m Cornell University Library The original of this book is in the Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924073919767 CORNELL UNIVERSITY LIBRARY 3 1924 073 919 767 Production Note Cornell University Library produced this volume to replace the irreparably deteriorated original . It was scanned using Xerox software and equipment at 600 dots per inch resolution and compressed prior to storage using ITU Group 4 compression. The digital data were used to create Cornell's replacement volume on paper that meets the ANSI Standard Z39. 48-1992. The production of this volume was supported by the National Endowment for the Humanities . Digital file copyright by Cornell University Library 1995. Scanned as part of the A. R. Mann Library project to preserve and enhance access to the Core Historical Literature of the Agricultural Sciences . Titles included in this collection are listed in the volumes piiblished by the Cornell University Press in the series THE LITERATURE OF THE AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES, 1991-1996, Wallace C. Olsen, series editor. &taU (EoUege of Agricultuw At OfonwU TUmattBits Jttiaia. «. H. Ctbtarg COfflERCIAL FEETILIZERS. P A. P E R THE TWENTY-SIXTH ANNUAL REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF THE STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. BY PROFESSOE, O. A. GOESSMANN 1879. BOSTON: Eanti, afaerg, Sc Co., ptintetB to t\)t Commoniuealtf), 117 Fbanklin Stbeet. 1879. COMMERCIAL FERTILIZEES. FJS. PER THE TWENTY-SIXTH ANNUAL REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF THE STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. BY PEOFESSOR C. A. GOESSMANN. 1879. BOSTON: IRanti, ^fattg, * SLa., printers to t^e eCommaniDealtlj, 117 Franklct Street. 1879. COMMEECIAL FEETILIZEES. Gentlemen, — The results of the examination of commer- cial fertilizers during the past year have been, on the whole, quite satisfactory. From jBftj to sixty articles used for fer- tilizing purposes within our own State have been tested. The analytical stateiUents regarding their chemical composi- tion form the principal portion of my annual report, which I have the honor to present herewith, in conformity with our State law, presented on pp. 312, 313. The majority of our standard fertilizers sold the past year compare favorably, as far as their composition and their mechanical condition are concerned, with their namesakes of previous years. Some manufacturers of nitrogenous phos- phates and superphosphates have added potash to their articles to render them more complete, and thereby increase their chances of a successful application in the field. The number of different brands of fertilizers has for the same reason, of late, shown a material increase. The late general tendency among manufacturers has apparently been to pro- duce articles varying in cost from thirty-five to forty-five dollars per ton of two thousand pounds, at their works: higher-priced articles are still rather the exception than the rule. This feature in our fertilizer trade is, no doubt, largely due to two causes. First, Most farmers are better informed regarding the mode of applying a fertilizer of a moderate strength than strong chemicals, and prefer it still as the safer material to secure satisfactory results. Second, Many farmers, being but little familiar with the peculiar character of the essential constituents of chemical fertilizers, are not prepared to discriminate properly between low-priced or high-priced articles and their relative cheap- ness, taking a low cost and cheapness for synonymous terms. The market-price of nitrogen, phosphoric acid, and potassa COMMERCIAL FERTILIZERS. in their various forms, has changed permanently but little during the past year. The market records of Boston and New York at the beginning of the year, the period when the largest loulk of fertilizers for the ensuing season is usually manufactured, have been adopted as the basis of the valua^ tion carried out within this report. The alteration of our laws for the regulation of the sale of commercial fertilizers, suggested in my previous report (V.), and indorsed by this Board, has since received, as far as the most essential points are concerned, the support of the legislative authorities of the State. The laws of 1874 have been repealed, and new laws, embodying an essential portion of the desired changes, have been in active operation since the 15th of May, 1878. As the changes are practically con- fined to the first two sections of the previous laws, I enter here on record those sections of the enactments of 1874 which have been greatly altered, and state subsequently the new law in full for the benefit of farmers and dealers. [Chap. 206.] An Act concekntng Commercial Fertilizebs (1874). Be it enacted, Sfc, as follows : — Section 1. Every commercial fertilizer ofEered for sale within this Commonwealth shall be accompanied by an analysis stating the percent- age therein of nitrogen, of anhydrous potassium oxide, or its equiva- lent of potassium, in any form or combination soluble in distilled water, and of phosphoric oxide or anhydrous phosphoric acid in any form or combination soluble in a neutral solution of citrate of ammonia a1 a temperature not exceeding a hundred degrees Fahrenheit ; the percent- age of phosphoric oxide not soluble as above shall also be stated in said analysis, together with the material from which it is obtained: provided, that no analysis shaU be required for packages of fertilizers which are sold, ofEered, or exposed for sale, at a less rate tlian fifteen dollars per ton, or which contain none of the above constituents. A copy of the analysis required shall accompany every parcel sold, ofiered, or exposed for sale. Sect. 2. Every manufacturer or importer of commercial fertilizers as specified in Sect. 1, before offering the same for sale in this Com- monwealth, shall "take out a license as a manufacturer or importer, and pay into the treasury of the Commonwealth fifty dollars annually as a license-fee for each kind of fertilizer so ofiered, and shall at the same time file with the Secretaiy of the State Board of Agriculture a paper giving the names of his principal agents, and also the name and compo- sition of the fertilizer manufactured or imported by him. COMMERCIAL FERTILIZERS THE LAWS OP THE STATE PASSED IN 1878 FOB THE EEGTT LATION OF THE TRADE IN COMMERCIAL FEETILIZEES. [Chap. 258.] Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows: — Section 1. Every lot or parcel of commercial fertilizer sold, ofEerad, or exposed for sale, within this Commonwealth, shall be accompanied by a printed label which shall state clearly the composition of the same, as follows; to wit: In the case of all fertilizers which are sold at more than twelve dollars per ton, and which contain nitrogen, potassium, or phosphorus, the said label shall give the percentage of anhydrous potassium oxide, or its equivalent of potassium, and of phosphoric oxide or anhydrous phosphoric acid, in any form or combination soluble in distilled water, and the percent- age of nitrogen in the fertilizer which it accompanies. In the case of those fertilizers which consist of other and cheaper materials, the said label shall give a correct general statement of the composition and ingredients of the fertilizer it accompanies. Sect. 2. Every manufacturer or importer of commercial fertilizers as specif ed in Sect. 1, before offering the same for sale in the Common- wealth, .<:hall procure a license as a manufacturer or importer of the same, and shall pay into the treasury of the Commonwealth the sum of fifty dollars annually as a license-fee ; and shall at the same time file with the secretary of the State Board of Agriculture a paper giving the names of his principal agents and also the name and composition of the fertilizer or fertilizers manufactured or imported by him. Such license shall entitle the person to whom it is issued to sell and offer for sale only one distinct kind of fertilizer ; but such person shall be entitled to sell any other kind of fertilizer upon the payment into the treasury of the Commonwealth an additional license- fee of fifteen dollars for each such additional land. Sect. 3. Any person selling, offering, or exposing for sale any con^m^r- cial fertilizer without tlie statement required by the first section of ih s act, or with a label stating that said fertilizer contains a larger percentage of any one or more of the constituents mentioned in said section than is contained therein, or respecting the sale of which all the provisions of Sect. 2 have not been fully complied with, shall forfeit fifty dollars for the first offence and a hundred dollars for each subsequent offence. Sect. 4. The chemist of the State Board of Agriculture shall be ex officio a member of said Board, and State Inspector of Fertilizers. It shall be the duty of said inspector annually to analyze one or more specimens of every kind of commercial fertilizer coming within the provisions of this act which may be offered for sale within this Commonwealth, and of the existence of which he shall be informed by the secretary of the Board of Agriculture; and for this piirpose he is authorized and directed to take from any package or packages of said fertilizers which may be in the possession of any dealer a sample not exceeding one pound in weight. He shall report annually to the State Board of Agriculture the result of 6 COMMERCIAL FERTILIZERS. his inspection, and the analysis made by him, and fvimish to the secretary of said Board such important information in regard to commercial fartU- izers as he shall from time to time obtain. Sect. 5. The fee of the State Inspector of Fertilizers shall be twenty- five dollars for each analysis made by him or under liis direction, and travelling expenses, to be paid from the treasury of the Commonwealth on the certificate of the State Board of Agriculture; provided that no larger sum shall be paid for such services each year than is paid into the treasury of the State for license-fees as provided in Sect. 2. Sect. 6. It shall be the duty of said inspector, upon ascertaining any violation of this act, to forthwith inform the manufactm-er and secretary of the State Board of Agriculture, in writing, thereof; and it shall be the duty of said secretary to immediately institute proceedings against all parties violating this act. Sect. 7. The license required by Sect. 2 shall be issued by the sec- retary of the Commonwealth in the manner provided by chapter three hundred and thirty-one of the Acts of the year one thousand eight him- dred and seventy. Sect. 8. Chapters two hundred and six and three hundred and sev- enty-eight of the Acts of the year one thousand eight hundred and seventy- fom' are hereby repealed. Sect. 9. This act shall take effect upon its passage. Approved May 15, 1878. The principal changes introduced into the new laws, as compared with those of previous years, may be summed up as follows : — First, To subject, as far as practicable, a large class of cheaper fertilizers to the regulations of the trade by making twelve dollars per ton the limit. Second, To oblige all manufacturers of fertilizers contain- ing phosphoric acid to make a more conspicuous distinction in their analytical statements between phosphoric acid soluble in water and the so-called reduced or reverted phosphoric acid, soluble in a solution of citrate of ammonia, renderiug, thereby, the comparative commercial and agricultural value of different brands of fertilizers more prominent. Third, To reduce the expenses for licenses in those cases where a manufacturer offers more than one brand of a fertil- izer for sale in the general market. Fourth, To make dealers strictly responsible for the sale of unlicensed articles used for fertilizing purposes. The effect of these changes, it is confidently hoped, wiU work for the benefit of all parties concerned. 40 COMMERCIAL FERTILIZERS. Ruling Marhet-Prices for the Year 1878-79. -'■ • Price per poand* in cents. I. Nitrogen. In form of ammonia and nitric acid . . .24 In form of dried ground meat and blood, finely-pulver- ized steamed bones, finely-ground fish-guano, Peru- vian guano, urates, poudrettes, and artificial guano . 20 In form of finely-ground bones, fine-ground horn, wool- dust, bat-guano, &c 18 In form of coarsely-ground bones, hom-shavings, and wooUen rags, human excretions and barnyard-ma- nure, fish-scraps, animal refuse-matter from glue factories and tanneries, &c 15 n. Phosphoric Acid soluble in water. As contained in alkaline phosphates and superphosphates . . . .12.5 In Peruvian guano and urates 9 In form of so-called reduced or reverted acid . . 9 In precipitated bone-phosphate, steamed fine bones, fish- guano, according to size and disintegration, from . 6 to 7 In form of bone-black waste, wood-ash, Caribbean guano, ground bone-ash, coarsely-ground bones, poudrette, bamyard-manure, &c . . . . 5 In form of finely-ground South-Carolina and Nevassa phosphates 3.5 m. Potassium Oxide. In form of muriate of potash or chlo- ride of potassium 4.5 In form of sulphate of potassa in natural and artificial kainits 6 to 6.5 In form of higher grades of sulphate of potassa . . 7.5 to 9 II. NAME OF MATERIAL. Price per ton of 2,000 pounds, In dollars. Price per pound in case of from 100 to 200 pounds, in cents. Sulphate of Ammonia, containing from 24 to 25 per cent of ammonia .... Nitrate of Soda (Chili saltpetre), containing 95 per cent of that compound . Nitrate of Potassa, containing 94 to 96 per cent of that compound . Dried Blood, yielding from: — (a) 12 to 14 per cent of ammonia . (b) 10 to 12 per cent of ammonia . Dried Meat, yielding from 14 to 15 per cent of ammonia 90-95 75-78 165-170 50 45 50 4-5 4-4.5 9-9.5 2.5-3 2.8 COMMERCIAL FERTILIZERS. NAME OF MATEBIAL. Price per ton of 2,000 pounds, in dollars. Price per pound in case of from 100 to 200 pounds, in cents. Fine-ground Bones, containing from 22 to 24 per cent phosphoric acid, and yielding ■ from 3.5 to 4.5 per cent of ammonia Bone-hlach (waste material), containing from 30 to 34 per cent of phosphoric acid Superphosphale of Lime, containing from 15 to 16 per cent of soluble phosphoric acid No. 1 Peruvian Guano (Standard or Guanape), containing from 12 to 15 per cent of phos- phoric acid, 10 per cent of ammonia, 2 to 3 per cent of potash . . ... No. 1 Peruvian Guano (Lobos), containing from 6 to 7 per cent of ammonia, 15 to 20 per cent of phosphoric acid, 3 to 5 per cent of potash No. 1 Peruvian Guano (guaranteed), contain- ing:— Cargo B, 11.50 per cent of ammonia, 17.10 per cent of phosphoric acid, 2.30 per cent of potash Cargo F, 6.30 per cent of ammonia, 18.70 per cent of phosphoric acid, 3.20 per cent of potash No. 1 Peruvian Guano (rectified), containing: — Cargo — , 9.70 per cent of ammonia, 14.25 per cent of phosphoric acid, 2 per cent of potash Cargo — , 3.40 per cent of ammonia, 16.90 per cent of phosphoric acid, 3.40 per cent of potash No. 2 Peruvian Guano, containing 3 per cent of ammonia, 15 per cent of phosphoric acid, 2 per cent of potash Muriate of Potash, containing from 80 to 85 per cent of that compound, equal 50 to '53.7 per cent of potassium oxide Muriate cf Potash (DouglasshaU) , containing 80 per cent of that oompomid, equal to 50 per cenl of potassium oxide and about 10 per cent of sulphate of magnesia . Sulphate of Potassa, containing 80 per cent of that compound, which is equal to 43.3 per cent of potassium oxide . Sulphate of Potassa, containing from 60 to 65 per cent of that compound, which is equal to from 32.3 to 35 per cent of potassiimi oxide Sulphate of Potassa, test 40 to 60 per cent of that compound, equal to 22 to 38 per cent of potassium oxide. Standard contains 50 per cent of sulphate of potassium, equal to 27.5 per cent of potassium oxide 35-40 28-30 32-35 56-50 47-60 55-60 35 2.5 1.5 2 2.5 70 7.4 56 5.9 69 7.3 51 5.4 38 4 45-48 3 45 2.5 65 4 3.5 COMMERCIAL FERTILIZERS. Price per ton Price per pound of NAUTR OF MATEEIAL. 2,000 pounds. 100 to 200 pounds. in dollars. in cents. German Potash Salt, containing from 28 to 32 per cent of sulphate of potassa, -whicli is equal to from 15 to 17.3 per cent of potas- sium oxide 20-25 1.25 Kainit, low grade, containing 22 to 26 per cent of sulphate of potassa, which is equal to from 11.9 to 14 per cent of potassium oxide 15-18 1 Sulphate of Magnesia (Kieserite), containing 55 per cent of that compound . 14-15 0.8 Sulphate of Magnesia (Kieserite), containing from 60 to 70 per cent of that compound. 20-25 1.25-1.50 Fine-ground Gypsum, containing from 95 to 98 per cent of that compound . 9-10 0.5 I. Potash-Saints. I. Muriate of Potash. (D. A. Horton, Northampton, Mass.) Per cent. Moisture lost at 100° C 2.12 Potassium chloride 82.85 Sodium chloride 15.03 II. Muriate of Potash. (H. Fbelps, Northampton, Mass.) Per cent. Moisture lost at 100° C 3.00 Potassium chloride 82.00 Sodium chloride 15.00 ' m. Muriate of Potash. (H. Hawes, Boston, Mass.) Per cent. Moisture lost at 100° C 2.00 Potassium chloride 84.92 Sodium chloridn 13.08 10 COMMERCIAL FERTILIZERS. IV Muriate of Potash. (H. Hawes, Boston, Mass.) Per cent. Moisture lost at 100° C 2.50 Potassium chloride 93.48 Sodium chloride ^ 4.02 The three first-mentioned samples represent the current quality of muriate of potash ; the fourth is of an exceptionally high grade. The annual consumption of this particular kind of potash-salt is steadily increasing. A Boston importer sold during the past season eight thousand bags, and expects to double tlnis amount during the coming season. Muriate of potash sold at forty-five doUars per ton, or four and five-tenths cents per pound of potassium oxide. Sulphate of Potassa. (lieasrs. W. H. Bowker, & Co., Boston, Mass.) I. n. Per cent. Per cent Potassium oxide 36.11 32.34 Sodium oxide 8.50 7.31 Sulphuric acid 49.82 44.78 Moisture lost at 100° C 80 .25 Insoluble matter 1.06 .74 These samples are fair specimens of the larger portion of the high grade sulphates of potassa at present offered in our markets: they are home-manufactured articles, and contain from eight to nine per cent of free sulphuric acid. Their strong acid re-action requires particular care in their applica- tion. A careful mechanical distribution and an early appli- cation to the soil are the safest means to prevent an injurious influence on young plants. Oversight in either direction is known to cause disappointments. The experience of German experimenters tends to prove, that, as a general rule, the most satisfactory results are ob- tained by incorporating the potash-salt into the soil during the autumn; only in the case of a light and sandy soil, which at the same time is quite free from lime and magnesia, do they advise their application in the early part of spring. COMMERCIAL FERTILIZERS. 11 Their views are well supported by the known mutual physi- cal and chemical re-action of the majority of soils on potash- salts and their usual saline admixtures. Nitre-Salt Cake. I. n. Per cent. Per cent. Moisture lost at 100° C. . 5.34 6.71 Potassium oxide .... Trace. .87 Sodium oxide 26.4 32.72 Sulphuric acid 48.85 46.69 Mtric acid - 8.80 Insoluble matter, sand, &c. 4.12 3.73 Sample No. I. was collected at the store of G. C. Clark of Northampton, Mass. : it has been sold at fourteen dollars per ton. No. II. was obtained from a party in New Haven, Conn. Both substances are refuse salines from the manu- facture of nitric acid by means of Chili saltpetre, or crude sodium nitrate and sulphuric acid. Their strong acid re- action renders them valuable as absorbers of ammonia in stables : they are, therefore, best applied either as admixtures to liquid barnyard-manure, or periodically scattered over manure or compost heaps to prevent the loss of nitrogen. Deprived of their acid re-action, they may serve, on account of their large amount of sulphuric acid, as an efficient addi- tion to manures for the production of leguminous crops. Refuse Salt from Saltpetre-Works. (Messrs. Bagg & Batchelder, Springfield, Mass.) Per cent. Moisture lost at 100° C 2.46 Chloride of sodixim 60.61 Chloride of potassium 30.39 The latter is equal to potassium oxide . . . 19.20 Valuation per ton of two thousand pounds : — 384 pounds of potassium oxide at 4.5 cents per pound, $17.28. Refuse salines like the above are no doubt quite valuable as special fertilizers for the production of forage-crops as weD as of grain-crops like barley, rye, or buckwheat. They ought, however, not to be used for the growing of tobacco, or sugar- bearing plants, on account of their large amount of chlorine. 12 COMMERCIAL FERTILIZERS. Nova-Scotia Plaster. (Messrs. Crafts Brothers, Whately, Maaa.) Per cent. Ground gypsum 91.68 Insoluble matter 1-50 Moisture lost at 100° C. .' 7.82 Ground gypsum sells at from nine to ten dollars in our section of the country. The sample tested was of good average quality as far as composition and mechanical condi- tions are concerned. Crude Sulphate of Magnesia (Kieserite). (Messrs. W. H. Bowker & Co. Boston, Mass.) Per cent. Moisture lost at 100° C 20.80 Magnesium oxide 18.75 Calcium oxide 1.44 Sulphuric acid 36.34 Sand, &c 8.50 Magnesium chloride 2.20 The sample tested is a fair article of its kind. The kiese- rite quite deservedly enters more every year into our agri- cultural experiments, partly as an absorber of ammonia in place of gypsum, partly as an additional ingredient of fer- tilizers for special purposes : its efficiency as a distributer of potash within the soil seems to be less appreciated. Limekiln- Ashes. (Sample sent on for examination.) Per cent. Phosphoric acid 3.16 Potassium oxide Trace. Carbonate of lime 89.52 Moisture, &c 20 Insoluble matter, sand, &c., - The material which is offered for sale under the above name consists, frequently, mainly of air-slacked lime, with but traces of phosphoric acid and potassa, which are the most valuable constituents of wood-ashes. The large amount of phosphoric acid found in the above-described sample of lime- kiln-ash is an exceptional one, and may be due to some inci- COMMERCIAL FERTILIZERS. 13 dental access of a bone. Fair samples as they have been sold from time to time in our vicinity are not worth more than air-slacked lime: they contained from seven hundred and fifty to nine hundred pounds of calcium oxide or hme. The weight of a bushel varied, mainly in consequence of more or less moisture, from forty-four pounds to sixty-three pounds : it is, for this reason, best to buy it by measure in- stead of by weight. From thirty-three to thirty-five cents have been charged for the bushel of limekiln-ashes. Gas-House Lime. (Sent on for Examination.) Per cent. Moisture lost at 100° C 11.01 Calcium oxide 45.80 Total amount of sulphur present .... 8.29 Insoluble matter, sand, &c 3.51 In a former report (IV. Rep., 1876-77) I discussed some- what in detaU the circumstances which control the com- position, and thus the value, of the gas-house lime, as well as the proper treatment the latter has to undergo before it can be safely applied for agricultural purposes. In com- paring the above-described sample with those mentioned in the report referred to, there is one point of difference in their composition which deserves particular attention when speakiag of their relative agricultural value; namely, the amount of sulphur found in the above specimen is four times as large as in either of the previously reported samples, — a fact wliich furnishes a good illustration regarding the degree of differences which may be noticed in the value of gas-house lime from different gas-manufacturing establishments. Tlie Vitative Compound; or, Seed and Plant Invigorator. (Wangaman & Co., Blairsville, Penn.) The sample tested was obtained from President W. S. Clark, Amherst, Mass. Per cent. Organic and volatile matter 40.70 Ash constituents 59.30 Moistui-e lost at 100-105° C 25.67 Oxide of lead in ash 31.11 Oxide of zinc 12.23 Sulphuric acid 14.09 14 COMMERCIAL FERTILIZERS. This remarkable article was contained in a strong red paper box about three inches long and one inch and one- quarter wide. Part of the material had been previously taken out. Besides the above-stated name, the following ■ information was printed upon the sides of the box : — " This compound is purely chemical in its character and effects, con- taining in a condensed form those ingredients so generally deficient in the soil, and yet so essential to the immediate and certain germination of the seed and the rapid growth of the plant. " DIRECTIONS FOR USE. " Dissolve this material in sufficient water to immerse ' half bushel' of seed (corn, wheat, &c.); then add the seed, and allow it to soak for thii-ty-sis or forty-eight hours; then, for ' Garden Seed,' use ateaspoonful of the compound dissolved in a pint of water, allowing the seed to soak twelve to fifteen hours before using it. It is poisonous to animals. Price $1.00. Patented April 21, 1874." The material tested proved to be a mixture of coarse crys- tals of sugar of lead (acetate of lead) and sulphate of zinc, or white vitriol. Grinding to a fine powder changes the dry article into a wet mass, in consequence of a partial trans- formation into sulphate of lead and acetate of ziac. The same change takes place when treated with water ; yet the action is more thorough in the latter case. As the sulphate of lead is practically insoluble in water, only a part of the compound can enter into solution, namely, the acetate and the sulphate of zinc in our case; whilst the lead sulphate remains largely suspended in the fresh solution as an impalpa- ble powder. The claims of the manufacturer need no com- ment. The article, if carefully used, may act beneficially on seeds infected with the germs of parasites, in destroying their life in many instances, and acting thus similar to a diluted solution of sulphate of copper, which, in Germany, quite fre- quently is used with good effect for that purpose. A few cents will pay, in either case, for the amount of materifj required. ' 1. n. Per cent. Per cent Moisture lost at 100° C. . . 1.00 1.94 Chlorine . 2.52 .85 Calcium oxide . . . . .41 Trace. Sand, ferric oxide , .24 .80 Sulphuric acid . . . . - .20 Sodium nitrate . . . . . 94.00 97.00 il COMMERCIAL FERTILIZERS. 15 No. I., from Messrs. Bowker & Co., Boston, Mass., -was of reddish-wliite color, and a distinct, coarse crystallization. No. II. was collected of H. Phelps, Northampton, Mass. It was of the usual grayish-white color, and of good crystal- linic condition. It represents, to some extent, the variation which we notice in our markets. One ton sold, at the begin- ning of the season, at seventy-five dollars, or twenty-four cents per pound of its nitrogen. The manufacture of this article is, as is well known, under government control, and its guaranteed average composition is usually stated as fol- lows : — Per cent. Sodium nitrate 95.00 Sodium chloride 2.50 Sodium sulphate, &o 50 Moisture 2.00 100.00 The prospects of an ample supply of this saline for many years are very encouraging, as may be inferred from the following statement : — Along the Pacific coast of South America, extending from the fourth to the fortieth degree of south latitude, about twenty-four hundred miles along the slope of the Andes to the sea, in Bolivia, Peru, and part of Chili, there has been found a line of deposits of sodium nitrate, commonly called Chili saltpetre. The existence of such deposits in Southern Peru — Atacama — had been known for many years previous to the discovery of their extension into Bolivia and Chili. The dry soU of the larger portion in these rainless sections of those countries is pervaded in some degree with these deposits. The beds are varying in thick- ness, and are covered with from one to ten yards' depth of earth or half-formed sandstone. The material of which they are composed is called by the natives " caliche," and it con- tains from fifty to seventy-five per cent of sodiimi nitrate. It is estimated that the quantity of this saline compound in the Province of Tarapaca alone, within an area of fifty square leagues, is not less than sixty-three million tons. TJ e annual production of the sodium nitrate is for the present limited, by the " decision of the governments, to five mUlion quintals, or to from forty-four to forty-five 16 COMMERCIAL FERTILIZERS. thousand tons, • of which about one-fourth is consumed in Germany. As an intelligent review of the results obtained elsewhere after some years of actual trials in the field cannot be with- out interest to farmers, considering our present early stage of experimental inquiry into the merits of the nitrate of soda for the production of crops, I introduce here a short abstract from an interesting paper recently published, " On the Proper Use of Chemical Fertilizers," by Professor M. Maercker of Halle, Germany, adding such statements as may aid in a due appreciation of the subject under discus- sion. The nitric-acid-containing salines excel in rapidity and intensity of action all other nitrogen-containing sub- stances. The Chili saltpetre assists in a high degree in the diffusion of potassa and phosphoric acid throughout the entire body of the soil. Its application as a fertilizer tends to produce larger plants with a more extended root-system, ;and causes thus an increased consumption of all the prin- cipal articles of plant-food. As no single article of plant- food can for any length of time cause good crops, it becomes an essential condition for the continued successful cultiva- tion of any of our farm-crops to use it, as a general rule, with a liberal amount of potash and phosphoric acid. A repeated treatment of the soil with ChUi saltpetre, with- out restoring those mineral plant-constituents which the crops largely consume, and of which the former contains but small quantities in an available form, is consequently a ruinous practice, and excusable only in exceptional cases. A Kb- eral use of this saline compound, or nitrogen compounds in general, tends to extend the period of vegetation, and thus to retard the ripening process. The later in the season the sodium nitrate is applied, the more serious is its effect on the extension of the period of growth, and the more imminent the danger of obtaining unripe crops. An excessive amount of straw, and a small yield of grain, in case of our cereals, and large watery roots deficient in sugar, and such consti- tuents as are formed during the later period of growth, in unfavorable seasons in particular, — are quite frequent but practical illustrations of this mode of action. A repeated late application of the sodium nitrate as top-dressing intensi- fies, for obvious reasons, the previously stated tendency of COMMERCIAL FERTILIZERS. 17 retarding the ripening process : in the case of the sugar-beet root this effect is simply ruinous, and therefore that mode of operation is ruled out in that branch of agricultural in dustry. This feature of its action, once duly recognized, furnishes the key to a proper understanding of many con- tradictory reports and opinions regarding its merits as a most valuable nitrogen source in general and special farm- industry. To secure its very efficient property, to stimulate a luxuriant and vigorous growth unimpaired, requires as the first condition of success an early application. As phosphoric acid is known to hasten the ripening pro- cess, and thus tends by its action to shorten the period of vegetation, it is a good practice to use the nitrate, in connec- tion with a liberal amount of that acid in some available form, to produce large crops of a good quality. The Chili saltpetre, favoring rapid growth, produces usually, in case of grain- crops, stems with long thin internodes, which are liable to lodge. To counteract this tendency, an excess of seed ought to be avoided, and a cultivation in wide drills be adopted to improve the chances of a healthy development of each individual plant. In case of the cultivation of beet-roots for sugar manufacture, where small roots are more valuable,, a liberal use of this saline manure decidedlj"- promotes that object, provided a fair amount of good seed has been used. The Chili saltpetre excels in a light or sandy soil every other nitrogen compound in efficiency : in heavy soils its effect is less pronounced. The best results have been obtained upon a deep humus containing loam. Some of the most successful cultivators of beet-roots in Germany apply, in the latter case, by deep ploughing, one- half of the amount of the nitrate they wish to use during the autumn, the rest at an early date in the following spring. Its peculiar binding action on the soil renders a thorough cultivation essential to retain it in a mellow condi- tion. Although its indirect beneficial re-action on the soil as a diffuser of phosphoric acid and potash, and also as a promoter of its hygroscopic quality, is by no means small, its positive merits as a source of nitrogen for a healthy and vigorous plant-growth are most conspicuous, and deserving a careful consideration and trial on the part of intelligent farmers. For various reasons it would be best to buy the 18 COMMERCIAL FERTILIZERS. article without any admixture, and to apply it at an early date in the spring, in common with other soluble fertilizing materials, as superphosphates, &c., by sowing it broadcast, and ploughing it in a few inches deep. Fine-ground bones incorporated during the fall with from seventy-iive to one hundred and fifty poimds of ChUi saltpetre, according to requirements, and applied as an early top-dressing in the following spring, have given excellent results. Winter and summer grain-crops, annual and perennial fodder-crops, legu- minous plants and hoed crops, have been successfully treated with it. The peculiar character of this fertilizer requires a careful proceeding to arrive at correct conclusions. Sulphate of Ammonium. (H. FbelpB, Northampton, Maes.) Moisture lost at 100° C Ammonia Sulphuric acid Sand, &c Both samples were of good quality, and fair representa- tives of our home manufacture. Their different odor indi- cated their different source. One was of the usual bluish- white color, and evidently obtained from the ammoniacal watery product of the coal-gas manufacture : the other was of a white color, and smelled like the product of the dry destructive distillation of animal matter. The demand for this efficient nitrogen compound is at present, for obvious rea- sons, much larger than its supply. The price per ton at the beginning of the late season was ninety dollars, or five cents and a half per pound in the retail trade, with a guaranty of twenty-five per cent of ammonia. I. n. Per cent. Per cent. 4.34 10.78 24.00 24.84 58.92 59.19 Trace. .04 Dried Blood. (W. Feters, Boltlmare, Md.) Per cent. Volatile and organic matter . 94.37 Ash constituents 5.64 Moisture at 100° C. . ... . 21.52 Nitrogen . 10.99 COMMERCIAL FERTILIZERS. 19 Dried Blood. (Messrs. W. H. Bowker & Co.) Volatile and organic matter Ash constituents Moisture at 100° C. Nitrogen .... Phosphoric acid Insoluble matter, sand, &c. I. n. Per cent. Per cent. 96.44 89.96 3.56 10.04 13.47 12.58 12.93 11.66 2.04 .92 Tliis convenient and valuable form of nitrogen is largely used for the preparation of concentrated fertilizers according to prescribed formulae for specified crops. Dry blood of the above-stated high quality has been sold at fifty dollars per ton, or twenty cents per pound of nitrogen. Ground Horn and Hoof. (Sent on for examination.^ Per cent. Moisture lost at 100° C 10.08 Organic and volatile matter 85.38 Ash constituents 14.62 Total nitrogen 11.84 Total phosphoric acid 2.30 Insoluble matter .24 The substance was in an excellent mechanical condition, and evidently in a good state of disintegration for speedy action. This condition is brought about, as I have stated already on a previous occasion, by subjecting the crude ma- terial for some time to high pressed steam, and subsequent rapid and thorough drying at somewhat above 100° C. Wool-Waste. (Sent on for examination.) Per cent. Moisture lost at 100° C. . . . . 10.12 Nitrogen . . • ... 5.10 The material tested had been exposed for nearly one year to the unrestricted influence of the weather, with apparently but little effect: its low percentage of nitrogen is due to foreign admixture, as sweepings, &c.. The agricultural value 20 COMMERCIAL FEETILIZERS. as well as the proper treatment of wool-waste was discussed in my fourth report, to be found in Flint's Report for 1876, p. 254, to which I refer parties interested. Bat-Gvnno. (Bent on for ezamlnation, from Qalveeton, Tez.) Per cent. Organic and volatile matter 77.33 Ash constituents 22.67 Moisture lost at 100° C 21.15 Total nitrogen 7.14 Phosphoric acid 6.53 Insoluble matter, sand, &c 95 Valuation per ton of two thousand pounds : — 142.8 pounds of nitrogen at 18 cts. per pound . . $25 70 180.6 pounds of phosphoric acid, 5 cts. per pound . 6 53 $32 23 The bat-guano deposits of Texas, referred to in my report of 1876-77, as well as the one from which the above sample was obtained, consist evidently of a valuable material, and deserve particular attention. Judging from communications lately received from the owners of some of these deposits, their importance for the development of Southern special agricultural interests, as cotton, sugar-cane, and rice culti- vation, begins to be appreciated. The prospects are, that hereafter but small quantities will find their way into oui Northern markets. Castor-Bean Pomace. (Sent by Hon. Charles L. Flint, Boston, Mass. ; obtained from works in St. Louis, Ho.) Per cent. Moisture lost at 100° C 9.25 Nitrogen 5.33 Phosphoric acid 2.03 Potassium oxide 64 Calcium oxide 96 Magnesium oxide 37 Sand, &c 2.38 Valuation per ton of two thousand pounds : — 106.6 pounds of nitrogen at 18 cts. per pound . . $19 19 40.6 poimds of phosphoric acid . . . . 2 44 12.8 pounds of potassium oxide . . . . 1 77 $22 40 COMMERCIAL FERTILIZERS. 21 The composition of this material depends, to a considerable extent, on the degree in which the oil has been removed : the same rule applies to the rate of its action as a fertilizer. The percentage of nitrogen is reported as high as 7.33 per cent. The wholesale price is at present about eighteen dol- lars in the New-York and Boston markets. Large quantities have been sent for years to England. Its good qualities as a fertilizing material begin to be understood at home ; and considerable quantities are sold at our Atlantic seaport towns for home consumption. The pomace ought to be at once ploughed under. The best time is in the faU. I. Fine-ground Fish. (Sample Bent on by a dealer In Boston.) Per cent. Organic and volatile matter . . . . .81.58 Ash constituents 18.42 Moisture lost at 100° C 14-95 Phosphoric acid in ash . . ' . . . • 6.97 Nitrogen in organic matter 8.16 Fat in total matter 9.16 Sand, &c 1-53 Valuation per ton of two thousand pounds : — 139.4 pounds of phosphoric acid . . . . $6 96 163.2 pounds of nitrogen 32 64 $39 61 n. Fine-ground Fish. (Collected of H. Phelps, Northampton, Haas.) Per cent. Organic and volatile matter 79.27 Ash constituents 20.73 Moisture lost at 100° C 22.00 Phosphoric acid in ash 8.90 Nitrogen in organic matter 6.93 Sand, &c 83 Valuation per ton of two thousand poimds : — 178 pounds of phosphoric acid . . • . $8 90 138.6 pounds of nitrogen 27 72 $36 62 22 COMMERCIAL FERTILIZERS. m. Fine-ground Fish. (Bradley Fertilizer Co., Boston, Maaa.) Per cent. Organic and volatile matter 80.42 Ash constituents 19.58 Phosphoric acid in ash 7.41 Nitrogen in organic matter 7.71 Valuation per ton of two thousand pounds : — 148.2 potmds of phosphoric acid . . . . $7 41 154.2 pounds of nitrogen 30 84 $38 25 IV. Half-dry Fish. (Qninnipiac Co., D. A. Horton, Northampton, Mass.) Per cent. Organic and volatile matter 90.58 Ash constituents 9.42 Moisture lost at 100° C 50.12 Phosphoric acid 4.48 Nitrogen 6.02 Sand, &c 1.06 Valuation per ton of two thousand pounds : — 120.4 pounds of nitrogen $24 08 89.6 pounds of phosphoric acid . . . . 5 38 $30 46 Sediment from Water coming from Fish-Press. (Specimen sent on for examination.) Per cent. Moisture lost at 100° C 76.54 Residue left at 100° C 23.46 Nitrogen in residue 1.34 Phosphoric acid in residue 40 Valuation per ton of two thousand pounds : — 8 poimds of phosphoric acid .... $40 26.8 pounds of nitrogen 5 36 $5 76 42 COMMERCIAL FERTILIZERS. 23 The fish-fertilizers which came under my notice during the past year proved to be, in the majority of cases, in a supe- rior mechanical condition as compared with previous years. A large portion of the fish-guano sold was of a more uniform and a better state of dryness. Several more or less successful ))i3w modes of abstracting the fat from fish have been intro- duced, all tending in the end to increase directly or indirectly the nitrogenous constituents of the fish-refuse. The results thus far obtained are highly encouraging, and entitle us to the expectation that our fish-fertUizer will soon rank fore- most, as far as its percentage of nitrogen is concerned, among our home-made animal nitrogenous phosphates. A Boston agent of a fish-guano manufacturing company an- nounces that he shall have for sale during the coming sea- son, in invoice lots, the odorless dried and ground fish-guano, testing from 13 to 15 per cent of ammonia (or 10.7 to 12.36 per cent of nitrogen). Apparently successful attempts have also been made of late to convert the heads and backbones of the codfish from our own fisheries into fish-guano similar to the Lofoten-Island fish-guano of the Norwegian fisheries. The composition of this fish-guano at a uniform state of moisture has varied for several years within but narrow limits, — 7.97 to 8.55 per cent of nitrogen, and 13.10 to 13.9 per cent of phosphoric acid. There is every reason to sup- pose that before long the fish-guano manufactured along the New-England coast will, with reference to quality and to quantity, successfully compete with those most favorably known in the markets of Europe and elsewhere. For eco- ;iomical reasons, it is advisable for farmers to consider whether, in some instances, an addition of phosphoric acid to our best quality of fish-guano would not render the large amount of its nitrogen more remunerative. To buy the best is the safest practice, as long as nitrogen and phosphoric acid are charged alike in low and high graded articles at a cus- tomary market-price. 24 COMMERCIAL FERTILIZERS. Abstract from the Report of the United- States Menhaden Oil and Guano Association, Jan. 15, 1879. Amount of capital invested in 1878 . . . $2,350,000 Number of factories in operation in 1878 . . 56 Number of sail-vessels employed in 1878 . . 279 Number of steamers employed in 1878 . 64 Number of men employed in 1878 . . 3,337 Number of fish caught in 1877 . . . 587,624,125 Number of fish caught in 1878 . . . 767,779,250 Number of barrels in 1877 ' . . . . 1,958,747 Number of barrels in 1878 .... 2,559,264 Number of gallons oil made in 1877 . . . 2,426,589 Number of gallons of oil made in 1878 ' . . 3,809,233 Number of tons crude guano made in 1877 . 55,444 Number of tons crude guano made in 1878 . 88,719 Number of tons guano dried in 1877 . . 5,700 Number of tons guano dried in 1878 ^ . . 19,877 Number of tons guano held by the manufac- turers Jan. 15, 1879 885 Navassa Phosphate. (Specimen sent on for examination.) Per cent. Moisture lost at 100° C 5.60 Phosphoric acid 34.45 Calcium oxide 37.22 Ferric oxide 11.79 Sand, &c. - Valuation per ton of two thousand pounds : — 689 pounds, at 3.5 cents per pound $24 12 The yalue and character of this rich phosphate in fertil- izers have been discussed in previous reports. But little of the ground material is used at present with us: it enters largely into the manufacture of superphosphates for the gen- eral market. Renewed attempts will most likely be made during the coming season to introduce the Orchilla guano in the New-England States, judging from information received. The friable natiu-e and peculiar pulverulent condition of this phosphate fit it better for direct application, without any pre- vious chemical treatment, than the above-described material. ^ In 18T8 the yield of oil per thousand fish waa 4 8-10 gallons. ! Dried from the above-stated crude guano. a. 6. Per cent. Per cent 27.70 28.59 72.30 71.41 5.27 4.95 2.10 not det. 26.33 29.42 4.80 .34 COMMERCIAL FERTILIZERS. 25 BOKES. Coarse Bones of P. Cooper, New- York City. (Hon. B. Ooodman of Lenox, Moss.) Organic and volatile matter Ash constituents Moisture lost at 100° C. Nitrogen . Phosphoric acid Insoluble matter n. Fine Bones of Messrs. L. B. Darling §• Co., Pawtucket, R.I. (Messrs. Bagg & Batchelderj Springfield, Mass.) Per cent. Organic and volatile matter 47.31 Ash constituents 52.69 Moisture lost at 100° C 6.45 Nitrogen 3.67 Phosphoric acid 22.30 Insoluble matter, sand, &c 1.53 m. Fine Bones of H. B. Arnold, Boston, Mass. Per cei t. Organic and volatile matter 32.42 Ash constituents , . . 67.58 Moisture lost at 100° C 4.98 Nitrogen 2.27 Phosphoric acid 27.41 Insoluble matter, sand, &c 64 Nos. I. and IV. are of a similar chemical condition. They are highly rendered, and thus contain less nitrogen and more phosphoric acid than No. II., which is the most Yaluable article of the samples tested. A new process has been applied of late for the manufacture of "fine bones," wMch aims at the removal of the fat of the bones, without reducing their nitrogenoiis constituents. A Baltimore firm offers " ground bones " which have been subjected to Adamson's new naphtha vapor-proaess, and guaran 26 COMMERCIAL FERTILIZERS. tees 4.8 per cent of nitrogen with 23.69 per cent of phos- phoric acid, — a composition which, it must be conceded, is an exceptionally good one. As the commercial value of bones depends ia a considerable degree on their mechanical con- dition, it is weU to take that point into consideration when bu3dng. The best quality of "fine bones" sold at forty doUars per ton ; coarse quahties, like No. L, sold at from twenty-eight to thirty doUars per ton. Animal Guano. (Mann^cturod by Messrs. Thompson & Edwards of ChlcagOi HI. ; collected of H. D. Habbard of Hatfield, Mass.) Per cent. Organic and volatile matter 61.64 Ash constituents 38.36 Moisture lost at 100° C 9.00 Total nitrogen 5.09 Total phosphoric acid 12.63 Insoluble matter, sand, &c 4.50 Valuation per ton of two thousand pounds : — 101.8 pounds of nitrogen $20 36 252.6 pounds of phosphoric acid . . . . 15 16 $35 52 Animal Fertilizer with. Potash. (Manufactured by Messrs. L. B. Darling 8e Co., Fawtucket, R.I. ; collected of Messrs. Bagg & Batchelder, Springfield, Mass.) Per cent. Moisture lost at 100° C 9.19 Total nitrogen 5.45 Total phosphoric acid 8.38 Potassium oxide 8.36 Insoluble matter, sand, &c I.7I Valuation per ton of two thousand pounds: — 109 pounds of nitrogen $21 80 167.6 pounds of phosphoric acid . . . . 10 06 167.2 pounds of potassium oxide . . . . 7 53 $39 39 The value of this class of fertilizers, which along our highways for Western transportation is largely supplied by Western dealers, is better appreciated than formerly in consequence of years of trial. Its early action on the crops COMMERCIAL FERTILIZERS. 27 depends largely on a good fine mechanical condition, — a point which is not always duly considered by dealers and farmers. Animal fertilizers, like bones, act slower than superphosphates, and require an early application to show their influence in the first year. They produce better results, on account of more favorable conditions for their decompo- sition during the first year, upon a light soil than upon a heavy one : on the other hand, they hold out better the second, and even the third year, — a fact which ought to enter into the calculation of expenses for the production of the crops raised by their assistance. With these peculiarities well understood, they may, on account of their high nitrogen percentage, be counted among our most valuable home- resources of fertilizers. Pektjvian Gttano. I. Warranted No. I. Peruvian Guano. (Messrs. Bagg & Batchelder, SpringSeld, Mass.) Pep cent. Moisture lost at 100° C 11.62 Nitrogen 7.96 Phosphoric acid 13.78 Potassium oxide 3.00 Insoluble matter, sand, &c 6.07 This article is worth, at customary rates, $60.16. n. Rectified Peruvian Guano. (Mannikctiired by Messrs. Hobson, Hurtado, & Co., New-Tork City; and collected of Messrs. W. H. Bowker & Co., Boston, Mass.) Per cent. Moisture lost at 100° C 11.56 Nitrogen 8.15 Phosphoric acid, total 14.12 Phosphoric acid soluble in water .... 12.47 Keverted phosphoric acid 74 Insoluble phosphoric acid 91 Potassium oxide 1.62 Insoluble matter, sand, &c 4.33 28 COMMERCIAL FERTILIZERS. Valuation per ton of two thousand pounds : — 163 pounds of nitrogen . 249.4 pounds of soluble phosphoric acid 14.8 pounds of reverted phosphoric acid 18.2 pounds of insoluble phosphoric acid 32.4 pounds of potassium oxide 832 60 31 17 1.33 1.09 2.43 $68 62 The commercial advertisements of the dealers in Feruvian guano contain quite a list of different kinds of the genuine article, varying, for weU-known reasons, widely from each other in composition, as may be seen in the price-list of our fertilizers printed in the introduction of this report. Tbey are offered for sale with guaranteed composition, and at acceptable prices at our present rates of valuation. From a mere commercial stand-point, no objection can be raised against the lately adopted system of selling by analysis ; for both parties in the transaction -accept their respective re- sponsibilities without any further reserve on either side. Looking, however, at the question from an agricultural stand-point, grave doubts must arise, whether, on the whole, the general verdict of farmers regarding the results they obtained in consequence of using Peruvian guano as fer- tilizers will be as favorable as the dealers may feel entitled to claim, assuming, that, in the majority of cases, the selection made on the part of the farmers has been a judicious one. A simpler mode of classification in the price-lists seems to the writer quite desirable in the interest of a better under- standing on the part of the farmer. The introduction of many names, referring to cargoes, &c. (an information of no interest to the practical farmer), and the frequent changing of names referring to the particular locality in Peru whence the article has been obtained (a statement of interest only to a few parties, comparatively speaking, who may be reached as well by some other simple mode of communication), render the present advertisements rather complicated, without bringing the particular information generally needed in a more conspicuous position. Next to the statements of the absolute amount of nitrogen and of phosphoric acid which a genuine guano contains, we are interested to know the relative proportion of these two lead- COMMERCIAL FERTILIZERS. 29 ing constituents; for on that particular circumstance depends the decision where and how to turn the various articles to the most economical account. A classification more prominently based on their relative proportion of nitrogen and phosphoric acid, with simpler names for each class, would be both rational and suggestive. That course once adopted would enable us to assign to the various kinds of guano their proper position among our commercial nitrogenous phos- phates, which could not fail to turn a more general attention to their respective special fitness for the production of a variety of crops. The variable character of the Peruvian guano of the present day favors the adoption of the princi- ples of classification previously advocated. To establish three standards corresponding approximately to those no- ticeable with reference to the general character of the nitro- genous phosphates and superphosphates, i.e., one nitrogen to one phosphoric acid, one nitrogen to two or three phos- phoric acid, one nitrogen to four or five phosphoric acid, and to maintain them for years, by mixing different cargoes to suit the adopted scale, whatever that may be, seems, for several important reasons, deserving a careful consideration on the part of the importers of the Peruvian guano. The extensive application of some of our standard superphos- phates is, to say the least, as much due to the maintaining of a general uniform character during past years as to their pecul- iar chemical composition. Farmers have learned how, where, and to what extent, to use them to secure paying returns. The following copy of a recent statement regarding the changes in the consumption of the Raw Q-enuine Peruvian Guano, and of the Ohlendorf Standard Soluble Peruvian Guano, described in some of my previous reports, in the Province Saxony of Prussia, during the years from 1866 to 1872, may be, for several reasons, not without interest in this connection. Eaw Peru. Guano. Ohlendorf Sol. Peru. Guano. Tons (2,000 lbs.). Tons (2,000 lbs.). 1866 3,331 4,115 1869 1,713 12,292 1872 216 21,522 Ohlendorf's Soluble Guano corresponds with the Rectified Peruvian Guano of our dealers, as far as their general character is concerned. 30 COMMERCIAL FERTILIZERS. Ammoniated Superphosphates. Rwsel Coe's Ammoniated Superphosphate. (Messrs. J. St j. A. Eice, Worcester, Mass.) Per cent. Organic and volatile matter 49.92 Ash constituents 50.08 Moisture lost at 100° C 25.42 Total nitrogen 1.90 Total phosphoric acid 18.61 Phosphoric acid soluble in water .... 2.41 Reverted phosphoric acid 3.99 Insoluble phosphoric acid 12.21 Lisoluble matter, sand, &o 1.94 Valuation per ton of two thousaijd pounds : — 48.2 pounds of soluble phosphoric acid . . . $6 03 79.8 pounds of reverted phosphoric acid . . . 7 18 244.2 pounds of insoluble phosphoric acid . . 14 65 38 pounds of nitrogen 7 60 n. Enoch Coe's Ammoniated Superphosphates. (Messrs. Arms & Co., Greenfield, Mass.) Per cent. Organic and volatile matter 60.71 Ash constituents . . . ' . . . . 39.29 Moisture lost at 100° C 16.30 Total nitrogen 3.01 Total phosphoric acid 14.12 Phosphoric acid soluble in water . . . .10.12 Reverted phosphoric acid 1.23 Insoluble phosphoric acid 2.77 Insoluble matter, sand, &c 95 Valuation per ton of two thousand pounds : — 60.2 pounds of nitrogen |12 04 202.4 pounds of soluble phosphoric acid . . . 25 30 24.6 pounds of reverted phosphoric acid . . 2 22 55.4 pounds of insoluble phosphoric acid . . 3 32 43 $42 88 COMMERCIAL FERTILIZERS. 31 m. Frank Coe'a Ammoniated Superphosphate. (Uessrs. J. S. Clark & Bona, Worcester, Ma>B.) Per cent- Organic and volatile matter 63.61 Ash constituents 36.39 Moisture lost at 100° C 18.41 Total nitrogen 3.09 Total phosphoric acid 12.24 Phosphoric acid soluble in water .... 8.28 Reverted phosphoric acid 1.18 Insoluble phosphoric acid 2.78 Insoluble matter, sand, &c 1.82 Valuation per ton of two thousand pcimds : — 61.8 pounds of nitrogen $12 36 165.6 pounds of soluble phosphoric acid . . . 20 70 23.6 pounds of reverted phosphoric acid. . . 2 12 55.6 pounds of insoluble phosphoric acid . . 3 34 $38 52 TV. Bay-State Ammoniated Superphosphate. (a. B. KnowltoQ, FitchbtiTg, Maaa.) Per cent. Organic and volatile matter . . . . .63.08 Ash constituents 36.92 Moisture lost at 100<^ C 23.65 Total nitrogen . . ; 2.61 Total phosphoric acid 9.94 Phosphoric acid soluble in water . . . .8.54 Reverted phosphoric acid 23 Insoluble phosphoric acid 1.17 Insoluble matter, sand, &c 1.33 Valuation per ton of two thousand pounds : — 52.2 pounds of nitrogen flO 44 170.8 pounds of soluble phosphoric acid . . . 21 35 4.6 pounds of reverted phosphoric acid . . 42 23.4 pounds of insoluble phosphoric acid . . 1 40 $33 61 V. Ammoniated Superphosphate of H. B. Arnold, Boston, Mass. Per cent. Organic and volatile matter 62.46 Ash constituents 37.54 32 COMMERCIAL FERTILIZERS. Per cent Moisture lost at 100° C 23.85 Total nitrogen 2.68 Total phosphoric acid 8.66 Phosphoric acid soluble in water . . . .6.29 Reverted phosphoric acid 87 Insoluble phosphoric acid 1.50 Potassium oxide 2.05 "Valuation per ton of two thousand pounds : — 53.6 pounds of nitrogen 125.8 pounds of soluble phosphoric acid . 17.4 pounds of reverted phosphoric acid 30 pounds of insoluble phosphoric acid 41 pounds of potassium oxide $10 72 15 73 1 57 1 80 1 85 VI. Manhattan Blood-Guano. $31 67 (Mesare. Crafts Brothers, Whately.) Per cent. Organic and volatile matter 63.02 Ash constituents 36.98 Moisture lost at 100° C. . ... . . . 16.74 Total nitrogen 2.90 Total phosphoric acid 14.25 Phosphoric acid soluble in water . . . .9.02 Reverted phosphoric acid 2.26 Insoluble phosphoric acid 2.97 Potassium oxide 46 Insoluble matter, sand, &c 1.92 Valuation per ton of two thousand pounds : — 58 pounds of nitrogen $11 60 180.4 pounds of soluble phosphoric acid . . . 22 55 45.2 pounds of reverted phosphoric acid . . 4 07 59.4 pounds of insoluble phosphoric acid . . 3 57 9.2 pounds of potassium oxide .... 42 $42 21 vn. Professor Orth's German Plant-Food. (G. W. Gny, Boston, Mass.) Per cent. Moisture lost at 100° C 6.20 Total nitrogen 8.45 Total phosphoric acid 9.04 Phosphoric acid soluble in water .... 7.40 COMMERCIAL FERTILIZERS. 33 Per cent. Keverted phosphoric acid 78 Insoluble phosphoric acid 86 Fotassitun oxide 8.95 Sand, &c 42 Valuation per ton of two thousand pounds : — 169 pounds of nitrogen 148 pounds of soluble phosphoric acid . 15.6 pounds of reverted phosphoric acid 17.2 pounds of insoluble phosphoric acid 179 pounds of potassitun oxide . $62 80 vni. Pacific Soluble Guano. (Collected at the warehonee In Boston.) Per cent. Moisture lost at 100° C 16.85 Total nitrogen 3.04 Total phosphoric acid 14.01 Phosphoric acid soluble in water . . . .7.51 Keverted phosphoric acid 03 Insoluble phosphoric acid 6.47 Insoluble matter, sand, &'c 6.09 Potassium oxide 24 $33 80 18 50 1 41 1 03 8 06 Valuation per ton of two thousand pounds : — $12 16 18 78 06 7 76 26 $39 02 60.8 pounds of .nitrogen .... 150.2 pounds of soluble phosphoric acid . .6 pounds of reverted phosphoric acid 129.4 pounds of insoluble phosphoric acid 4.8 poimds of potassium oxide IX. George Upton's Ammoniated Superphosphate. (H. Phelps, Northampton, Masa.) Per cent. Organic and volatile matter 53.22 Ash constituents 46.78 Moisture lost at 100° C 25.96 Total nitrogen 2.17 Total phosphoric acid 9.25 Phosphoric acid soluble in water .... 3.64 Reverted phosphoric acid 4.18 Insoluble phosphoric acid 1.43 Insoluble matter, sand, &c 3.13 34 COMMERCIAL FERTILIZERS. Valuation per ton of two thousand pounds : — 43.4 pounds of nitrogen $8 68 72.8 pounds of soluble phosphoric acid . . . 9 10 83.6 pounds of reverted phosphoric acid . . . 7 53 28.6 pounds of insoluble phosphoric acid . . 1 72 127 03 X. Original Cob's Ammoniated Superphosphate. (Mannlactured by Bradley's Fertilizer Co., Boston; collected of Messrs. J. & J. A. Rice, Worcester, Mass.) Per cent. Organic and volatile matter 60.76 Ash constituents 39.24 Moisture lost at 100° C 18.19 Total nitrogen 3.17 Total phosphoric acid 15.04 Phosphoric acid soluble in water .... 10.71 Keverted phosphoric acid 3.88 Insoluble phosphoric acid 95 Insoluble matter, sand, &o 2.96 Valuation per ton of two thousand pounds : — 63.4 pounds of nitrogen ... . . $12 68 214.2 pounds of soluble phosphoric acid . . . 26 78 67.6 pounds of reverted phosphoric acid . . 6 09 19 pounds of insoluble phosphoric acid . . 1 14 $46 69 XI. William L. Bradley's Patent Superphosphate. (Hessrs. J. & J. A. Rice, Worcester, Mass.) Per cent. Organic and volatile matter 60.94 Ash constituents 39.06 Moisture lost at 100° C 19.24 Total nitrogen 3.12 Total phosphoric acid 12.86 Phosphoric acid soluble m water .... 8.44 Keverted phosphoric acid 24 Insoluble phosphoric acid 4.18 Insoluble matter, sand, &c 2.68 Valuation per ton of two thousand pounds : — 62.4 pounds of nitrogen $12 48 168.8 pounds of soluble phosphoric acid . . . 21 10 4.8 pounds of reverted phosphoric acid . . 43 83.6 pounds of insoluble phosphoric acid . . 5 02 $39 03 COMMERCIAL FERTILIZERS. 35 xn. Matfield's Lawn-Dresser. (O. W. Gny, Boston, Mass.) Per cent. Moisture lost at 1D0° C 9.49 Total nitrogen 1.74 Total phosphoric acid 4.50 Phosphoric acid soluble in water . . . .2.75 Reverted phosphoric acid 07 Insoluble phosphoric acid 1.68 Potassium oxide 7.16 Insoluble matter, sand, &c 5.42 Valuation per ton of two thousand pounds : — 34.8 pounds of nitrogen . 55 pounds of soluble phosphoric acid . 1.4 pound of reverted phosphoric acid . 33.6 pounds of insoluble phosphoric acid 143.2 pounds of potassium oxide xni. Russel Coe's Ammoniated Superphosphate. (Messrs. Whittemore Brothers, Boston, Mass.) Organic and volatile matter Ash constituents Moisture at 100° C. . Total nitrogen .... Total phosphoric acid Phosphoric acid soluble in water Reverted phosphoric acid . Insoluble phosphoric acid Insoluble matter, sand, &c. 6 88 13 2 02 8 59 $24 58 Per cent. 51.52 48.48 20.91 2.40 17.31 4.61 3.59 9.11 Valuation per ton of two thousand pounds : — 48 pounds of nitrogen .... 92.2 pounds of soluble phosphoric acid . 71.8 pounds of reverted phosphoric acid . 182.2 pounds of insoluble phosphoric acid XIV. «9 60 11 53 6 46 10 93 $38 52 Stockbridge Manures; Hungarian Grass. (Messrs. W. H. Bowkcr & Co., Boston, Mass.) Per cent. Moisture lost at 100° C. 15.92 Total nitrogen 7.92 36 COMMERCIAL FERTILIZERS. Per cent. Total phosphoric acid 2.36 Phosphoric acid soluble in water .... 1.43 Keverted phosphoric acid 15 Insoluble phosphoric acid .78 Potassium oxide 8.03 Insoluble matter, sand, &c 68 Valuation per ton of two thousand pounds : — 158.4 pounds of nitrogen .... 28.6 pounds of soluble phosphoric acid . 3 pounds of reverted phosphoric acid . 15.6 pounds of insoluble phosphoric acid 160.6 poimds of potassium oxide XV. i 58 27 94 7 23 $43 70 Slochhidge Manures; Tobacco. (H. C. ComioB, Northampton, Mass.) Per cent. Moisture lost at 100° C 8.75 Total nitrogen 6.65 Total phosphoric acid 2.55 Phosphoric acid soluble in water . . . 1.88 Insoluble phosphoric acid 67 Potassium oxide .9.36 Magnesium oxide 67 Calcium oxide 7.10 Insoluble matter, sand, &c 1.52 Valuation per ton of two thousand pounds : — 133 pounds of nitrogen (f is actual ammonia) . f 29 92 37.6 pounds of soluble phosphoric acid . . . 4 70 13.4 pounds of insoluble phosphoric acid . . 80 187.2 pounds of potassium oxide . . . . 14 04 $49 <"6 XVI. W. H. Bowker's Hill and Drill Phosphate. (n. C. Oomlns, Northampton, Mass.) Per cent. Organic and volatile matter 66.81 Ash constituents . 33.19 Moisture lost at 100° C. 19.70 Total nitrogen . 3.22 Total phosphoric acid 10.62 Phosphoric acid soluble in water .... 8.47 Reverted phosphoric acid 1.41 Insoluble iihosj^jhoric acid 74 Insoluble matter, sand, &c I.99 COMMERCIAL FERTILIZERS. 37 Valuation per ton of two tliousand pounds : — 64.4 pounds of nitrogen $12 88 169.4 pounds of soluble phosphoric acid . . . 21 18 28.2 pounds of reverted phosphoric acid . . 2 54 14.8 pounds of insoluble phosphoric acid . . 89 $37 49 xvn. Soluble Nilrogenotis Phosphate. (Manufactured by the Quinnipiac Fertilizer Co., New Haven, Conn. ; collected of D. A. Ilorton, Northampton, Mass.) Per cent. Moisture lost at 100° C 26.50 Total nitrogen . 3.54 Total phosphoric acid 10.69 Phosphoric acid soluble in water . . . .7.36 Reverted phosphoric acid 47 Insoluble phosphoric acid 2.86 Potassium oxide 1.25 Insoluble matter, sand, &c 1.60 Valuation per ton of two thousand pounds : — 70.8 pounds of nitrogen 147.2 pounds of soluble phosphoric acid . 9.4 pounds of reverted phosphoric acid 57.2 pounds of insoluble phosphoric acid 25 poimds of potassium oxide $14 16 18 40 85 3 43 1 17 838 01 XVIII. Pine-Island Phosphate. (Qoinnipiac fertilizer Company, New Haven, Conn. ; collected of D. A. Horton, Northampton, Mass.) Per cent. Moisture lost at 100° C 20.00 Total nitrogen 6.14 Total phosphoric acid 7.42 Phosphoric acid soluble in -water .... 2.07 Reverted phosphoric acid 2.46 Insoluble phosphoric acid 2.89 Potassium oxide 2.17 Valuation per ton of two tliousand pounds : — 122.8 pounds of nitrogen $24 56 41.4 pounds of soluble phosphoric acid . . . 5 18 49.2 pounds of reverted phosphoric acid . . . 4 43 38 COMMERCIAL FERTILIZERS. Per cent. 57.8 pounds of insoluble phosphoric acid . . 3 47 43.4 pounds of potassium oxide . . . . 1 97 $39 61 xrx. Bradley's XL Superphosphate. (Messrs. Bagg & Batchelder, Springfield, Mass.) Per cent. Organic and volatile matter 51.77 Ash constituents 48.23 Moisture lost at 100° C 15.78 Total nitrogen 2.35 Total phosphoric acid 12.15 Phosphoric acid soluble in water .... 8.06 Reverted phosphoric acid 60 Insoluble phosphoric acid 8.49 Insoluble matter, sand, &c 8.25 Valuation per ton of two thousand pounds : — 47 pounds of nitrogen $9 40 161.2 pounds of soluble phosphoric acid . . . 20 15 12 pounds of reverted phosphoric acid . . 1 08 69.8 pounds of insoluble phosphoric acid . . 4 19 $34 82 XX. Siockbridge's Manures; Oats. (Messrs. W. H. Bowter & Co., Boston, Mass.) Per cent. Moisture lost at 100° C 28.49 Total nitrogen 5.41 Total phosphoric acid 5.25 Phosphoric acid soluble in water . . , .4.64 Reverted phosphoric acid _ Insoluble phosphoric acid 61 Potassium oxide 6.24 Insoluble matter, sand, &e 32 Valuation per ton of two thousand pounds : — 108.2 pounds of nitrogen $21 64 92.8 pounds of soluble phosphoric acid . . 11 60 12.2 pounds of insoluble phosphoric acid . . 1 10 124.8 pounds of potassium oxide . . . . 5 62 ^ $39 96 COMMERCIAL FERTILIZERS. 39 XXI. Stockbridge's Manures; Potato. (H. C. Comlns, Korthampton, Mass.) Fer cent. Moisture lost at 100° C 17.49 Total nitrogen 4.42 Total phosphoric acid 4.04 Phosphoric acid soluble in water .... 3.77 Insoluble phosphoric acid 27 Potassium oxide 7.59 Insoluble matter, sand, &c 64 Valuation per ton of two thousand pounds : — 88.4 pounds of nitrogen $17 68 75.4 pounds of soluble phosphoric acid . . . 9 43 5.4 pounds of insoluble phosphoric acid . . 32 151.8 pounds of potassium oxide . . . . 11 39 $38 82 xxn. William L. Bradley's XL Superphosphate. (H. Fhelps, Northampton, Mass.) Per cent. Organic and volatile matter 59.96 Ash constituents 40.04 Moisture lost at 100° C 22.82 Total nitrogen 2.99 Total phosphoric acid 12.20' Phosphoric acid soluble in water . . . 8.44 Reverted phosphoric acid 62 Insoluble phosphoric acid 3.14 Insoluble matter, sand, &c 2.93 Valuation per ton of two thousand pounds : — 59.8 pounds of nitrogen $11 96 168.8 pounds of soluble phosphoric acid . . . 21 10 12.4 pounds of reverted phosphoric acid . . . 1 12 62.8 pounds of insoluble phosphoric acid . . 3 77 $37 95 Cotlon-Dust. (Sent by Hon. F. W. Bird, Walpole, Maafl.) Per cent. Organic and volatile matter 49.07 Ash constituents 50.93 Moisture lost at 100° C 34.46 Nitrogen in organic matter 50 Phosphoric acid in ash 21 40 COMMERCIAL FERTILIZERS. Per cent. Potassium oxide 19 Calcium oxide •> q Magnesium oxide J Ferric oxide 2.15 Sand, &c 47.46 This material can to some extent be used, with advantage in place of barnyard-manure : its fertilizing properties are mainly due to the cotton-seed, which is sparingly found throughout the mass. Wet Kelp. (Sent by Mr. John F. HobbB, North Hampton, N.H.) Per cent. Moisture lost in dry air 87.04 Moisture lost at 100° C 88.04 Solid residue left at 100° C 11.96 Ash weight as sulphates 2.26 Nitrogen in wet kelp 26 Nitrogen in dry kelp at 100° C 2.14 Ash contains mainly lime, magnesia, phosphoric acid, po- tassium and sodium oxide, &c. One cord is estimated in its wet state to weigh one ton and a half. Rockweed {fresh and green). (Sent by Mr. John P. HobbB, North Hampton, N.H.) Per cent. Moisture lost in dry air 64.85 Moisture lost at 100° C 68.50 Ash weight as sulphates 23.70 Nitrogen in fresh and wet state 615 Nitrogen in dry state at 100° C 2.05 Ash contains mainly, lime, magnesia, potassium and sodium oxide, phosphoric acid, &c. One cord is estimated to weigh in its wet state two tons. Dried Rockweed. (Obtahied from Boothbay, Me., and several years old.) Per ceiit. Organic and volatile 44.25 Ash constituents 55.75 Moisture lost at 100° C 10.68 Total nitrogen in organic matter . . . .1.45 Potassium oxide 4.89 Sodium oxide 7.90 Magnesium oxide 21 COMMERCIAL FERTILIZERS. 41 Per cent. Calcium oxide 7.66 Phosphoric acid 2.75 Insoluble matter, sand, &c 10.40 As the previous analytical statements can aid in an ap- proxi-nate valuation, they may not be without interest to those who are in the habit of using the above-stated materials for fertilizing purposes. The composition of these plants varies on account of the usual presence of shells, and other incidental products of the ocean. C. A. GOESSMANN, State Inspector of Commercial Fertilizers. Amheest, Feb. 1, 1879. APPENDIX. COMPOSITION OF SOME COMPOUNDS IN FERTILIZERS. One hundred parts of: — Nitric acid contain 26 parts of nitrogen. Ammonia contain 82.35 parts of nitrogen. Pure nitrate of potassa (saltpetre) contain 53.4 parts of nitric acid and 46.6 parts of potassium oxide. Pure nitrate of soda (Chili saltpetre) contain 63.25 parts of nitric acid. Chloride of potassium contain 52.4 parts of potassium, 63.1 parts of potassium oxide, and 47.6 parts of chlorine. Pure sulphate of potassa contain 54.9 parts of potassium oxide and 46 parts of sulphuric acid. Bone phosphate (ti'icalcic phosphate) contain 46 parts of phosphoric acid and 54 parts of calcium oxide (lime). Calcined gypsum contain 41 parts of calcium oxide (lime) and 59 parts of sulphuric acid. Uncalcined pure gypsum contain 32.5 parts of calcium oxide (lime), 46.5 parts of sulphuric acid, and 21 parts of water. Carbonate of lime contain 56 parts of calcium oxide (lime) and 44 parts of carbonic acid. Sulphate of magnesia (free of water) contain 33.3 per cent of magnesium oxide (magnesia) and 66.6 per cent of sulphuric acid. C. A. G. The Report was accepted.