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seeds, unless the sprouting plant finds within easy reach some- 

 thing to feed upon it must languish and die. A generous and 

 full supply of plant food lies at the very basis of successful 

 husbandry. 



In the address of a quarter of a century ago the matter of 

 fertilizers was considered at some length, and it is interesting 

 to contrast the extent of our knowledge then and now. We 

 knew then, that nitrogen, phosphoric acid, and potash, consti- 

 tuted the great fundamentals of plant nutrition, but it was not 

 known that any abundant and available sources of supply ex- 

 isted outside of animal excrement and waste organic sub- 

 stances. In speaking upon this topic in the address, the want 

 of increased fertilizing materials is dwelt upon, and whilst 

 deploring the existence of this great want, it was confidently 

 predicted that it would be supplied. The language used is as 

 follows : " We can hardly doubt as regards the abundant re- 

 sources of nature or cherish a hesitating faith in respect to a 

 future supply of all our wants in feeding the crops upon our 

 farms. It must be that mother earth holds within her bosom 

 all the materials needed to produce sustenance for man, and I 

 feel confident that chemistry, which holds the key which has 

 unlocked many rich chambers in the storehouse of nature, will 

 open others fully capable of supplying all the wants of the 

 husbandmen." 



Since these remarks were made in the hearing of some of 

 you, the science of chemistry has produced the key, unlocked, 

 and thrown wide open the doors to nature's vast storehouses 

 in which arc found inexhaustible supplies of phosphoric acid, 

 potash and nitrogen. How interesting is the fact, that no 

 special favor or partiality has been shown to any section of the 

 earth, in the distribution of these invaluable treasures. Vast 



