NITRATE OF SODA. 325 



article without any admixture, and to apply it at an early 

 date in the spring, in common with other soluble fertilizing 

 materials, as superphosphates, &c., by sowing it broadcast, 

 and ploughing it in a few inches deep. Fine-ground bones 

 incorporated during the fall with from seventy-five to one 

 hundred and fifty pounds of Chili saltpetre, according to 

 requirements, and applied as an early top-dressing in the 

 following spring, have given excellent results. Winter and 

 summer grain-crops, annual and perennial fodder-crops, legu- 

 minous plants and hoed crops, have been successfully treated 

 with it. The peculiar character of this fertilizer requires a 

 careful proceeding to arrive at correct conclusions. 



Sulphate of Ammonium. 

 (H. Phelps, Northampton, Mass.) 



Moisture lost at 100° C. . 

 Ammonia ..... 

 Sulphui-ic acid .... 

 Sand, &c. 



Both samples were of good quality, and fair representa- 

 tives of our home manufacture. Their different odor indi- 

 cated theu' different source. One was of the usual bluish- 

 white color, and evidently obtained from the ammoniacal 

 watery product of the coal-gas manufacture : the other was 

 of a white color, and smelled like the product of the dry 

 destructive distillation of animal matter. The demand for 

 this efficient nitrogen compound is at present, for obvious rea- 

 sons, much larger than its supply. The price per ton at the 

 beginning of the late season was ninety dollars, or five cents 

 and a half per pound in the retail trade, with a guaranty of 

 twenty-five per cent of ammonia. 



Dried Blood. 



(W. Peters, Baltimore, Md.) 



Per cent. 



Volatile and organic matter 94.37 



Ash constituents 5.64 



Moisture at 100° C 21.52 



Nitrogen 10.99 



