Miscellaneous. 415 



agent containing at least one-half its weight, or 50 per cent. \mvc potash. 

 They are also acquainted with the fact that Kainit contains but 12 per cent, 

 or just 12 pounds of pure potash in each 100 pounds, and that in paying 

 the freight on same from seaboard to the interior, they are paying freight 

 on 88 pounds of comparatively useless material in each 100, or 1,760 

 pounds in each ton. We say they know this, and they know likewise that 

 they cannot afford it ; but what are they going to do about it ? How are 

 they going to help themselves? 'Tis true the dealer quotes muriate of 

 potash as for sale among his other wares, but what matters his quoting 

 it if he has not got it, and tries to put one off with some complete mixture 

 of his own make ? Why is this ? Are the profits greater on his mixture 

 than on the muriate? Whatever be the reason, the fact remains the 

 same, the complete f^tilizer with little potash is omnipresent, while the 

 muriate is invariably conspicuous for its absence. So also the sulphate, 

 which, by the way, has proven superior and given better and more im- 

 mediate beneficial results with us than has even the muriate, is actually 

 scarcer and harder to obtain than is the muriate. 



There are probably some of our readers who think, and with some 

 show of reason on their side, too, that "fertilizers don't pay," and that 

 "there is too much of them used already," to both of which assertions 

 we are both ready and willing to subscribe a hearty ''Amen." "Fertili- 

 zers don't pay" when used blindly, ignorantly, indiscriminately and with- 

 out either discretion or judgment ; and as there is quite a large amount 

 annually used in this manner, to that extent, it were better for the country, 

 better for the user, and even better for the manufacturer, if less instead 

 of more had been used. But, while this is true, it is also true that, ju- 

 diciously used, they are one of the sources of greatest profit to the user 

 thereof, and within reasonable bounds, the more one can use to advantage, 

 the greater the profit accruing therefrom. Many farmers purchase a low 

 grade fertilizer because it can be obtained at a comparatively low price 

 per ton ; but the fact should be borne in mind, that low ton prices mean 

 either low content of good forms of plant food or the use of poorer forms. 

 Fertilizer, high grade both in quality and quantity of plant food, can not 

 be purchased at a low price per ton. In purchasing low grade goods one 

 is paying freight on a mass of useless material. Not only is there a loss 

 from this cause, but, homeopathic doses of a low grade fertilizer merely 

 act as a stimulant, forcing the crops to an overgrowth, hence resulting 

 in a more speedy impoverishment of the soil than would have been the 

 case had no fertilizers been employed. Many dealers handle those brands, 

 and only those that give them the greatest immediate profit, utterly re- 

 gardless of the adaptability to the soil or crops of the immediate section. 

 Even after they are purchased by the soil tiller, they are in far too many 

 instances applied to crops and all soils alike. It is needless for us to say 



