The Chemistry of Fertilisers and Manure - Including Information on the Chemical Constituents and Types of Fertilisers and Manures

By Frank Knowles

This early work on the fertilisers and manure concentrates on the chemistry behind them, examining their different types and how they are made. Written in simple, clear language and profusely illustrated, “The Chemistry of Fertilisers and Manure” will appeal to those with an interest in the history and development of modern agricultural techniques. Contents include: “Soil Science”, “Fertilisers And Manures”, “Nitrogenous Fertilisers”, “Phosphatic Fertilisers”, “Potassic Fertilisers”, “Agricultural Salt”, “Determination of Sodium Chloride”, “Lime, Hydrated Lime And Carbonate Of Lime”, “Mixed Or General Manures”, “Potassium Nitrate”, etc. Many vintage books such as this are increasingly scarce and expensive. It is with this in mind that we are republishing this volume now in an affordable, modern, high-quality edition complete with a specially-commissioned new introduction on soil science.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Read Books Ltd.
• Release date: Oct 13, 2011
• ISBN: 9781447490289

Book preview

FERTILISERS AND MANURES

THE large number of fertilisers and manures used in agricultural and horticultural practice are very varied in character. Many contain only one fertilising constituent and are grouped as nitrogenous (inorganic or organic), or phosphatic, or potassic manures. The mixed or general manures supplying two or three of the fertilising constituents include potassium nitrate, the guanos, bone manures (usually regarded as mainly phosphatic), farmyard manure, poultry manure, compound manures, and the more recently introduced concentrated fertilisers. The different forms of lime although not usually added to the soil as direct fertilisers, are included in this section. The exercises given demonstrate the general properties of the manures, and the methods by which the chief manurial constituents are determined.

Sampling for Quantitative Analysis. The proper sampling of manures is of great importance. The student is usually less concerned in the taking of the sample from bulk, than in the sample as received in the laboratory. Generally, however, a much larger sample than is actually needed for the analysis is ground finely and well mixed, and from this the small portion required is weighed out. In the case of substances which lose or gain weight during the grinding, the amount of water in the coarse sample and in the powdered sample respectively is determined, and the results of the powdered sample are then recalculated to the water content of the original coarse substance. Materials such as shoddy should be cut up as finely as possible with scissors; while with farmyard manure or poultry manure, which may be analysed in the fresh state, any large particles, such as undecomposed straw, are cut up, the whole thoroughly mixed and the sample weighed as quickly as possible.

The samples should be kept in dry bottles with air-tight stoppers, to preserve the original composition of the fertiliser.

NITROGENOUS FERTILISERS

These contain nitrate, ammoniacal, cyanamide or organic nitrogen, but the percentage of