Experiment Station Report. 



133 



The value of the phosphate last mentioned depends largely 

 on its mechanical condition. 



Dissolved Bonehlack. 



[I. Sent on by M. W. Jefts, for the Ashby Farmers' Club, Ashby, Mass.] 

 [II. Sent on for examination.] 



Lobster Shells, 



[Sent on for examination by J. Sliedd, 90 Waltham St., Boston, Mass.] 



Moisture at 100° C, 7.27 



Calcium oxide, 22.24 



Magnesium oxide, 1.30 



Phosphoric acid, .... 3.52 



Nitrogen, 4.50 



Insoluble matter, .27 



The material sent on consisted of coarse pieces of shells 

 with meat mass in a dry condition. The large percentage 

 of carbonate of lime present tends to promote a rapid de- 

 composition of the organic nitrogenous matter, and favors 

 thus a speedy action of the lobster shells, when dried and 

 ground before their application. Counting phosphoric acid 

 in the coarsely ground material 4^ cents per pound, and 

 nitrogen 20 cents per pound, its commercial value would be 

 from $22 to $23 per ton. 



