Fertilisers. 
251 
“ A ” and “ B ” both cost 12s. $d. per ton. The former, if it 
could be got on the farm for the price, would be just about 
worth purchasing, but “B 1 ’ was much wetter and consequently 
poorer in quality. “ C ” cost 30s. per ton, and was clearly 
much too dear. 
5. Soot. 
The variable quality of soot and the need of ascertaining 
its quality before using it, have frequently been commented on 
by me. The following is the analysis of a sample submitted 
to me under the name “ Soot ” : — 
Moisture ...... 
1 Organic matter and salts of ammonia . 
Oxide of iron, alkalies, &c. 
Sand ....... 
2-84 
14-82 
18-47 
63-87 
100-00 
1 Containing nitrogen ..... 0"46 
Equal to ammonia ..... 0*56 
This, though guaranteed as “ pure soot,” was an almost 
worthless article, containing about 64 per cent, of siliceous 
matters, and not more nitrogen than is possessed by a fairly 
fertile pasture soil. 
6. Raw Phosphate. 
Occasionally the farmer has offered to him raw material 
of phosphatic nature, such as ground phosphate, Belgian 
phosphate, &c., which, however useful it may be to the 
manufacturer of artificial manures, has, owing to its slow 
availability, but little use to the farmer. Of such was the 
following, offered at 21. 12s. per ton, it being really Belgian 
phosphate, and containing, as that material does, a considerable 
amount of carbonate of lime : — 
Moisture and organic matter 
Phosphate of lime 
Carbonate of lime, &c. 
Sand ..... 
4-13 
50-23 
45-19 
0-45 
100-00 
7. Ground Lime. 
I cannot say that my experience of ground lime during 
the past twelve months has been any more favourable than 
I previously reported it to be ; and, though good samples can 
be met with, they have to be looked for, and considerable care 
must be exercised in the purchase. . The following are cases 
in point : — - 
