1887.] PUBLIC DOCUMENT — No. 33. 101 



on. The rapid progress in our ruannfacturing industries is liable 

 to affect at any time, more or less seriously, the composition of 

 the refuse. A constant inquiry into the character of the agri- 

 cultural chemicals and of commercial manurial refuse sub- 

 stances offered for sale cannot fail to secure confidence in their 

 composition, and to diminish financial disappointment in con- 

 sequence of their application. This work is carried on for 

 the purpose of aiding the farming community in a clear and 

 intelligent appreciation of the substances for manurial pur- 

 poses. 



Consumers of commercial manurial substances do well to 

 buy whenever practicable, on a guaranty of composition with 

 reference to their essential constituents, and to see to it that 

 the bill of sale recognizes that point of the bargain. Any mis- 

 take or misunderstanding in the transaction may be readily 

 adjusted, in that case, between the contending parties. The 

 responsibility of the dealer ends with furnishing an article 

 corresponding in its composition with the lowest stated quantity 

 of each specified essential constituent. 



Connecticut Tobacco Stems. 



[Sent on from South Deerfield, Mass.] 



rer cent. 



Moisture at 100^ C, 10.65 



Phosphoric acid (5 cents per pound), 0.51 



Potassium oxide (4| cents per pound), . 7.22 



Calcium oxide, 3.39 



Magnesium oxide, 1.12 



Nitrogen (17 cents per pound), 2.65 



Insoluble matter, 0.29 



Valuation per 2,000 lbs., $14 66 



The composition of the above sample corresponds well with 

 that noticed on previous occasions. (See First Annual Report, 

 page 103.) 



The potash was almost entirely soluble in water at ordinary 

 temperature; 6.85 parts of the entire amount present. The 

 same feature was noticed in regard to the Havana tobacco 

 stems. 



