FERTILIZERS. 83 



manuring increases the quality as well as the quantity of 

 our crops. . . . Besides salt-cake (as mentioned above), 

 nitre-cake, ground oyster-shells, spent lime, plaster, and 

 soil are mixed with ground bone as preservatives, dryers, 

 or adulterants." 



In purchasing our elements out of which to make fertil- 

 izers, their degree of fineness or dryness has an important 

 bearing on their value. Says Professor Goessmann, " The 

 mechanical condition of any fertilizing material, simple or 

 compound, deserves the most serious consideration of 

 farmers, when articles of a similar chemical character are 

 offered for their choice. The degree of pulverization con- 

 trols, almost without exception, under similar conditions, 

 the rate of solubility, and the more or less rapid diffusion 

 of the different articles of plant-food throughout the soil. 

 The state of moisture exerts a no less important influence 

 on the pecuniary value in case of one and the same kind 

 of substance. Two samples of fish fertilizers, although 

 equally pure, may differ from fift} T to a hundred per cent in 

 commercial value, on account of mere difference in moisture. 

 If obliged to increase our home resources of manure, he 

 advises to compound fertilizers from the most suitable stock 

 in the market. Although a first trial of that course of 

 action may not realize all the advantages expected, there 

 can be no doubt about the correctness of the statement, 

 that the best financial success on the part of the farmer 

 can ultimately be secured only by the gradual adoption .of 

 that system of manuring the farm. Our leading dealers in 

 fertilizers begin to realize the late tendency in their trade, 

 and are preparing to meet the call." 



