82 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



you will buy nitrate of soda on a guarantee, you will buy 

 acid phosphate on a guarantee. That is what you do with 

 mixed goods. I do not bring forward home-mixing as a 

 means of securing safety, but rather as a matter of economy 

 of purchase. I would deal with reputable, well-known men 

 in any case, and their guarantee is as good in one case as it 

 is in another. 



Mr. Bartholomew (of Connecticut). Our speaker has 

 been telling us of the different sources from which to pro- 

 cure available phosphoric acid. If we are to mix our 

 fertilizers ourselves, from what source is it l)est to get 

 phosphoric acid? One source is South Carolina rock, 

 another source is Thomas slag powder. I am rather 

 doubtful whether the latter is very valuable. 



Professor Jordan. I can well understand that Mr. Bar- 

 tholomew has doubts about being able to obtain desirable 

 results from the slag, if he expects immediate returns. If 

 I get a pound of phosphoric acid that is useful, I would as 

 lief have it from one source as another. I would buy acid 

 phosphate, if I were to buy to mix myself. Thomas slag 

 is a material insoluble in water. It has been in the market 

 under various names. For seeding down perhaps it might 

 be useful, but for quick-growing crops I would not advise 

 you to buy Thomas slag under any name whatever. The 

 name will not help it any. 



ISIr. Barber (of Bernardston). I have i)ractised home 

 mixing of fertilizers ever since I have been engaged in 

 active agriculture, and I have found it economical and 

 profitable. 



Mr. Wm. H. Bowker (of Boston). I did not conic here 

 to-day prepared to answer Professor Jordan. I did not 

 know what line he would take, and I do not speak for the 

 fertilizer manufacturers. We have no organization among 

 ourselves. I think it quite unfortunate for the protection 

 and dignity of the trade. We hold as adverse views among 

 ourselves as those the speaker has advocated are to my 

 own. No one can defend many of the practices and cus- 

 toms to which Professor Jordan has referred. They are to 

 be regretted and deplored, but we trust that time will right 



