THE GENESEE FAKMEK. 109 



as the average. This sample appears to have been free from the lumps and undecom- 

 posed animal charcoal, which composed more than half the sample sent us. This 

 analysis does not show whether the article is or is not a good superphosphate. It does 

 not give us the per centage of ammonia, or of soluble bi-phos2yh(ite of lime, — the two 

 ino-redients of most value in any manure. It is said to have contained free ammonia. 

 We are at a loss to know how a good s?iper-phosphate mixture could contain /ree am- 

 monia. But let that pass. 



There is an analysis of " Mapes' improved superphosphate of lime," in the Country 

 Gentleman, of March 3d, by Prof. S. W. Johnson, of Yale College, which is far more 

 satisfactory, and clearly sets forth the true value of the manure. The thanks of the 

 agricultural community are due Prof. Johnson, for these critical and valuable analyses. 

 According to this analysis, 100 lbs. of "Mapes' improved superphosphate of lime" is 

 composed of sulphate of lime, (plaster) 37 lbs.; insoluble phosphate, 21 lbs.; soluble 

 superphosphate of lime, 15 lbs.; free sulphuric acid, 5 lbs.; ammonia, 2^ lbs. The 

 non-nitrogenous organic matter, water, and sand, which compose the other 20 lbs., are 

 of course of but little valu# This, then, is the manure that is far superior to Peruvian 

 guano, and which cannot be duplicated in England for $100 per ton. 



Now, the fact is, that several thousand tons of superphosphate of lime, or as it is 

 generally called " turnip manure," are annually sold in England, warranted to contain 

 \S per cent, of soluble superphosphate of lime, (Mapes' containing only 15,) and in every 

 other respect equal to Mapes' improved article, for $28,22 per ton, wholesale. Comment 

 on these facts (which we are prepared to prove) is unnecessary. We would not be un- 

 derstood as saying that Prof. Mapes' manure is of little value. On the contrary, if it 

 contains 15 per cent, of bi-phosphate of lime, it is one of the best manures that can be 

 used for ruta baga, lettuce, radish, and other garden crops ; and we recommend all our 

 readers who intend sowing ruta baga and other turnip crops, to drill in with the seed 

 about 300 lbs., of this manure, per acre, believing that it will pay them to do so, even 

 at the high prices charged for it. As a manure for wheat, maize, barley, oats, timothy, 

 and potatoes, we again assert, and we have had considerable experience in the use of 

 both manures, that Peruvian guano will be found much more valuable than this im- 

 proved, or any other superphosphate of lime ; and even for turnips, if both are sown 

 broadcast^ we should j^refer guano to superphosphate of lime. 





SPRING WORK. 



I 



April has at length arrived, ushering in the farmers' busy season. All that could be 

 done in winter to facilitate spring work has, we trust, been accomplished. Everything is 

 in readiness — plows, drags, roller, whiffltrees, devices, all are fixed for action ; seed 

 barley, oats, peas, corn, clover, timothy, potatoes, carrots, beets, &c., &c., are all ob- 

 tained. The farmer has long concluded where he will sow this or that particular crop ; 

 he only waits for fine weather and a dry soil to commence operations. You need not 

 wait, there is plenty to be done. We hope you have a large quantity of well prepared 

 barn-yard manure, composts, &c. These can be drawn out on the soil and spread, ready 

 to commence plowing. But, says a scientific objector, that is not right, a good deal of 

 the most valuable part of the manure will fly off and be lost if spread and allowed to 

 remain exposed for a week or two. This is certainly an objection, and were it not for 

 the gi-eat convenience of drawing out manure previous to commencing plowing, we 

 should not recommend it. There is doubtless some loss, but if the manure has been 

 well prepared, and is not in an active state of fermentation, it is not so great as many 

 suppose. To what crop is manure most profitably applied ? We cannot satisfactorily 



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