130 AMERICAN MANURES. 



much needed and appropriate invocation of the 

 Publican is never practised by them. 



The writers are fully cognizant of the fact, 

 that some manufacturers have realized thousands 

 of dollars yearly, by the sale of the water alone 

 contained in their product; and that gas-lime, 

 costing four cents a bushel, has been mixed with 

 what was called superphosphate of lime, and sold 

 for two to three cents per pound. In this case, 

 it is difficult to tell whether most to condemn - 

 their consummate dishonesty, or pity their super- 

 lative ignorance. It is almost beyond belief, 

 that men in this enlightened age, should be so 

 ignorant of the requirements of their business, as 

 to spend large sums of money in the purchase of 

 sulphuric acid to render phosphoric acid soluble, 

 and also pay a high price for Peruvian Guano to 

 ammoniate ; and then apply semi-caustic lime, 

 thus sending the little soluble phosphoric acid 

 produced back into its insoluble state, and at the 

 same time dissipating the ammonia, thus render- 

 ing the manure almost worthless. The reader 

 who has fully considered the theory of the manu- 

 facture or preparation of superphosphate of lime, 

 will readily see the pertinence of the above 

 remarks. 



During the past two or three years, the com- 

 mon expressions of these manufacturers have 

 been, " the day of. large profits is past the 



