CASTOR POMACE. 9^ 



available as that of nitrate of soda or sulphate of 

 ammonia, but it is in a pretty good shape. Besides 

 this element, cotton-seed meal also contains a small 

 percentage each of potash and phosphoric acid. An 

 average of a number of analyses concedes to it 6.80 

 per cent nitrogen, 1.35 per cent phosphoric acid, and 

 1 .20 per cent potash. Its nitrogen is rated by the 

 stations at fifteen cents per pound. One hundred 

 pounds of cotton-seed meal has the following ferti- 

 lizing value, namely: 



6.30 pounds nitrogen @ 15 cents, - - $1.02 



1.35 " phosphoric acid @ 6 cents, - - 08 



1.35 " potash @ 5 cents, ... 06 



Total, $1.16 



which makes the ton, at station rates, worth $23.20. 

 Hence at twenty-eight to thirty dollars per ton it 

 would be about as cheap as the ordinary concen- 

 trated fertilizer at manufacturer's prices. 



Castor pomace is very similar to cotton-seed meal 

 in composition and effect. It contains a little less 

 nitrogen, however, and a little more potash and 

 phosphoric acid. Its value per 100 pounds is about 

 as follows : 



5.60 pounds nitrogen, @ 15 cents, - - $0.84 



2.00 " phosphoric acid @ 6 cents - - 12 



1.40 " potash @, 5 cents, - - - 07 



Total, per 100 pounds, - - - $1.08 



or $20.60 per ton. We could well afford to give 

 twenty-five dollars per ton for it. 



Linseed meal contains the three plant foods in 

 about the same proportion as castor pomace, and 

 its schedule value does not vary much from $20. 



Agricultural papers and their staff of writers have 

 a curious habit. When asked by their readers (as 



