INSPECTION OF COMMERCIAL FERTILIZERS 



37 



Alphano Humus. 



Manufactured by Alphano Corporation. 



This product can hardly be classed as a mixed fertilizer although it contains 

 the three elements of plant food usually supplied by them. It is produced by 

 introducing beneficial soil bacteria to well drained peat areas through cultivation 

 and aeration subsequent to proper treatment with fertUizers and lime. The 

 greatest value of such a product is not so much in the plant food that it carries 

 as in the beneficial effect which it has on soils where it is used, improving the 

 physical character and the capacity to hold plant food and moisture near the 

 surface. 



The activity of the nitrogen in peat products is low, about 40 per cent as 

 compared with 70 per cent for animal tankage. 



Analysis of Alphano Humus 



Stone Meal. 



Manufactured by William N. McCrillis. 



None of the potash was soluble in water. There was 4.75 per cent of carbon 

 dioxide (CO2) found, indicating the presence of 4.44 per cent calcium carbonate 

 and 5.77 per cent magnesium carbonate. The content of potash, phosphoric 

 acid, lime and magnesia soluble in dilute hydrochloric acid would represent the 

 maximum first year value. The part of the lime and magnesia present as car- 

 bonates would have a slight effect in reducing soil acidity. The equivalent of 

 all four elements soluble in dilute hydrochloric acid and contained in one ton 

 of the Stone Meal could be purchased in form of fertilizer chemicals soluble in 

 water and from fine ground limestone for about $L05. The material was being 

 sold in ten-pound packages for fifty cents, which would be at the rate of $100 

 per ton. It is likely that a lower price would be charged for ton lots. 



DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATIONS REGARDING FERTILIZERS. 



The following definitions and interpretations were adopted as official by vote 

 of the Association of Official Agricultural Chemists at a recent meeting held in 

 Washington. 



Maximum Amount of Chlorine Permissible in Fertilizers 

 in which the Potash is Claimed as Sulfate. 



The chlorine in mixed fertilizers in which the potash is claimed as sulfate 

 shall not exceed five-tenths of one per cent (0.5%) more than what is called for 

 in the minimum potash content based on the definition for sulfate of potash as 

 formulated by the committee. Calculate as follows: 0.05 times the percentage 

 of potash found plus 0.5. 



