FARM EXPERIMENTS AT LAKESIDE. 129 



This statement gives 30 per cent, sand, a small 

 quantity of iron, and the remainder is carbonate of 

 lime and magnesia. One third (the sand), it is 

 plain to see, is worthless ; the iron is of no account, 

 as every soil in New England furnishes from the 

 decomposition of the sulphurets an abundant sup- 

 ply ; the carbonates of lime and magnesia are 

 worth something, but how much ? little more than 

 ground oyster or clam shells. As a fertilizing sub- 

 stance it manifestly has no great value. 



A concentrated liquid fertilizer, put up in stone 

 jugs, each holding a quart, for which the modest 

 sum of two dollars and fifty cents is charged, has 

 been, I am informed, largely sold in many sections 

 of the country. This is a palpable fraud which 

 needs no comment. 



In view of what we know of the nature of com- 

 mercial fertilizing agents, is it necessary to inquire 

 why so small an amount of benefit is received from 

 the application of these substances to our lands ? 

 When a farmer purchases and employs, in connec- 

 tion with his crops, fertilizers of unknown value, of 

 what value are his experiments to himself or any- 

 body else ? If he fails of satisfactory results, upon 

 what or upon whom can he lay the blame ? If he 

 secures a successful crop, does he know whether it 

 is due to the fertilizer or to a favorable season, or 

 to good culture, or to some other agency ? He cer- 



