SULPHATE OF AMMONIA. 157 



calculate its real value, in order to know whether 

 they are getting the worth of their money. 



Crude Sulphate of Ammonia is sold at about 

 6 cents per lb., and contains, on an average, about 

 25 per cent, of actual ammonia, which would 

 cost for actual ammonia per lb., in this form, 

 about the same as in Peruvian Guano. But it 

 has advantages in this shape. As sulphate of 

 ammonia is a fixed neutral salt, there is no loss 

 by volatilization, as is the case with the guano ; 

 it also becomes fixed in the soil, and can be as- 

 similated by plants in the proper proportions 

 needed ; and there is no unnatural stimulation, 

 as is often the case with Peruvian Guano. 



These are the most important sources of actual 

 ammonia, and are the most convenient and 

 economical medium of applying it as a manure ; 

 and from these deductions we shall fix the 

 price of nitrogen, as contained in bones, blood, 

 fish scrap, etc., at 15 cents per lb., and the actual 

 ammonia that is found in commercial manures, 

 guano, or in sulphate of ammonia, at 25 cents per 

 lb. The justness of these prices will be readily 

 admitted by any one who will give the matter a 

 little thought. 



Nitrogen, as potential ammonia, is contained 

 in all manures that are prepared from organic 

 substances, such as bones, dried meat, hoofs and 

 horns, wool, hair, etc. The nitrogen contained 



