162 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



tion to quality, and these conditions are controlled in part by the 

 fertilizer used. 



But I feel quite sure that what I have said so far you would 

 characterize as consisting of somewhat broad generalizations, so 

 indefinite as to be devoid of much in the way of practical sug- 

 gestions. Let us, therefore, turn to a side of our subject, which 

 admits of discussion on a safe and well established basis. And I 

 notice, first of all, that stable manure is the main reliance with 

 the horticulturist, especially in forcing house and market garden 

 work. This will doubtless always be the case for several reasons. 



First. The organic matter of these manures gives a physical 

 condition which, in its relations to heat and moisture is more 

 favorable to plant growth than can be obtained in any other way. 



Second. Such manures cause a soil to become a hotbed of 

 chemical activity. 



Third. Animal manures, generally speaking, are a fairly 

 complete and well balanced source of plant food. 



We may safely assume then that, in vegetable growing at least, 

 commercial fertilizers will be used principally as a supplement to 

 stable manure. It is with this fact in mind, then, that we will 

 continue our discussion of this subject. 



We are now considering commercial plant food, — that which 

 must be purchased, — the nitrogen of which will cost upwards of 

 twenty cents per pound, the available phosphoric acid, seven 

 cents, and the potash five to six cents, when landed where they 

 are to be used. How shall this plant food be purchased, and in 

 what forms? Are the ordinary superphosphates, or even the so- 

 called special manures in the marlcets, a desirable source of plant 

 food for the horticulturist? 



And I remark as a general proposition that the agriculturist, 

 and the horticulturist in particular, can do better than to depend 

 upon the ordinary brands of superphosphates or mixed fertilizers, 

 as at present manufactured, for his commercial supply of plant 

 food. This statement is not offered as a general criticism upon 

 fertilizer manufacturers or upon their goods. While I am not 

 satisfied with the existing conditions of our fertilizer trade in its 

 relation to any class of crop producers, there is no element of 

 blame attaching to either the honorable manufacturer or the 

 farmer. They are both very much the victims of circumstances. 

 The trade has grown into its present means and methods 



