INTRODUCTION. 23 



intended two of the largest establishments for 

 the manufacture of fertilizers in this country. 

 He has also made the important subject of 

 manuring an especial study, and he is thoroughly 

 acquainted with the whole business as now con- 

 ducted, the sources and nature of the materials 

 used, the cost to the manufacturers and the 

 methods of manufacturing, with its entire cost 

 of production; all of which information so far 

 has been preserved as secrets from the general 

 public. The work of deception and dissimula- 

 tion has been carried on so extensively by some 

 of these manufacturers, that we need not wonder 

 when we see them attempting to deceive even 

 themselves. 



There has also been a secrecy preserved in 

 nearly all their operations, with an affectation 

 of science that would rival the pretensions of the 

 alchemists of the middle age$. The similarity 

 does not stop there ; all the other characteristics 

 are preserved unmitigated ignorance of the 

 elements with which they work, or the ends 

 they should produce. With unblushing effron- 

 tery they make a parade of science, placing 

 -themselves before the country as public bene- 

 factors, while they eat up the substance of 

 the land without giving an adequate return, and 

 are stumbling-blocks in the path of progress. 

 That they have been able to do this with 



