36 THE AMERICAN FARMER. 



These salts of potash are supposed to act differently on crops, but we do not consider 

 the matter at all proved at present. Indeed, at present prices, we prefer to apply the muri 

 ate in nearly every case, or, bettor still, two-thirds muriate and one-third sulphate. 



When we apply our potash compounds to the land, they become dissolved by the rains, 

 and wash into the soil. They are then decomposed into their constituent parts, separating 

 into sulphuric and muriatic or carbonic acid, and potash, and while the acids are not retained 

 at all closely by the soil, but follow the water of drainage until they meet new compounds, and 

 are subject to different actions, the potash is quite strongly retained. It is, hence, easier to 

 saturate our soils with potash than with sulphuric acid, and if our soil is deficient in this 

 element, we can hope to more speedily cause it to be diffused through the soil, and thus 

 become more accessible to the crops. 



In applying potash, then, we desire to keep it near the surface at first, as we are quite 

 certain it will pass downward into the root pasturage, and we are never quite sure against a 

 small waste.&quot; 



Nitrogen. This element is furnished in various forms by the atmosphere, as well as by 

 the decay of organic materials in the soil. As generally supplied, it is in the form of ammonia 

 or a nitrate, such as nitrate of soda. It is found quite abundantly in guano, which is one of 

 the important sources from whence this valuable fertilizer is obtained. It is also obtained 

 from dried blood and various waste materials. Its effect on plants is generally speedy, being 

 readily diffused through the soil, and in this way promptly supplied to the roots of plants, 

 hence, for this reason is subject to waste, and as it is the most expensive element of plant- 

 food the farmer has to supply his crops, it is well while providing a sufficient amount to meet 

 the wants of the crop, to avoid applying an excess. 



This element can often be procured from local waste materials, as in the refuse of 

 woolen mills, fish from which the oil has been extracted, powder factories, etc. Leather con 

 tains it, but as the decomposition is very slow, a long time is generally required to render its 

 fertilizing qualities perceptible. Old boots, shoes, or harnesses are often buried under fruit 

 trees, and by their gradual decay prove of considerable value as a fertilizing agent. 



The bodies of dead animals added to the compost heap will also furnish in their decom 

 position a valuable amount of nitrogen. Some soils respond more promptly to its effects than 

 others, but all lands are more or less benefited by its application; especially so are those that 

 have long been under cultivation. 



The amount of nitrogen left in the soil by a crop of clover, either where it has been cut 

 for hay, or ripened for seed, is often astonishingly great, and furnishes a source of rich food 

 for cereals. Prof. Voelcker found by careful investigation, that the amount of nitrogen thus 

 deposited by a crop of clover was from two and a half to three tons per acre. He also found 

 that on soils where clover had been grown, not only were vast quantities of nitrogen stored 

 up by this product, but the soil was left in a better condition in the spring than could have 

 been secured by the application of any fertilizer. These investigations of Prof. Voelcker 

 were made at different depths of soil; first taking an upper layer of six inches, then the 

 next six inches below the former, and then the next six inches below that, making eighteen 

 inches of soil in depth carefully analyzed. 



Exhaustion of Soils by Crops The Composition of Manures Commercial 

 Fertilizers, etc. We give the following tables from authentic European sources, showing 

 the composition of many of our common farm products; also, by way of comparison, a table 

 showing the composition of a variety of fertilizers commonly used. These figures, it must 

 be remembered, represent only general averages; in special cases, there might be more or 

 less variation from these percentages, which are sufficiently definite for all practical purposes. 

 As the first table given represents the average composition of the different products, it also 

 represents the amount of fertilizing ingredients removed from the soils in producing these 



