298 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



will show in the majority of cases but little effect during the 

 first season of their application. 



Chloride of sodium and sulphate of magnesia are known to 

 increase in an unusual degree the distribution of the potassa. 



Either one or the other, or frequently both compounds, are 

 present in all of the most reputed brands of Stassfurt potash 

 fertilizers. 



Their presence controls their action as far as time is con- 

 cerned, and imparts to them in most instances a higher 

 peculiar agricultural value as compared with the two last- 

 noted samples. 



Besides the previously described different qualities of potash 

 salts, there have been also offered for sale two other articles, 

 which were represented to contain from 33 to 35 per cent., 

 and from 50 to 52 per cent., of sulphate of potassa. The 

 former was offered for sale by a New York dealer, the latter 

 by a firm in Boston. 



Complaints of several importers, regarding a loose manage- 

 ment on the part of commercial agents at the German ports, 

 Bremen and Hamburg, have been not infrequent during the 

 past year. 



Whatever importance may be attached to this impression, 

 there is apparently no better step advisable for our extensive 

 dealers in potash fertilizers, than to open direct communica- 

 tion and business transactions with reliable and responsible 

 manufactories at the potash mines in Germany. 



Judging by the frequent applications received from fertil- 

 izer dealers in all parts of the country, it is but reasonable 

 to expect for the coming season a more thorough organization 

 of our home interests, regarding a suitable supply sufBcient 

 to meet our steadily increasing demand. 



Nothing in my opinion seems to fiivor more the realization 

 of these desirable results, than to confine ourselves as much 

 as possible to the importation and the consumption of only a 

 few of the most desirable standard articles. 



Both first cost and special adaptation to our agricultural 

 industry ought to be carefully considered, when contemplating 

 measures which need the support of dealers and consumers, 

 to work mutually satisfactorily. 



For reasons already explained in detail in my last year's 



