MANURES AND FERTILIZERS. 



139 



deficiency, either from uneven distribution or from the 

 formation of insoluble compounds. The salts should be 

 applied broadcast, in the spring, at the time of the first 

 harrowing. 



Cottonhull Ash is extremely popular as a fertilizer, 

 especially with scientific growers of prime tobacco for 

 cigar wrappers. This is mainly due to the large quan- 

 tity of potash the ash contains, and also to the fact that 

 this potash is soluble. It also contains a goodly amount 

 of magnesia, as well as lime and phosphoric acid; the 

 two former elements being as essential for this crop as 

 is the potash or the phosphoric acid. It is quite prob- 

 able, too, that the soluble carbolic acid in cottonhull ash 

 adds to its excellent effect on the soil. The following 

 are complete analyses of a fair average sample of cotton- 

 hull ash, made by Jenkins at Connecticut station, and 

 by Goessman at Massachusetts station : 



Cottonhull ash varies widely in composition. Dif- 

 ferent samples contain from 10 to 40 per cent potash, 

 average 23 per cent ; phosphoric acid 3 to 14 per cent, 

 average 8 per cent. Hence, this ash should only be 

 bought on a guaranteed analysis, and at a price that 

 will make the actual potash cost only four to six cents 

 per pound. The wide variation is due to the careless- 

 ness with which the hulls are burned in Southern mills, 



