96 Journal of Agriculture, Victoria. [11 Feb., 1918. 



a mixture of bone dust and superphosphate in equal proportions — a 

 mixture true to name, and the only grade of tliis class of fei'tilizer the 

 farmer is advised tO' buy. The second mixture consists of bone fertilizer 

 and superphosphates in equal proportions. As bone fertilizer is a 

 mixed manure in itself, containing rock phosphate, superphosphate, 

 organic refuse of varying kinds:, and quality, gypsum or marl, and a 

 small amount of bone dust, it will be readily agreed that this mixture 

 is totally different from " bone dust-superphosphate," and should not 

 be confused with the latter manure. 



" Superphosphate-bone fertilizer " is similar in composition to 

 " bone fertilizer-superphosphate," with this important exception — the 

 former manure contains at the very least 75 per cent, of superphosphate. 



The figures in Tablet II., III., and IV. will suffice to show the 

 respective merits of these mixtures^the values conclusively proving 

 "bone dust-superphosphate" to be the only admixture worth buying. 

 During recent years there has been a marked scarcity in " bone dust " 

 and the manure termed '^' bone-blood," which is produced as a by- 

 product at freezing and meat preserving works, and is really a highly 

 nitrogenous bone dust. 



These fertilizers are much sought after in the southern districts of 

 the State, and the scarcity is viewed with concern by some members of 

 the farming community. 



" Bone-blood " manures are rarely pla,ced on the market in the 

 simple condition. The freezing and meat preserving companies favour 

 selling the total output in bulk. This is. usually done by tender or 

 contract, and in some instances enterprising orchardists or other intense 

 culturists co-operate to buy the bulk, subsequently " dividing the 

 spoil." 



On the other hand there are many instances of this valuable fertilizer 

 being bought by a broker or manufacturer. In the latter case it is used 

 to reinforce or fortify some other manure or admixture. 



This manure or admixture, containing a low percentage o-f nitrogen, 

 may be totally unniitable to the farmer who is requiring the concen- 

 trated unmixed " bone-blood " or " bone dust." 



J. H. Kastle, Director of the Kentuc~ky Experiment Station, 

 writes* — " There can be no doubt that large sums of money are annually 

 wasted in this State by buying fertilizers containing low percentages of 

 nitrogen and potash. These small percentages acTd a great deal to the 

 cost of the fertilizers, and do not give returns at all commensurate with 

 their cost. Ten times our annual expenditure could profitably be made 

 for fertilizers, but it should be made in general for phosphate and potash 

 salts to supply deficiencies, and to use in the growing of leguminous 

 crops to furnish humus, and nitrogen. Our fertilizer manufacturers need 

 to recognise the truth of this statement, and begin at once to supply 

 these materials in the unmixed condition to farmers at the lowest prices 

 possible." 



In Victoria the most important fertilizers are those supplying phos- 

 phoric acid in readily available form. Hence we have our large output 

 of superphosphate. 



Yet there is a demand for nitrogenous phosphatic fertilizers, and to 

 a lesser extent for nitrogenous and potassic manures. 



The custom of growing leguminous crops with applications of phos- 

 phatic and potassic compounds, and siubsequently ploughing the green 



* Bulletin 101, Jinie, 1915, Kentucky Exp. Stn. 



