44 TRUCK FARMING 



largely used by all fertilizer manufacturers as it has the advantage 

 of cheapness. A number of experiments have lately been carried 

 on with finely ground raw phosphate called "floats," which while 

 not strictly available can be made so by adding lime and potash 

 to the soil. They seem to be successful in this, that they do not 

 add acidity to the soil, thereby doing away with the sulphuric 

 acid which, added to our already sour soil, has a tendency to 

 make its ingredients still more unavailable. 



The other chief source of phosphate is from raw and dissolved 

 ground animal bone, this being a very desirable source and one 

 much used in the more expensive brands of goods, as it has a 

 beneficial per cent of lime, and considerable ammonia, and is on 

 this account preferred by many. 



All ash has also a per cent of phosphorus, and this being very 

 finely divided, is easily taken up by plants, hence is very favorably 

 looked upon by the agriculturist. Ashes also contain a per cent 

 of potash, besides lime in carbonate form, both of which are essen- 

 tial to plant growth ; in fact, this form of potash is preferred by 

 many of our best growers to the exclusion of all others. The 

 great bulk of potash is, however, imported from Germany, 

 where it is mined in immense quantities, near Strassfurt. These 

 different forms of potash vary considerably, the high-grade 

 sulphate of potash containing about 50 per cent of the pure article 

 and is usually preferred on account of its being free from salt 

 and other injurious substances. Another grade containing a high 

 per cent of potash is the high-grade muriate of potash which 

 analyzes similar to the high-grade sulphate, but contains consid- 

 erable salt which keeps it more or less damp and is also apt to 

 dampen the fertilizer with which it is mixed. On this account 

 it is not so desirable, as this dampness has a tendency to work on 

 the ammonia in the fertilizer, thus causing some loss, and also 

 causing the fertilizer to cake, greatly hindering in its proper 

 distribution. 



Low-grade sulphate contains about 25 per cent of potash, but 

 must be used with care as it contains considerable chlorine, which 

 is injurious to plant life. On the other hand, it is said to also 



