POTASH. 159 



trogen contained in them. Fertilizers are some- 

 times prepared from horns and hoofs ; as these 

 substances contain 12 to 15 per cent, of nitrogen, 

 such preparations would command a high price 

 if estimated on the amount contained at 15 cents 

 per Ib. ; but nitrogen as contained in such sub- 

 stances is very inert, and may remain in the soil 

 for years and not become decomposed, or afford 

 any ammonia to plants. Feathers, wool, hair, 

 and similar substances, contain nitrogen in the 

 same condition. These substances are often 

 found in manures, and it would be very unjust 

 to assign the same value to the nitrogen in such 

 condition as to the actual ammonia contained in 

 Peruvian Guano, sulphate of ammonia, or even 

 the nitrogen contained in bones. From what 

 has been said, the reader can readily see that 15 

 cents per Ib. for nitrogen in organic matter, 

 and 25 cents for actual ammonia, are fair prices 

 to the farmer, and remunerative to the manufac- 

 turer. 



Potash is an essential ingredient of plants, and 

 recently some manufacturers have made it an 

 especial feature of their manures. It is usually 

 applied as crude muriate of potash. This salt is 

 obtained from Germany, where it is found in im- 

 mense beds similar to rock-salt. It contains 

 about 54 per cent, of actual potash, and costs 

 nearly 8 cents per pound. 



