410 BOAED OF AGRICULTUEE. 



V. and VI. Hard Wood Ashes. 



(Sent on for examination from Amherst, Mass.) 



Samples III., IV., V., VI., represent the average quality 

 of Canada wood ashes sold in our section of the Connecticut 

 River A^alley at 33 to 35 cents per bushel ; they are worth 

 the price asked for them. 



Chemically Prepared Leather Befuse. 



(Sent on by John E. Russell, Secretary of the State Board of Agriculture, Boston, Mass.) 

 I. It. III. IV. V. VI. 



Moisture at 100° C, .10.30 8.60 10.50 10.20 11.80 8.50 per ct 



Ash constituents, . . .87 - - - - - 



Volatile and organic mat- 

 ter, .... 99.13 - - - ^ 



Nitrogen in organic mat- 

 ter 8.03 5.89 6..58 7.80 7.23 8.84 per ct 



All the samples were of a more or less dark-brown color, 

 resembling certain varieties of dried blood; they varied 

 from 5.89 to 8.84 per cent, in nitrogen. An attempt has 

 been made of late to introduce this material into our mar- 

 kets as a nitrogen resource for fertilizer. Its comparative 

 value for that purpose has never been ascertained, and its 

 use ought to be discouraged ; for, as far as experimental ob- 

 servations in the field have shown, its effect on crops is very 

 doubtful. Some experiments have been inaugurated here 

 for the purpose of ascertaining whether it is possible by 

 some simple preparatory treatment, to render its nitrogen 

 active. To use this article in fertilizers in its present con- 

 dition, without giving due notice to the farming community, 

 is equal to a fraud. 



