CHAPTER IX 

 COMPOUND MANURES 



THE manures generally used for admixture with 

 superphosphates are Peruvian guano, bone dust, 

 sulphate of ammonia and nitrate of soda, but the 

 Peruvian guano now shipped from places of pro- 

 duction is much less rich in nitrogen than that im- 

 ported in the past. Its place is taken by sulphate 

 of ammonia, ground horn, dried blood, dried meat, 

 etc. Superphosphate of potash is also prepared. 

 The mixing is done as much as possible after the 

 phosphate is dissolved. Mixing is not done in the 

 dry state, except when it cannot be done otherwise. 



Hand labor is the best for this kind of work. 

 The materials, previously weighed and sifted, are 

 made into a two-ton heap by means of a portable 

 box or barrow capable of holding two cwt. To 

 turn the matter properly the shovel is plunged 

 into it vertically, so as to mix it, then after having 

 sifted it, it is made into a heap in the inverse order, 

 that is to say, by lifting it from the ground to 

 throw on to the middle of the heap. 



These manipulations are sometimes rather un- 

 pleasant, on account of the disengagement of dust, 

 etc., nevertheless they form the best method of 

 mixing. The materials so mixed are afterwards 



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