128 Repoet of Farmeks' Institutes 



we find the samples examined contain less than 5 per cent of 

 phosphoric acid and that insoluble, while only a trace of soluble 

 potash is present. Stonemeal may properly be regarded as one 

 of the most stupendous swindles of its kind. 



2. Mineral fertilizer is the name of a product invented and 

 sold by John A. Wendel, M. D., Milwaukee, Wis. The Mil- 

 waukee doctor has also invented the following statements : '' Per- 

 mit me to call your attention to my Mineral Fertilizer and its 

 remarkable properties. Users of it will without fail reap a 

 bounteous harvest, and the quality of the products will be superior 

 in every way. Nor, is this all ; the yield will be augmented 

 three-fold to five-fold, results which cannot be obtained l)y the 

 use of chemicals or artificial fertilizers such as Chili Saltpeter, 

 Guano, Thomas Slag, Nitrogen, etc. On the other hand, it 

 has been shown that the use of these substances as fertilizers has 

 caused diseases to appear which were unknown prior to their use, 

 and masses of worms and insects were propagated, to the detriment 

 of all vegetable life." "Artificial fertilizers are a failure." 

 " The nitrogen theory is founded on error." " Growing crops 

 draw this [nitrogen] to themselves from the air." " If its use 

 [Mineral Fertilizer] becomes general, it will insure healthy cattle 

 and pure, nutritious milk, which will not need to be sterilized." 

 " The price of the fertilizer is $20 a ton. * * * Cash must 

 accompany all orders. * * * All orders will be filled with 

 promptness and dispatch. Send in your orders early so as to get 

 quick results." 



3. New Mineral Fertilizer. This was carefully studied by the 

 Maine Experiment Station for two years in field experiments 

 with com and potatoes. The results showed this fertilizer to be 

 wholly without value as plant-food. 



HUMUS MATEKIAT^S 



Several materials are on the market which are being promoted 

 on the strength of their humus content. These are mainly made 

 from dried, ground muck or peat, and may contain some added 

 plant-foods. One of the most extensively advertised of this class 

 of materials is called "Alphano." Its pamphlet abounds with 

 misleading and false statements — thus : "Alphano humus has 

 nearly eighteen times the value of manure in nitrogen." 



