VARIOUS MANURES. 137 



are, it is desirable in using them to unite a certain 

 amount of earth, and spread the same as if one com- 

 pact mass. On soils that are poor many advantages 

 may be derived from their use, whilst, on the contrary, 

 those of ordinary composition will be but little bene- 

 fited, and for that reason it is desirable to ascertain in 

 advance approximately what one has to contend with. 

 The soluble phosphate of lime cannot easily be brought 

 in direct contact with a carbonate of lime or with an 

 alkaline carbonate without a loss of phosphoric acid, 

 and it would then change to insoluble phosphate. 



Some advocate the uniting of the phosphate with 

 manure. The phosphate of mineral origin is indorsed 

 by some, as its dissolution is slow, but we consider 

 that on non-acidulous soils the phosphate of animal 

 origin is far preferable. 



Potassic Fertilizers. — Potassa is more easily absorbed 

 by the beet than by any other plant, and, as its presence 

 prevents the formation of sugar, its use to any extent 

 is not desirable. The Grermans for the past few years 

 have contended that great results may be expected from 

 it.^ The fertilizer from the mines of Strassfurth (Ger- 

 many) is composed principally of chloride of potassium, 

 but if utilized bad results will follow, and the same may 

 be said of the sulphate. Every equivalent of these will 

 prevent the same amount of sugar crystallizing. The 

 disadvantage of the nitrate of potassa has been before 



' Mr. Corenwinder planted beets of various varieties on various soils both 

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