Analyses of Manures on the Local Market. 



The Use of Nitro-Superphosphates. 



The experiments of this branch have clearly shown that the use 

 of nitrogen in the North has either resulted in injury to the cereal 

 crops, or has produced increased yields of so slight a nature that this 

 ingredient cannot as yet be recommended as necessary in this part of 

 Victoria. It is possible that at some future date the question of the 

 addition of nitrogen to the manures at present used on northern soils 

 might require consideration. But the tests which have been carried 

 out by this branch on the effect of nitrogen, in the nitric, ammonia 

 and organic form have not indicated the advisability of applying 

 this ingredient at present to the cereal crops of northern Victoria. 

 Under these conditions farmers cannot be advised to purchase nitro- 

 superphosphates. From the number of S9.mples which have been 

 sent in, however, it appears that farmers are purchasing pretty freely 

 of this class of manure, as 13 per cent, of the samples sent in were 

 nitro-superphosphates. There is a double disadvantage in purchasing 

 this kind of manure — as the farmer is not only paying for an ing]*edient, 

 nitrogen, which he does not require, but is obtaining his phosphoric 

 acid in smaller quantities, and in less valuable form, than he would 

 in a good superphosphate. The average of the 25 samples of 

 superphosphates, as shown above, gave a percentage of 16'56 per 

 cent, water soluble, and 2*16 per cent, citrate soluble phosphoric acid, 

 while the average of the nitro-superphosphates sent in showed only 

 1078 per cent, water soluble, and 4-06 per cent, citrate soluble, with 

 large quantities of insoluble phosphoric acid — a form which in a 

 superphosphate is generally regarded as without value. 



A Few Disgraceful Cases of Fraud. 



Although, generally speaking, the samples sent in through the 

 Agricultural Societies were of a high standard, there were a few 

 samples received direct from farmers which were practically worthless 

 for manurial purposes, and the conclusion must be drawn that in a 

 certain numbei' of cases, at any rate, tlie farmer in Victoria is being 

 defrauded by unscrupulous vendors. The most flagrant case of fraud 

 occurred at Tarrawingee, where an article, sold as a high-grade 

 superphosphate, was found to contain only 2*60 per cent, citrate 

 soluble, and 3'91 per cent, insoluble phosphoric acid. 



