MISCELIyANEOUS FERTILIZER MATERIALS 10 1 



ashes. This product is richer in Ume than wood ashes and it 

 may be used on soils requiring lime when the price is reasonable. 

 It averages 2 per cent, of potash, 0.75 per cent, of phosphoric acid 

 and 40 per cent, of lime."'= 



Rice Hull Ashes. — In the rice sections the rice hulls are often 

 used as fuel in the boilers of rice mills. This product contains 

 about 1.2 per cent, of potash, and 0.6 per cent, of phosphoric acid. 



Corn Cob Ashes. — In certain sections of the country corn cobs 

 are sometimes used in place of wood for fuel. This product 

 carries about 7 per cent, of potash, 2.4 per cent, of phosphoric 

 acid and 1 1 per cent, of lime. It is evident that these ashes are 

 valuable for soils in need of potash. It also contains an appreci- 

 able amount of phosphoric acid. Farmers burning corn cobs will 

 do well if they save these ashes and apply them to their land. 



Brick kiln ashes are sometimes used for fertilizer. The kind 

 of wood burned in brick kilns will influence the value of these 

 ashes. They are worth purchasing by those living near brick 

 kilns who wish to apply lime, when they can be purchased right. "^^ 



Soot is the black deposit that collects in flues and chimneys 

 when coal or wood is burned and is used in England quite ex- 

 tensively as fertilizer. Soot from coal averages about 3 per cent, 

 of nitrogen in the form of ammonia. It is more valuable in im- 

 proving the physical condition of soils than as a fertilizer. Its 

 dark color increases soil temperature by absorbing the rays of 

 the sun, thus helping plant growth and the action of the soil 

 organisms. It lightens heavy soils and is not relished by certain 

 insects that damage crops.* 



Street sweepings are sometimes used by gardeners. When they 

 contain a large proportion of horse manure they may have a little 

 value. However the liquid portions are not saved so that they 

 are not as valuable as farm manure. Street sweepings usually 

 contain other debris than horse manure which of course de- 

 creases their value. Generally speaking, street sweepings should 

 not be used unless the expense of hauHng is very small. Most 

 people would not care to utilize this waste because of the un- 

 sanitary nature of it. Debris from houses etc. are liable to con- 

 taminate it in which case it would not be a safe fertilizer. 



