550 Qaartcrhj Report of the Chemical Committee. 



That rightly or wrongly we include as * soluble phosphate ' the ' precipitated 

 phosphate,' of which there are always from 2 to 3 per cent, present ; these we 

 find Dr. Voelcker classes with the ' insoluble.' (2). The superphosphate has 

 evidently ' gone back' since it was made, as it will do sometimes when certain 

 substances such as iron are present in the original coprolite. Putting these 

 two points together will fully account for the difference. The analysis shows 

 that the phosi)horic acid is present, although not in the form represented by 

 us, which will relieve us from any imputation of having ' adulterated ' the 

 manure, which is the point about which we are anxious ; as we have honestly 

 gone into the business with a determination to sell only good articles, and 

 have resolutely abstained from anything in the shape of adulteration. 



" You are probably aware that this is a new trade with us, and we must 

 learn wisdom by experience. We see in Lawes's circular, that superphosphate 

 is stated to contain from 23 to 27 per cent, of 'soluble phosphate,' and that 

 the minimum only is guaranteed. We unfortunately, in getting out a circular, 

 from want of experience overlooked the fact that manures are liable to ' go 

 back,' and did not leave any margin for any such accident happening. 



" As regards what you have left, Messrs. * * * -will arrange with you 

 about sending it back. With respect to what you have used, we have no fear 

 of the result ; for although the analysis shows only 19'25 per cent, of really 

 * soluble ' i^hosphate, we are certain that the 10"50 of ' insoluble ' (according 

 to Dr. V.) contains a large proportion of ' precipitated,' which, practically, is 

 just as useful to the plant as the ' soluble,' and in a very wet season more so, 

 as it is not so liable to be washed down into the subsoil, and is, nevertheless, 

 as good ' food' for the roots as the fully * soluble' phosphate. We do not in 

 the least fear the loss of the turnips, and venture to hope, on the contrary, 

 that in spite of the unsatisfactory ' analysis,' you will find the manure produce 

 really satisfactory results. 



" Under any circumstances you shall not have cause to complain of our 

 treatment, and we indulge the hope that though our first transactions have 

 been so very unfortunate, we may have the pleasure of doing business with 

 you in a perfectly pleasant and satisfactory manner for many years to come. 



We are, Sir, yours faithfully, 



Mr. Duncan, in sending these documents, stated, " I think it 

 only fair to both Messrs. * * * and * * * to say, that the first- 

 named firm supplied me, gratis, with 3 cw^t. of nitrate of soda, 

 and that the barley where their manure was sown looks as well, 

 if not better, than any other barley within miles of my farm ; 

 that when I sowed the nitrate of soda, I left out a strip of barley 

 imsown, and that I can at present see no difference in that porti(m 

 of the crop. As regards the second firm, they make no charge 

 whatever for the ' cereal manure,' which was sown on 4 acres of 

 oats, and have given me 6 cwt. of nitrate of soda gratis. The 

 superphosphate, or turnip manure, is not charged for either. I 

 used half of it with some early turnips, and the other half Messrs. 

 * * * fetched away. The oats where the ' cereal manure ' was 

 sown, looked well, but they have been helped by the 6 cwt. of 

 nitrate. I cannot speak fully on this crop yet, because, being 

 later sown than the barley, there is not yet much shown, neither 

 can I say anything of the effects of the manure on the turnips, as 



