36 THE COMMERCIAL AND AGRICULTURAL 



money which is actually paid for them ; and it is the duty of 

 chemists to point out the rascality of parties, for it is nothing 

 else, of those who sell such manures. But with reference to the 

 money value of a manure, and the benefits a farmer may derive 

 from it, I beg to say, that to a hard-working labouring man a 

 crust of bread and cheese is certainly as valuable, and it does 

 him a great deal more good, than lobster salad ; but would he be 

 right to pay as much for the bread and cheese as for lobster 

 salad ? Certainly not. Supposing then, that two samples of 

 superphosphate are sold at the same price, and in a certain place 

 they produce the same results, would the farmer be justified in 

 paying as much for the inferior description of superphosphate 

 as he pays for the superior description? Certainly not. It is 

 his business to determine what is wanted on his land, and if he 

 finds that it requires dissolved bones let him pay according to 

 the amount of bones which have been used in preparing the 

 manure. 



In common life you do not estimate entirely the value of a 

 thing by the benefit you derive from its possession. If you 

 want a good plough horse you will ask what such a horse fetches 

 in the market. Now why do you not ask in the same way what 

 good superphosphate of lime fetches in the market? If you 

 want a good turnip manure you ought to inquire what is the 

 lowest price at which you can produce turnips ; for I have no 

 hesitation in saying that turnips are often produced at too high a 

 price. No fixed rules can be laid down in farming. Every man 

 must use his own judgment, and inquire what is the best produce 

 for him to raise under the circumstances in which he finds him- 

 self situated. 



For my own part I would not condescend to recommend any 

 manure, even if I could do so with propriety ; for it is not the 

 part of any chemist to say, " This manure is a good one," or, 

 " that manure is a better one." It is the chemist's business to 

 ascertain the composition of a manure, and to estimate its value 

 accordingly. Chemists, however, ought not merely to take into 

 account the value of the constituents, but ought also to make a 

 fair allowance for the skill and trouble which is incurred on the 

 part of the manufacturer in the preparation of the manure ; for 

 the mode of preparation often very greatly enhances the practical 

 efficacy, as well as the commercial value, of the manure. Ma- 

 terials in a raw state are much cheaper than they are in a prepared 

 state. Take, for instance, a sack of flour. In the form of bread 

 it is much dearer, because it has undergone preparation. The 

 baker cannot be expected to bake for nothing, nor can the manure 

 manufacturer be expected to dissolve his bones for nothing. It 

 is fortunate for the farmers that there are men of the highest 



