No. 4.] COMMERCIAL FERTILIZERS. 51 



put it on that at the rate of 1,200 pounds to the acre. And, 

 as you will see in my paper, I have omitted two years when 

 I did not use any fertilizer ; l)ut I am satisfied that with 450 

 pounds to the acre for several years in succession I get a 

 crop of three tons to the acre. I think that would be a safe 

 estimate. 



Secretary Sessions. What did it cost you to mix and 

 apply it ? 



Mr. Parker. To mix and re-pack $1 per ton, and to 

 apply it cost in the neighborhood of $1.50 or $1.25. I have 

 done it for $1.25 a ton. I use the Acme fertilizer distributor. 



Secretary Sessions. How much help do you need? 



Mr. Parker. One team and two men. 



Question. How much will be the expense to the acre 

 for the fertilizer and applying it ? 



Mr. Parker. Well, I have not figured that, so I cannot 

 give it. 



Secretary Sessions. How much is the cost of a ton? 



Mr. Parker. Thirty-six dollars, and one dollar for mix- 

 ing, and we have mixed and put on five tons in one day with 

 two men and a team. That would make about $38 or $38.50 

 a ton applied. 



Mr. Chamberlayne. Have you at any time made any 

 computation as to the relative cost of the plant food as you 

 mix it yourself with the same value of plant food in the or- 

 dinary superphosphate ? 



Mr. Parker. I have not. I could not tell that. 



Mr. Clark (of Granby). I would like to inquire, in re- 

 lation to that crop of rye, as to what would probably have 

 been the production of that land without the fertilizer, and 

 also whether you applied the fertilizer at the time you sowed 

 the rye or in the following spring? 



Mr. Parker. I think the first year that the rye was sown 

 we might have received two-thirds as much without fertilizer ; 

 but in the next two years I hardly think one-half the crop 

 would have been realized. We applied the fertilizer at the 

 time of sowing the rye. 



The Chairman. I am sorry to break off this discussion, 

 but in order to carry out the arrangements of the Board we 

 shall have to consider this meeting adjourned until to-morrow 

 morning at half-past nine. 



