CHEMICAL DEPAKTMENT. 21 



the 1st November of each year, written on a schedule, containing the 

 following particulars : — 



Kind of manure or feeding stuff, and quantity purchased. 



Names and addresses of seller and of huyer, and names of witnesses 



present at sampling. 

 Cash price per ton, or per unit, and value (if made) according to 



the Society's units of valuation. 

 Time and place of sampling. 

 Analysis guaranteed, and analysis found. 



These schedules are supplied by the Secretary of the Society on appli- 

 cation, and no grant is given for any analysis whose schedule is not 

 accurately filled up. 



The actual analvtical reports of the association's analvst need not accom- 

 pany the schedules, but must be forwarded if desired. 



MANURES— THEIR COMPOSITION AND CHARACTERISTICS. 



Nitrate of Soda. — A most valuable nitrogenous manure. Perfectly 

 soluble, and immediately available for the nourishment of the plant. 

 Feebly retained by the soil. Rapidly goes down to the subsoil, and im- 

 proves its texture. Benefits deeply-rooting plants. 



Good samples contain 95 per cent, or upwards of pure nitrate of soda, 

 equivalent to about 19 per cent, of ammonia. 



Five parts of nitrate of soda equal 1 of ammonia. 



Sulphate of Ammonia. — A more concentrated nitrogenous manure than 

 the preceding. Perfectly soluble, but not so rapid in its action as nitrate 

 of soda. It is somewhat lirmlv retained bv the soil, and not so liable as 

 nitrate of soda to be washed out by heavy rains. It is therefore more 

 suitable than nitrate for wet districts. 



Good samples contain 93 per cent, or more of pure sulphate of ammonia, 

 equivalent to from 24 to 25 per cent, of ammonia. 



About four parts of sulphate of ammonia equal 1 of ammonia. 



N.B. — Both nitrate of soda and sul])hate of ammonia increase leaf 

 and stem more than grain, and when applied to grass they 

 check the growth of clover. 



Dried Blood. — A nitrogenous manure, which differs from the above in 

 being insoluble. It must be decomposed in the soil before it yields up its 

 nitrogen to the plant, and this it does only slowly. The nitrogen is in 

 the form of albumen, and is capable of yielding from 12 to IG per cent, of 

 ammonia. 



Horn Dust. — An insoluble nitrogenous manure, capable of yielding 16 to 

 18 per cent, of ammonia. When in the form of fine sawdust, it decomposes 

 easily, and is a good nitrogenous manure even for cereals. 



Horn, when in the form of chips or coarse shavings, decomposes extremely 

 slowly, and is not suitable for manure. 



Shoddy or Wool Waste. — An insoluble nitrogenous material used by 

 manure manufacturers as a source of ammonia in dissolved manures. It is 

 capable of yielding from 5 to 10 per cent, of ammonia, but is unsuitiible for 

 direct application as a manure. 



Leather. — A very insoluble nitrogenous material, yielding about 9 per 

 cent, of ammonia, used by manure manufacturers, but posse^.^ing no interest 

 for the fanner. 



