92 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



and potash at-e needed, but there are a few only but what will show 

 greater results from one than from the other for some of the crops. 

 In such a case you would use the material most needed in largest 

 quantity. Again, on a soil that would show no results fi'oni the use 

 of phosphoric acid applied to corn, results might be noted when 

 applied to potatoes. Such I found to be the case on our College 

 Farm. 



Each plant has its own special feeding characteristics, and 

 according to Ville, who is father of this system of plant analysis 

 of soils, has a dominant material that exerts a controling influence 

 on its growth. Time will not admit its discussion, and in practice 

 we are not ready to pursue the fine points involved. It is enough to 

 know that chemical analysis does not afford any guide to a rational 

 system of fertilization. The what to buy will depend, or should, 

 upon 3'our own experimental linowledge of your farm. In the 

 absence of such knowledge buy 300 to 400 lbs. of dissolved Iwne- 

 black, (or perhaps fine ground bone meal, an answer as to which 

 can alone be given in the light of present controversy by a personal 

 trial. On m}' own farm I find bone meal to be best to buy and am now 

 using fine ground mineral phosphates as bedding for my stock as 

 the cheapest way of phosphating my soil), 150 to 200 lbs. muriate of 

 potash, and 100 to 125 lbs. sulphate of ammonia for an acre of corn 

 alone to chemicals, or, as we are to go into expensive tillage, put 

 your yard manure over twice or thrice the former ground and add 

 two to three hundred pounds of the dissolved bone-black and one 

 hundred of muriate of potash. Both lots may be safely increased 

 and prudently. I advise the purchase of those materials for the 

 following reasons: 1st, because they are more concentrated and 

 thus save much in freight ; 2d, because they can be bought twenty 

 per cent, cheaper than in superphosphates, and because superphos- 

 phates contain no potash ; 3d, because they are less subject to cheat ; 

 4th, because more effective ; 5th, because they can be adapted to the 

 wants of the soil or crops, and can be used in constant tests of the 

 soil. Superphosphates would not be worth five dollars a ton for our 

 farm, and potash salts would be worth one hundred dollars a ton. 



Do TiiEY Pay. 

 A gentleman (Mr. Prout) in England, gave $80,000 for a 480 

 acre farm and failed to make it pay by the use of yard manure. 

 For fifteen years he has run it with chemicals alone, plowing four 



