164 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 



9-10 EDWARD Vll., A. 1910 



Wood Aslies. — A sample sent by F. Seaman, !N'elson, B.C., and stated to be from 

 an ash pile from a sawmill using, chiefly, tamarae, fir and pine, but no hardwood. The 

 inquiry is ' of what fertilizing value would this ash be for fruit trees ? ' 



Analysis of Ashes, Nelson, B.C. 



Per cent. 



Moisture 8-31 



Potash 7-99 



Phosphoric acid 2-59 



Lime 44-00 



These ashes are evidently of good quality, the percentage of potash being consider- 

 ably above the average found in commercial samples. 



In additio'i to the potash they contain, the amounts of phosphoric acid and lime 

 enhance the fertilizing value of these ashes, making them particularly serviceable for 

 fruits and vegetables on light lands. 



A sample of ashes brought to the laboratory by Mr. F. T. Webster, Billings 

 Bridge, Out., and collected from an exposed pile of ashes at a sawmill, gave the follow- 

 ing results on analysis: — 



Analysis. 



Per cent. 



Moisture 27-40 



Insoluble in acid (clay and sand) 38-45 



Fertilizing constituents — 



Potash 2-20 



Phosphoric acid traces 



These ashes are admixed with sand, &c., and have been very seriously leached; 

 they still retain a large proportion of water. Their very low potash-content makes 

 them of little value, probably in the neighbourhood of $2 per ton. 



Manure Ashes. — These resulted from the burning of a large manure pile at St. 

 Norbert, Manitoba. The manure had been accumulating for several years, and the 

 heap at the time when it caught fire contained about 200 cubic yards. The sample of 

 ashes taken for analysis was collected in September. The fire started in June, the 

 manure burning until extinguished by the rains at the latter end of August. 



Analysis of Manure Ashes. 



Per cent. 



Moisture 4-57 



Organic and volatile matter 7-31 



Sand, &c., insoluble in acid 54-92 



Oxide of iron and alumina 10-'91 



Lime 8-65 



Magnesia 4-43 



Potash 3-40 



Phosphoric acid 6-14 



100-33 



Valuing the potash and phosphoric acid at 5 cents and 5J cents per lb., respec- 

 tively — the prices they would bring when bought in the form of commercial fertilizers 

 — these ashes would be worth $8.45 per ton. Although this manure ash is seen to have 

 a high fertilizing value, the great loss that has ensued in the dissipation of nitrogen 

 and humus-forming material in the burning of the heap must not be overlooked. We 



