360 



BOAKD OF AGRICULTURE. 



The ash of the tobacco plant usually varies less in regard 

 to absolute quantity than to the relative proportion of its 

 essential elementary constituents. Potash is known to vary 

 as high as 50 per cent, in consequence of modes of cultiva- 

 tion and variety of soil, independent of the variety of plant. 

 As it is claimed by good authority that an increase or a 

 decrease of the potash in the ash of the tobacco stands in a 

 definite relation to certain qualities of the latter, it is pro- 

 posed to discuss this question more in detail hereafter. 



Sujyerphosphate. 



(Of Earle & Co., Providence, K.. I. Sent from Dennisport, Mass.) 



Per cent. 



Moisture, at 100° C, 9.48 



Total phosphoric acid, 15 08 



Soluble phosphoric acid, 7.88 



Reverted phosphoric acid, 0.69 



Insoluble phosphoric acid 6.51 



Potassium oxide, 2.34 



Nitrogen, 2.91 



Valuation per two thousand pounds, $41.64. 



Haynes Fertilizer. 

 (Of Mr. Haynes, Bolton, Mass. Sent from Lancaster, Mass.) 



Per cent. 

 Moisture, at 100° C, 17.63 



Total phosphoric acid. 

 Soluble phosphoric acid, . 

 Reverted phosphoric acid. 

 Insoluble phosphoric acid. 

 Potassium oxide, 

 Nitrogen (organic). 

 Nitrogen (ammonia), 

 Niti'ogen (nitrates), 



Valuation per two thousand pounds, $41.85. 



10.14 

 5.89 

 0.87 

 3.38 

 6.70 

 2.72 

 0.71 

 0.60 



VI. Chemistry in Fruit Culture. 



The subject of this discussion was the outgrowth of a 

 series of field experiments with sugar beets upon the college 

 farm (1870-75). The beneficial influence of certain articles 

 of plant-food on the saccharine qualities and general char- 

 acter of the beet -root which had been noticed in that con- 

 nection, suggested the extension of the observations to fruits. 



