the or.
ganic matter, and we should keen this
fact IN view in determining the ends to
be obtained
In kainit, the substance of value out
side of the potash, is chloride of sodium
or common salt. David Dickson in all
his formulas recognized specific value
to salt as conservator of moisture, and
placed from 200 to 300 pounds in every
ton of fertilizer.
From the foregoing it will be seen
what far reaching, and, to the pro.
gressive farmer, absorbing and interest
ing subject this is. The more we studv
1t, the wider the field is opened to our
visa and such is the general interest
tha0,~ trust, few more years will wit.
ness more enlightened use Of these
powerful agents By judicious combi-
nation with green manuring, farmvard
manures and rotation of crops, CONNER.
clal fertilizers can, in the hands Of the
enlightened farmer, be made to double
and treble the present productive capac-
lily or his lands. r. 7. NEsBITT,