290 FERTILIZERS, 



phosphoric acid is set clown at twelve and one-half cents per pound ; 

 reverted — not so readily available — at nine cents ; insoluble — still 

 less readih' available — at six cents. So, usually in computations of 

 the value of raw bone meal there is a distinction made between the 

 coarse and the fine ground — a graduation corresponding with the 

 fineness. 



With tiie samples here reported tiiere was no such distinction 

 made. The contents of phosphoric acid was reckoned at six cents 

 a pound in all the samples, a higher valuation than is usually given 

 it. Bowker's, No. 3 in the table, was extremel}' fine ground and 

 evenly ground, while No. 12, Belknap & Son's, was coarse ground. 

 It cannot be otherwise than that the Bowker bone meal would be a 

 superior article for application to the soil in a raw state. Belknap 

 & Son's, while almost as rich in contents, would act much more 

 slowly. 



The sample of bone meal from J. M. Kendall, No, 18, is sold by 

 him as "Bone Meal for Top-dressing," and is not the same grade of 

 article sold by him as "Bone Meal." This No. 18 is very nearl}- 

 as fine ground as No. 3, and falls below that sample ouU' a trifle in 

 nitrogen and exceeds it in phosphoric acid. Like No. 3, this would 

 be a superior article also to apply to the soil in a raw state. 



The high percentage of phosphoric acid in each sample anal3'zed, 

 leaves no room for a suspicion of adulteration. 



The Nitrogenous Superphosphates analyzed take a wide range of 

 contents, and a corresponding range of values. The Cumberland 

 and Bradley's X, L., Nos. 7 and 11, the two brands most largely 

 sold and used in the State, lead in their percentage of valuable 

 contents. That these are used so extensively is proof that the effects 

 from their application through a series of 3"ears is measured by the 

 (piantity of fertilizing ingredients supplied. Hence, then, as a rule, 

 the fertilizers containing the largest quantities of available nitrogen, 

 phosphoric acid and potash, are not onl}' of the highest commercial 

 value, but it seems in practice with possible exceptions, they 

 prove the most valuable agriculturalh'. 



Z. A. GILBERT, 



State Inspector of Fertilizers. 

 June 18, 1883. 



