The Bulletin 7 



to differentiate between the good and bad ammoniates and to distinguish 

 those forms which are readily available from those more difficultly so. 



t 



FORM OF POTASH IN TOBACCO FEKTILIZERS. 



Tobacco growers are becoming yearly more disposed to know the form 

 of potash, whether from kainit, muriate, or sulphate, which enters into 

 their tobacco fertilizers. Considerable work of this kind has been done 

 for individuals, and we now determine the form of potash in all tobacco 

 brands, for the benefit of tobacco growers. 



The term potash from muriate, as reported in the analyses, does not 

 mean, necessarily, that the potash was supplied by muriate of potash. 

 Sulphate or some other potash salt may have been used, but in all fer- 

 tilizers where the term potash from muriate is used, there is enough 

 chlorine present to combine with all the potash, though it may have come 

 from salt in tankage, kainit, or karnalite. As the objection to the use of 

 muriate of potash in tobacco fertilizers arises from the chlorine present, 

 it does not matter whether this substance is present in common salt or 

 potash-furnishing materials. 



The use of sulphate of potash where there is chlorine present in t^e 

 other ingredients of the fertilizer will not prevent the injurious effect 

 of the chlorine. The term potash from muriate in our analyses, there- 

 fore, means that there is sufficient chlorine present in the fertilizer from 

 all sources to combine with the potash to the extent indicated by the 

 analyses. 



VALUATIONS. 



To have a basis for comparing the values of different fertilizer ma- 

 terials and fertilizers, it is necessary to assign prices to the three valuable 

 constituents of fertilizers — ammonia, phosphoric acid, and potash. These 

 figures, expressing relative value per ton, are not intended to represent 

 crop-producing power^ or agricultural value, but are estimates of the 

 commercial value of ammonia, phosphoric acid and potash in the ma- 

 terials supplying them. These values are only approximate, as the cost 

 of fertilizing materials is liable to change, as other commercial products 

 are, but they are believed to fairly represent the cost of making and put- 

 ting fertilizers on the market. They are based on a careful examination 

 of trade conditions, wholesale and retail, and upon quotations of manu- 

 facture. 



Relative value per ton, or the figures showing this, represents the prices 

 on board the cars at the factory, in retail lots of five tons or less, for cash. 



To make a complete fertilizer the factories have to mix together in 

 proper proportions materials containing ammonia, phosphoric acid, and 

 potash. This costs something. For this reason it is thought well to have 

 two sets of valuations — one for the raw or unmixed materials, such as 

 acid phosphate, kainit, cotton-seed meal, etc., and one for mixed ferti- 

 lizers. 



