MAINE STATE COLLEGE 



The solubility of the organic material in various fertilizers in a 

 pepsin solution varies from thirty-five per cent, to seventy- 

 eight per cent. 



In the case of several brands, the figures are such as to cause 

 grave doubts as to whether the manufacturers are not using what 

 are regarded as low grade ammoniates, that is, ammoniates com- 

 ing from such materials as hoof, horn, leather &c, of which we 

 have reason to suppose that they will decompose slowly in the soil 

 and are therefore poorly adapted for use with quickly growing 

 plants. It is at least safe to affirm that with a large number of 

 these fertilizers the solubility of the organic matter comes far 

 short of that which dried blood, cotton seed meal, dried flesh and 

 similar materials are known to have. 



