4 >4 1 Sydnee t r ae a ae et fon een shits igcuta i; Feb tty Cae Ly eA Abs ta 4 Wasi t a dfacd iis iia ios ely yay Vie Vac i ave aT wine ydaha iy ce \ 3 4 : H Biro eh aida A ot " 3 ty yas bi ee AT DTH tie TEE sa) i ay \ ; LA apy re Ob aa ge < Sate re be un gutes ie wun a is a gtr AAR thay tt nts Voekacde ly 4 cir Wee i if att Po, , tf eae 4 os Nat ay bee Ure nn tony i ee. 4 ¥ Aa t 4 ;’ 4 ry by yarns ’ ‘ s 84 ey Ans eutt ay a ae sia i cy te fect 1 att ttt +9 : Big eel fee TAS NTA avi ites: Fite Foes AIL En. Reto oh Rt) nie dildahah MIKI) Hl dh fine yayt He abi fits : ; vs , SAX 4 AG vid hy fuera as ¥\ i naa Ty tuamad is aqesussts 4: ges Teh 1 taint A Hebe . ascae tae : : ia } i 7 tk ia Pa Eats aT iss ins unas /t bape Uhh g hs yoke eaetdn tt iy ha ithe Hi Woe a ae aC itis ji bey 134 in tid 4 Tas¢ tir dae itieas fr "i Ke vary) igs 5 eee , ’ =f fa, Stn Tao iF FU & ¥V, AMERICAN MANURES; AND FARMERS AND PLANTERS’ Oc Ee Ba COMPRISING A DESCRIPTION OF THE ELEMENTS AND COMPOSITION OF PLANTS AND SOILS—THE THEORY AND PRACTICE OF COMPOSTING—THE VALUE OF STABLE MANURE AND WASTE PRODUCTS, ETC., ETC., ETC. ALSO, CHEMICAL ANALYSES OF THE PRINCIPAL MANUFACTURED FERTILIZERS—THEIR ASSUMED AND REAL VALUE— AND A FULL EXPOSE OF THE WILLIAM H. BRUCKNE 5 ae CHYNOWETH. rs * PHILADELPHIA: ‘WILLIAM H. BRUCKNER, 1872. ee ¥rtered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1872, by WILLIAM H. BRUCKNER, In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington, D. C. COMMENDATIONS, So NO. I. From Philadelphia's distinguished Lawyer, Theo. Cuyler: I have examined the several pages of the book entitled ‘¢ American Manures and Farmers’ and Planters’ Guide,’’ pub- lished at Philadelphia, by Chynoweth and Company, 1871, to which you asked my attention. These pages are numbered 214, 216, 227, 238, 240 and 244. I have also examined the book at large sufficiently to enable me to form an idea of its general scope and tenor. Assuming the statements of the book to be true at the pages indicated, they do not in my opinion transcend the bounds of legitimate criticism and are not libellous. The language, though severe and strong, is not more strong and severe than such facts justify in a book devoted to the useful instruction of the people in a preeminently important depart- ment of practical knowledge. I could much more easily under- stand, that silence and the suppression of such information on the part of those possessing it, would be an offence against society, than I could that its utterance would be a legal offence against the rights of an individual engaged in the perpetration of such deceptions. No man has a legal right to mislead and deceive the public. If he does so and injury to any individual results therefrom, he is liable in damages. If he does so and is exposed, he who exposes him has performed a duty, and not committed a wrong. (Signed, ) , THEO. CUYLER. NO. , ET. ) From the Author of *‘ American Grape Growers’ Guide,” ete. : Your book ‘‘ American Manures and Farmers’ and Planters’ Guide,’’ supplies, most effectually, a want that has long existed, and, no doubt, will save millions of dollars to the agricultural community, not only from the fearless manner in which you _ have exposed the frauds of the manufacturers of special fertilizers, but, also, by the lucid and scientific, yet practical and readily ul 1V COMMENDATIONS. understood explanations given. You have brought the chemis- try and general science of agriculture down to so fine a point that the most illiterate cultivator, if he can only read the English language, cannot help but know what is wanted to improve his land, and supply that want at a fair money value. Forty years ago, I was just arriving at manhood, and since that time, have been actively employed 1 in practical far ming and hor ticulture, and can truly state, from actual experience, that many of your dedue- tions are perfectly correct. In fact, you have brought before the public a greater amount of reliable information, in condensed form, than is to be found in Liebig and Johnson combined, or any other work of the same kind which I have yet seen. (Signed,) WM. CHORLTON. NO. fit From the North American and United States Gazette, the leading — Commercial Paper of Philadelphia: The authors premise that strictly scientific writers on the use and composition of fertilizers are usually too technical for the comprehension of practical men, and the merely practical writers record results without elucidating causes or opening the philoso- phy involved. They essay to unfold the frauds of manufactured manures, of which, it is said, 500,000 tons are sold annually in this country, at acost of $25,000,000, to the farmers. One chap- ter is surrendered to an exposition of the elements of manures and plants, and the action of one on the other; another to the kind and amount of fertilizer different plants need; one to the composition of soils, and others to the values of fertilizers in money. The last chapter is filled with analyses. There is enough in almost any ten pages treating of the patent manures and fertilizers to ground as many libel suits. One fertilizer after another is shown to be deficient in value, or over-priced, or otherwise undesirable, and the authors state how they secured the material from which their analyses were made. So far as the chemistry of agriculture is involved, the work is admirable. We hesitate only over the exposition made of special articles so long and highly commended. But conceding the truth of the statements, every farmer should use fertilizers, and telescopes endless in selecting them. We fail to notice any apparent com- mendation of one at the cost of the others, but do see that the German fertilizers have a double per cent. of phosphates over the best of our own. The book proposes to enable every farmer to compost for himself, and so secure a reliable fertilizer. The importance of the subject cannot be over- estimated, and the capital at.issue will certainly advertize this work in one way O1 another strongly. It seems to be thoroughly fair and reliable. COMMENDATIONS., VY NWOy LY. OUR HOME PHOSPHATES. From the Charleston, S. C., Courier: The manufacture and sale of Superphosphates under thei many different names and varied experimental value have become of such importance in this country as to warrant steps being taken, not only to protect the planter from injustice, but also in the interest of the honest dealer who does give value received for money paid. The different Governments of Europe whom we arein the habit of calling slow, have long ago said that parties selling these articles shall affirm the constituents of their compounds and guarantee their proportions, in order that parties, whose general knowledge of chemistry may be sufficient for ordinary purposes shall, when they wish to use an organic or mineral constituent as the food of their crop, get what they pay for, or have the means of redress. Our attention has been forcibly called to the subject by a care- ful perusal of a book laid upon our table purporting to be Amer- ican Manures, their money value, by James Bennett Chynoweth, late Superintendent of Fertilizer Works, and William H. Bruck- ner, Ph. D., Analytical and Consulting Chemist, Philadelphia. A careful perusal will repay the planter and farmer, also those interested in the sale of Superphosphates. It is written in plain language and devoid of the symbols and technical character of the terms of Science. It is especially due from our Charleston manufacturers of Superphosphates that they give as wide a cir- culation as possible to the public of the valuable information conveyed in this publication. If one-half of what is told of the many subterfuges and false proportions put upon our planting community by our Northern manufacturing friends is true, the market of the United States is in our hands, and we only-need to use the resources which Provi- dence has committed to us and their proper development, which ordinary intelligence should give, in order to obtain that con- trolling influence in our markets, which the possession of in- exhaustible beds of Native Bone Phosphate entitle us. In any event, the natural course of trade ought in time to give us this control; but with the impetus which this description of facts, properly ventilated, should produce, Charleston ought at one bound to step to the front rank, in the United States at least, as a manufacturer of fertilizers. We have taken the money value to the consumer of fourteen of the fertilizers mentioned in this publication, the names of ‘which were most familiar to us, and some of whom are as house- hold words over the Cotton States; and to find it to vary from four 96-100 dollars for the lowest value up, with variations to thirty-six 93-100 dollars. These fertilizers are sold at the place of manufacture at from forty-five to fifty-six dollars per ton of V1 COMMENDATIONS. 2000 pounds. Now if our planting friends experienced so much benefit as their many flattering encomiums show, from so small a value received in proportion to the outlay made, how much more favorable would have been the reports, and how much more satisfactory the state of their money resources, had -they received a fair value for the amount paid? These writers state that there is consumed in the United States to-day five hundred thousand tons of fertilizers at a cost to the consumers of twenty- five millions of dollars. How bright a vista of future prosperity looms up in future for us if we only use our best efforts to cen- tralize this trade, so immense in its young proportion, and direct its regenerating influences over our much divided low country of South Carolina. The larger proportion of our community do not realize how large an influence the possession of these phosphate beds, properly developed, will have on our commercial position, and it will well become us in the future to use some efforts for home prosperity, and devote some time and capital for the proper management of our home institutions. NOE N; From the Journal of Applied Chemistry, published simultane- ously in New York, Philadelphia and Boston: They carry a steady lance and strike pretty hard blows, and we should advise every farmer who proposes to buy fertilizers to read this book before he makes too large an investment. An accurate knowledge of the scientific part of this book would save every farmer the time and expense of many useless experiments. There is a large amount of information condensed into a small space, and so far as we have been able to detect from a hasty perusal, this information is carefully selected and correctly given according to the latest and best authorities. Some controversial portions of the work might, perhaps, have found a better place in the columns of influential newspapers, but we do not object to them as they add piquancy and spice to the feast the authors have afforded us. It is a pity that a few dishonest manufacturers of fertilizers have brought the business into such ill-repute, and the only remedy would appear to be just such an exposure of the tricks of the trade as is here given. We commend the book to the notice of our agricultural readers. The work will be sent by mail, postage paid, to any address, by remitting the price, $1.50. Address, WILLIAM H. BRUCKNER, © Monroe, Michigan, Agents wanted in every Township tn the United States. Liberal inducements offered. s ~ PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION. Mr. CHYNOWETH’S connection with “American Ma- nures”’ having ceased, it affords the author pleasure in announcing that the first edition of the work has been exhausted, and thanking the public for their kind patronage of the same. While he is conscious that certain parties put forth all their energies to suppress the work in its infancy, he is glad to say that success has not crowned their efforts, as is evinced by this revised edition. And it is hoped, not cnly by him, but he trusts by all who have the welfare of their fellow- beings at heart, that subsequent editions may follow in quick succession. It is the writer’s intention to embrace in future editions of the work analyses, not only of manures re- presenting those which have been examined, but of others ; and judging from the following quotation of a letter from a manufacturer of fertilizers, dated Nov. 29th, he will not be surprised to find a marked improve- ment in the quality of the former. “The book has exercised a great influence on the fertilizing business, and has put thousands of dollars vil Vill PREFACE, into the pockets of the farmers. Every manufacturer has increased the quality of his article. The State of Delaware employs a State Chemist, and all manufac- turers must have their fertilizers analyzed by that chemist before they are allowed to sell in that State, so that there was a fair chance to observe the rise of the Phosphate Business.” | Immediately after the publication of “ American Manures,” Messrs. Wattson & Clark, manufacturers of Superphosphate of Lime, No. 135 North Water street, Philadelphia, while candidly admitting the correctness of analyses and fairness of criticism of their product, informed the writer that they manufacture a superphos- phate of lime (never found in the market in bags), which they warrant to contain 10 per cent. of soluble phosphoric acid (anhydrous), and which in quantity they are willing to sell at the price laid down in this book, namely, 124 cents per pound, for soluble phos- phoric acid; or, in other words, they charge for the above superphosphate, $25 per short ton. This statement is made, because justice demands it ; and farmers desirous of getting the worth of their money, would do well to club together to purchase such an article in quantity. Subsequent division to meet the wants of each purchaser could easily be effected. WILLIAM H. BRUCKNER. March, 1872. PREFACK TO THE FIRST EDITION ———_<+9>—___—_- KNOWLEDGE is indispensably necessary to better the condition of mankind. The posses- sion of the information that will enable us to procure what we need, is oftentimes more valu- able than the possession of the same without such knowledge; the advantages of the latter are temporary, those of the former are perma- nent. To be warned of danger is better than to be armed to resist it. When the wrongs and im- positions practised on communities are fully exposed, they have no one to blame but them- selves for their continuance. It has ever been considered the duty of each member of a com- munity to do all in his power to expose and redress existing wrongs, especially when those wrongs affect the vital interests of all. From these considerations we feel it a duty, and we claim the right of giving freely the knowledge 3 4 PREFACE. we possess on the subjects treated in this book. We shall unmask practices that have been backed up by favorable reports, and artfully designed statements, falsely claiming to be bene- fits conferred on the community, and which, from a want of knowledge to distinguish’ real from imaginary good, have passed currently as such. We shall not attempt to disprove the statements of dishonest manufacturers of fertilizers by mere reasoning; we only desire the reader closely to scrutinize and compare the facts as given, and make his own deductions. We challenge the parties assailed to disprove them. We expect to offend some: when wrongs are exposed, this is inevitable; and those parties may endeavor to refute the statements made. Our justification is written down in the following pages. In the language of Cicero, we shall ‘“¢ Neither dare to say anything that is false, nor fear to say anything that is true.” PHILADELPHIA, May 1st, 1871. CON: EE AP CHAPTER I. IMPORTANT PRELIMINARY OBSERVATIONS. (Page 11-381.) 11, Importance of our work.—12, Two kinds of works on farming.—13, 1st kind, and remarks —14, 2d kind, and re- marks.—15, Operations of the farm may be intelligently per- formed.—16, Farming may be made scientific—Book knowledge necessary.—17, Progress of other arts.—18, Terse sayings— Negligence and indifference of farmers.—19, Effect of knowledge —What we intend to show.—20, Effect of this upon farmers— Object of concentrated manures—Remark.—21, Analyses of Dr. Bruckner—How samples were obtained—Other fertilizers to be examined—Made manures a special study.—22, Secrecy and frauds of manufacturers.—24, Lying circulars.—25, Detection difficult—Immense profits. —26, Object of book.—27, Necessity of inspection.—28, Agricultural Department at Washington re- miss.—29, All interested in agriculture.—30, Practical experi- ments to be made. CHAPTER Il. ELEMENTS OF MANURES AND PLANTS. . (Page 31-77.) 31, Definition of manure—Two objects to be effected—A per- fect manure.—82, Loss of manures—Materials abundant.—33, Gaseous elements—Elements with oxygen forming acids—Bases —Alkalies—Elements unite in definite proportions. —34, Defini- ) 6 CONTENTS. tion of element—A compound—An oxide—A_ salt—Chemical affinity. —35, Cohesion.—GAsrzous ELEMENTS.—-35, Ozygen—Its properties, etc.—One-fifth of the atmosphere—Half of animals and plants—Source of, in plants—Exhaled by plants.—37, Hy- drogen—Its properties—How existing in nature—In plants and animals—Its weight— What it forms — How assimilated by plants.—88, Carburetted Hydrogen—Where found—Marsh gas— Fire damp—Present in soils.—39, Sulphuretted Hydrogen—How formed—lIts properties—In marshy places—Hurtful to vegetation —Effects in soils.—41, Nitrogen—Its properties—Forms nitric acid with oxygen—Forms ammonia with hydrogen.—42, Plants do not absorb it from atmosphere.—43, Experiments of Lawes and others on rain water—Conclusion therefrom.—44, Chlorine —Its properties—Sources, etc.—45, ELEMENTS FORMING ACIDS —Silicon—Its appearance—Forms silicic acid—Silicates of pot- ash, lime, and magnesia—Their use.—45, Silica—Crystallized and amorphous—Its properties.—46, Soluble silica—How formed, and uses of.—47, Value of soluble silica—Sources of it.—48, Car- bon—Its properties.—48, Carbonic Acid—How formed.—49, Its uses to plants—Uses of humus or mould.—d0, Phosphorus—lIts properties, etc.—Phosphoric Acid—Its composition and proper- ties —50, Bone Phosphate of Lime—Its composition, etc.—51, Neutral Phosphate of Lime—Its composition, etc.—51, Super- phosphaie of Lime—Its composition—How formed.—b2, Its ac- tion in soils, and Ronna’s report on its action.—57, Sulphur— Its properties, etc.—58, Sulphuric Acid—Its composition and uses—Cheapest source to farmer.—HLEMENTS FORMING BASES.— 58, Calecitum—lIts properties, etc.—59, Oxide of Qaletum, or quick lime—Its composition.—59, Carbonate of Lime—Its composition, etc.—How made quick lime, etc.—59, Hydrate of Lime—Its com- position.—60, How lime should be slacked.—Marls rich in carbo- nate of lime—Quick lime more valuable than carbonate.—61, Neu- tralizes acids in soils—Liberates ammonia.—62, Effect on iron pyrites—On silicates of soda and potash—On salt—Its physical effects. —63, What soils need lime.—64, How and what quantity should be applied.—65, Sulphate of Lime—Its composition—At- tracts little moisture.—66, Its benefits due to sulphuric acid— Why but little required.—66, Magnestum—lIts properties.—67, Magnesia—lIts composition—Its action—Cheap sources of—Too much hurtful.—68, ZJron—Forms two oxides—Protoxide injuri- CONTENTS. t ous to vegetation.—69, Peroxide of Iron—Its composition—Uses in soils—Effect of too much—How to correct it, and effects.— 70, Sulphate of Iron—UHow formed—Too much hurtful—How corrected—Iron pyrites useful.—70, Potasstwm—lIts properties— Oxidizes readily—Forms caustic potash.—71, Potash—lIts proper- ties—Importance to plants—How and where found in nature — 72, Potash from plant and wood ashes— Wood ashes as manure.— 73, Sodtum—lIts properties—Forms caustic soda—Soda now made from common salt.—74, Nitrate of Soda—Where found—lIts uses in soils—Soda in plants—Cheapest source of it—Common Sali—Its composition.—75, Action of salt in soils—Injurious to some plants and trees—Exterminates insects and worms—How much wheat requires. CHAPTER Ill. COMPOSITION OF PLANTS, AND KINDS AND AMOUNT OF MANURES REQUIRED. (Page 77-104.) 77, Elements vary but little in plants of same kind—Effects, if not so—First lesson of farmers—Popular idea of action of ma- nure.—79, Potash, Silicon, and Lime Plants.—80, Remarks on.— 81, Importance of studying the tables.—82, Table of composition of plants.—83, Albumen and Gluten—Their uses—Starch and Gum—Their uses and mode of action.—84, Woody jibre—Of no use as food—Theory of fattening.—85, Table of inorganic ele- ments of plants—A. key to application of fertilizers — Remarks on table.—86, Composition of wheat and straw—Remarks— a os, aPakain: Sara's PEO Gio: < oh. hatin t Le ee oe Chlorine. Lime. 0°09 0-41 0°05 .|Or44 O-1L 0°37 0°13 1-10 . {0°59 1:94 2|0°25 1:51)0- 0-01 0°03 0-09 310-08 0-03!0: 0:14) 0- Magnesia. O'40\017 2\0°07 0-04 0-04 0-02 Silica. Oxide of Iron. 0°53|0°01 a44). 2°47|0°04 0-02'0°02 0:08}0°02 2°72}0°09 0:02}0-02 0°27)0-07 0°24|0-09 3)0°33)0°10 0°01|0°06 0°02)\0°04 0°02 /0°07 0-01|0-02 0°13)0°01)0- Ore cs 2 aie Potash. Soda, Phosphoric Acid. Sulphuric Acid. O12 O17 0°50 0-10 0:12 0°22 0°45 0°16 (0-44 0-31 0-10 0:28 0-11 0°30 0°13 0-13 ()-02 0-02 0°05 0-08 The foregoing Table exhibits the average results of many analyses of the plants named, by the most distinguished agricultural chemists of this country and Europe. It must not be supposed 86 AMERICAN MANURES. that it gives the exact composition in every case. Still it is near enough for all practical purposes, and furnishes a very reliable guide to manuring. We shall now show the different amounts of inorganic and mineral substances required by a good crop of different plants, on an acre of land. This information will show the relative value of manures and fertilizers in producing crops, and the kind and amount required. It is a fact known to farmers, that if they can raise good crops of wheat on their land, they can raise a good crop of almost any other plant adapted to the chmate and soil. Hence, a study of the wheat crop will serve to show all the essential elements of fertility. In 100 parts or pounds of wheat, about 97% are combustible, being carbon and nitrogen, and the elements of water—hydrogen and oxygen; and of the straw from 92 to 94 parts are also combustible. mae The grain and straw of wheat has the average chemical composition shown in the following Table: Grain. Straw. COT OORT He's 45 rhode aa 46°10 48-48 POT OSB n.: ip de cepa See 5°80 5-41 ROPEEETL wo aio cis reaaisrenes eae 43°40 38°79 PRO DS = o'.'y geaatiee, ohne 2°29 35 PE sla oi de ee ee 2°41 6:97 100°00 190-00 PEA STRAW AND CLOVER. 87 The greatest proportional difference in the combustible part of wheat and its straw is in the relative amount of nitrogen. The reader will notice that there is in equal weights nearly seven times as much nitrogen in the grain as in the straw. If the farmer had to rely on decaying straw to furnish the necessary amount of nitrogen, it would require 700 lbs. of straw to furnish enough for 100lbs. of the grain of wheat, and a crop of 25 bushels to the acre, or 1500 Ibs. of wheat, would require over five tons of straw to furnish the nitrogen required. On the other hand, one half of this amount will furnish the phosphoric acid and the other elements re- quired for the grain. But, if the farmer manured with pea straw, or clover, the case would be different, as the following analyses of clover and pea straw will show: Pea Straw. Clover Hay. Cpe OU sees 2.5.5.0 so sin 45°80 A740 LB AWS 00s (Reem eter Cree 5°00 5°00 Oro Cite lig he Wda at 0 eels 35°57 38°60 POP ETORCUL cote ulsicle ne» 2°31 1°30 JE VE OPE ae OEE Oe Ce 11:32 770 100-:00 100-00 Pea straw contains as much nitrogen, weight for weight, as wheat; and when cut in proper time and cured properly, it makes the best of fodder and the best of manure. Clover is very nearly as valuable for both purposes. 8& AMERICAN MANURES. The ash left after carefully burning the seeds and straw or stems of cultivated plants, 1s very nearly the same in chemical composition for each variety. The variations found are no greater than might be expected from the in- fluence of climate and soil. ‘The farmer should uniformly determine to raise a maximum amount from each cultivated acre of his land. This result is nearly as much under his command, as that of the mechanic or laborer who commences the work of the day with a determination of performing a certain amount of work, and who but for that determination, and the proper use of his tools or hands, would accomplish much less. The following amounts of different crops have been year after year raised from an acre of ordinary land, by the proper application of manures : Waele = 25 bushels.) Corn ......50 bushels. PENG ne ws oi a0 Oats 2. cc OUe « aS Buckwheat..30 “ Batley...) ee Potatoes... 100 “ Two tons of Hay. “What has been done can be done again;” and why should it not? * 24°00“ aa RMMEOE «Cie chinese nin oy oe 180" 9000" “Sri By comparing the above Table with the one giving the composition of wheat, the reader can understand why larger continuous crops of rye than of wheat can be raised from the same soil ; because rye does not require so much of those elements which are first exhausted in soils as wheat does. In lke manner, by studying the composition of different crops, and noting the amounts of the different elements required to produce them, we can understand why farmers should have a dollar for a bushel of wheat, when corn is selling at fifty cents, and rye at seventy- five. Such an examination shows that the quantity, and consequently the price of any crop, are naturally regulated by the amount of certain valuable substances required for its production. OATS, Fifty bushels of oats—the estimated product of an acre—of 35 lbs. to the bushel = 1650 lbs. This amount of grain requires about 2000 lbs. of straw. The grain and straw contain: BARLEY. 93 Grain. Straw. Total. PA CTALGIRG soo: cine eles s ai4apibs. t30lbs. 45°25 lbs, Phosphoric Acid...... NOS 4:00 “. 14°59 “ Sulphuric Acid. .../2.:. 6°62 ‘ 3°20 ‘ ooay MEST Sa ci fa eie's odes «sate St. tae © oz MAP NESI Aris 2's, «6 sss lees BAT “ 80 Gane LOL ee ere oe Tad ** GeO: elisa Or fF BCH a jecee ateele ciara aves Dae Ae Alicia As if The reader will note the large amount of am- monia required by this crop. This accounts for the nutritive properties of the grain and straw. The amount of phosphoric acid and potash is small compared with that of other cereals. BARLEY. Thirty bushels of barley—the estimated pro- duct of an acre—of 48 lbs. to the bushel = 1440 lbs. The straw weighs 2000 lbs. The grain and straw contain: Grain. Straw. Total. Ammonia........ 33°40 lbs. 7-60 lbs. 41°00 lbs. Phosphoric Acid. 9°64 ‘ 5°40 “ 15:04 ‘ Sulphuric Acid... 1°73 “ AA0 ‘ 6-13 “ AENES 5 cor te e's Miia ary ek 8°80 * 9:52“ Mapnesiac.. oo... 2°44 Pio | Ml 5:24 Peusen sl 33.20 ce Gisa * 25800 yl de oie: ee ne Oot 68°80 “ 16:43.“ Oat and barley straw are good manures, as they are rich sources of nitrogen, containing, as they do, a large percentage of ammonia. From this cause also, they make good fodder for cattle. Only a small amount of phosphoric acid and pot- ash is required for these straws, while the amount 94 AMERICAN MANURES. of silica is only one half of that required for wheat straw. BUCKWHEAT. Thirty bushels of buckwheat—the estimated product of an acre—of 40 lbs. to the bushel = 1200 lbs. The straw weighs about 2000 lbs. The grain and straw contain: Grain. Straw. Total. A IMMONIA sss 32 18°24 lbs. 1:20 Ibs. 19-44 lbs. Phosphoric Acid. 12:00 ‘“ 12°20 “ 24°20 ‘ Sulphuric Acid.. 5:22 “ 6°20 “ lia Me ro eons we AO 22°00 “ 23°56. Magnesia. . icc c's 2°40 4:20 “ 6°60 ‘ 8 0) a GU: a woo"20." 5T24 “6 US ernie Fare Siu ae 0:24 babe te 6°84 “ The reader will notice that this crop requires a large amount of potash, while the amount of ammonia and phosphoric acid is comparatively small. The potash seems to take the place of silica in the formation of the straw, as only a small amount of that substance is required. As this straw contains very little ammonia, it is almost worthless as fodder; but as manure it is valuable for its phosphoric acid, lime and potash. | POTATOES. One hundred bushels of potatoes, of 60 Ibs. to the bushel = 6000 Ibs. of tubers. The tops, when dry, weigh about 3000 lbs.; and the tops and tubers of such a crop contain : CLOVER HAY. 95 Tubers. Tops. Total. Ammonia...... 21°00 lbs. 1:50 lbs. 22°50 Ibs. Phosphoric Acid 33:00 “ 18-00 “ SLO * Sulphuric Acid. 12°60 “ heat 28°10 “ IAG aa) o ole sietass, = 4:20 “ 55°00 “ 5Or20)..** MAONESIO:...3..06's - eo 10°50 “ 1830" “ BAAS. a c.ios 5 ois 109-00 “ 70°00 “ £7900: PICA ate a are, kcoie 13°00 “ 30°00 43°00 “ Twenty bushels of wheat require. 15 lbs. of phosphoric acid for the grain, and 11 lbs. for the straw; while 100 bushels of potatoes require double this amount. Hence, two medium crops of wheat exhaust only as much of this valuable element as one crop of potatoes. Also, only one- sixth the amount of potash required for potatoes is necessary for the wheat crop. In raising pota- toes, few farmers supply a sufficient amount of phosphoric acid and potash. Hence, this plant and its tubers have become constitutionally deteriorated on most farms, and lable to speedy decay. A bushel of potatoes contains only about one-seventh the amount of nitrogen contained in a bushel of wheat, and its nutritive value for the production of blood and muscle is in the same proportion. CLOVER HAY. Two tons, or 4000 lbs., of dried clover may be considered an average crop per acre. This amount contains: 96 AMERICAN MANURES. AMIMONIG <5... O2 00s.) Maines: cco neice 7500 lbs. Phosphoric Acid..19°76 ‘ Magnesia .......- 21:00 “ Sulphuric Acid... 7:50 “ POTAS 2 ac wns deae 8069 “ SlllGdupreeee seers sc 18°65 lbs. Clover requires a large amount of potash and ammonia, while the amount of silica required is small. Great benefits are realized by growing this crop; it sends its roots deep into the soil, and brings up the phosphate and sulphate of lime, also potash and magnesia; and when the clover is plowed under, as a green manure, it furnishes a large amount of the nitrogen re- quired for a heavy crop of wheat. All Root Crops require a rich soil to do well. Twenty tons of 'Turnips or Carrots, with the tops, —which is a large crop for an acre,—require: Turnips. Carrots. PLATO Vaiss oie Spee Se 42°00 lbs. 48:00 lbs Phosphoric Acid..... 45°00 * 39°00 “ Sulphuric Acid... eis 50°00 « 57:00 “ ETA One en Te 90-00 “* 197-0044 Mie ene. .io.. creer 14:00 “ Zon Watasi ys Rai eels BAe ss 140:00 “ 134:00 “ BMCaiss Sarccke ha piibk iss ba 00s¢ 60:00 ‘“ Tobacco and Cotton require a rich soil to grow luxuriantly, as the following Table, showing the amounts, in pounds, of inorganic elements contained in 1090 lbs. of the stems and leaf of tobacco, and the fibre, seed and stalk of cotton, in their air-dried state, will show: TOBACCO AND COTTON. 97 Cotton, ————— Tobacco, Fibre, Seed. Stalk. Phosphoric Acid...... 8°6 83 14°8 io Sulphuric Acid........ 9°3 D°6 1-6 0:5 DMCS ohooh case's 52 ae 88°8 25°70 2°4 70 WA OIROSTA wim once e109 0 vere 25°0 14°5 5°6 2°2 PZ OUAGH . Wis <5 32.0 <\e/hnios bie 137 54:0 14-4 88 oil id Ea a Aas eRe 23°0 Iks 3:4 2°D We regret that we could not obtain reliable analyses of cotton and tobacco, showing the amount of nitrogen or ammonia required. The reader can see that in raising tobacco, a large amount of lime and potash is required, while the amount of phosphoric acid is small. ‘The cotton plant requires more phosphoric acid, but either crop can be raised more readily and profitably from ordinary soils, where climate is suitable, than either wheat or corn. The foregoing Tables are of great value to the farmer and planter, in showing them the amount of the different valuable elements required by dif ferentcrops; also, how far the commercial manures of a known composition are able to supply the material for these crops. If the reader wishes to know how much of those elements which are not usually applied as principal constituents of manures, such as oxygen, hydrogen, chlorine, iron, soda, and carbon, is required by plants, he may refer to the Tables on pages 82 and 86, which will show him the percentage of these 98 AMERICAN MANURES. substances ; and from these he can readily calcu- late the amount required by different crops for ' an acre. Every crop should be supplied with the full amount of all the substances needed to bring it to maturity. That this vital principle is not understood, or at least attended to, is painfully evident from an examination of the statistics furnished in the reports of the Agricultural De- partment, at Washington. By these reports we find that the average of the amounts .of the different crops raised on an acre in thirty States of the Union is, as follows : Wheat......11°56 bushels. Barley..... 19°14 bushels. Indian Corn.28°00 i Buckwheat.17°68 a BUM. once vio, cre 13°30 3 Potatoes... .93°23 oh (ate. so 2-0 20°00 af Hay s...2 fe 1:28 tons. The above averages show conclusively that there is a great necessity for a more extended use of manufactured manures. Even Pennsylvania, that boasts of her fertile soils and the perfection of her system of agricul- ture, produces only the following average of the above named crops per acre: Wheat: . eit aadesse 4 Serr: ORES DUP hUTiG TAC. sass ve sccm een ee tes 0-002 OTIC AS 2% ic Shots se Reais eeetas 0:006 Hummus, Carbonic Acid and Water.... 1°502 PEO SAS 2) ding arbi e ah saan x wal sea aie 100:000 The poverty of this soil is apparent from the small quantity of lime, magnesia, potash and phosphoric acid found in it. The addition of marl was found to have a marked effect upon it. The following is the analysis of a soil that was supposed to be very barren, but which, after the application of land plaster or gypsum, produced large crops of red clover, peas, beans, etc. The surface is a fine-grained loamy soil. (A) is the analysis of the surface, (B) of the subsoil; 100 parts of each contained : (A) (B) Silica, with Silicious Sand........ 907120 90°324 RAUUMMPELUNU AN Geo y-8 3 (o.<. 5p ak lo o-cew ai 6 ante 2°106 2°262 Peroxide and Protoxide of Iron.. 3°951 2°914 - Peroxide of Manganese.......... 0:950 2-960 Da a. Ri actdeig eid Stans cte hurd 2 0°539 0°532 Phosphoric: A Gide oe ies sieeve ae 0°367 0-122 Magnesia, with Silicate of Potash. 0°750 0-340 TiGeaaies Slik eee led oes es 0-067 0°304 Ais das 5,854 ( 06's pep Ta @ oh 0-010 trace. UHI VALCIO 5 5 6,2 dren coe'e s aocies « trace. 0:010 RCO HM a Fs crass hx a sacmve artis Sica oo 0:100 0-004 Humus and decaying veg. matter.. 0°900 a Dae aerrars feat eke wreldia aie o's sy acin tee 0-140 0-228 LAS Sone eee 100-000 100-000 110 AMERICAN MANURES. The reader can see at a glance the lack of sul- phuric acid in the above soil: This is the. reason that the application of plaster had such a beneficial effect. very other element of fertil- ity was present, but without sulphuric acid it was impossible for plants to come to maturity. Hundreds of analyses of different soils might be given, both fertile and barren, but they would only prove the one great fact, that soils, to be properly adapted to the growth of plants, must contain every element that enters into their composition. Plants must have the necessary food to live on, the same as animals, as they cannot create an atom of any substance to sup- port themselves. Hence, when there is a falling off in the productiveness of a soil, the farmer should first ascertain what element is necessary to restore it, and then add that substance, in a definite quantity, because it is only a waste of money to apply what is not required. Such a course would lead to an economy both of the money of the farmer, and also of the ele- ments of fertility. How many farmers buy ex- pensive manufactured manures, when perhaps the very things they need le wasting at their own doors. The application of lime, marl, muck, wood and even coal ashes, is sometimes attended with better results than the most ex- pensive phosphates. When these expensive CHARACTER OF SOILS. 111 manures are applied where something else is needed, the farmer loses the money invested, the labor of applying them, and oftentimes his crop, by not using the substance really required. The bulk of all soils consists of sand and clay. These are general terms, and have no reference to the chemical properties of the different parts, as all granulated bodies in soils are termed sand, and all tenacious substances easily pulverized are termed clay. Two specific terms are in use to denote the character of soils, viz:—alluvial and diluvial. Soils that have been washed from hills and mountains are termed alluvial, but if they can- not be traced to such a source, and are elevated plains, or the tops of hills and mountains, they are termed diluvial, and must be traced to the action of glaciers or the gradual disintegration of rocks by the action of the elements. A knowledge of the chemical composition of the rocks, from which the sand and clay are formed, will enable us to judge correctly of the kinds of minerals to be found in the soil; and of their adaptability to the wants of agriculture ; hence, the study of these rocks is quite as im- portant as the study of the soil itself. The rocks essential to the formation of fertile soils, and from which they are usually produced, ate Granite, Felspar, Limestone, Gypsum, 112 AMERICAN MANURES. Phosphorite, Slate and Sandstone. The relative value of these rocks in soil formation can be seen when we examine the nature of their con- stituents. Granite belongs to the most ancient family of rocks, which appear to have originally formed the basis of the solid structure of the globe. This mineral derives its name from its marked granular structure, and is a mixture, in variable proportions, of quartz, felspar, and mica. These grains vary considerably in size; in some varie- ties, the crystals are in uniform small grains, while in other varieties the laming of mica are some inches across. Quartz, which forms the transparent grains in the granite, consists simply of silica (silicic acid). Felspar, the dull cream-colored opaque grains in granite, generally contains silica, alumina, potash, soda and lime. Mica, so named from the glittering scales which it forms in the rock, is a compound of silica, alumina and potash; but in some varieties the alumina is displaced by the peroxide or rust of iron, and the potash by magnesia. By the long continued action of the atmos- phere in connection with rain, the granite rock is gradually crumbled down and disintegrated, an effect due to both mechanical and chemical ~ FELSPAR. 113 causes. Mechanically, the rock is continually worn by strong winds loaded with minute par- ticles of sand; and by the freezing of water within its minute pores, small particles are split off by the expansion attending such congelation. Chemically, the action of. rain water containing carbonic acid, would remove the potash from the felspar and mica, in the form of carbonate of potash, which removal, breaking the bond of connection between the different particles or grains, the quartz and silicate of alumina, on combining with a certain amount of water, would form clay. Every hundred pounds of granite yield about one pound of potash, which is the most valuable part of the rock for the purposes of vegetation. A cubic foot of pure felspar is sufficient to supply half an acre of growing oak trees with the necessary potash required, for five years, if it was present in a soluble form. Hach 100 lbs. of this pure felspar contains 16:17 lbs. of pot- ash, equal to 24:52 lbs. of carbonate of potash, or, 26°44 lbs. of the muriate. Still this potash in felspar requires a long time to become soluble when only acted on by atmospheric agencies. : The most important mineral ingredient of fer- tile soils is lime, in its different compounds of 114 AMERICAN MANURES. carbonate of lime, sulphate of lime (lime and sulphuric acid), and phosphate of lime. Cabonate of Lime (common limestone) is the chief constituent of the shells of fishes and egg shells; corals also consist of carbonate of lime, derived from the skeletons of innumerable min- ute insects. The origin of the common limestones is very remarkable. They are built up from deposits of the remains of shell-fish and coral insects, which lived in ancient seas, and which having been raised above the surface by submarine forces, have hardened into a rock by the slow infiltration of water holding carbonate of lime in solution, or by the rapid and more powerful effect of volcanic heat. There are few limestones, in which the shells and corals cannot yet be seen in form, more or less perfect. They are not found in the purest and most crystalline marbles, because these have clearly been subjected to the action of heat with great pressure, which has obliterated the forms. Sulphate of Lime, or Gypsum, is an important ingredient of fertile soils, as it furnishes two elements necessary to plants. In some localities, eypsum is found in immense beds or rocks, some- what similar in appearance to limestone. It is very generally distributed in small quan- SANDSTONES. Lia tities in all soils. Most spring and river waters contain it, and in hard waters it is often abund- ant, rendering them unfit for washing and cull- nary purposes. Phosphorite is a mineral phosphate of lime. The presence of phosphoric acid in all cultivated soils may be traced to this substance. Without it no cultivated plants can come to perfection. The source of this substance in soils must be from the many generations of animals that have lived on the earth, and whose bones have be- come scattered and mixed with the soil. It is also found in the ancient unstratified rocks, such as the apatites of Canada and Northern New York, the phosphatic guano beds of South Caro lina, and other places. Many of these rocks contain a larger amount of phosphoric acid than the same weight of bones. As these rocks slow- ly crumble down in the soil, the phosphates, if they become soluble, are taken up by plants. Sandstones are a great source of the inorganic materials in soils. They areof various formations, and their composition is not at all arbitrary ; alumina, silica, carbonate of lime, oxide of iron, and other substances, are found in various proportions in the different varieties. The co- hesion of the particles is sometimes caused by a sort of semi-fusion, as in the common grit or burr’ stones, while in other varieties the cohesion 116 AMERICAN MANURES. is effected by the infiltration of some substance in solution. ‘These are the freestones, red-sand- stones, etc. Most sandstones are easily dis- integrated by the elements, and form soils rapidly, the value of which is governed by the constituent elements of the stone. Soils are named from the relative proportions of their constituents. One hundred parts of dry ordinary soil, containing only ten of clay, would be termed a sandy soil. If it contained from ten to thirty or forty parts of clay, it would be a sandy loam ; if from forty to seventy parts of clay, it would be a loamy soil ; from seventy to eighty-five of clay, a clay loam ; from eighty-five to ninety of clay, a strong clay, fit for making bricks; if it contains no sand it would be pure agricultural clay, or pipe-clay. Ifa soil contains more than five per cent. of lime, it is termed a marly soil; if more than twenty per cent., a calcareous soil. The rust of iron forms two or three per cent. of most sandy soils, and in red soils much more. Farmers must have noticed that some soils assume a darker color or deeper red, under cultivation. These soils contain a large amount of the first oxide of iron, which is injurious to vegetation. The frequent exposure of such soils to the oxygen of the atmosphere, changes this fisst oxide to the peroxide, as previously stated. MOULD. LIF The foregoing account of the sources of in- organic substances in soils, shows that the soil acquires from~ rocks alumina, silica or sand, phosphoric acid, sulphuric acid, lime, magnesia, oxide of iron, potash, soda; all being indispensable ingredients for the growth of plants. These sub- stances are all termed mineral or inorganic. Mould will now be considered. It is popu- larly supposed to be the organic portion of soils. If the leaves that fall from the trees, and the vegetation that dies yearly on the approach of winter, did not rot or decay, or become resolved into their original elements, the accumulation would interfere with the subsequent growth of plants. The decomposition of organic remains is governed by fixed laws. All plants after they die undergo two processes of decomposition ; first, fermentation, then putrefaction or decay. These changes are somewhat analogous to those pro- duced by a smouldering fire, and the product of this decay is very appropriately termed mould. This process of decay or mouldering is the im- perceptible union of the oxygen of the air with the carbon of the plant; but it proceeds so slowly that it produces only in a very slight degree the effects of ordinary combustion, that is ight and heat; still the results are the same, with the ex- ception that it is not carried to the same extent. The complete burning of vegetation leaves 118 AMERICAN MANURES. nothing but the mineral or inorganic elements in the form of ash ; the carbon, oxygen, hydrogen, and nitrogen, passing off in a gaseous form ; on the contrary, the slow combustion that takes place under the ordinary processes of decay, is hmited by the small amount of oxygen that can come in contact with the carbon. . 15367 g§ LA) SIATAS TARA ca wigan since Re Ss See 3110 - ey Pretoxide of Yron: 00368 > = 0°03 * OES ath ae Sheep Bs be | Oekh: & 0:47,“ ==. 5 AD Human De iaa. E -7 OeO: Ley = aon By the above Tables, the farmer can ascertain the value of the excrements derived from the stock he keeps; they will also show to some farmers the money -value of substances they allow to go to waste, and will serve to correct the extravagant ideas of others, who attribute to stable manure and droppings of animals a higher » value than it really possesses. City Stable Manures—A cart load of the stable manure, usually purchased by farmers from the dealers in cities, and for which they 168 AMERICAN MANURES. pay $1, should weigh at least 1000Ibs.; it usually weighs only from 500 Ibs. to 800 Ibs. The average value of 1000 lbs. of this manure, if as good as ordinary barn-yard manure, which is not the case, is as follows: UTE SOME 1s eit cee mle cee 150 Ibs., worth.. t.1 $0.70 Straw or other litter.... 400 * SS Sao 0.49 Water and useless matter 450 “ Lh meped 25+ 5 ee 0.00 1000 “ rs Value $1:19 If the farmer gets 1000 lbs. of a quality equal to barn-yard manure, for $1, it costs him as much as the same amount of the fertilizing elements would in Peruvian Guano; but when the greater cost of transportation and application to the soil is counted, it costs him much more. The great object of the parties engaged in this dung business in cities, is to buy the largest possible loads for the smallest amount of money from the stable keepers, and then to sell the smallest possible loads for the largest amount of money to the farmers. ‘T’o accomplish this, they have carts of two sizes; when they buy they use the large size, when they sell they use the small. When they buy, they pack in as much as their large carts will hold; when they sell, the small ‘carts are filled as lightly as possible, by trained men who understand the art of filling a cart with a very small amount of material. Nor is this all. After collecting from the stable keepers, VALUE OF STABLE MANURE. 169 they work directly against the interest of the buyer, by sprinkling their heaps with water and then shaking them out to check fermentation, and thus loss of bulk. This practice of watering and shaking out, besides preventing fermentation, lessens greatly the value of the manure by wash- ing out the elements of the urine—the most valuable part of 1t—and also by removing the ammonia and soluble salts of the solid excre- ment. By such means many of these dung merchants accumulate large fortunes in a few years; and the farmer in this, as in some other forms of manure, confounds bulk with quality, and prefers a large mass of almost worthless matter to a little of what is valuable. We shall now show the value of 1000 lbs. of well-rotted and air-dried stable manure, calculated from the analysis of Dr. Voelcker: Water and organic Aaoting Melee matter. ,f0- °° °°" " : ACEYINIPONAN Accs isrerwic alice owe 0/0 ai lege oot $7.50 Phosphoric Acid............- 1 Sie Si nee 2.25 Pip eesti obacdilcaek paces eee ERR Se Sto 1.60 Total $11.35 A ton would be worth $22.70, or equal in real value to a ton of many of the commercial fertil- izers sold for $40 or $50. The importance of the fermentation and rotting of manures, and subsequent drying, cannot be overestimated. It, 170 AMERICAN MANURES. saves in the cost of transportation and labor of applying, as well as presents the valuable salts in soluble form, directly available for the wants of the plant to give ita vigorous and healthy start; while plants manured with unfermented, unrotted manure, are deprived of what they need until these operations have taken place in the soil. Oftentimes by this cause they are so stunted in the beginning, that no subsequent application will make amends for the injury then done. We shall now give the value of the urine of different animals, as shown by the fertilizing salts contained in 1000 lbs. of each : Water. Phosphoric Acid. Potash. Nitrogen. = Ammonia. Pig Urine, 9°29lbs.° trace, 6°0lbs. ' 11.8 lbs. 143432 Horse “ 9°40 “ tracey .72:8 15 Lhd 4S ee Cow Ks Nhe an imace; = Ab 9‘ AA. “= ha Sheep ‘ O65 LS es. Sra is) «aa Human “ D571“ 7 | Ors 14°) © (Se? ee The following Table shows the amount pro- duced annually by a single animal of the kind named, and its value as manure, when fermen- ted : peer ete Potash. Ammonia. Value. Pig Urine 1000lbs. trace, 60lbs. 143]bs. $4.00 — Horse “ 2000 ‘ trace, ie a4 % 9.79 Tony. ok) 2000 ‘ trace, | eee She 2.92 Sheep “ 500 * O6:las;' S36 ** ow 2.35 Human “ Too. * alt as es 107) 4 eee VALUE OF EXCREMENTS. play | The solid and liquid excretions taken to- gether, will show the following annual value: Pig Excrements, solid and liquid,.........$ 4.62 Horse : es Boh ah puns 19.73 Cow % zs : Ce geahe Mayas 8.07 Sheep sf “ EO 2 lente oes 2.75 Human, “ “ ihidy hess eid 3.66 From these Tables, it is plain that too much care cannot be exercised in preserving the excre- ments of man and animals. Hvery pound of ammonia that is lost or evaporates, represents the amount required for a bushel of corn; and every pound of the urine of a horse or man, will furnish sufficient ammonia for a pound of wheat; and two and a half pounds of the urme of man will furnish the phosphoric acid, and more than half of the potash required for a pound of wheat. The foregoing Tables will also show the far- mer the value of the manure, and its capacity for raising crops, as estimated from the average amount of stock kept on his farm. When we consider the great value of the excretions of man and animals, it is astonishing that so little attention is paid to preserving them. These substances, which are compara- tively lost in our large cities and towns, repre- sent a value of millions of dollars annually. If the average value of the excretions of the in- habitants. of large cities he set down at two 12 172 AMERICAN MANURES. dollars for each, which is a low estimate, the reader can readily see the immense value of what is yearly wasted. Swamp Muck is a deposit of vegetable matter in low swampy places; it is in fact partially formed peat. It is usually formed of mosses, grasses, leaves, and branches of trees, partially decomposed, and in a very condensed form. As the most of these deposits have been accumu- lating for centuries, they have become valuable stores of the fertilizing elements—often much more valuable than stable manure. Professor Johnson gives the average potential ammonia in 33 samples, in the dry state, examined by him, as 3°14 per cent. This alone would make the dried muck worth $6.34 per ton. He did not determine the valuable inorganic matters, such — as phosphoric acid, potash, etc.; but it should contain a large amount of them. As many farmers have deposits of this kind on their farms, they will see the importance of utilizing them. Every opportunity should be taken to procure and dry as much of this sub- stance as possible. When in a dry state, the absorbent properties of dried muck is remarkable. The most putrid and offensive liquids may be filtered through it, and the water will come through perfectly pure and tasteless, the muck absorbing all the soluble salts and volatile gases. SOURCES OF PHOSPHORIC ACID. Lis This shows the advantages gained by using dried muck, around stables and enclosures where cattle, sheep or hogs are kept, thus absorbing and deodorizing the liquid and solid excrements. Sometimes the application of muck in its natural state, is not followed by any beneficial effects, and in some cases it has been positively injurious. This may be explained as follows: All vegetable substances undergoing oxidation or decomposition attain a seeming inert or fixed state; and without the application or action of some powerlul agency, such as lime, will remain in that condition for long ages; and when sub- jected to certain influences, such as heat and great pressure, while in that state, will eventu- ally form coal. We are indebted to this pro- perty of decaying vegetable matter, for the vast stores of peat and coal that are stored up in the earth. .Without this property, all organic sub- stances would be speedily dissipated, as carbonic acid gas, ammonia, etc.; and even the mould, or organic portion of soils, would be resolved into a gaseous state and be dissipated in the atmos- phere. Although this property of partially decayed organic matter is the cause of its pre- servation, it materially unfits it for the produc- tion of cultivated plants, as it cannot, in this inert condition, give out enough to support them; and it is not improbable that it imparts, 174 AMERICAN MANURES. to some extent, the same property to the soils to which it is applied in large amount, and besides, favors the growth of many noxious weeds. A similar condition exists in old meadow lands that have lain fallow for years, which the farmer terms sour, and which are invariably benefited by the application of lime. Hence the import- ance of composting swamp muck and peat, to effect what may be termed the second stage of decomposition, which will render it available as food for cultivated plants. Some authorities recommend the burning of peat, and the subse- quent application of the ashes, as a manure. Those who recommend such a course have but a superficial knowledge of its composition; the most valuable portion of it is the nitrogen or potential ammonia, which would be entirely lost by this process; and besides, the value of the ash in furnishing the organic elements of plants, would not repay the farmer for his trouble. Mud, as found in the bottoms of ponds, ditches, and sunken places, has a very different composi- tion from swamp muck. Still some deposits of mud are valuable as manure, and would amply repay the farmer to collect and apply it. As it contains only a small amount of organic remains, it has but little value in composting. Dried Earth—The absorbent and deodorizing properties of dried earth, and the benefits that ee ae he 4s WOOD AND COAL ASHES. 17D would be derived from its use around stables and cattle-sheds, by catching and absorbing the liquid droppings of animals, is too little understood or appreciated by farmers. A large amount of valuable manure could be prepared yearly by this means alone, without much trouble or ex- pense, as the urine of animals—the most valuable portion-—is too often allowed to go to waste. The Leaves of Trees, when well rotted in the compost pile, is a very valuable source of fertil- izing elements, as the following Table, showing the amount of the substances named, contained in different varieties in their dry state, demonstrates : Phosphoric acid. Potash. Lime. Mulberry Leaves. 0°36 per cent. 0°69 per cent. 0°90 per cent. Horse-chestn’t “0°61 o 147 5-04... 8 Walnut ¢ 0°28 1°86 as AO ye 4 Beech a 0°28 . 0°35 i ols. ee Oak . 4g": .-“ 0-17 s6 Ot Fir Ks 0°23 a 0-14 ce OSes Red Pine ae 0°48 oi 0°09 ee OSS, oe From the above Table the farmer can readily estimate the value of these sukgtances, and see how far they will enable him to produce valuable crops. To render them immediately available as plant food, they should be intimately mixed with the other ingredients of the compost heap. Wood and Coal Ashes contain a variable amount of potash and phosphoric acid. The former would amply repay the farmer for ap- 176 AMERICAN MANURES. plying them; but to render them more im- mediately available as food for plants, they should be thoroughly incorporated with the compost pile, as will be shown; 100 lbs. of the varieties of wood and coal ashes given, contain the following amounts of potash and phosphoric acid, with its value for agricultural purposes annexed, estimating the phosphoric acid as in- soluble, at 42 cents per lb. Phosphoric acid. Potash. Value of100 Ibs. ECM en eos. ees tkes 5 eh es 53 lbs. 16:1 lbs. $151 BRE Mant ety ca Wis nce ate we ces Rae SG 9s 1.45 eh aici cie ce ucpese Gk 5°65 | Os pe BCE. chee vc oe wale su s.3 so te ba peek Te WAPI re acto tcc ieis ara tae aariqe Gos Pc Podec 14:0“ 1.71 PMH Fosters lotuin sale ole tas! «yainfadetetas 4-6 “ 10 1.16 AG AMCrts wos css penis ae heist: pyek uae Pat i 64 Coal Ashes (anthraczte)...... ‘Oat 15-4 8 Peat» “ les PReee OZ AL The phosphoric acid contained in ashes, is combined with peroxide of iron, magnesia and lime; but as it is in a finely divided state, the action of the carbonic acid generated in the com- post pile will @berate it from its bases, and render it immediately available to plants in a soluble state, worth 122 cents per lb. The leaching of wood ashes does not remove any of the phosphoric acid, nor all of the potash; this fact explains the value of what is termed spent ashes as a manure. Hence, farmers can see the importance of emptying their old ash gums and MARL. Rae barrels, and thereby getting a return for their contents in the shape of wheat and corn. The reader can also see, from the Table given, that wood ashes is worth as much, pound for pound, as many of the leading commercial fertilizers that cost the farmer $50 per ton. Coal and peat ashes do not furnish much of the ingredients required as food by plants, but their application would have a beneficial physical effect on some heavy compact soils; and as these substances cannot possibly do injury to any soil, farmers should spread them over their land, and not let them he in unsightly piles about their houses and yards. Soot from our chimneys and stove-pipes has a value as manure, but it is entirely neglected in this country. English farmers have derived great benefit from its, application. Where wood and bituminous coal are used for fuel, thousands of tons are yearly wasted. The following Table shows the quantity of fertilizing elements generally contained in 1000 Ibs. of soot, and their value.: Gypsum or Plaster........ D0 Ibs. $0.75 EOS PMOTIC ACI e 5... << che. 6 (es 0.873 TOURS Sai sucess cles ens TOs 0.80 Armonia $Y Sea tig ens os ah 4.25 RVGIES rahe pate ae bhalelerde at $6.673 Marl is a term used to designate earthy sub- stances containing a variable amount of carbonate 178 AMERICAN MANURES. of lime, supposed to be derived principally from the shells of fishes. The amount of carbonate of lime is usually from 10 to 20 per cent. There is a great variety of substances designated as marl, but they may all be reduced to four general kinds: clay, stone, shell, and green-sand marl. The first very nearly resembles clay ; this variety usually contains from 10 to 20 per cent. of car- bonate of lime, and its value as a manure must be attributed to the action of that substance. Stone marls are generally richer in carbonate of lime than the clay varieties, and are a nearer approach to the ordinary carbonate of lime. Shell marl contains a large amount of shells partially decomposed ; its action on sojls is more immediate, because it is more scluble than the clay and stone varieties. Green-sand marl is most valuable of all; it generally contains a small percentage of carbonate of lime, seldom ex- ceeding 5 per cent., while it contains potash in an insoluble condition in amounts varying from 2 to 7 per cent. It is by some considered quite as valuable, weight for weight, as wood ashes; it also generally contains a small amount of in- soluble phosphoric acid, and its application on what were considered worn out lands has been followed by remarkable results. Where these marls abound, they are a cheap and efficiént manure for the farmer, and should not. be GREEN MANURING. 179 neglected ; marl also forms a valuable adjunct to the compost pile. Green Manuring consists in plowing under any crop that has been grown for that purpose. It has been recommended and practised for cen- turies. Spent or worn out soils are especially benefited by this operation, and no soils can be so far reduced, unless they refuse to grow any kind of vegetation, that they cannot be improved by this means. The least thought devoted to the subject will convince the reader of its su- periority over paring and burning, or leaving the land fallow. In the former case, the act of burning dissipates all the nitrogen, the most valuable part, and the ash contains. the other fertilizing substance 1n an ¢nsoluble condition, pot- ash excepted, because the greater part of the car- bonic acid formed, which is naturally the principal agent in rendering tliem soluble, is dissipated ; while, on the other hand, when plowed under, the carbonic acid is slowly given out during the process of decay, and so makes the elements soluble. The gradual decay of vegetation on the surface of the land produces a like result, though in a less degree. By growing plants with long roots, such as ciover and some kinds of grasses, and root crops, such as beets, carrots, etc., the fertilizing ele- ments often contained in the subsoil are brought 180 AMERICAN MANURES. to the surface; and then by plowing the crop under it soon decays, and the fertilizing elements contained are stored up for future crops. In practising green manuring, the farmer has to sacrifice an immediate benefit for a greater future good, which may sometimes be considered of doubtful advantage. But when he has once tried the experiment, and noted its effects on future crops, he will find not only the value of the crop plowed under returned to him, but a large percentage in addition. Besides all this, the previous plowing is paid for, in making subse- quent cultivation easier, and in rendering the soil in a more finely divided state, which is a very important consideration in growing all kinds of crops. To derive the most benefit from green manur- ing, the plowing should be performed before the formation of the blossom, or seed, as the blossoms give off nitrogen, and the seeds may become a subsequent source of trouble; also, the plowing should be shallow, so as to keep the vegetable matter near the surface, and within easy access of the oxygen of the atmosphere. But the reader must not think for a moment that green manuring alone is sufficient to keep his land in a fertile condition. The benefits derived from this treatment of the land can exist only for a lim- ited period, and the subsoil must eventually be- COMPOSTING. 181 come exhausted as well as the surface. The prudent farmer must anticipate this state of things, by the application of other manures. Finally, we may remark that mere rest, with- out plowing; or the non-production of any vege- table substances on a soil, does not benefit it. It is growing vegetation that effects the needed chemical changes in the soil. Hence the farmer should endeavor by all means to promote the growth of as many plants as possible, on the land he intends to plow under for the production of another crop. Liquid Manures are held in high repute in some countries, on the principle that it is better to manure the plant than the soil. It may be employed advantageously in truck farming, but is not at all suited to the general agriculture of this country. If the farmer has a valuable liquid or semi-liquid fertilizing substance, it is much better to mix it with dried muck, or mould, and apply it in as dry a state as possible; thus di- vesting its application of its disagreeable features, and preventing the escape of the most valuable portion of it—the ammonia. Composting. ‘This highly important operation is too often neglected by our farmers. This ne- _ glect very probably results from ignorance of the great benefits that can be derived from it. The reader has acquired a knowledge of the value of 182 AMERICAN MANURES. the waste substances accessible to the farmer, and which can be economically apphed as ma- nures. He has also been informed of the neces- sity of having these substances in a decomposed state, in order to make them efficient. To be successful in composting, it 1s necessary for the farmer to have correct ideas of the chem- ical changes and effects to be produced, and of the means and appliances by which these changes can be economically effected; he should also know the conditions that promote or impede these changes. In the proper management of a compost heap, two leading points are to be at- tained; First, the hastening of the decomposition of the substances used; Second, the fixing of the fertilizing gases as they are formed. No offensive odors should escape. When such escape, some substance should be applied at once to check it. Some persons have recommended making the heap in a circular conical shape, with a well in the centre to catch the drainage, and with a common wooden pump set in it, so that as the drainage collects, it can be pumped up and al- lowed to trickle over the top of the heap, and thoroughly permeate it. There are two vital disadvantages attending this method, which we will point out: First, the amount of heat produced is a correct index of the rapidity with which the decomposition is being effected; and any applica- COMPOSTING. 183 tion of water operates to diminish the heat already generated, and consequently to retard the decom po- sition. All the substances commonly used in com- post heaps, contain a much larger amount of water than is needed to aid decomposition; it is the oxygen of the atmosphere, not water, that is most needed. The second disadvantage attend- ing this pumping and sprinkling operation, is the loss of the free.ammonia contained in the water, which escapes into the atmosphere. This should not be assisted by agitating the water, but should be prevented by the proper agencies. We recommend the following mode of opera- tion, which obviates all the disadvantages of the former method, and which will recommend itself by saving a great deal of labor in the subsequent working :—An elevated piece of ground, as near to the materials as convenient, should be select- ed—the side of a gradual incline, if possible. The intended compost heap should be from ten to fifteen feet wide at the base, with both sides regularly inclining toward the centre, like the roof of a house; the heap to extend lengthwise, as far as needed, up and down the incline. This arrangement prevents any accumulation of water around the heap, and also lessens the labor of turning over, as the heap may be turned down- hill. The next consideration is to prepare the bottom, or the drainage. Of course none of the 184 AMERICAN MANURES. fertilizing moisture contained in the material should be lost, neither should there be any addi- tions to it in the shape of rain water. ‘To effect this, a ditch should be dug lengthwise of the in- tended heap. This dram, at the lower end, should extend several feet beyond the heap, and be six inches below the level of the ground. It should have a gradual ascent of one or two feet, according to the length of the heap. ‘The bot- tom should incline towards the ditch, the dirt taken from which will generally be sufficient for this purpose. The following plan is an end view of the compost heap, showing the shape of the bottom, and the ditch for drainage: COMPOST HEAP. | DITCH. | The sides and bottom of the centre drain should be boarded, and the top covered with any rough pieces of board or wood, with apertures close enough to prevent the compost from falling through, and still give free passage to the drain- COMPOSTING. 185 age water into theditch. The farmer would also consult his interest by having the floor of the heap covered entirely with boards. Everything being prepared for constructing the heap, we will make a few suggestions about the collection and depositing the materials pre- paratory to mixing. Barn-yard manure and muck are the principal ingredients. Every cart load of barn-yard manure should be mixed with two cart loads of swamp muck, or with any other deposit that contains plenty of vegetable matter, except weeds that have gone to seed. The muck should be dug in a dry season, and spread out, so that it may be deprived of a great deal of its water, which will greatly lessen the labor and expense of hauling it to the compost heap ; and when there, it will be in much better condition for fermentation and consequent de- composition. The materials should be hauled to the heap in the proper proportions, so that they can be thoroughly mixed, and the work of piling up be commenced at one end, and the heap be finished to the top as fast as sufficient material is procured. ‘The advantage gained by this course, over that of putting layer upon layer over the whole ground plan of the heap, is that if the heap is finished as you proceed, fer- mentation sets in sooner; and as the pile gradu- ally lengthens, the fermenting process passes 186 AMERICAN MANURES. the whole length of it; so that- by the time’ the farmer has collected all his material and finished the heap, that part of it which was first com- pleted, will probably be ready to turn over. The heap, when finished, should be covered with a temporary roof, to keep out the rain. When the farmer is collecting material for his compost, nothing should be overlooked. In addition to his stable manure, his hog pens should be thoroughly cleared, and all the night soil, chicken dung, wood and coal ashes, saw- dust, leaves, corn-stalks, straw, soap suds, fish or meat brine, and even old mortar, should be thoroughly mixed together in the heap; and to every load of material, 20 to 25 lbs. of plaster or gypsum should be added, for reasons that will be presently shown. When the farmer has brought all together, he will astonish even him- self by the amount he has procured; and if he attends to our directions, he will be far more astonished at the results, as shown in greatly increased crops. The most valuable substances contained in the material of the compost heap are Silicate of Potash, Phosphate of Lime, and Nitrogen as Potential Ammonia. The chemical changes effected on these substances by fermentation may be briefly stated, as follows: Fermentation and putrefaction are generally considered dis- SOLUBLE PHOSPHORIC ACID. 187 tinct processes, but the chemical operation of each is precisely the same; it is simply a union of the carbon contained in the dead vegetable or animal matter, with the oxygen of the atmos- phere, or the oxygen of the water present in the substance. This chemical union of oxygen and carbon produces carbonic acid gas, the properties of which have been fully explained. The action of this gas on the silicate of potash, separates the potash from the silica and forms carbonate of potash, the silica being liberated, as hydrated silica. This change renders both substances immediately available, as food for plants. Before the change, they were in an insoluble condition, and, if contained in unrotted straw, might remain in the soil a year or more, without benefiting growing vegetation. As the phosphate of lime contained in plants is in the most finely divided’ state, the carbonic acid attacks and decomposes this compound, forming carbonate of lime, and liberating the phosphoric acid in a soluble condition, for the use of the plant. There is a remarkable chemical law, namely : that some elements have no affinity for each other, and hence will not form compounds unless one or the other is present in what is termed the nascent state, that is, the state in which it ex- ists at the moment it is separated from a pre- : 13 188 AMERICAN MANURES. vious state of combination. For example; the two gases, nitrogen and hydrogen, the elements of ammonia, may be mechanically mixed, but no chemical combination will ensue. But should nitrogen be present when water is being decom- posed, the hydrogen being in the nascent state, actual ammonia will at once be formed. As sulphate of lime or land plaster—which is a compound of sulphuric acid, lime and water— is present in the heap, the carbonate of ammonia formed, decomposes the above compound, pro- ducing carbonate of lime and sulphate of am- monia, which is a stable compound, very soluble in water. The formation of this salt prevents loss from the volatilization of the ammonia. This is the. object in applying it in the. heap. From this the farmer can realize the importance of applying plaster to his compost heap. Still, it must be added with discretion, and not in larger quantity than we have recommended; if too much is added, it will check the fermenta- tion, and thus defeat the object to be attained by composting; 100 lbs. of ordinary unburnt ground gypsum will fix nearly 20lbs. of ammonia. The sulphuric acid of the gypsum will also act beneficially, i decomposing the mineral sub- stances contained in the vegetable remains. ‘The. ammonia formed in the compost heap often- times undergoes another change, which may be ‘THE COMPOST HEAP. 189 termed oxidation; being changed from an alkali to an acid, forming nitrates of potash, soda, and lime, if these bases are present. Some chemists hold the opinion that the nitrogen contained in these compounds, is far more valuable than as it is presented in ammonia; but this is a difficult matter to decide, and more extended experiments are required, to enable us to. give a positive opinion on the subject. As far as our present knowledge of the matter goes, they are equally valuable, although it is proved that the ammo- nia ismore permanent in the soil than nitric acid. A valuable addition to the compost heap, is eround bones. This substance furnishes both phosphoric acid and nitrogen; and if the bones are mixed with an equal weight of finely ground eypsum, and fully incorporated with the heap, the farmer will produce his own soluble phos- phoric acid, at less than half the cost he would have to pay for it, if purchased from the manu- facturers. Again, when the pile is turned over —an operation that must be attended to in order to produce good results—should the farmer de- tect the smell of escaping ammonia, another light sprinkle of plaster must be applied. The time required to produce fermentation, varies with the season; in summer, the heap may commence heating in from six to ten days; but in winter, it will require as many weeks. 190 AMERICAN MANURES. When it sets in, the heat gradually increases until it has reached a certain point; then it decreases, until it is imperceptible. The pile should then be shovelled over, and a second fer- mentation will take place as before ; this cooling of the pile being caused by the exhaustion of available oxygen in the mass. If the farmer has attended to applying gypsum as directed, there will be no loss or es produced by overheating. A great deal of vapor is formed during the fermentation, and a part of it escapes into the atmosphere. _ The farmer should be careful to note whether it contains any ammonia, which he can do by the smell. If it does, a light sprinkle of gypsum, with a little dry earth, will prevent loss. Part of the vapor condenses as it approaches the surface of the heap, and will gradually find its way into the drain; and as it flows out, it can be mixed with earth or muck, and a little plaster, and thrown on the heap. One great mistake commonly made by our farmers, is in not allowing the compost heap a sufficient time to become thoroughly decomposed, before applying it. The time required to effect complete decomposition is from one to two years ; and should it be used before decomposition is completely accomplished, the farmer does not get that return for his labor in collecting, mix- ing, and turning over, that he would realize if BAD COMPOSTING. 191 he waited until the mass is in the most efficient condition. The practice of mixing up a mass of hetero- geneous materials, and letting it stand three, four, or six months, and then applying it to the soil, will not pay for the labor and expense; rather than compost in that manner, it would be better to apply the materials at once to the soil. This quick method of composting—necessarily followed by unsatisfactory results—has brought composting into discredit and disuse by many farmers, who might derive great benefit if they complied with the conditions necessary to suc- cess. A still more reprehensible practice than that above stated, is that of using quicklime in compost heaps; 2 should never be done. It has the effect to dissipate the nitrogen and am- monia; besides, it absorbs the carbonic acid, and leaves the organic substances in their ori- ginal insoluble condition. It is very necessary that the farmer should know the value of the compost, and the amount that should be applied to an acre. In order to know this, he should keep an account of the loads of barn-yard manure and other substances used; and then, the Tables we have given in this book will enable him to approximate very nearly to the value of the heap, and the amount that should be applied to an acre to produce a given crop. CHA PT RR VLE GENERAL REMARKS—ANALYSES OF COMMERCIAL FERTILIZERS, WITH COMMENTS AND CRITICISMS— METHODS OF ANALYSIS—CONCLUSION. Tur general reader, and particularly far- mers, should carefully note what is contained in this chapter, as it vitally affects their interests. It will show how unprincipled men, from selfish motives, and by dishonest practices, are stripping them of the hard-earned fruits of honest in- dustry; and will give a limited idea of the extent of the frauds that have been unblushingly practised for years, unchecked and almost un-. heeded. We have already indicated the cure for these wrongs; and now, when we picture them in their true colors, thinking men, we doubt not, will at once apply the remedy by preparing their own fertilizers, and leaving those of dishonest manufacturers alone. We have fully proved the justice of the values assigned to the fertilizing constituents of com- mercial manures by us, and have also shown that the best authorities in this and other coun- 192 a GENERAL REMARKS. 193 tries have set their valuations lower than we have done. It is possible that manufacturers may object to our allowing them nothing for the insoluble portion of the phosphoric acid contained in their so-called superphosphates. But we have shown by the best authorities, that phosphoric acid as contained in mineral phosphate (the chief in- gredient in their phosphates), or even in bones, is not available as plant food for many years,— ten, twenty or more,—and the statements of the manufacturers themselves on this subject show that they are right in theory, if not in practice. The most limited knowledge of finance will show that no value should be assigned to it, because if it takes only 10 years to make it available as plant food, the interest would amount to as much as the purchase money; and if it takes 15 years to make it available, the interest with the purchase money amounts to more than the value of phosphoric acid in soluble form. Be- sides, no farmer would knowingly purchase a fertilizer that requires 10 to 20 years to give him a return for his money. The loss by the use of such a manure is not confined to the.loss of the interest on the purchase money, but, in addition, the farmer loses his time and the profitable use of his land, which of itself involves many other losses. Independent of all this, such 194 AMERICAN MANUBES. inert substance should manifestly have no place in a high-priced fertilizer, the very name of which implies that it does not contain it. The products of the farm are closely scrutin- ized, and the quality graded, when they are brought to the market, and from this cause many a farmer has not realized from his produce as much as he anticipated. No farmer is allowed to sell the chaff with the wheat, nor portions of the cob with the corn. Butter must be properly made, as the quality fixes the price; and should there be an extra amount of salt used, dishonest motives are at once attributed to the farmer, as intending to make up weight; and should the same butter be found a little deficient in weight, it is at once confiscated. “It is a bad rule that wont work both ways.” Hence, should the far- mer want crude mineral phosphate, it should be sold to him as such, at a cost of $12 to $20 a ton, and not be palmed upon him under the false name of superphosphate at $40 to $60 per ton. We have hitherto dealt in generalities. Having spoken of frauds practised, in the mass, we shall now treat them in detail, and we hope the reader will examine the analyses, and carefully compare them with the statements of these manufacturers. If this be done, our re- marks about their frauds will add no additional force to the damning testimony which they themselves have furnished. ANALYSES. 195 ANALYSES OF WATSON & CLARK’S SUPER- PHOSPHATE. Percentage, or amount contained in 100. e. Ga anne: sunt Mean. Water Water(expelled at ) at : 212° Fah.) 12°89 12°78 Nit 7 18—= 0°22 of Actual ae ae on tags Aramonia. Nitrogen in or- O>7 |, 0°62 0°60 ganic matter. Potash. iF trace | trace || trace Phosphoric Acid (anhydrous) | 8 soluble in a at 60° to 70° F. J Insoluble Phos- of Bone phoric seaan C22. Wo AS 1201572 Phosphate hydrous.) of Lime. of Super- 5°56 5°59= 9:21 phosphate of Lime. From the mean of the above analyses, we de- duce the following amounts contained in a ton, or 2000 lbs., together with the value of a ton to the farmer : DIR GUI DE Walley. os cjacwcic's we cede @ $0.00 per lb. $0.00 4-40 - _ Actual Ammonia....... O25, + 1.10 * 12:00 “ Nitrogen in organic mat. @ 0.15 “ 1.80 111-80lbs. Soluble Phos. Acid......@ 0.123 “ 13.97 14400 “ Insoluble “ oe a het (a OueOrs 0.00 Total value as Superphosphate......... $16.87 Malte of. bags (Say) 02 soja veel ot sce 2.00 Mopval, value towarMert ches wee ohms on '“ 0.00 Total value, as Superphosphate............... $8.80 Walue, Of (aOR (SAY ) ig oe cin su alles se wteccesesins al 2.00 EE deme TOPO WALINET vs ood aie cos cc's oe sleae’s aes $10.80 _ The above phosphate is sold at $50 per ton, involving a loss of $39.20, or 363 per cent. to the farmer on every ton he purchases; or, in other words, he pays for it 43 times as much as it is worth. 198 AMERICAN MANURES. RHODES’ SUPERPHOSPHATE. The above fertilizer, from which samples for analyses were selected, was purchased from Messrs. Yarnall & Trimble, Philadelphia. It is put up in bags, marked 200 lbs; the one pur- chased weighed 201 Ibs. The mechanical con- dition of the fertilizer was good. The manu- facturer’s circular gives the following analyses, said to be furnished by Prof. Johnson in 1859. RHODES’ SUPERPHOSPHATE OF LIME. Water (expelled at:-212°)....0....0 22°25 22°34 Matter volatile at red heat..........0. 20°17 20:00 Sand and insoluble matters............ 1°82 Pot OGG 5. ist eins kk ee PR ELAR TCAs 14:90 15°85 Phosphoric Acid, soluble in water.... 13°78 13°85 as insoluble “ sisi 64 67 The above analyses of Prof. Johnson widely differ from our analyses of Rhodes’ Superphos- phate. We do not question the correctness of the analyses given by Prof. Johnson in 1859, but there is evidently a marked falling off in the quality since that time; and to publish these analyses with his or any other eulogistic state- ment, at the present time, is a great injus- tice to the Professor, and shows an evident disposition on the part of the manufacturer or agents to deceive and defraud their customers. As the fertilizer is now manufactured, in con- nection with the price demanded for it, we cannot characterize it as being anything short of a fraud and a cheat. ANALYSES. 199 ANALYSES OF BERGER & BUTZ’S EXCELSIOR SUPERPHOSPHATE OF LIMH. Percentage, or amount contained in 100. Ist 2nd Samples Suniple: Mean. Water Water (expelled at ) at 9-15 | 9:08 |] 9-19 212° Fahrenheit). Nitrogen. trace | trace || trace=Actual Ammonia Nitrogen in organic 1:42, 1:46 || 1°44 matter. Potash soluble in ‘ i aie acidulated water. EA A he e Phosphoric Acid > anhydrous), sol- Superphos- ik ee water at Tee. ee sol eee 60° to 70° F Lime. Insoluble eee Bone Phos- phoric Acid “i 819 | 8:36 || 8:28—=18:08, phate of hydrous). ; Lime. From the mean of the above analyses, we deduce the following amounts, contained in a ton, or 2000 Ibs., together with the value of a ton to the farmer. Mee LOS. AVALCL sie <= sce qdes: ssictanes @ $0.00 perlb. $ 0.00 2880 “ Nitrogenin organic matter @ 0.15 “ 4,32 104:20 “ Soluble Phosphoric Acid... @ 0.124 “ 13.03 165°60 “ Insoluble Phosphoric Acid. @ 0.00 “ 0.00 otal waluewas: Temaliner ion. . os. secic <5 «bese $17.35 Neate Ol, DUES (Bay ia ae sco aa me's ola ws vieiele les 2.00 Total Vale totarmMer ss fesse weicces eves $19.35 The above phosphate is sold at $50 per ton, involving a loss of $30.65, or nearly 159 per cent. to the farmer, on every ton he purchases ; or, in other words, he pays nearly 23 times as much for it as it is worth. 200 AMERICAN MANURES. BERGER & BUTZ’S EXCELSIOR SUPER PHOSPHATE OF LIME. The above fertilizer, from which samples for analyses were selected, was purchased at the manufacturers’ office, Philadelphia. It is put up in bags marked 200 lbs.; the bag purchased weighed 201 lbs. Its mechanical condition was bad, the mineral phosphate from which it is made had seemingly been ground fine, but the finished product had dried in hard lumps in the bag, which would be a great inconvenience to the farmer if he wished to apply it with a drill. It is strange that these manufacturers do not see the importance of reducing their fertilizers to a powder, before sending them to the farmer, who naturally expects it fully prepared to apply to the soil, either by drilling or by hand. When tle farmer has to reduce these lumps to a pow- der, he is doing the work of the manufacturers for which he pays, and which could be done by them at far less cost. Messrs. Berger & Butz issue a very modest circular. They give no analysis of their fertilizer, which every manufacturer should do, as it alone is the only guarantee of its quality. The amount of soluble phosphoric acid and nitrogen it con- tains, is far more than in some other fertilizers that are more strongly recommended. : | ANALYSES. 20] ANALYSES OF “THE MAGNUM BONUM SOLUBLE PHOSPHATE,’ DUGDALE & GIRVIN SOLE PRO- PRIETORS, BALTIMORE, MD. Percentage, or amount contained in 100. Ist 2nd Sample.| Sample. Mean. Water (expelled at 12°57 |12-48 ||12°53 212° Fahrenheit). ———) EURMOMEDNS « oeiciacee os 0-15 | 0:17 || 0-16=0-20 | Actual Am- Nitrogen in organic ann i ; monia. matter. 4 | 0°73 || 0°73 Potash, soluble in acidulated water. O84 | 0°82 || 0:83 Supe rphos- 4°48 || 4:47=7°37 phate of Lime. Phosphoric Acid (anhydrous), sol- uble in water at 60° to 70° F. H= ws on Insoluble Phospho- Bone Phos- ric Acid (anhy- 6:95 | 6-62 || 6° 79=14°82 phate of drous). | Lime. From the mean of the above analyses, we de- duce the following amounts contained in a ton, or 2000 lbs., together with the value of a ton to the farmer : SE ee. ae en (@ $0.00 per lb. $0.00 ano SA ctual Ammonia..:.....- . @ .0.25 < 1.00 1460 “ Nitrogen in organic matter. @ 0.15 < 2.19 Oe ORS oe ee ee @ 0.08 iy bas 89:40 “ Soluble Phosphoric Acid... @ 0.123. “ 11.17 ¥30°80 ‘“- Insoluble -“ oe) Ge OO FS A Mr eke Wa GAS POTAALIMET Seu oun a vei dare « aisle eae sis $15.69 Vealtie: OF bags (GRY). -5 00 cca seas adden es voce os 2.00 SE Be eg cc. 2) i ec iar $17.69 202 AMERICAN MANURES. ton, involving a loss to the farmer of $34.31, or 194 per cent. on every ton he purchases, or, in other words, he pays for it very nearly 3 times as much as it is worth. | “THERE MAGNUM BONUM SOLUBLE PHOSPHATE.” The above fertilizer, from which samples for analyses were selected, was purchased at the office of Messrs. Dugdale & Girvin, Baltimore, Md. It is put up in bags, marked 167 lbs. ; the bag purchased weighed 170 lbs. Its mechanical condition was very bad, being composed almost entirely of coarse, hard lumps, that were pul- verized with considerable difficulty, and we should think it would cause considerable trouble to the farmer to prepare it for drilling. Messrs. Dugdale & Girvin are comparatively modest in recommending this fertilizer. They furnish an analysis as follows : ANALYSIS. Made by Prof. W. LeRoy Broun, formerly of Va. Soluble, Bone: Phosphate os <6 vss. ere- Sasa 13°79 Bone Phosphate, soluble in the soil............. 27°94 SATSANG 3. 5% iw how's 2% ben inn isin er a Aeon 3°82 PROPS RES oe acre tid breaks. 0)d seinen cee 4:24 moda and, Maanesia, o's siss «s fe)ni Aeeeune el ae 2°79 This article contains the most valuable constituents in large proportions, and I have no doubt will prove a very valuable Fertilizer. W. LeRoy Brovtn. December 3d, 1870. ANALYSES. 203 We would characterize the above as a garbled analysis, calculated to deceive the purchaser. There is no such compound as “Soluble Bone Phosphate ;” the term is absolutely hypothe- tical. There is Bone Phosphate of Lime, 13°79 parts of which contain 6°32 parts of Phospho- ric Acid. But perhaps 6°32 per cent. might not so favorably impress the buyer as 13°79 would; and “ Bone Phosphate,” with the prefix “ Soluble,” is used by the dealer to favorably im- press the farmer (unacquainted as he generally is with scientific terms) that he is getting more than twice the value he actually receives. Our analyses and that of Prof. W. LeRoy Broun differ widely. We do not say his is not conscientiously made, because there is a possi- bility, not to say probability, that manufacturers and dealers submit a sample of one quality to the chemist for analysis, and palm off a greatly inferior quality upon purchasers. Certain it is, that the bag we bought shows no such result as that given by Prof. W. LeRoy Broun. The Professor’s analysis gives 27°94 per cent. of “ Bone Phosphate, soluble in the soil;” he does not say in how long, whether it requires ten, twenty, or thirty years. These indefinite state- ments are calculated to deceive any one who is not fully informed on the subject, and the motives for giving them cannot be too strongly repre- bended. 14 204 AMERICAN MANURES. This fertilizer is represented to be composed of Dissolved Bones, Ainmonia and Potash; and “entirely free from any adulterative matter.” The analyses show that it contains a great deal of something that is not accounted for. The large percentage of water might seem unneces- sary to the uninitiated. The reader will notice that there is far more of this substance than Superphosphate of Lime, and if he compares the price of this fertilizer with the value, he will naturally come to the conclusion that it is the “ Magnum Bonum” (the great good) to the manufacturers and dealers, and the “ Magnum Malum ” (the great evil) to the farmer. Messrs. Dugdale & Girvin say that this “‘ Mag- num Bonum is the great GENERATOR and nour- isher of Corn, Oats, Grass, Wheat, Tobacco, and other crops and plants.” This must be a most won- derful property of this fertilizer, the inference being that the farmer need not use any seed to pro- duce the above crops—the manure itself being a generator. There might, however, be a great disadvan- tage connected with its use ; the farmer naturally would have a desire to raise a specified crop, the generator might beget corn when he wanted wheat, or oats when he wanted tobacco, or might produce them all heterogeneously. We make these suggestions for the benefit of Messrs. Dug- ANALYSES. 205 dale & Girvin, so that in future they may be more careful or more specific in giving the quali- ties of this wonderful manure. “Consistency is a jewel;” and to show that the proprietors of this wonderful fertilizer are slightly lacking in this virtue, we give the fol- lowing analysis of the “Magnum Bonum,” as given in Messrs. Dugdale & Girvin’s advertise- ment in the “Journal of the Farm,” which an- alysis the reader is requested to compare with the analysis furnished by. Prof. W. LeRoy Broun, formerly of Va. Soluble Bone Phosphate of Lime.............. 15°33 Bone Pitosphatevok (ume 7 33 5. .ka Gs Deletes one 19°64 Ammonia (equal to 12 per cent. of Sulphate).... 3°16 aE reaver eto at ipl haope ies thon, oie Aco cinta w spate Tenis 4°62 The laws of the State of Maryland require an analysis of every fertilizer to be plainly marked oneach package. The bag of “ Magnum Bonum” | purchased by us had some blurred and half obliterated marks, which we charitably supposed were intended for an analysis, but we failed to decipher it after expending considerable time endeavoring to do so; this showing conclusively that the intention was to conform with the letter and not the spirit of the law of Maryland. We would suggest to Messrs. Dugdale & Girvin the propriety of using larger letters and figures, thus saving considerable trouble to their customers, as well as saving their own credit. 206 AMERICAN MANURES. ANALYSES OF WHANN’S RAW BONE SUPER- PHOSPHATE. Percentage, or amount contained in 100. See aeaite! Mean. Water (expelled at-) ee | Ga MeO Raheny jl ee Nitrogen. 0:42 || 0-40 = 0-49 { Actual Am- Nitrogen in organic mona, matter. 0°98 || 0-94 Potash, soluble in acidulated water. ii orate ee Phosphoric Acid 9g, ; (anhydrous), so- a ; Widens luble in’ w ee aa Sy |S B20 eb ale phaive of 60° to TOF, | | TBE Insol u ble Phos- | Bone Phos- phoric Acid (an- | 14:30 | 1446 |14-38=31-39 4 phate of hydrous). | | | Lime. From the mean of theabove analyses, we deduce the following amounts contained in a ton, or 2000 Ibs., together with the value of a ton to the farmer : T9880 DOS HW aletrid/acceh wystelee wei ie (@ $0.00 per lb. $0.00 9:80 *- Actual. Ammonia......-.% (0; Oe ee 2.45 18:80 ‘“ Nitrogenin organic matter. @ 0.15 “ 2.82 ADO ua PAOLA ccedila aide Sielerets ete @ 0.08 * ().32 Gic20 <> SolublesP i108. aA.Cld... 06. ROE 0-00 Total value as Superphosphate..... Av. S36eme $13.99 Value‘of “bags (say)... 05.8.) scene ee 2.00 Total yalue 10 farmers . ac. sss mese hee cee $15.99 The above Phosphate is sala at $52 per ton, involving a loss of $36.01, or 225 per cent., to the farmer on every ton he purchases; or, in other words, he pays 32 times what it is worth. ANALYSES. 207 WHANN’S RAW BONE SUPERPHOS- PHATE. The above fertilizer, from which samples for analyses were selected, was purchased from the manufacturers’ agents, Messrs. Cruft and Young, Philadelphia. It is put up in 200 Ib. bags; the one purchased weighed 203 lbs. The mechanical condition of the fertilizer was only middling; it had not that homogeneous appearance that a first- class fertilizer should present. This condition may be caused by a portion of the Charleston Guano, or other mineral phosphate, of which it is largely composed, being treated with sulphuric acid, and then mixed with another portion of phosphate in its crude state; and the superphos- phate, taken as a whole, did not present the ap- pearance of being prepared from substances of “animal oriyin.” For the benefit of our readers we have collated the following extracts from the circulars of the manufacturers of this super- phosphate. No. 1. “Plants during their germination and development require a constant supply of food, and it is necessary that this nourishment be furnished in such a form as to be at once as- similable, and capable of being immediately useful in sustaining their growth.” No. 2. “The experience of the most capable agriculturists throughout the civilized world points to the use of concentrated manures; those which afford all the elements of plant food in a readily soluble form.” No. 3. “The phosphate of lime, as it exists in bones, is in- 208 AMERICAN MANURES. soluble in water, although when placed in the soil it becomes soluble to a very limited extent.” No. 4. “ Quack manures increase the business capital of the farmer.” No. 5. “Unlike Peruvian Guano, it (Whann’s Raw Bone Superphosphate) does not exhaust the soil, but, on the con- trary, it insures a supply of valuable nutriment lasting through several seasons.” No. 6. “The ingredients which enter into the composition of Wuann’s Raw Bone Superpuospuate (raw bones, guano, sulphuric acid, potash and soda), are all subjected to thorough chemical analysis before they are purchased. No inert sub- stances are used. ‘The phosphate es warranted free from adulteration.” No. 7. “ With the exception of the sulphuric acid, potash, and soda, every ingredient entering into tts composition is of animal origin.” No. 8. ‘Our works are under the daily control and super- vision of an experienced chemist, and are furnished with a completely appointed analytical laboratory, where analyses are made of every ingredient used in the phosphate.” No. 9. ‘Dollar for dollar, Whann’s Raw Bone Phosphate will go nearly twice as far as Peruvian the first year.” No. 10. “Instead of resorting to indiscriminate puffing for the purpose of forcing sales, the manufacturers have contented themselves with allowing it to speak for itself.” The reader is aware that the qualifying name of this fertilizer is “‘ Raw Bone.” We are anxious to know how much of this substance is used by the manufacturers. On a careful examination we found what might be styled a sprinkling of bone, but not sufficient for the most limited excuse for giving it the name of “ Raw Bone Phosphate.” From the amount of soluble phos- ANALYSES. 209 phoric acid present in a ton, the amount of sul- phuric acid used must be very small. Mr. Whann says, that guano is used, but he does not state the kind or kinds, or the propor- tions. We hazard the assertion that there is a large amount of Charleston, with a very small amount of Peruvian. ‘He also notifies us that en and soda are used. The reader will notice by the analyses, that a ton of his superphosphate contains 4 lbs. of potash, worth 32 cents. The benefits result- ing from such an amount cannot be very marked, as it requires 40 lbs. of potash for 25 bushels of wheat with the straw. No adulteration is said tu be practised in preparing this superphosphate, but Mr. Whann admits to using soda. We pre- sume he means salt cake or sulphate of soda, usually sold for $10 per ton, or he may apply salt or chloride of sodium. Invither case, when Mr. Whann can prove the necessity of the use of soda in any form in a superphosphate, or that a large amount of crude mineral phosphate, which when ground could not possibly cost him over $17 per ton, should be found in a high-priced fertilizer represented to be made from “ Raw Bone,” and sells for $52 per ton, we will admit that there has been no adulteration practised ; and when he can satisfactorily account for the presence of 267-60 lbs. of insoluble phosphoric 210 AMERICAN MANURES. acid in a ton of his “ Superphosphate,” and prove that this large amount is of immediate benefit to the farmer or to his crops, we will give WHANN’S Raw Boner SUPERPHOSPHATE all the merit claimed for it; until then we shall consider our- selves as cheated in our purchase of this fertilizer, and claim the right of expressing our opinion freely. Our farmers should take a lesson from Mr. Whann, and use a little of his caution in making their purchases, by assuring themselves of the quality of what they buy. As Mr. Whann says he keeps a chemist, we think it 1s due to him- self, and to the public, that he should publish a full analysis of his “ Superphosphate.” Were the manufacturers of fertilizers who re- sort to indiscriminate puffing to push forward their products, to inform the farmer as to their quality in a frank manner, by analysis we mean, a different state of affairs would now exist. And if the parties professing to make a Superphos- phate from Raw Bones, had fully informed the farmer of the value of Mineral Phosphates, and candidly admitted to using the latter as a raw material, they would at the present time have little occasion to blush, perhaps, over their petty deceits and subterfuges. am ; ANALYSES. OY ANALYSES OF SOLUBLE PACIFIC GUANO. Percentage, or amount contained in 100. Ist 2d Sample. |Sample. || Mean. Wat elled at Boe eerens ee) 14-20 | 14:26 |l14-93 212° Fahrenheit DARED: 0-83] 0-87 || 0:85 = 1-03 | eget ae Nitrogen in organic monia. matter. 158] 1:44]| 1-51 Potash, soluble in | acidulated water. 0-46) 0°49 || 0-48 Phosphoric mee : é (anhydrous), as uperphos- 3.7 : SD) luble in water at eR Sia) So 028 phate oF 60° to 70° F Lime. Insoluble jae Bone Phos- phoric Acid (an- EEOS:) 10-93 ua=2600} phate of hydrous). | Lime. From the mean of the above analyses, we deduce the following amounts contained in a ton, or 2000 Ibs., together with the value of a ton to the farmer: Bee OU lus. S Water ii. ek es wee eee s (@ $0.00 per lb. $0.00 20°60 “ Actual Ammonia...... @ 0:25.12" 5.15 30°20 “ Nitrogeninorganicmat.@ 0.15 * 4.53 ES USS Seis Bef ol na a @ 0.08 * 0.77 120 “° Soluble Phos. Acid.....@ 0.123 “ 9.53 222°60 “ Insoluble “ Re Bd ok @- O00 0.00 Wotalwalue as’a fertilizer: <4 $s 7..s i.e. edo $19.98 aN pulemero tyes) (8.9) wre ssfdcn o's aleld wie, > alelefciates di 2.00 Meieaibe nea te CO TANWINGE Nitrogen in organic mat.....@ 0.15 “ 2.82 Ree aa ta erOPAStia a. 10.8 chk Makiaelsie we CURA E Us aaa 1.46 aap0.“ Soluble Phos, Acid’. i... .. (@s OA25) a“ 6.70 246;00. “Insoluble “ Peay alen a ae (al 0:00). * 0.00 Totak yarue as fertilizericsol ese. cece ceeesssces we $12.08 Watnesol) Gage (Say )re ee cee ene neces ne mace 2.00 oval Wa) Ge bor TARMCES 64 ot tsicte nba se amare oe eeu wees $14.08 The above Fertilizer is sold at $50 per ton, in- volving a loss of $35.92, or 255 percent., to the far- mer on every ton he purchases; or, in other words, he pays for it 53 times as much as it is worth. 224 AMERICAN MANURES. > ANALYSES OF MORO PHILLIPS’ GENUINE IM- PROVED SUPERPHOSPHATE OF LIME. Percentage, or amount contained en 100. 1st Dd Sample. | Sample. Mean. Water Water(expelledat ) at } ay ieeee eee Rese AD : 7 eu een.) Actual Am Nitrogen. 0-26 | O21 || 0-24-0294 Nitrogen in or- : : “A9 . ganic matter. ; O89) 23 Oral Potash, soluble in \ = rs acidulated water cee oie uel Phosphoric cae Shnerulae (anhydrous), {) 46s | 454 || 459= 7564 phate of soluble in w ee Pn at 60° to 70°F. J Insoluble Phos- Bone Phos- phoric Acid 13°21 | 13-40 13°31=29-06 phate of (anhydrous). } Lime. From the mean of the above analyses, we de- duce the following amounts contained in a ton, or 2000 lbs., together with the value of a ton to the farmer : aS BO le: AV ater ss Aedes se cd cen ceee (@ $0.00 per Ib. $0.00 ep.“ Actnal Aso ) ess «sa (@) (02a a 1.45- 8:20 ‘* Nitrogen in organic mat....@ 0.15 “ 1.23 pA SAP OR ROM i anos cates wee cta eee @ 098.7% 1.23 5L-30. “ Soluble Phos, Acid... .%..- @. 0.125. “ «1148 266:20 ‘“ Insoluble “ ed tee eae a @ 0002-4 0.00 Total value as fertiliner... ?- 0.25) =>.“ 1.20 13:00 “ Nitrogen in organic matter. @ 0.15 ci 195 Ae we ORB EI irs cco as gincte mine gs CO OEE ce" 1.49 39°80 “ Soluble Phosphoric Acid..@ 0.123 “ - 4.98 407:00 “ Insoluble st ea Can 01 ame a 0.00 Woiate eine as: TOLti ers... ac sees ce woh coestan ee $ 9.62 Wy Ae AES (Sh) ofa, era's cies ee ae cae sees nens wae © 2.00 steels Wale FO: LATWNer ) .y Le smc a/s ordered wkd se a hietels $11.62 The above manure is sold at $52 per ton, in- volving a loss of $40.38, or 348 per cent. to the farmer on every ton.he purchases; or, for manure alone, he pays 5¢ times as much as it is worth. 289 AMERICAN MANURES. BOWER’S COMPLETE MANURE. The above manure, from which samples for analyses were selected, was purchased from Messrs. Dixon, Sharpless & Co., Philadelphia. It is put up in bags marked 200 lbs. ; the one pur- chased weighed 190 lbs., being 10 Ibs. less than it should have weighed, or a deficiency of 100 Ibs. to the ton. ‘The mechanical condition of the manure was good. The following quota- tions from the manufacturer’s circular will be valuable to the reader, from which he can make his own deductions No. 1. “ All will of course agree that farm-yard or stable manure is a good fertilizer, yet unless it is properly rotted or prepared, and kept from the washing rains, its good qualities may be much impaired, and within my own experience but few farmers pay enough attention to the important point of having the manure in such a place as to prevent being leached out by rains. ‘Take the best stable manure, however, and make a com- parison by analysis of its virtues with that of an artificial fertil- izer, as the ‘Complete Manure,’ it is found, estimating the cost (delivered) of farm-yard manure at $5.00 per ton, and the ‘Complete Manure’ at $60.00, (delivered,) that the actual value of the ‘Complete Manure’ to the farmer-is more than double its cost, when compared with the very best farm-yard manure.” No. 2. “It must be borne in mind, that in order to achieve the results obtained by the ‘Complete Manure,’ a consider- able proportion of the constituents must be in a form to make them be taken up at once by the rootlets of the plant; that is to say, they must he easily dissolved in the water contained in the soil. It is true, that Nature, among all her other wonders, has provided means to render soluble these constituents, but the process has wisely been made a slow one; the chemist can ———— ee le ANALYSES. 233 provide the means to make sufficient for the growing crop dissolvable, the balance remaining in the soil to be acted upon by the air and water of the soil to provide food for future crops.’ No. 3. ‘“‘ A benefit derived from the use of a powerful man ure, such as the ‘Complete Manure,’ is that it forces the young plant forward by reason of the large amount of soluble matter it contains. ‘The importance of this cannot well be overesti mated, as the plant soon reaches that degree of strength and toughness which will prevent an early frost from injuring, or some insect from devouring it; hence it may be said to be par- ticularly applicable to cotton, tobacco, wheat, corn, potatoes, and other root vegetables, as ali the young plants of these are subject to the ravages of the insect, or the blight of the frost.’ No. 4. “In manufactured manures, much of their agricultural value depends upon the mechanical condition in which they are supplied, the extent to which the component parts have beer. pulverized and intermixed ; the richest manure, chemically speak ing, will be of little use unless it is moderately dry, reduced to fine powder, and its constituents thoroughly incorporated. This must be borne in mind in judging of the value of a manure, and a proportionate price ought to be allowed for the degree of com- pleteness with which these matters have been attended to. AI- though in theory the production of an artificial fertilizer is a very simple matter, in practice it is found somewhat trouble- some, from the difficulty of- producing a manageable article, and a great deal of experience and skill are required to prepare a manure of the requisite chemical strength, and mechanical condition.” No. 5. “In speaking with farmers during the past season, many complaints have been met with of the inefficiency of some superphosphates, prepared guanos, poudrettes, and other so- called manures, some of them with high-sounding titles, having failed to produce the results their manufacturers claimed they would give. This has, no doubt, in some instances been the re- sult of a bad season, or bad farming, or some untoward cause which is unaccountable; but there is good reason to fear that it has been the result of adulterateon.” No. 6. “The adulteration of manures, as indeed of all other articles of commerce, is a practice that cannot be too strongly prays AMERICAN MANURES. condemned ; and it is much to be regretted that the laws of this country afford too many chances for successfully carrying on this species of fraud.” No. 7. ‘In the case of manures their adulteration is attended with several evils besides the more direct one of robbing those who purchase the adulterated article. The fact of manures being known to be extensively adulterated tends to restrict their use, and to withhold the good that a more extended use of these materials is calculated to confer both on the farmer and on the community. For the same reason the trade of honest manufacturers. is injured and confined. Under the name of manures all kinds of mixtures are sold, often worth but a fraction of the price paid for them, and in too.many instances altogether worthless. The frauds practised by dishonest man- ure dealers consist of diluting or weakening of standard man- ures—by the adinixture of less valuable or worthless material, as tanner’s bark, road or street scrapings, old mortar, spent wood-ashes, coal ashes, or other material; and in order to give them apparent value, animal matter with a horrid stench is mixed with these in some instances (many persons are induced to think that a manure, in order to be good, must have a vile smell, than which there can be no greater mistake). Such mix- tures are brought into the market as new compounds under all sorts of high-flown names, which often indicate properties in, every way the reverse of those possessed by the so-called man- ures they represent.” No. 8. “ By arudimentary knowledge of Chemistry, manures can be tested with sufficient accuracy to assure their genuine- ness; various operations upon the farm can be wonderfully im- proved by studying Nature’s processes, for in these we see the working of the Divine hand, at once so wonderful, so simple, and so well adapted to the wants of mankind. In Mechanics, we have a help which is daily being increased, by the genius of our people, and the farmer can, by devising various simple © changes in machines, no doubt increase their usefulness, or the uses of them.” No. 9. “I do not forget that science is in its infancy; there are numerous secrets which Nature refuses to give up, and which, with all the chemical and mechanical aids available, the a ee ee ANALYSES. 255 most arduous researches have not been able to get from her, except by degrees; as fresh discoveries come to light, I will make every effort to take advantage of them in improving the ‘Complete Manure,’ while farmers can at all times rely upon receiving ‘THE WORTH OF THEIR MONEY’ when purchasing it.” After the above, a brief breathing pause should be allowed to our readers. Such an extensive knowledge of Chemistry, as applied to Agricul- ture, should enable Mr. Bower to produce a “Complete Manure.” But if our readers will compare these remarks of Mr. Bower with our analyses of his “Complete Manure,” the ap- plication of the Fable of the mountain in labor, when “nascitur ridiculus mus” (a miserable mouse was brought forth), will be appreciated. TESTIMONIALS. No.1. “Messrs. Bootu & Garrett, of Philadelphia, Chemists of high respectability, say, in speaking of the ‘Complete Ma- nure,’ in a note to Messrs.-Dixon, Sharpless & Co., dealers in fertilizers : “The constitution of the above indicates a decided advance in the composition of a fertilizer, by the introduction of a con- siderable percentage of Potassa, and countenances the claim in- volved in the name ‘Complete Manure.’ ”’ No. 2. “The report upon the ‘Complete Manure,’ made by Messrs. Williams & Moss, of Philadelphia, Chemists of large experience in the analysis of fertilizers, says: “We find from an analysis of your ‘Complete Manure,’ that the name you have given it is certainly warranted by its chemical composition ; in addition to thus cordially recommend- ing your fertilizer from a chemical stand point, we should state that its mechanical condition is most excellent, being such as to admit ofits use in the drill without further preparation.” 16 236 AMERICAN MANURES. No. 3. “Muintne anp Assay Orrick anp CuremicaL Lazora- tory, No. 57 Broapway, OPpPosITE HxCHANGE Pruacr, New York, October 10th, 1867. “ Henry Bower, Esq., PHILADELPHIA. “ Dear Str:—Enclosed please find results of an analysis of a sample of your ‘Complete Manure,’ taken from Dixon & Sharpless’ warehouse, September 25th. “These results show at a glance the great merit your article possesses as a fertilizer, and warrant the opinion that it will take a leading rank among manures. The liberal proportions of soluble phosphoric acid, ammonia and potash, afford to soil a large amount of nutriment immediately available to growing crops, while the remainder of the phosphoric acid, becoming gradually soluble through atmospheric influences, assures a lasting supply of plant food. “The introduction of potash, and the nice adjustment of the proportions of the above ingredients, render the name you have given your fertilizer particularly appropriate, as it con- tains all the elements necessary to insure success, and I am confident that wherever it is used its reputation will rapidly extend. “ Respectfully yours, “C, Eiron Buck.’ No. 4. “ OFFICE STATE GEOLOGICAL SURVEY, New Brunswick, N. J., July 15th, 1869. “ Dear Sir :—Your letter of May 20th was duly received. The five bags of your ‘Complete Manure’ so generously sent to the College Farm were also duly received. For this donation I desire to tender the thanks of the Trustees of the College, and to say that it was immediately used in trials upon corn, beets, and carrots, and on potatoes; and also it has been subjected to chemical analysis. The results.of these will be given in the annual report upon the farm, which is made to the Legislature, and is printed and circulated extensively throughout the State. An earlier acknowledgment ought to have been made, but it has been delayed so as to send the chemical analysis, and that, though long expected, has but recently been completed. The crops upon which the ‘Manure’ was tried are looking well. The results of the analysis show it to be a valuable fertilizer, and all ANALYSES. 237 that I have heard of it is in its favor. I hope to send you fur ther reports of it in the course of the season. “Respectfully yours, “ GrorceE H. Cook, “To Henry Bower, Esq. State Gleologzst.” No. 5. ‘“Laporatory oF THE MepicaL CoLLeGE, QUEEN STREET, CHARLESTON, S. C., December 9th, 1869. “This article certainly deserves the name it bears, 7. e., of a Complete Manure—furnishing to the plant all the important elements of its food. “ Coartes U. Sueparp, M. D. Inspector of Fertilizers for South Carolina.” No. 6. - ‘Savannan, Ga., February Ist, 1870. “T take pleasure in saying that the accompanying analysis of Bower’s Complete Manure, made for Messrs. Hacker & Molony, Savannah, Ga., warrants our confidence in its fertilizing proper- ties. Its amount of Ammonia, and its excellent supply of Phosphoric Acid, ina soluble state, will ensure the early growth and development of the plant, together with a fine fruitage, to which the Phosphoric Acid mainly contributes, and these re- sults may be expected for the first year, while the amount of in- soluble Phosphate remaining in the soil will, by slow chemical reaction going on during the suceeding Fall and Winter, pre- pare the land for a better crop during the year. “A Means, Inspector.” The farmer after reading the above testimo- nials and comparing them with the analyses of the “Complete Manure” furnished by ws, would naturally be induced to ask the following ques- tions: Where are the analyses of the “ Complete Manure” furnished by these gentlemen? Is it excessive modesty, or some other motive, that prevents Mr. Bower from publishing them? Was 938 AMERICAN MANURES. the “Complete Manure” made of a better quality, at the time these testimonials were given, than it is at present? If it was not, what are we to characterize these chemists, who knowingly allow their names to be used to encourage the perpetra- tion of such a great fraud? If these chemists gave candid and honest statements at the time, and its present deterioration is due to Mr. Bower, we think it is due to those of them that are honest and capable, and most of whose opinions should have weight with the community, and also to Mr. Bower himself, if he desires to be con- sidered an honest man, at once to withdraw these testimonials, and modify his circular so as to bring its statements within the bounds of truth ; or, if this be distasteful to him, let him make reparation to his customers, and in the future manufacture a better article than was sold to us ANALYSES. 239 ANALYSES OF THE PATAPSCO GUANO COM- PANY’S AMMONIATED SOLUBLE PHOSPHATE! Percentage, or amount contained in 100. Ist 2nd Sample. ; Sample. Mean. Water (expelled at ) 14-97 | 15-06 || 15-02 212° Fahrenheit). r Nitrogen. 0°73 0-82 || 0-78 —0- 955 ctual Am- Nitrogen in organic monia. matter. 1:54 | 1:58 || 1:56 Potash, soluble in acidulated water. in Mee ee Phosphoric Acid (anhydrous), sol- uble in water at 60° to 70° F 8:21 || 8:32—13'713 phate of Superphos- Lime. Insoluble Phos-’ Bone Phos- phoric Acid (an- 656 | 6:69 ||663=14474 phate of hydrous). Lime. From the mean of the above analyses, we deduce the following amounts, contained in a ton, or 2000 lbs., together with the value of a ton to the farmer : 300-40 lbs. Water........ a es ieee en tes @ $0.00 per lb. $ 0.00 00. Actual Ammonia; .. «352. @ O25 © 4.75 31°20 “ Nitrogen in organic matter.@ 0.15 “ 4.68 Pecowe er E OUGR Me oso nn Secld ate te): 2 4s @ 0.08) tS 1.02 166-40 “ Soluble Phosphoric Acid... @ 0.123 “ 20.80 132°60 “ Insoluble fe a ute = 0.00 7% 0.00 POM ES - ARTETA PD s .4/chg de a's celta nfs wore sleds aes Gal25 Ne GB DES (SEY Jo's cicie = 0.00 Trace Soluble Phos. Acid..@ 0.123 ‘ 0.00 449-80 “ Insoluble Phos. Acid...... @ ;-'0.00: nett 0.00 Motal value ag fertlizer.i4.0 ss ou tea tae alee $ 2.96 Weette of bags (say) sisi sock !. ceases see eb 2.00 Totarelie tO TavEReT syc.ec. 2 ss once siee ce aan eee 4.96 The above Phosphate is sold at $47 per ton, involving a loss to the farmer of $42.04, or 847 per cent. on every ton he purchases; or, taking the manure alone, he pays for it nearly 16 times as much as it is worth. ANALYSES 243 NEEDLES’ IMPROVED SUPERPHOS- PHATE OF LIME. The above fertilizer, from which samples for analyses were selected, was purchased at the manufacturer's office, Philadelphia. It is put up in 200 lb. bags; the one purchased weighed 187 Ibs., being 13 Ibs. less than it should be with the bag included, or 150 lbs. on a ton. The mechani- eal condition of this fertilizer was good, and could be easily applied by a drill. When we have said that, we have said all that is possible for us to say in its favor. Therefore we make the following selections from Mr. Needles’ circu- lar, which show conclusively that even truth, which costs nothing but an honest intention, is too valuable to waste on his worthless product: . “It is always of the’same pure quality.” . “It is a permanent enricher of the soil.” . “It loses none of its strength by exposure to the air.” 4, “Tt is the cheapest Phosphate in the country.” 5. “ We were the originators of the preparation of this well known manure in Philadelphia, our house having been engaged for over twenty-one years in the manufacture and sale of Con- CENTRATED FERTILIZERS.” Oh eS In commenting on this fertilizer, and the above remarks, only a few words are necessary, as the fertilizer can only be characterized as a scanda- lous cheat and an unmitigated swindle on the community. 244 AMERICAN MANURES. The reader will notice from the analyses that it contains only a trace of Soluble Phosphoric Acid ; consequently, it has not the least. preten- sion to be called a “Superphosphate.” It is a fraud in weight as well as in quality, and if Mr. Needles has been manufacturing a similar arti- cle, and giving such deficient weight for the past twenty-one years, common justice, and common law, should have sufficient power to restrain him from continuing his criminal practices, and pun- ish him according to his deservings. And if twenty-one years have been devoted to such practices, the remainder of his life should be de- voted to making a partial atonement for the wrongs perpetrated on his customers. The article is simply ground mineral phos- phate, with a possible scattering of bones, and if there was any Sulphuric Acid used in its prepa- ration, there was not a sufficient quantity to liberate but a trace of Soluble Phosphoric Acid, so that it may only be considered a raw mate- rial for the manufacture of a Superphosphate. Such outrageous frauds as these are calculated to excite the indignation of all the community. The fact that such frauds can be successfully practised for twenty-one years, proves conclu- sively the necessity of just such information as is given in this beok ANALYSES. 245 ANALYSES OF THE BROMOPHYTE FERTILIZER. Percentage, or amount contained in 100. 1st 2d gee Sample. Mean, Water (expelled at) ater (expelled a 13-02 | 13-20 Il 13-11 212° Fahrenheit). Nitro ogen. 0-18] 0-171) 0-18 — 0-22 | Actual Am- Nitrog en in organic monia, matter. 0°83 || 0-79 Potash, soluble ae acidulated water. Io Phosphoric Acid } (anhydrous), ne trace | trace || trace uble in water 60° to 70° F Insoluble Phos- phoric Acid (an- hydrous). | From the analyses, we deduce the following amounts, contained in a ton, or 2000 lbs., together with he value of a ton to fhe farmer: 26220 Lbs. | Water vos tacss Baccd moe oc @ $0.00 per lb. $ 0.00 440 “ Actual Ammonia...... @ 0:25, © 1.10 15°80 “ Nitrogenin organicmat.@ 0.15 « 2.37 BOO We otaahis, stills atie wees @, 0.08,“ 0.37 Trace Soluble Phos. Acid @ 0.122 « 0.00 30°20 “ Insoluble of <4 OLON 0.00 otal waltte ag TerWliser.s. ds ese dees oc dbiced ate $ 3.84 Me anes SAV). ect os saad ance eb tcwse 2.00 OR ANe VEE! GO, LATINICT cassie cys ene'clad eo os 6 $ 5.84 The above fertilizer is sold at $40 per ton, in- volving a loss of $34.16, or 585 per cent. to the farmer on every ton he purchases; or, for the manure alone, he pays $36.16, which is more than 9 times as much as it is worth. 246 AMERICAN MANURES. THE BROMOPHYTE FERTILIZER. The above fertilizer, from which samples for analyses were selected, was purchased at the company’s office, Philadelphia. Its mechanical condition was good, which is almost the only good thing it can conscientiously boast of. We make the following selections from the circular of this company, with the analyses of the Bro- mophyte by Prof. Blaney : “In the manufacture of Bromophyte, the most scrupulous regard is paid to the laws of chemistry ; and to distinguish this fertilizer from all others—which we neither endorse nor con- demn—we have called it Bromophyte. This term is taken from two Greek words, which signify food for plants.” “The farmer and planter will see at once that his interest is our interest. We cannot hope to succeed unless we make good our promises. Nothing is surer than our failure if we do not give the farmer the worth of his ee ys We can, therefore, have no motive in deceiving any one.’ ‘We offer this fertilizer at about one-half the cost of guano, while its value, we are rad to believe, is equal to if not better than the best Peruvian.” “The attention of the Fruit Growers’ Association of Wash- ington was lately called to this Bromophyte, and a member of the Association, Professor Thomas ‘Taylor, a_ well-known chemist, at a meeting held August 3, 1869, read a paper upon the subject, from which we make several extracts :” ‘Mr. PRESIDENT AND GENTLEMEN :—I have here a sample of a valuable fertilizer, which is attracting much attention at this time. Itis known by the name of Bromophyte, which signi- fies plant food. Its base is human excreta, including urine, and is submitted to a process of deodorization by which it is deprived of its smell. “The efficacy of peat, which is used, is due to the soluble salts which it contains, and to its property of absorbing am- monia from the atmosphere—having an absorbing power of seventy-two times its own bulk. ANALYSES. 247 “Marl, one of the constituents of Bromophyte, is valuable for various reasons—it is a composition of clay and shells, the clay being the more important substance of the two. Its very valuable properties were first pointed ont by Professor Way, Chemist of the English Royal Agricultural Society. He says that clay will decompose the salts of ammonia, potash and soda, and retain their bases.” “At the close of Mr. Taylor’s remarks, Mr. William Saun- ders, of the Agricultural Department, proposed a vote of thanks to Mr. Taylor for his valuable remarks, which was unanimously carried. “The following statement has been received from Professor Blaney, of Chicago, relative to the merits of Bromophyte : ‘Curicaco, October 26, 1870. “This is to certify that I have examined the specimens of Bromophyte submitted to me, and have found the same to be composed as follows : Volatile matter, organic matter, water and a trace.of free.ammonia......... andiattas: crefeicte 59°05 MMOPOANIE WBE ccc as ajareivcins es qcine ain. eee 40°95 The Bromophyte contains of salts 40°95 per cent., namely : PML FMleae Ol, WiUEr oak. ela cre Jord wistalvaiete sche 176765 iPivesphiate of Thimeq.siase 6 033030 68 .S3 ajee 14922 Phosphate of Magnesia..... AAR Me sp SOF 1:1335 Carbonate of Magnesia... .i 50. cckls ecw ests 2°2613 Ohiomde of Sod. bh ea eos Peas 20540 Sesquioxide of Iron and Alumina............ 5°0790 RG MONS TSUIC ATER ss oi sla Sule eg c'e we detebie ae’ 11°2690 Chloride of Potassium. a. trace. Bette tar die pia clara oan Stet a wd tape cs 40-9655 (aE pola gece SSaceinee DURES nae opeeacer 0155 40-9500 “The Bromophyte was found by organic analysis to contain nitrogen, 3°92 per cent., equivalent to ammonia, 4°76 per cent. “James V. TI’. BuANgy, “Analytical and Consulting Chemist.” «“P,§.—Tt will be seen, by comparing with analysis of guano, that Bromophyte is two per cent. the stronger.” 248 AMERICAN MANURES. After making an analysis of this “ Bromo- PHYTE,’ and knowing its composition and value, we doubt whether the writer of the circular, or even Professors Taylor and Blaney were in earnest in their encomiums of this article. We rather think these gentlemen have endeavored to perpetrate a practical joke on the farmers. That any chemist (and Prof. Taylor is represented to be one), should seriously recommend the use of peat and marl, clay and shells in a high-priced fertilizer that sells for two cents per lb., 1s almost incredible ; or that Prof. Blaney should seriously say that it is two per cent. stronger than guano, is certainly beyond belief. The farmers who have used the article seem to have been in the same vein of humor, so pal- pably exhibited by the facetious Professors Tay- lor and Blaney, as the following specimens of their certificates will show : GREAT ON TURNIP TOPS. “ Wasuineton, D. C., Apri 1, 1869. “ RanDALu Fisu, Esq. “ Sir :—In reply to your note, inquiring about your fertilizer, IT am happy to say that it will work wonders. “JT tried it last season on some turnips as late as the Ist of October, and I never saw sucha crop of tops in my life. Of course, it was too late to fetch a full crop, yet some were as large as hens’ eggs. “T do not hesitate to say that I think it superior to any ferti- lizer in the market, as it will benefit the ground while it stimu- lates the present crop. I have used it with the greatest suc- cess, and have found it to be better than any other, having ANALYSES. 249 used it side by side with the Patapsco and other fertilizers, and it far exceeds them. It has proven satisfactory to Dr. Nichols, the Superintendent of the Insane Asylum, as he has this spring purchased five tons of it. “SAMUEL A. Smira, “ Gardener at the Insane Asylum.” We should expect just such a certificate from an Insane Asylum. GREAT ON CUCUMBERS. “ Wasuineton, D. C., Augusé 18, 1870. “RANDALL su, Esq. ‘“ Dear Sir :—I have used your fertilizer, called Bromophyte, on three acres of cucumbers, on my farm at Mt. Vernon, and can say that I believe it to be a first-rate article. A few rows I left without any fertilizer, on some I put Peruvian Guano, and on some Patapsco Guano. Those without any fertilizers are very poor, but where your fertilizer was used they are very fine, and much better than the vines that were fertilized with the Peruvian or Patapsco Guano. “Dr. E. P. Hownanp, “No, 27 Four-and-a-Half Street.” DODGE ON BROMOPHYTE. “ WasuineTon, D. C. “T have seen the effects and examined the character of the fertilizer manufactured by Randall Fish, and am satisfied it is among the best now offered to the public. I have used it on my strawberries and other plants, and find the effect upon their growth superior to that of any other fertilizer I have ever used. J shall want more. “Tt effects wonders on every kind of vegetable to which I have applied it, making vegetation grow on barren soil. “Very respectfully, wT. 6S Donen” This, we think, is a very good specimen of “dodge.” As it makes vegetation grow on bar- ren soil, Bromophyte must contain the essence of strawberries. Who will eat strawberries after this ? 250 AMERICAN MANURES. GASS ON BROMOPHYTE. “ GeLen, Wasuineaton Co., August 26, 1869. “Mr. Ranpauy Fisu: “‘T have used your Bromophyte on tomatoes, squashes, cucum- bers and on corn, and must say that it exceeds my expecta- tions. I believe that it is better than any fertilizer now in use. | I have tried most all kinds in the market, and this is the best I have ever found. I have examined the corn to-day, and find, where your fertilizer was used, it was a deep green, and where other fertilizers were used beside it, the great drought had turned the leaves yellow, and the stocks were much smaller. “Very respectfully, “ Joun Gass,” We fear the corn was not so green as the buyer of the Bromophyte. ‘Taken altogether it is a very gassy certificate. A 20,000 POUNDER CERTIFICATE. (The beggest gun known.) ‘ ALEXANDRIA, VA., March 15, 1870. ‘“ RANDALL Fisu, Esq. “ Dear Sir :—Please send me ten tons of your Bromophyte, the most economical manure, which insures the quickest and best returns of any I have ever used. Rely on me as a custo- mer while I have any land to cultivate. “Yours, very respectfully, “ J. Mr~uarp.” If the Bromophyte Mr. Millard purchased was no better than that sold to us, and he con- tinues to go it so strong on Bromophyte, he will soon have no land to cultivate—it will be in the hands of the sheriff. A CERTIFICATE FROM THE “LAND OF DREAMS.” “ Norrouk, V.a., May 13, 1870. “C. C. Brown, Esq. ‘“ Dear Sir :—-1 have been experimenting last fall and this spring with your Bromophyte. It beats any fertilizer I know ANALYSES. 251 of. For early truck of all kinds it is all that can be desired. It is destined to take the place of nearly all the so-called fertili- zers, now so numerous. For radishes, it beats all I ever dreamed of. Ido not dare to tell how short a time it took to produce for me the finest radishes I ever saw. “Yours, etc., ‘“Grorce S. OLDFIELD, “ Formerly Judge of County Court.” Yuery.—Does the Judge often dream of radishes—it must be an interesting subject for a Judge. We shall next expect to hear of the Judge dreaming of “ turnip tops.” FISHING FOR DODGE. ‘“W asuineton, D. C., June 29, 1870. “ RANDALL Fisy, Esq. “ Dear Sir :—In reply to your favor of to-day, I would say that I have used the Bromophyte—Fish’s—in my garden in this city for two years, and do not desire anything better for straw- berries. In fact, it seems to impart a remarkably strong and healthy growth to any and every vegetable to which I have applied it, and I believe it is superior to any fertilizer in the market, not excepting the Peruvian. es Respectfully, yours, etc., LE Os Dope’ Another specimen of “dodge ;” being better than Peruvian Guano, we think it slightly “ fishy.” The reader will notice that these certificates are given by farmers in the vicinity of Wash- ington. The Bromophyte to which they have reference being prepared there. We do not say that excreta at Washington are richer than at Philadelphia; but it is possible that the Wash- 17 2.52 AMERICAN MANURES. ington manufacturers may be more honest, and make a better article than their Philadelphia brethren—it is almost impossible that they could make a worse. The use of these certifi- cates by the Philadelphia Company is literally stealing the thunder of the excreta of Wash- ington. METHODS OF ANALYSIS. The methods of analysis employed to deter- mine the amount of nitrogen, actual ammonia, and potash, and of phosphoric acid in the several manures, of which analyses are given in this chapter, are of too intricate a nature to be un- derstood by the general reader. Hence we state the methods only in general terms, with such remarks and particulars as will enable profes- sional chemists, into whose hands our work may fall, to estimate the carefulness with which they have been made. METHOD FOR TOTAL NITROGEN. From ahout 30 grammes of the finely pul- verized and intimately mixed substance 1 to 2 grammes were taken for analysis, which was made according to Varrentrapp and Wills’ me- thod. We remark, that the actual amount of Nitrogen was calculated from the actual amount of metallic platinum obtained, and not from the METHODS OF ANALYSIS. B53 weight of the precipitate, as is sometimes done : the former being considered the most reliable. METHOD FOR ACTUAL AMMONIA AND POTASH. Substance = 50 grammes. Fluid == 0 eos Fluid taken = 25 ¢.c. =5 grammes substance. The substance in an evaporating dish was treated: first, with small quantities of water at 60° to 70°; then boiled successively in water acidulated with hydrochloric acid; and finally, washed on a filter with boiling water, till the filtrate measured nearly 250 c.c. The ammonia was determined according to SCHLOESING’S PROCESS. Strength of Soda Solution, 3.06 ¢.c. = 1 ¢.c. Normal Sulphuric Acid. The potash was determined as potassio-bichlo- ride of platinum. METHOD FOR TOTAL PHOSPHORIC ACID. Substance = 20 grammes. Fluid —— .OUMuC-c: Fluid taken = 50c.c.=1 gramme substance. The hydrochloric acid solution, with the addi- tion of several drops of concentrated nitric acid, was evaporated completely to dryness, and the residue treated with dilute hydrochloric acid. To the solution thus obtained, there was added; first, citric acid, in quantity sufficient; then ammonia; then, acetic acid, each slightly in ex- cess; and finally, to the nearly boiling solution, 254 AMERICAN MANURES. oxalate of ammonia was added. The precipitate obtained was collected aé¢ once on a double filter, and to the cool and strongly ammoniacal filtrate, were added, 6 to 10 ¢.c. of an ammoniacal ammo- nio-sulphate of magnesia solution—each c.c. of which corresponds to 0.0358 gramme anhydrous phosphoric acid. The filtrate and wash water measured 250 to 300c.c., and for every 54c.c. of the same, 0.000637 gramme phosphoric acid was allowed. METHOD FOR SOLUBLE PHOSPHORIC ACID. Substance = + (20 granimes. Bloads > =; O00 JEN. Fluidtaken = 100 c.c.—2 grammes substance. The substance was triturated in a mortar with distilled water, at 60° or 70°,*the powder allowed to settle, and the fluid decanted. This operation was repeated till ¢ litre of fluid was obtained, when the powder was collected on a filter and washed with distilled water till the filtrate mea- sured one litre. The phosphoric acid, as in the previous instance, was determined gravimetri- cally. Norr.—In one or two instances, instead of 1 to 2 grammes, 10 grammes of the substance were taken for the phosphoric acid determination. CONCLUDING REMARKS. Manufacturers of fertilizers attach great im- portance to the certificates of farmers, and it is ~ considered a strong point as an evidence of the CONCLUDING REMARKS. 259 superior quality of their products; hence they procure as many of them as possible. Two ad- vantages are thus gained: First. It effectually closes the farmer’s mouth for subsequent unfavor- able criticism. Second. Every farmer's opinion has weight in the circle in which he moves, and his favorable report of a fertilizer induces others to give ita trial. Thus the business of these manufacturers is increased, and the farmer uns wittingly becomes a party to their frauds, and when his neighbors find that they are cheated, he receives his share of blame. Hence farmers should be very careful in giving these loosely worded recommendations, which benefit no one but the manufacturers. Those who have given these certificates know how they have been pro- cured; personal friendship for the manufacturer or dealer, has led many to give favorable re- ports, we doubt not against their better judg- ment, while with others, perhaps, the desire of seeing their name in print has its influence. Certificates are a part of the stock in trade of quackery, and no honestly conducted business needs them. Besides the certificates given to different manufacturers when taken collectively do not amount to anything, because each man- ure sold is represented by the certificates to be the best. Such conflicting statements are with- out value as evidence; consequently, the farmer 256 AMERICAN MANURES. is as much puzzled in the selection of a good | manure, as he would be without seeing the certificates. If this business had been legitimately con- ducted, and the price regulated by the quality and condition of the valuable constituents of the fertilizer, manufacturers would have no occasion to resort to customers’ certificates. There is another class of certificates that, un- fortunately, do not meet the public eye, namely: ‘The complaints of those who have realized that they have been swindled in the purchase of these manures. These certificates would present an interesting sequel to the others, and in nwmber as well as in force, would completely overshadow them. If time and space permitted, we could give a long list of these negative certificates that would be anything but interesting reading for the manufacturers. An illustration of the un- reliability of certificates is seen in the samples we have given from the users of the Bromophyte, a manure that is almost worthless. Some of its users certify that it 1s better than Peruvian Guano, or the Patapsco Ammoniated Phosphate, the latter, according to our analyses, being one of the best superphosphates now made in this country. Many certificates are given before the crop is harvested; such premature statements must be very unreliable. Farmers should realize CONCLUDING REMARKS. Ate 4 the importance of knowing the source of the benefits realized before giving certificates. | It may be due to a favorable season, to substances already in the soil, or to the manure, or to all three combined. If the farmer sees a favorable ap- pearance in his crop, he is too apt at once to attribute it exclusively to the bought fertilizer, forgetting what he must have frequently seen, when using stable manure alone, that one year a good crop may be raised, and the next time, though equally well cultivated and manured, a poor one. It has been shown that the amounts required of the valuable constituents of crops are very small. Hence, if the so-called concentrated fertilizers contain but a little of what is really needed, its effect on the crop would be apparent, But our farmers should bear in mind that they pay exorbitant prices for the benefits received, If they apply 400 lbs. of a fertilizer costing $50 per ton, it would be $10 to the acre, and they should have clear views of the amount of any crop that should be expected from such an out- lay. As an illustration, 25 bushels of wheat with the straw requires : 27°95 lbs. of Phosphoric Acid @ $0.123 per lb..... $3.49 Boos. yy AROUIE Ne oS ecica-e @ 0.08 a soa Sake ao GO! 6°" Nitrogen. ss... @ 0.15 Dy eas oe eee etal $13.65 Hence, if an outlay of $13.65 on au acre should 258 AMERICAN MANURES. produce 25 bushels of wheat with the straw, an outlay of $10 to an acre should produce over 18 bushels of wheat with the straw, in addition to what could be produced without the application of fertilizers, or if we allow half of the nitrogen to be represented by actual ammonia at 25 cents per lb., an outlay of $10 to the acre should pro- duce 142 bushels. This calculation can_ be readily applied to other crops from the same data, and from it the farmer can see how small the amount of benefit, in increased crops, he has derived from the use of these fraudulent manures in proportion to the money invested. We are quite sure if the farmer had correct views on the subject, he would no more think of giving certificates to these manufacturers, than he would of giving a certificate of good character to the burglar who had broken into his house and stolen his money, but spared his life, or to the thief who had stolen his horse and failed to set fire to his barn. The reader should now be fully convinced from the facts stated and analyses given, of the absolute necessity of National and State legisla- tion to protect the farmers and the public from the rapacity of manufacturers of fertilizers. There are Grain, Flour, Liquor, Tobacco, Lea- ther, Oil, Drug and other Inspectors, appointed to protect purchasers and honest manufacturers CONCLUDING REMARKS. 259 and dealers. Fertilizers are equal in importance to any of those commercial articles mentioned, while there are greater facilities for fraud. In England and other European countries, the prices of these fertilizers are fixed by the amount and value of the fertilizmg elements contained in them, according to the manner in- dicated in this book; and in this matter, we are far behind those countries we are accustomed to style slow. In those countries, concentrated fer- tilizers are inspected by government officials. As the result of the rigid inspection laws of Ger- many, purchasers are protected. We quote from the circular of George Charles Zimmer, at Man- heim, one of the largest manufacturers of fer- tilizers in Germany, and give three analyses of the superphosphates manufactured by him, to show the operation of the law: These fertilizers are always sold and delivered of an ap- proved, uniform, superior quality, and their ingredients war- ranted ; samples of the same are deposited with the Central Agricultural Department of the Grand Duchy of Baden, at Carlsruhe, under whose control the products of the factory are placed by law. The monthly official analyses of supplies on hand in the manufactory, are published from time to time in the Weekly Journal of the Agricultural Society of the Grand Duchy of Baden, and every purchaser of at least half a ton at one time of one of these superphosphates, has the privilege to transmit (free of charge) with enclosure of the original invoice, a sample of the same to Doctor J. Nessler, the President of the Experimental Station, at Carlsruhe, in order to be analyzed, free of expense, to the purchaser. Furthermore, these fertilizers are subject to the control of the Agricultural Societies of Hes- 260 AMERICAN MANURES. sen on the Rhine, Rhenish Prussia, etc., and the results of their investigations are communicated to the public from time to time, in their respective agricultural papers. No. 1—Anatysis oF Corprouite SuPERPHOSPHATE. Solubl Ph Percentage. Equal to g h h oluble Os- ce superphosphate phoric fe Ee ioe ees | of Lime. Insoluble Phos- Js Bone Phosphate phoric Aad, | ADs Paseck rg ie t P | of Lime. No. 2-—AnaAtysis oF Bonet Meat SuPpERPHOSPHATE. Percentage. Equal to Soluble Phos- Superphosphate phoric ‘Aca, | plans spl | of Lime. Insoluble Phos- a Bone Phosphate phoric Acid, ; SR OA A Be 1 of Lime. INILFOP EN, ae cs 0 ta 1 aie: exit No. 3.— ANALYsIS OF BAKER GuaNO SUPERPHOSPHATE. Percentage. Equal to Soluble Phos- ea Superphosphate phoric Ac, f 18) to 20 ee { of Lime. mele) a to ko. a On comparing the above analyses of super- phosphates made in Germany, with those made by our Joastful manufacturers, the reader will notice that their lowest grade superphosphates contain more soluble phosphoric acid than our best, and that the insoluble phosphoric acid (3 to 4 per cent.) contained in those made at Man- heim, is about equal to the average amount of soluble phosphoric acid, in American commercial manures. THE END. 3477 is A i at Yi wie: LIBRARY OF CONGRESS TT 00027555317 i ‘ °. t 7) na ’ Ly i : | } a! ; | | ‘ “yr ‘ | " f : | i ‘ ’ ; ‘ ' t : i ; iF erat t ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ : Y ‘ ‘ ‘ i : j ' | it e + } a t : f | ‘ ‘ 4 : ry i a ae ¥ ® b ’ rk eel l { ‘ Lada ' ' q ; erie ‘ | d ' i ; at j i phate’ ; | ' ' : ‘ ‘ , | } i : \ F 1 ’ ‘ y ‘4 , ! : ‘ tence i ' Want ; ty ; s ‘ t . " q ' . 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