298 Journal of Agriculture, Victoria. [10 May, 1917. 



and 1916, but the current year 1917 shows an advance to ^18 per 

 ton. 



Twenty shillings spent in the purchase of sodium nitrate in 1912 

 obtained an amount of nitrogen for which the sum of 26s. 7d. would 

 have to be paid during the current season — in other words, the purchas- 

 ing power of tbe sovereign has declined approximately 25 per cent. 



Ammonium Sulphate. 



Ammonium Sulphate supplies nitrogen in the form of ammonia. It 

 is produced as a by-product in the manufacture of coal gas, the method 

 being to treat the animoniacal liquor obtained during the det^truction 

 distillation of the coal and the subsequent washing operation to which 

 the gases are subjected, with sulphuric acid, when the compound 

 ammonium sulphate is formed. The latter after evaporation is collected 

 in the crystalline form, and in this stat« is placed on the fertilizer 

 market. 



All the sulphate of ammonia used in Victoria is of local manufac- 

 ture — as a matter of fact, the demand not lieiiig equal to the supply, a 

 fair amount is exported annually. 



Graph I. shows on the extreme right a diagram depicting the- 

 nunibcr of pounds of nitrogen received in the form of amnioniuin sul- 

 phate in exchange for 20s. during the years 1912 to 1917. 



The diagram explains itself. Suffice it to say there was a rise in the 

 price of this manure in 1913, which held until 1916, when a further 

 increase will be noted : whilst the current season has been favoured with 

 another marked advance in the price. 



The increased cost of this manure may be due to (a) increase in 

 wages, (&) increased costi of the raw materials — coal and sulphuric acid. 

 One more exainple of " the farmer pays." 



Computing from the ammonium sulphate diagram shown on Graph 

 I., we find the purchasing power of the sovereign has declined to 13s. 

 3d. during the years 1912 to 1917 



In 1912 the farmer received 31,62 lbs. of ammoniacal nitrogen in 

 C'Xchange For 20si During 1917 the sum of 30s. 4d. will have to be 

 paid to obtain the same amount of ammoniacal nitrogen. 



Dried Blood. 



This fertilizer is manufactured or prepared by the simple process of 

 drying, usually by means of hot air. All brands are of Australian 



manufacture,- mostly Victorian, but some are prepared in other States. 



The diagram on the extreme right of Graph II. appended shows the 

 number of pounds of nitrogen and phosphoric acid received for -SOs. in 

 the purchase of dried blood during the period under review. 



The diagram shows a decline in the pounds of phosphoric acid 

 received, but particular notice need not be taken of this fact, because 

 this manure is essentially a nitrogen fertilizer, and in some instances 

 manufacturers do not bother to quote phosphoric acid. 



The diagram shows a gradual decline in the number of pounds of 

 nitrogen received. 



32.5 Ibr^. were received in exchange for 20s. in 1912, whereas only 

 26.1 lbs. are offered in excliange for the same nionetai-y ccnsideration- 

 during the current season. 



