American manures; and farmers' and planters' guide

Front matter

i

AND

PAEMBRS' AND PLASTERS'

PREFACE TO THE SECOiXD EDITION

Mr. Chynoweth's connection with ^^ American Manures '^ having ceased, it affords the author pleasure in announcing that the first edition of the work has been exhausted, and thanking the public for their kind patronage of the same. While he is conscious that certain parties put forth all their energies to suppress the work in its infancy, he is glad to say that success has not crowned their efforts, as is evinced by this revised edition. And it is hoped, not only by him, but he trusts by all who have the welfare of their fellowbeings at heart, that subsequent editions may follow in quick succession.

It is the writer's intention to embrace in future editions of the work analyses, not only of manures representing those which have been examined, but of others ; and judging from the following quotation of a letter from a manufacturer of fertilizers, dated Nov. 29th, he will not be surprised to find a marked improvement in the quality of the former.

" The book has exercised a great influence on the fertilizing business, and has j^ut thousands of dollars

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Vlll PREFACE.

into the pockets of the fanners. Every manufacturer has increased the quality of his article. The State of Delaware employs a State Chemist, and all manufacturers must have their fertilizers analyzed by that chemist before they are allowed to sell in that State, so that there was a fair chance to observe the rise of the Phosphate Business.''

Immediately after the publication of " Anieriean Manures/' Messrs. Wattson & Clark, manufacturers of Superphosphate of Lime, No. 135 North Water street, Philadelphia, while candidly admitting the correctness of analyses and fairness of criticism of their product^ informed the writer that they manufacture a superphosphate of lime (never found in the market in bags), which they warr^ant to contain 10 per cent, of soluble phosphoric acid (anhydrous), and which in quantity they are willing to sell at the price laid down in this book, namely, 12 J cents per pound, for soluble phosphoric acid; or, in other words, they charge for the above superphosphate, $25 per short ton.

This statement is made, because justice demands it ; and farmers desirous of getting the worth of their money ^ would do well to club together to purchase such an article in quantity. Subsequent division to meet the wants of each purchaser could easily be effected.

WILLIAM H. BRUCKNER.

Preface To The First Edition

Knowledge is indispensably necessary to better the condition of mankind. The possession of the information that will enable us to procure what we need, is oftentimes more valuable than the possession of the same without such knowledge ; the advantages of the latter are temporary, those of the former are permanent.

To be warned of danger is better than to be armed to resist it. When the wrongs and impositions practised on communities are fully exposed, they have no one to blame but themselves for their continuance. It has ever been considered the duty of each member of a community to do all in his power to expose and redress existing wrongs, especially when those wrongs affect the vital interests of all. From these considerations we feel it a duty, and we claim the right of giving freely the knowledge

4 PREFACE.

we possess on the subjects treated in this book. We shall unmask practices that have been backed up by favorable reports, and artfully designed statements, falsely claiming to be benefits conferred on the community, and which, from a want of knowledge to distinguish real from imaginary good, have passed currently as such. We shall not attempt to disprove the statements of dishonest manufacturers of fertilizers by mere reasoning; we only desire the reader closely to scrutinize and compare the facts as given, and make his own deductions. We challenge the parties assailed to disprove them.

We expect to offend some: when wrongs are exposed, this is inevitable; and those parties may endeavor to refute the statements made. Our justification is written down in the following pages. In the language of Cicero, w-e shall '' Neither dare to say anything that is false, nor fear to say anything that is true."

Philadelphia, May 1st, 1871.

Chapter I

11, Importance of our work. — 12, Two kinds of works on farming. — 13, 1st kind, and remarks — 14, 2d kind, and remarks. — 15, Operations of the farm may be intelligently performed. — 16, Farming may be made scientific — Book knowledge necessary. — 17, Progress of other arts. — 18, Terse sayings — Negligence and indifference of farmers. — 19, Effect of knowledge — What we intend to show. — 20, Effect of this upon farmers — Object of concentrated manures — Remark. — 21, Analyses of Dr. Bruckner — How samples wer-e obtained — Other fertilizers to be examined — Made manures a special study. — 23, Secrecy and frauds of manufacturers. — 24, Lying circulars. — 25, Detection difficult — Immense profits. — 26, Object of book. — 27, Necessity of inspection. — 28, Agricultural Department at Washington remiss. — 29, All interested in agriculture. — 30, Practical experiments to be made.

CHAPTER II. ELEMENTS OF MANURES AND PLANTS. (Page 31-77.)

31, Definition of manure — Two objects to be effected — A perfect manure. — 32, Loss of manures — -Materials abundant. — 33, Gasc'ous elements — Elements with oxygen forming acids — Bases —Alkalies — Elements unite in definite proportions. — 34, Definition of element — A compound — An oxide — A salt — Chemical aflanity. — 35, Cohesion. — Gaseous Elements. — 35, Oxygen — Its properties, etc. — One-fifth of the atmosphere — Half of animals and plants — Source of, in plants — Exhaled by plants, — 37, Hydrogen — Its properties — How existing in nature — In plants and animals — Its weight — What it forms — How assimilated by plants. — 38, Garhuretted Hydrogen — Where found — Marsh gas — Fire damp — Present in soils. — 39, Sulphuretted Hydrogen — How formed — Its properties — In marshy places — Hurtful to vegetation — Effects in soils. — 41, Nitrogen — Its properties — Forms nitric acid with oxygen — Forms ammonia with hydrogen. — 42, Plants do not absorb it irom atmosphere. — 43, Experiments of Lawes and others on rain water — Conclusion therefrom. — 44, Chlorine — Its properties — Sources, etc. — 45, Elements fouming Acids — Silicon — Its appearance — Forms silicic acid — Silicates of potash, lime, and magnesia — Their use. — 45, Silica — Crystallized and amorphous — Its properties. — 46, Soluble silica-^How formed, 9,nd uses of. — 47, Value of soluble silica — Sources of it. — 48, Carbon — Its joroperties. — 48, Carbonic Acid — How formed. — 49, Its uses to plants — Uses of humus or mould. — 50, Pliosphorus — Its properties, etc. — Phosphoric Acid — Its composition and properties — 50, Bone Phosphate of Lime — Its composition, etc. — 51, Neutral Phosphate of Lime — Its composition, etc. — 51, Superphosphate of Lime — Its composition — How formed. — 52, Its action in soils, and Ronna's report on its action. — 57, Sulphur — Its properties, etc. — 58, Sulphuric Acid — Its composition and uses — Cheapest source to farmer.^ELEMENTS fouming bases. — 58, Calcium — Its properties, etc. — 59, Oxide of Qfilcimn, or quick lime— Its composition. — 59, Carbonate of Lime — Its composition, etc. — How made quick lime, etc. — 59, Hydrate of Lime — Its composition. — 60, How lime should be slacked. — Marls rich in carbonate of lime — Quick lime more valuable than carbonate. — 61, Neutralizes acids in soils — Liberates ammonia. — 62, Effect on iron pyrites — On silicates of soda and potash — On salt — Its physical effects. — 63, What soils need lime. — 64, How and what quantity should be applied.— 65, Sulphate of Lime — Its composition — Attracts little moisture. — 66, Its benefits due to sulphuric acid — Why but little required. — 66, Magnesium — Its properties. — 67, Magnesia — Its composition — Its action — Cheap sources of — Too much hurtful. — 68, Iron — Forms two oxides—Protoxide injurions to vegetation. — G9, Peroxide of Iroii — Its composition — Uses in soils — Effect of too much — How to correct it, and effects. — 70, Sulphate of Iron — How formed — Too

much hurtful — How corrected — Iron pyrites useful. — 70, Potassium — Its properties — Oxidizes readily — Forms caustic potasli. — 71, Potash — Its properties — Importance to plants — How and where found in nature — 72, Potasli from plant and wood ashes — Wood ashes as manure. — 7H, Sodium — Its properties — Forms caustic soda — Soda now made from common salt. — 74, Nitrate of Soda — Where found — Its uses in soils — Soda in plants — Cheapest source of it — Gommon Salt — Its composition. — 75, Action of salt in soils— Injurious to some plants and trees — Exterminates insects and worms — How much wheat requires.

Chapter III. Composition Of Plants, And Kinds And Amount Op Manures

BEQuiKED. (Page 77-104.)

77, Elements vary but little in plants of same kind — Effects, if not so — First lesson of farmers — Popular idea of action of manure. — 79, Potash^ Silicon^ and Lime Plants. — 80, Remarks on. — 81, Importance of studying the tables. — 82, Tal)le of composition of plants. — 83, Albumen and Gluten — Their uses ^Starch and Gum — Their uses and mode of action. — 84, Woody fibre — Of no use as food — Theory of fattening. — 85, Table of inorganic elements of plants— A key to application of fertilizers — Remarks on table. — 86, Composition of wheat and straw — Remarks — Ash of plants unilbrm. — 88, Crops on ordinary land. — 89, English farmers. — 89, Wheat — Analysis of grain and straw — Remarks.— 90, Indian (7cni— Analysis of — Remarks. — 91, Bye — Analysis of— Remarks.— 92, Oats — Analysis of — Remarks. — 93, Parley — • Analysis of — Remarks, — 94, Buckwheat — Analysis of — Remarks. • — 94, Potatoes — Analysis of — Remarks. — 95, Glover Hay — Analysis of — Remarks. — 96, Tobacco and Gotton — Analysis of — Remarks. — 98, What should be applied to each crop — Average crop "In thirty States — In Pennsylvania — In South Carolina. — 99, Remarks. — 100, What reader should have learned. — 101, What has been raised in four years — What was taken from the soil — What will restore it. — 102, Bad effects of overcropping in United States and West Indies.

CHAPTER IV. OEIGIN AND COMPOSITION OF SOILS, ETC. (Page 104-123.)

104, Knowledge of soils necessary — Usual considerations in purchasing a farm — The true test of value. — 106, Analysis of soil near the Zuyder Zee. — 107, Amount of elements in this soil — ■ Last how long — How long cropped. — 109, Analysis of a sterile soil — Remarks — 109, Analysis of supposed barren soil — Plow benefitted. — 110, What plants must have — What farmer shoul(J, do. — 111, Sand and clay the bulk of soils — Alluvial soils — Diluvial soils — Rocks that form fertile soils. — 112, Granite, quartz, felspar, mica, how these become soils. — 113, Potash in felspar. — 114, Oarhonate of Lime — Its composition and origin. — 114, 8ulphate of Lime — Its ofRce and where found — 115, Pliosjjhorite — Its importance — Its source in soils — Found in rocks, etc. — 115, Sandstones — What is found in them — Easily disintegrated. — 116, Soils — How named and why — Deep red soils. — 117, Mould — How formed — Remarks. — 118, A complete manure — Waste must be supplied. — 119, Humus — Its office — Water and carbon the bulk of vegetation — Carbon not furnished b}^ the soil. — 120, Carbon furnished by atmosphere. — 121, Importance of heat and moisture. — 121, How to benefit sandy soils.

CHAPTER V. THE MONEY VALUE OF FERTILIZERS, ETC. (Page 123-163.)

124, How prices should be rated. — 125, Exorbitant prices — How to lower them. — 126, Effect of high prices. — 127, No return for the money. — 128, Farmers think manures must be bulky— Not so. — 128-9, Poorness of some fertilizers — Insincerity of manufacturers — Money made from sale of water. — 130, Dishonesty and ignorance of manufacturers — Their lamentations. — 131, Tlie good old times — Effects of their frauds — 132, Our duty. — 133, Poor state of agriculture — Fertilizers in England — In United States. — 134, Report of an English manufacturer. — 135, State of manufacturers in United States. — 135-6, Mode of estimating value in England and Germany — Not applicable to United States. — 137, Basis of value. — 138, Analysis of cattle bones, and amount of phosphoric acid. — 139, Two sources of phosphoric acid — 1st source — 2d source — Its extent. — 140, Report of Dr. Pratt on mineral phosphates of South Carolina. — 143-3, Anal^'sis of — Prices — Profits when merely ground — Of no value m this state. — 144-5, Soluble phosphoric acid — IIow produced — Too little sulphuric acid used. — 146, Amount required — Amount for 100 lbs. ox bones — The compounds produced. — 148, Cost of materials for a ton, and the value. — 149, Profits to manufacturers — Kind sold. — 150-1, Cost and value if made of mineral phosphate — Profits when sold at $50 per ton — Kind sold. — 152-3, A bogus superphosphate — Insoluble phosphoric acid no value to farmer. — 154, Soluble bone phosphate fraud. — 154, Ammonia and Nitrogen — Actual and potential ammonia — x\.ctual of most value — Manufacturers make no distinction in giving analyses. — 15G, Value of each. — 157, Crude sulphate of ammonia — Nitrogen as pot. amm. and how changed to actual. — 158, Cost of nitrogen in bones. — 159-CO, Value of potash with tables — Deceptions of manufacturers. — IGl, Catechism for manufacturers.

Chapter VI. Nature And Value Of Natural Manures, Composting, Etc

163, Natural manures. — 164, These not sufficient. — 155, Stable Manures — Their composition and value. — 107, Analysis of excrement and value — City Stable Manure — Its value — Frauds and profits of dealers. — 169, Rotted and dried stable manure — Use of rotting. — 170, Analysis of liquid excrement and value. — 171, Total value and remarks. — 172, Swamp Muck — Its composition, etc. — 173, Effects of application. — 174, Composting of muck — mud — dried earth. — 175, Leaves of Trees — Their value — Analysis of, etc.' — 175, Wood and Goal Ashes. — 176, Analysis of — Phos. acid and potash in ashes — Effect of coal a'ld peat ashes. — 177. Soot — Its value — Analysis of — 177, Marl — Its composition, kinds and value. — 179, Oreen Manuring — Its value, and better than wdiat — Long root plants. — 180, How and when to green manure — Benefits limited — Rest does not restore land. — 181, Liquid Manures — Their value, etc — 181, Composting — What is necessary — Incorrect method. — 183-4-5, Proper method described. — 186. Substances in heap — Chemical changes effected.— 189, Ground Ijoncs — Time required. — 190, Mistakes made.

Chapter VII

GENERAL REMARKS — ANALYSES OP COMMERCIAL FERTILIZERS, WITH COMMENTS AND CRITICISMS — METHODS OF ANALYSIS.

192, What this chapter will show — Cure for frauds. — 193, What manufacturers may object to — Our reply. — 194, Farm produce inspected — The golden rule. — 195, Analyses of Watson & Clark's Superphosphate — Its money value. — 196, Remarks on. — 197, Analyses of Rhodes' Superphosphate — Its money value. — 198, Remarks on. — 199, Analyses of Berger & Butz's Excelsior Superphosphate of Lime — Its money value. — 200, Remarks on. — 201, Analyses op "Magnum Bonum Soluble Phosphate," Dugdale & Girvin, sole proprietors, Baltimore, Md. — Its money value. — 202-3, Remarks on — Their garbled analysis. — 204, Their bombast. — 205, Evasion of law of Maryland, — 206, Analyses of AVhann's Raw Bone Superphosphate — Its money value. — 207, Remarks — Extracts from circular. — 208-9, False statements. — 210, Cheated in our purchase. — 211, Analyses op Soluble Pacific Guano — Its money value. — 212,, Remarks — Light in weight — Heavy in Avater, etc. — 213-14, Extracts from circular. — 215, Bogus chemists and garbled analysis. — 216, Brag — Great cry and little wool. — 217, Analyses op Baugh & Sons' Raw Bone Superphosphate — Its money value. — 218-19, Remarks on — Extracts from circular. — 220, Garbled analysis. — 221, Analyses of Frank Coe's Superphosphate OF Lime — Its money value — Remarks— Analysis of in 1854 and 1865 — Deterioration since then. — 223, Analyses of Moro Phillips' "Phuine" — Its money value. — 224, Analyses of Moro Phillips' Genuine Improved Superphosphate of Lime — Its money value. — 225, R,emarks on the Superphosphate and Phuine — Extracts from circular. — 227, A great blow and little show — Phuine the greatest swindle. — 228, Excellenza Ammoniated Soluble Phosphate — Analysis of — Its money value. — 229-30, Remarks. — 231, Analyses of Bower's Complete Manure — Its money value. — 232, Short weight.^ — 233-34, Extracts from circular. — 235, The mountain in labor. — 236, C'ommendatory letters. — 238, The manure a fraud. — 239, Analyses op Patapsco Guano Company's Ammoniated Soluble Phosphate — Its money value. — 240, Remarks on — Garbled analysis. — 241, Extracts from circular. — 242, Analyses of Needles' Improved Superphosphate of Lime — Its money value. — 243, A fraud in weight and quality. — 244, Manufacturer should be prosecuted. — 245, Analyses of the Bromophyte Fertilizer — lis money value. — 246, Remarks and extracts. — 248, etc.. Humorous certificates. — 252, Stealing thunder. — 252, Methods op Analysis— For total nitrogen — For actual ammonia and potash — For phos. acid. — 254, Concluding Remarks. — 255, EflFect of certificates. — 256, No complaints published. — 257, Mistakes of farmers in giving certificates. — 258, As soon give certificate to a thief — Necessity for inspection. — 259, Inspection in Germany and its effects iu securing the manufacture of good manures.

Chapter I. Important Introductory Observations

Within tlie past few years, several valuable additions have been made to the agricultural literature of our country, by some of the most practical, scientific men of the times, and we suppose that the publication of another book on the subject of farming, and its interests, may at this time, be considered unnecessary.

But when we have stated the reasons that lead us to issue this publication, and the important interests we intend to discuss, we think the public at large, and especially our progressive farmers, who desire to elevate their profession and raise the largest crops with the least possible outlay, without impairing the value of their lands, will agree with us, that the imformation contained in this book has long been needed, and that its publication is only the natural

working of the law of demand and supply. 2 11

12 AMERICAN MxVNURES.

The bulk of tlie agricultural literature of the clay has two vital defects, calculated to defeat the end for which it is intended. The direct cause of this failure may be traced to the Avriters themselves, who may be classified as follows :

First. The purely professional, scientific man, who, unfortunately, cannot divest his writini2:s of the symbols and technical characters and terms of science ; as he has a reputation to sustain or acquire among the savans of the w^orld, and the scientific men of the country. Their w^orks may be ever so progressive, and show great originality and merit, with an amount of labor and patient research deserving of the highest commendation. Still they signally fail in the object intended — that of giving plain, practical information to our farmers — as the most of them, on account of their technical character, present as much difficulty to the un instructed mind of the general farmer as if tliey were written in Greek characters.

It is not our purpose to condemn works of this class ; they are needed as text books in oui educational institutions, and as books of reference for the scient^ific portion of the community. And as standard works in science, they could not be well given in any other form ; and the farmer, had he the leisure, and the inclination, to give them a thorough study, would be amply repaid. But we must accept the fact, that the majority of our farmers are not educated chemists, and that in connection with the labors of tlie farm, they have not the time ; and it cannot be expected that they would have the inclination to prosecute a study that requires so much patient research as the science of chemistry. To become acquainted with those intricate processes which are at all times taking place in the plant, — the germination of the seed, the causes that lead to the formation of the complex and changing compounds in the different stages of the growth of the plant, the formation of the varied colors and perfume of the blossoms, the changes that take place in the ripening of the fruit, — is a lifelong study for men who have leisure, toith a natural aptitude for the subject. We do not question the utility of these studies. A more intimate knowledge of vegetable physiology will undoubtedly be of incalculable benefit, in indicating the causes and cure of disease and blight in plants, which often disappoints the hopes of our farmers.

But the majority of those who have to take hold of the handles of the plow themselves, require more practical information ; and in order to render it acceptable, it should be given in practical terms, so that when they seek information Oil any subject connected with their business, they shall not be discouraged by a long array of (to them) meaningless symbols, or have to be continually referring to a chemical dictionary to know what the writer means.

We do not intend any one to infer, that we ignore, or attempt to bring science into discredit. The farmer needs all tbe science he can get, and he would find himself greatly benefited by a general application of all its discoveries. But he needs an interpreter of the truths and facts that have been demonstrated by the patient research of those who have been favored with opportunities, time and means to devote to the subject.

And in this book we shall endeavor to give all the practical knowledge, so far developed and established as truths and fixed facts {not speculations) y having a particular connection with agriculture, and this will be rendered in such plain language that a child may read and understand.

The second class of writers, whose productions are commonly found in the Agricultural Journals of the day, fall into the opposite extreme.

These writers are practical farmers, and write with the commendable intention of giving the results of their experience to benefit their brethren.

They generally give a brief description of their experiments, and the benefits derived from them, as shown in the improved condition and fertility of their lands. The information thus given is very good as far as it goes, but as these experiments are generally made without a clear knowledge of the defects intended to be remedied, or of the nature of the materials employed, they must naturally be risky : they may succeed or fail. As experiments so made must naturally cause a great waste of time and money, the value of practical knowledge is apparent.

The farmer to work intelligently should know what is the best and cheapest means to effect a desired end, and this cannot be done until he is fully acquainted with the chemical and physical defects of his soil, and the nature and properties of those materials that he can procure to correct them. Ther'e is no operation of the farm that cannot be performed so intelligently as the burning of limestone to produce quick lime, and the subsequent application of this lime to hasten the decomposition of dead vegetable substances in the soil, and give food to plants. It is not our intention to insult the good sense of our practical farmers by any labored defence of what is termed book farming. The prejudices supposed to exist against valuable information that can be given on this subject in books are

IQ AMERICAN MANUKES.

only myths, the bugbear of those parties who make a business of giving information, and writing books on subjects of which they are entirely ignorant; and the thin veil of whose pretensions is so transparent that the farmer soon discovers the emptiness that is within, and those writers get the contempt and derision they so deservedly merit.

Farming should and can be elevated to a science ; but in order to effect this, the farmer should realize that he has more to learn than the ])uilding of fences, ploughing and cultivating the soil, sowing the seed and gathering the harvest, w^ith the general care of his live stock. That the necessary knowledge for the performance of these things can be transmitted orally, from father to son, without the aid of books, we will admit. But if this was all that was necessary to be known, farming would be degraded to mere labor and manual dexterity, not requiring as much skill and intelligence as is exhibited by some of the low^er animals in providing for their wants. Traditional knowledge is not progressive. It is onl}' when one generation preserves the knowledge they have acquired in the form of written books, that the next generation are enabled to extend that knowledge, and improve the arts or sciences to which tliev are devoted. If we do not know what has been ah^eady done, how arc we to know where to begin to improve ?

We might spend a lifetime in perfecting some invention that had been proved to be a faihire a century before. We should all have to commence at the beginning, and life is too short to be wasted in that manner. The successive steps by which many of the arts and manufactures have advanced to their present perfection are fully recorded. We can profit by the mistakes, as well as the discoveries, of our ancestors, and these mistakes need not be again repeated. We are enabled to sift what is valuable from the worthless, appropriate it to our use and improve on it.

These are a few of the advantages of books on industrial pursuits. As far as agriculture is concerned, we think the intelligent farmer will admit that his business has less advantages in this respect than many others, and consequently is far behind the other industries of civilization.

There are many terse sayings and proverbs connected with farming, that have probably been handed down from father to son for hundreds of years. These generally contain a good deal of strong, sound common sense. One at this moment presents itself to our own mind. " The man who makes two blades of grass grow where one grew before is a benefactor to his country."

This saying is very good as far as it goes, but it seems to be incomplete, and we will make a little addition to it, as follows : " But the man who continually gathers from the soil, and returns nothing to it until he can gather no more, changing a fertile smiling land into a sterile wilderness, impoverishes himself, wrongs his country, and beggars his children." This may seem severe, but it is none the less true. How much individual poverty has been caused by excessive cropping, and a total neglect or an inadequate application of manures? That this state of things has in a great measure been caused by ignorance w^e will charitably admit, but whatever be the cause of the evil, the effect is the same.

In this vital principle of true and successful farming, sustaining fertility by sufficient manuring, we are as a nation shamefully ignorant and criminally negligent. In this matter many of our farmers seem totally indifferent, either to precept or example ; and the work of deterioration is still going on, unchecked and unheeded in all parts of the country, while the very substances that would prevent and avert this great national evil are allowed to go to waste everywhere. Farmers often permit their stable manure to lie for months exposed to the influence of the weather, thus losing the most valuable part of it, namely the ammonia, and the soluble salts that -are dissolved and washed away by the rain. Whereas all such substances should be carefully stored under cover, so that a certain amount of fermentation may be produced, thus preparing them as an active manure when needed. All the waste materials of the farm should thus be prepared. The day will come when this raw material of future crops will be considered as worthy of a store-house as the crop itself

An accurate knowledge of the value of these waste products, as representing grass and butter, corn, beef and bread, and the other necessaries of life, will naturally lead to economy in saving those materials. It is the paramount object of this book, to give the farmer clear, comprehensive views of the theory and practice of manuring, so that he can, at the least possible expense, raise large crops, preserve the standard fertility of his lands, and leave an unimpaired inheritance to his children.