290 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



information from other sources, tend to show that the moist- 

 m-e (22 per cent.) noticed in the article was largely due to 

 a deficiency in the store-room. Bags of fertilizer, which were 

 subsequently weighed, showed from ten to fifteen pounds 

 more than the bill of sale stated. I believe now, for above- 

 stated reason, that the article originally furnished by the 

 company was a fair specimen of its kind and within the cus- 

 tomary guaranty of composition. 



In making this statement, in justice to the manufacturer, 

 I do not intend to convey the idea that the addition of a 

 larger percentage of water exerts no other serious influence 

 on a complete fertilizer than diluting the article, i. e., reduc- 

 ino' its orio-inal strenoth : for changes of a more serious char- 

 acter are apt to occur. For instance, in case nitrates are 

 forming a source of nitrogen in a fertilizer containing super- 

 phosphates, more or less of nitric acid will be rendered free, 

 and thus directly and indirectly the amount of that costly in- 

 gredient reduced. The frequent occurrence of rotten bags 

 in the fertilizer trade finds a satisfactory explanation in cir- 

 cumstances similar to those pointed out. 



Manufacturers ought to see to it that their articles are kept 

 in suitable store-rooms. 



C. A. GOESSMANN, 



/State Insjjeclor. 



Februauy 2, 1885. 



Canada Wood Ashes. 

 (Collected of J. A. Sullivan, Northampton, Mass. Sold at 30 cents per bush.) 



Per cent. 



Moisture, 7.98 



Phosphoric acid, 

 Potassium oxide, 

 Calcium oxide, 

 Magnesium oxide, . 

 Insoluble matter, . . . 



1.82 

 5.15 



36.84 

 3.31 



12.58 



