148 TOBACCO LEAF. 



and that chlorine is not present in appreciable quantities. 

 Some also state that no nitrates are present. These fer- 

 tilizers come prepared in admirable mechanical condition 

 and contain from 4 to 6 per cent of nitrogen, from 7 to 

 11 per cent of actual potash, while the phosphoric acid 

 does not much exceed 6 per cent, and sometimes is less, 

 but little of it being in an insoluble form. Each ferti- 

 lizer is compounded by a private formula, whereby the 

 manufacturer seeks to preserve the uniformity of results 



FIG. 19. REMOVING CLOTH COVER FROM LARGE BED OF PLANTS. 



obtained, and each one very naturally claims that his 

 own brand is the best for the peculiar requirements of 

 the crop. Undoubtedly, the plant food in the different 

 brands is obtained from different materials, or from dif- 

 ferent proportions of the same materials, as each varia- 

 tion produces a somewhat peculiar influence on the soil 

 and plant. The popularity of the brands differs in dif- 

 ferent sections, or with different growers. Where a 

 brand has demonstrated its value by producing satisfac- 

 tory crops, it is a good plan to continue its use. But 

 the average analysis shows that, taken as a whole, with- 



