COMMERCIAL AND SPECIAL FERTILIZERS. 10/ 



Mr. Hale adds : — 



" The most of our soil is a sandy loam. We have some 

 heavy loam and a few acres of clay gravel, and we have always 

 had good results from the use of bone and potash on all of 

 these soils. 



" We have never used lime on our berry fields at the time of 

 planting, and yet, as you know, all of our New England soils 

 are deficient in lime. We use some indirectly, as we grow 

 clover to plow under, and usually give at that time a good 

 dressing of lime. As we try to have a new clover field every 

 year, we get all around the farm in six or eight years, and we 

 therefore get a dressing of lime all around once in that time, 

 and have never been able to see any ill effects from it. In fact, 

 we believe it a positive benefit in helping to keep down sorrel, 

 if nothing more." 



There would be very few worn-out farms, or poverty- 

 stricken farmers, if all followed the example of the Hale 

 brothers. 



The value of potash and bone meal is thus clearly shown, 

 but the latter does not contain nitrogen in sufficient quan- 

 tity. I think Mr. Hale is correct in the opinion that he can 

 secure better results by using at the same time some nitro- 

 genous manure, like fish scrap, guano, etc. If he had 

 heavy, cold, clay land to deal with, it is possible that he 

 might find the stable manure the cheapest and best in the 

 long run, even at its increased cost. 



Mr. W. L. Ferris, of Poughkeepsie, writes to me that he 

 has found great advantage in the use of the Mapes & Stock- 

 bridge special fertilizers. " My experience," he says, " is 

 only as to strawberries, and on them I would say that the 

 result of applying equal values of manure, — stable and com- 

 mercial, — as to cost, would be from ten to twenty-five per 

 cent in favor of the commercial, as a stimulant to apply in 

 the spring, or, in small quantities, to plants first starting. 



