SECRETARY'S REPORT. 69 



Science, whis is a name for exact knowledge of facts and pinnci- 

 ples, of effects and their causes, and is obtained by the observation 

 and experience of many observers, has rendered us essential service 

 through chemical research, but it leaves us to explore the most 

 interesting field, the world of life, without aid from chemistry 

 proper. 



Fertilizers are divided into two great classes, viz : Inorganic, 

 or Mineral, and Organic, or Vegetable and Animal products. 



The inorganic fertilizers most known in this State, are lime, 

 plaster, wood ashes, phosphate of lime, and salt. All these with 

 the single exception of wood ashes are enhanced in price in most 

 localities by a cost of transportation. The value and importance 

 of each is now generally appreciated. Salt, in all places removed 

 from the ocean, is a valuable fertilizer when applied in small quan- 

 tities to grass as well as to all cultivated crops and garden vegeta- 

 bles, particularly to mangolds, asparagus and cabbage, it is thought 

 to be highly beneficial. It is an essential aid in the compost heap. 



All salt found damaged in our marts of trade and in the fisheries, 

 should be saved for the soil. Wood ashes can now be had in very 

 small quantity compared with the demand. 



Our granitic and sienitic rocks contain about the same percentage 

 of potash as wood ashes. They also contain lime as well as other 

 elements found in all fertile soils, but they are locked up from our 

 use. Regardless of any peculiar theories which may have been 

 broached regarding it, we would like to see an extended experiment 

 with granite heated and reduced to powder. 



From some experiments made under our own observation, we 

 have a strong faith in it as a valuable amendment to any soil. In 

 all places where these rocks and wood abound, they can be 

 reduced at a modera'te cost. . It may prove to bear the cost of 

 preparation and transport as well as plaster. 



In the class of organic manures, vegetable and animal, and their 

 mixtures, we include the waste portions of all our cultivated crops, 

 the natural vegetation of the country, such as the grasses and 

 weeds, the leaves of trees, marine vegetation, animal excrement, 

 fishes, the flesh of animals, hoofs, hair, skins and blood. We have 

 all had a degree of practical education in saving and applying this 

 class of fertilizers. 



We need not look beyond our own immediate neighborhoods to 

 see the most reckless waste of many of these precious substances. 



