COMMERCIAL MANURES. 199 



Although I make no claim to having kept up with the rapid 

 progress of chemical science during the intervening years, the 

 endeavor has been made to keep witliin hailing distance, and on 

 speaking terms. 



Latterly, some thought has been given to the subject of manures 

 in the way of business ; and how that came to be I will relate. 



Several years ago, being applied to by some of our leading 

 farmers about where and how to obtain a satisfactory concentrated 

 manure, the suggestion was offered that they make it for them- 

 selves ; a company being formed, and power, machinery and all 

 needful facilities being obtained, so as to work to advantage. 

 The suggestion, although not immediately, was not long afterward 

 adopted ; and I have since served them as chemical director of the 

 work. If an inferior article has ever been sent out by the Cum- 

 berland Bone Company, the blame is mine ; for the only instructions 

 ever given me were to make a very good article. I mention this 

 business connection, in order that you may judge whether, and to 

 what extent, partiality, or interest may find expression in the 

 remarks submitted, and make allowance accordingly. 



While no purpose is entertained to employ the present occasion 

 to advertise the wares of one or another manufacturer, it may be 

 permitted to say, that very soon following the establishment of the 

 works alluded to, the commercial manures sold in competition with 

 what was there made, rapidly improved in agricultural value — in 

 one instance, several hundred per cent. — so that, whether the estab- 

 lishment was pecuniarily successful to those directly interested in 

 it or not, the farming community has reaped immense benefit. 



Before speaking directly to the subject, it may be well to offer 

 a few preliminary observations. And first, What do New England 

 soils lack, which we need to buy ? 



Chemistry enables us to answer this question with a good degree 

 of certainty. 



First, They lack Nitrogen in some combination from which plants 

 can get it. Four-fifths of the atmosphere consists of nitrogen, but 

 uncombined ; and in this state plants cannot appropriate it to their 

 use. It may be supplied by nitrates, or by ammonia, or by any 

 substances which yield ammonia during their decomposition, like 

 fish, flesh, &c. 



It is a curious fact, that those crops which at harvest time con- 

 tain the greatest amount of nitrogen, like peas, beans, clover, &c. 

 are also those which receive least benefit from its api^lication ; 



