The Savannah morning news., 1901-11-18
Agricultural Terms Well to Know.

Agricultural Terms Well to Know.
The following explanations are given
of terms used in discussing fertilizers
and feeds:
Complete fertilizer is one which con-
tains the three essential fertilizing con-
stituents, !. e., nitrogen, phosphoric
acid and potash
Nitrogen exists in fertilizers in three
distinct forms, viz, as organic matter,
as ammonia and as nitrates. 1t is the
most expensive fertilizing ingredient
Nitrates furnish the most readily
available forms of nitrogen. The most
common are nitrate of soda and nitrate
of potash (saltpeter).
Phosphoric acid one of the essential
fertilizing ingredients, is derived from
materials called phosphate. II does not
exist alone, but in combination, most
commonly as phosphate of lime in the
form Of bones, rock phosphate, and
phosphate Stag. Phosphoric acid oc-
ours in fertilizers in three forms-solu-
able, reverted and insoluble phosphoric
acid.
Soluble phosphoric acid is that form
which is soluble in water and readily
taken up by plants.
Reverted phosphoric acid is that
form which is insoluble in water, but
still readily used py plantS
Available phosphoric acid is the SOL
uble and reverted taken together.
Superphosphate.--In natural or un-
treated phosphates the phosphoric acid
| is insoluble in water and not readily
available to plants. Superphosphate Is
prepared from these by grinding ana
| treating with sulphuric acid, which
| makes the phosphoric acid more avail
| able to plants. Superphosphates are
| sometimes called acid phosphates.
Pot ash, as a constituent OF fertillzers
exists in number OF forms but cniet-
| Nv as CHORD or muriate, and as sui
phate. All forms are freely soluble in
water and are believed to be nearly. IT
not quite, equally available, but 1t has
been found that the Chords may IN
iuriously affect the quality OF tobacco,
potatoes and certain other crops. The
chief sources OF potash are the potash
salts from Stassfurt, Germany-kaint,
sylvinit, muriate of potash, sulphate OF
potash and sulphate OF potash ana
magnesia Wood ashes and cotton nun
ashes are also sources of potash.
Water is contained in all foods and
feeding stuffs The amount varies
from s to is pounds per 100 pounds of
such dry materials as hay, straw, or
grain to 80 pounds of silage and so
pounds in some roots.
Dry matter is the portion remaining
after removing or excluding the water.
Ash is what is left when the COM
bustible part of a feeding stun Is
burned away. It consists chiefly OF
lime, magnesia, potash, soda. iron.
chlorin and carbonic. sulphuric, and
phosphoric acids, and is used largely
in making bones. Parts OF the ASH
constituents of the food is stored up
in the animals body; the rest is
voided in the urine and manure.
Protein (nitrogenous matter is the
name Of a group of substances con-
tanning nitrogen. Protein furnishes the
materials for the lean flesh, blood. skin,
muscles. tendons, nerves, hair, horns,
wool, casein Of milk, albumen OF eggs,
ETC., and is one of the most important
constituents of feeding stuffs.
Ether extracts (fats) is composed
chiefly of the fats and oils of the food.
Together with the carbohydrates, they
produce heat 10 keep the body warm
and energy or force by which the ami
NAL mechanism is kept going. One
pound Of fat gives out about two and
one-fourth times as much heat or en-
ergy as one pound Of carbohydrates.
The carbohydrates of foods, gener-
ally speaking, are divided into two
classes, crude fiber, and nitrogen-free
extract. Crude fibre or cellulose, as
it is sometimes called, is the cellwall
or structure material Of plants and is
the most dificult digestible portion of
them. But when digested. It is con-
sidered Of about equal value with the
other carbohydrates. Nitrogen-free
extract is the part Of foods which con-
sists chiefly OF sugars, starches and
similar bodieg