Rensselaer Union, Volume 7, Number 50, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 September 1875 — Woolen Waste in Agriculture. [ARTICLE]

Woolen Waste in Agriculture.

The available residue of the wool used in any manufacture is about 20 per cent pt the whole amount. Of this waste all is of more or less value as manure. It is strictly nitrogenous, and has little other value. The proportion of nitrogen is only about 3.85 per cent, of the woolen, andjts, value to the farmer becomes a question of carriage. If the woolen waste can be delivered on the farm at a less cost than the 3.85 per cent, of nitrogen can be bought in the form of commercial manures, it will pay to use it, otherwise it will not. Its usual treatment on the farm is to plow it in, to mix it with compost, or to mix it with phosphates. In the ground it is slow to decay, and it is claimed that it is avail able for two or three years after placing in the soil. Another and better method is to use the waste as a litter and absorbent. Manufacturers of manure use woolen waste extensively by treating it with acids, alkalies, or superheated steam. Very fair manures are made in this way and are extensively usee in Europe. Still water, in which sheep nave been washed, has been found to dep" ita fine mud, also available as manure, lite subject of woolen waste in agriculture has been under examination in Belgium aulthe above facts are from the official reports of the State The chief po ats are that woolen waste ! is nitrogenous in character, that its real value as a nuri are is only 3.85 per cent, of its bulk, an Tthat it is available as a bedding material. — Scribner'e Monthly.