104 EXPEEIMEN'TAL FARMS 



5 GEORGE v., A. 1915 



Their chief element of fertilizing value is nitrogen; of the other essential consti- 

 tuents of plant food, the percentages are quite small. It will be evident from a study 

 of these data that this material cannot be ranked veith commercial fertilizers, though 

 it undoubtedly possesses a manurial value. It may be questioned if its plant food con- 

 tent would warrant its carriage for long distances, but as supplemental to other man- 

 ures it could be used locally to advantage. 



Sludge and poudrette, it is claimed, have a value from the biological standpoint. 

 They are said to be rich in the nitrifying organisms necessary for the conversion of 

 soil nitrogen into nitrates, the form in which farm crops obtain their nitrogenous food. 

 It is probable, therefore, that the beneficial results obtained from the use of these 

 materials may in part be due to the presence of these micro-organisms. 



Flue Ashes. 



Lahoratcry No. 16806.— From B. M. S., Louisburg, O. B., N.S. Though labelled 

 * Soot,' an examination shows clearly that this material is rather of the nature of flue 

 ashes — a conclusion confirmed by the analytical data. 



Analysis. ^ 



Per Cent. 



Moisture 1'75 



Organic and volatile matter S-95 



Mineral matter^ 8930 



100.00 



Nitrogen . • • -20 



Phosphoric acid '14 



Potash2 13 



'Containing 46-83 per cent insoluble in acid. 

 ' Containing .032 per cent soluble in water. 



The fertilizing value of this material is very small, practically negligible. Though 

 not furnishing much plant food, it is possible that it might be found helpful for heavy 

 soils, making them mellower and more easily worked. 



Pulp Mill Refuse. 



Laboratory No. 168S6. — ^From Pont St. Maurice, Que., and stated to be the refuse 

 or waste in the manufacture of pulp by the sulphite process. 



As received, it was a dark-grey, jelly-like substance, smelling strongly of sulphur- 

 etted hydrogen and very strongly alkaline. On standing there was a separation into 

 two layers, the upper a pale-yellow fluid, the lower a dark-grey, semi-solid mass. An 

 examination of the sample as a whole showed that potash was present in traces only, 

 and that the lime, which was abundant, was chiefly as sulphide and therefore could not 

 be utilized for the treatment of soils in need of that element. The caustic character of 

 the refuse entirely precluded its employment on the land. 



FERTILIZER EXPERIMENTS WITH POTATOES. 



The use of fertilizers in the Maritime Provinces has been steadily increasing for 

 some years past, especially for the potato crop. Though some fa.mers have done a 

 little experimental work to ascertain the forms and amounts of the feitilizers most 

 likely to prove profitable, the larger number are practically working in the dark, know- 

 ing little as to the deficiencies of their soil, the requirements of their crop or the cheap- 



