(The) Potato (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1898 Excerpt: ...to think that such a mixture would either form a suitable general food by itself, and still less that it could be economically used, however much the pigs might show a liking for it. The price of sugar is, unfortunately for our colonies5 1 far too low at present to make it worth one's while to pay Ql. a ton for sugar sweepings and bread crumbs. B. Fertilisers. 1. Superphosphate. This most generally used fertiliser has again been within easy reach of the farmer; its condition and quality have alike been well maintained, and the lowest percentage of "soluble phosphate" in any sample sent me during the year has been 21-79 per cent. An instance of superphosphate being sold very cheaply was a purchase of six tons at 51s. 6d. per ton delivered for cash payment. The analysis gave 31-76 per cent, of "soluble phosphate," which works out to Is. 7c?. per unit only of "soluble phosphate." 2. Dissolved Bones. I have occasion to impress again what I have frequently given a warning about before, viz., that when a fertiliser is sold under the name "dissolved bones," it must be made from raw bone and acid, and not from boiled bone or with admixture of that material. The difference between the two fertilisers is well illustrated by the following case in which a member of the Society sent me for analysis two samples of what he had in each case purchased as "pure dissolved bones." The "Newton" delivery cost il. 5s. per ton, the "Lincoln" one il. 10s. per ton. The analyses came out: --i containing nitrogen.., 1-33 2-92 equal to ammonia., .. 162 3-55 The "Lincoln" sample was genuine dissolved bones, and was worth nearly 30s. a ton more than the "Newton" one, this latter being made largely fro...