THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 



179 



THE MANURE TRADE. 



At tlie commencement of anotlier year we feel a few ob- 

 servations on the state and prospects of the Maniu-e Mar- 

 ket are not out of place. When we consider that twenty 

 years since, the use of artificial manures was scarcely 

 known, probably no trade in so short a time has been more 

 extended or produced greater results. 



The importations of Guano have gone on increasing 

 from a few tons about the years 1830-7, to quantities vary- 

 ing from 200,000 to 300,000 tons per annum. The manu- 

 facture of supei-phosphate of lime has progressed in a 

 corresponding manner, fully proving that with judicious 

 use these two important manures yield a profitable invest- 

 ment on the land. During the last year a large amount 

 of business was done in most kinds of manure, but owing 

 to the wet and cheerless character of the spring and sum- 

 mer, the results have not been so profitable as in former 

 years, the root crop in most parts of England having 

 proved a comparative failure ; but in Scotland, where arti- 

 ficial manures are most extensively used, the season has 

 been more genial, and the produce of the land much 

 more abundant. 



There is a growing desire to have manures of high 

 quality, more especially in superphosphate of lime, and 

 the use of bones and bone-ash in its manufacture, is con- 

 siderably greater than in former years ; but purchasers 

 must not expect to obtain a high standard of quality at a 

 low price. In the early part of the year the market was 

 well supplied with raw material, both bones and bone-ash, 

 but the increased demand during the last three months 

 lias caused a considerable rise, which wUl probably be 

 maintained for the present season. 



Nitrate of soda is now lower, and the stock larger than 

 has been the case for some years ; it ofiers a fair prospect 

 of being used with profit in the spring. 



Greater attention is nowbeing directed to the improvement 

 of pastures, and probably no money expended on the farm 

 yields a more certain return than the use of bones, and 

 those manures containing phosi^hates fif partly dissolved, 

 the better) to exhausted grass lands, and it is expected 

 there will be a very large demand as soon as the time 

 arrives for their use, which should be about Februaiy, 



In reviewing the trade for the past year, though we are 

 aware of numerous disappointments, the result of wet and 

 cold weather, still we feel there is an increasing disposi- 

 tion to extend the use of all really valuable fertilizers, and 

 we look with great confidence to the future. 



E. PuESEE, Secretary. 



London Manure Company, Jan., 1861. 



FERTILIZERS. 



EETROSPECT OF THE PAST YEAR. 



CENTRAL FARMERS' CLUB. 



The foUowiDg subjects have been appointed for discussion 

 during the year 1861 : — 



February 4. — The Past, Present, and Future of British Agri- 

 culture. — To be introduced by Mr, J. J. Mechi, Tiptree 

 Hall, Kelvedon. 



March 4. — The Several Merita of Day and Piece Work. 



April 1. — Sheep v. Bullocks as Manufacturers of Manure — on 

 Farms where the Produce is not fattening, and no roots 

 but Mangolds can be grown. — Mr. A. Ruston, Aylesby 

 House, Chatteris. 



May 6. — By what means can the Feeding of Stock on Pasture 

 Land in Spring, Summer, and Autumn, be so increased 

 as to supply the demand of an increasing population ? — 

 Mr. Oweu Wallis, Overstone Grange, Northampton. 



June 3. — The Vegetable and Animal Kingdoms, in their mu- 

 tual relations, as bearing on the science of Practical Agri- 

 culture. — Mr. J, G. Hobaou, Long Sutton, Lincoln. 



November 4. — How Under-drainage affects, and by its exten- 

 sion will further affect, the Arterial Channels and Out- 

 falls of the Kingdom. — Mr. J. Bailey Denton, Stevenage. 



December 9. — Would it be advisable to abolish Parish and to 

 substitute Union Settlements in the Agricultural Dis- 

 tricts ?— Mr, H. Trethewy, Silsoe. 



Bones. — The imports, from the River Plate especially' 

 being greatly-less than the previous year, prices of all sorts 

 have gradually advanced 15s. to 20s. per ton, so that £5 

 12s. 6d. is now the asking price for floating mixed cargoes. 

 The leading manufacturers of manures, however, ai-e now 

 well stocked for a time. 



Bone Ash. — The stock with which we commenced the 

 season has been nearly cleared out, and the collapse in the 

 hide and leather trade, togetherjwith the U. States' demand 

 reducing supplies from the River Plate, prices have gra- 

 dually advanced since May from 17s. 6d. to 20s. per ton ; 

 and on the basis of 70 per cent., for floating cargoes ^£5 

 10s. is now paid. 



Crust Phosphates of Lime. — The United States de- 

 mand has mainly absorbed the shipments from Sombi-ero, 

 &c., and though the Spanish are coming moi'e into favour, 

 the uncertainty of a continuous and sufficient supply 

 deters manufacturers of Phosphorus and Phosphates from 

 adapting their appliances to its use. We are glad to 

 report the success of our efibrts with the Board of Trade 

 and the Mersey Dock &c. Trust, in getting the import 

 dues on this new article of commerce much reduced. 



CoPROLiTES, too, have advanced a little ; but being still 

 the cheapest source of Phosphates, a large trade has 

 been done, and some new pits have been opened in 

 Cambridgeshire, 



AxniAL Charcoal. — For manure manufacture the stock 

 is very small, and but little coming from the Continent. 



GuAXo. — The new arrangements of Messrs. Zarra- 

 condigui and Co. will not be perfected for some time for 

 the New Perm-ian contract ; but as the present large im- 

 port from the Chinchas can hardly continue many yeai'S, 

 prices cannot be expected to be lower. The import of 

 Kooria Mooria and other low qualities has ceased, being 

 unprofitable; but the Bolivian or Upper Peruvian from 

 San Filipe is coming in considerable quantities, owing to 

 present low freights, but it varies much in quality. 



Brimstone. — The Italian revolution for a time inter- 

 rupted the supplies, but now the eleven months' imports 

 are 42,600 tons, against 47,400 tons same time 1859, and 

 after several fluctuations it is now 10s. per ton dearer than 

 this time last year. 



Sulphate Ammonia. — The demand quite keeps pace 

 with the increased production, and prices have varied little 

 from ovx quotations. 



Pyeites. — With the increasing demand for Acid this 

 has become an immense trade, and we are now drawing 

 supplies from many new sources in Spain, &c., and one 

 sort being in combination with iron, has the advantage of 

 being quite free from Arsenic ; but for the present the 

 great advance in grain freights cut ofi" these distant 

 supplies. 



Acids have fluctuated very little, and we are now open 

 to contract for delivery on the Dee or Mersey at 85s. per 

 ton for Brown Sulphiuic, 142 degrees, and Muriatic at 10s. 

 per ton, without Carboys. 



Nitrate of Soda. — Owing to the many ships seeking re- 

 turn freights from the Pacific coast, a very large stock has 

 kept accumulating, so that the eleven months' imports 

 into the United Kingdom are 35,000 tons, against 23,500 

 tons same time 1859, and prices have fallen 2s. 6d. per 

 cwt. ; but this is greatly increasing its manufacturing uses, 

 and inducing a large consumption. Nothing more has 

 been reported of the large deposit found in Brazil. 



Feedino Cake. — Though tlie imports of all kinds have 

 been 90,000 tons, against 76,300 tons the previous year, 

 and our own home make much increased, stocks are very 

 light, and prices have risen 30s. to 40s. per ton, and both 

 Cottonseed and Rape Cake are coming into more general 

 use. 

 Liverpool, Jan. 1. Arnott Beos. & Co. 



SUFFOLK AGRICULTURAL ASSOCIATION.— This 

 society, which is in a most flouiishing condition, will hold 

 its meeting for 1861 at Ipswich, July 5. With a view to 

 popularize the exhibition as much as possible, the admis- 



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