67 
compound, and is as valuable when derived from mineral deposits as 
from bones. Insoluble phosphate has little value, though bone-dust is 
available as plant-food. 
The commercial value of phosphatic minerals depends almost entirely 
upon the percentage of phosphate of lime easily accessible by inexpen- 
Sive processes. Some of these minerals contain ingredients which 
largely absorb the sulphuric acid with which it is treated. Carbonate 
of lime is especially greedy of this element, and when present in large 
proportions detracts greatly from its value. A small percentage, how- 
ever, is rather beneficial than otherwise, as the carbonic acid set free 
in escaping through the mass renders it more porous and bulky, thus 
improving its mechanical condition as a manure. Oxide of iron and 
alumina detract from the value of the deposit in proportion to their 
percentage. Fluoride of calcium affects their commercial value, as 
also do the porosity or hardness of the mass and the ease or difficulty 
with which it can be pulverized. 
MARKET-PRICES OF FARM-PRODUCTS 
FOR DECEMBER, 1875, AND JANUARY, 1876. 
The following quotations represent, as nearly as practicable, the state of the market at the 
beginning of each month. 
Articles. December. January. 
NEW YORK. 
Flour,superfine Stateand western.-perbarrel..| $4 75 to $5 00 $4 25 to $4 50 
Oxia Stale .s2csa%et=~ Senn sss soe dorsen2e 5 10 to 5 90 480 to 5 90 
extra to choice western-...--.- Gori cece 510 to 9 00 480 to 900 
common to fair southern extras.do.-.-.-. 5 20 to 6 60 480 to 6 40 
good to choice southern extras--do.-.-.--. 6 65 to 8 75° 650 to 8 75 
Wheat, No.1 spring....---...---. per bushel.-| 135 to 1 39 129) to / Lo 
GAS SPM coher cates eee ase 124 to 1 28 123 to 1 2 
winter, red, western........-. doe eee 115" to’) 1-40 1 16. .te.. 1 45 
winter, amber, western..---.- doOssosce 115 to 1 40 116 to 1 45 
winter, white, western -..-.--- Qn aera 135 to 1 48 1 32 to 1 50 
[OY D eT asp a lt aie a a ed ea Ost eos - 71 to 76 66 to 70 
CETUS eat a eR io a ya a ee dows ves- 41 to 51 41 to 50 
LE Aye ens ce ee Sn She ee eae dowsese: 87 to 87 to 95 
amie Vries tere eee ccs Same eae dorzete: 87 to 118 85 to 1 20 
Hay, baled, first ae aE ep renames rie ton.-| 18 00 to 22 00 21 00 to 23 00 
baled, Second, quality." 2. ----..d0.--25. 14 00 to 15 00 16 00 to 
POIIOORS care oS ac no ed oi atees per barrel..| 1150 to ——— | 11 00 to 11 50 
BXTA Messe ace eee eee ee doreeer 12 50 to 12 00 to 12 50 
EMP AMOR = eos. 4 >= eco cabs ae = one per barrel..| 21 50 to 22 50 to 20 75 
OXPEAL RUNG) Pits alos o omen ad Osa ae 16 00 to 16 50 15 50 to 
DUUMONMERS Mees cee eae doris. 20 00 to 21 50 19 50 to 
Li ER aati Paes iE Mie dp ee Bed ont per pound. - 12 to 12% 123 to 134 
HM pUOE WESTON 2 sacs see tes Lae ee SdObe eee 18 to 34 17 ‘to 34 
Simmeneairy of bes ek dae. oss 23. to )' 36 23 to 35 
Cheese, State factory .........--..----- doe. 3222 74 to 134 ¢ ny <a 
Wesner! LuobOLy. sto a seas. a3 O0s-- ~~ abe 12 6 to 124 
Sugar, fair to prime refining. .....-...do.----. 8 to 84 8 to 8y 
Cotton, ordinary to good ordinary....do...--.. 11 to 122 10i to 113 
low middling to good middli’g- be Foot 122 to 132 122 to 14 
PRODACEH, IHBeCe Ne ewe. io. ce ee ec AOE oon 7. 'to 9 7 to 9 
TS oo Se SE aa Bs use 9% to 13 93 to 154 
