Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-02-28
ADVISEOUR FARMERS
COMMITTEES RE-
PORT ABOUT FERTILIZERS.
Some Timely Suggestions Made-Cut
Down - Acreage of Money Crops
and Pay Cash for Evcrything-Soil
Tests Recommended.

The report OF the Committee on Analy-
teal and Agricultural Chemistry OF the
State Board OF Agriculture is out In
printed form. II sets forth that the
conditions prevailing In the fertilizer
trade during the present year are prac-
tIcally the same as in 1855. valuations
adopted for that year remaining I'M
changed. The conditions and needs OF
the soil are fully explained. and from
the inspectors report IL is said that
the sale OF fertilizers continues TO in
crease, amounting in 1894 to ljs,5s2 tons.
1900 tons more than were sold in 1873.
The average cost OF these fertilizers is
estimated at SIS per ton, which would
make the total cost $39li,5S0 per year.
Freights would run this sum beyond
100000.
when we consider" the report con-
tinues, "the fact that the market value
OF our lands and all the products of
agriculture have materially declined du-
ring the past few years; that the average
decline in the prices of our staple crops,
to which these fertilizers are applied,
amounts to fully 80 per cent. and that
IL Is questionable whether any crop can
be grown at a profit under existing con-
dtions is IL remarkable that our farmers
are at their wits end to know how to
proceed, and what to plant, IL by chance
they make both ends meet?
SHOWS GREAT LOSSES.
I'm support OF this position. permit US
to quote from the report of the Statisti-
clan Of the Agricultural Department,
Washington, ID. c., March, 1895. AT that
date wheat was selling at 81 cents and
corn, Sc cents In Chicago. To ascertain
what the farmers were doing be sent
out circulars broadcast. Replies were
received from % 900 practical farmers In
case of wheat, and $500 in case OF corn.
These were revised and corrected by
400 replies from experts-graduates OK
colleges, etc.-engaged in farming. with
the following result:
Cost OF raising an acre OF wheat...Sll 81
Cost OF raising an acre of corn.... II II
The statsticians report for December,
1893, showing the average value OF wheat
and corn per acre on the farm, was, for
wheat, s5l6; for corn. ss.2l; which shows
d virtual loss of s5.52 on every acre Guilt
waited in wheat. and $3.50 per acre of
corn, In 1893, leaving out the straw, chan,
and stalks.
why is Il, we would ask, with land
declining in value. and the prices OF agri-
cultural products constantly shrinking,
that the demand for fertilizers has in
creased. as we are told By the inspector,
and the prices of them have been fully
maintained. as shown by the chemist?
1t Is true that fertilizers are not sold S,
high as they were ten years ago, and IL
is moreover true that some improvements
have been made in their manufacture:
but these facts by no means compensate
e.. tfa.at IF rvIi
products"
SOME SUGGESTIONS.
Dealing with this question the commit
tee offers the following suggestions to
farmers OF the State as the means CT
reducing this expenditure for fertilizers
about 5000, 600:
81. Pay cash for everything.
"2. Reduce the acreage 10 be cultivated
In money crops TO one half.
"3. Cooperative buying and mixing or
fertilizer ingredients.
~. Collecting and grinding OF bones.
IS. The increased use OF lime.
&c. Manufacture your own nitrogen at
home.
~. More attention to homemade ma
nures.'
A NEW DEPARTURE.
Heretofore the business of the De-
partment Of Agriculture has been confined
mainly to the duty OF analyzing fer
t.lizers, with the view of ascertalning
whether the goods sold TO farmers are
what they are represented to be-in other
words, to hold such supervision over the
fertilizer trade rs will protect the farmer .
against fraud and insure fair dealing in
this business. But the conditions which
surround the agriculture OF this State at
this time make ii imperative that this
board should take a step in advance. For
years we have been discussing the most
practical and feasible means Of turning
the light OF science down upon the path
way OF those who hold the plow and
create the annual wealth of this land. Du-
ring this period there has lapsed into the
Treasury OF the State, for want OF proper
legislation, 81 $40 90. which was raised by
tax upon fertilizers. and which was
greatly needed for the purposes OF this
board. Shall this fact deter us from max
ing another effort while this paramount
industry Of the State languishes