32 THE CONNECTICUT AGRICULTURAL 



phates or Siiperphospliates," 6, "Fish and Potash," and 3 

 " Ground Fish Gimno." The other six are " Prepared Dry Fish," 

 " Soluble Pacific Guano," " Pine Island Guano," " Blood Guano," 

 "Animal Fertilizer," and "Prepared Chemicals." 



The last named, No. 763, is advertised as follows:* "For 

 $12 a farmer can buy a formula (520 lbs.) of Powell's Pre- 

 pared Chemicals. This, when mixed at home, makes one ton 

 of Superior Phosphate, equal in plant-life and as certain of 

 successful crop-production as many high-priced phosphates." A 

 device, resembling a trade mark, beai'S the words, " Purity." 

 " Quality not quantity." 



This is a superphosphate of rather low grade ; its cost is 

 $46.15 per ton and its estimated value $30.37. 520 lbs. of it 

 "mixed at home" would require the addition of 1480 lbs. of some- 

 thing better than itself to make " one ton of superior phosphate." 

 It was sampled by Mr. Gridley of Bristol from a lot purchased 

 by a farmer in that place. We do not understand that the goods 

 are at present offered for sale in this State. 



It will be observed that during 1882 nitrates have been con- 

 siderably used as a source of nitrogen both in the superphos- 

 phates and special manures. During the last 18 months the 

 nitrogen of Chili saltpeter has ruled cheaper than that of dried 

 blood, azotiu, ammonite, fish scrap, etc., so that manufacturers 

 have made use of it more frequently than in past years. 



Chlorine has been determined in most cases in order to decide 

 whether the potash in the fertilizer exists as muriate or sulphate. 

 High grade sulphate contains none or only very little chlorine, 

 the double sulphate of potash and magnesia, which has now come 

 into considerable use in this country, has only from one to four 

 per cent, of chlorine while muriate of potash (80 per cent.) has 

 38 or more per cent. 



The table giving a Comparison of Different Fertilizers of the 

 same Brand, p. 33, makes evident the variations which may arise 

 from want of uniformity in the materials employed in the manu- 

 facture, accidents or carelessness in the preparation of the ferti- 

 lizer, the storage of the goods, errors in sampling, etc., etc. 



We are informed by the manufacturers tliat the regular price 

 of the Quinnipiac Fertilizer Co's Fish and Potash No. 1, is $38.00, 

 and that 737 (price $40.00) was from a special lot of which only 

 two tons were made. 



* Cover of the American Agriculturist, Jan., 1882. 



