Genre:

Essay, News-Commentary

Subjects:

Agriculture, Adulteration, Charlatanry, Analytical Chemistry, Education

    Concerns the ways farmers are 'cheated' by the producers of adulterated fertilisers. Describes how the principal fertiliser, superphosphate of lime, 'can be watered as easily as rum; and with less risk of detection'. Reports on a letter to the Chemical News by Mr Little, noting the lack of consensus among chemists over the analysis of fertiliser. Little also calls for the establishment of a 'chemical school' where prospective farmers can learn to analyse manure, and to protect themselves from 'fraudulent artificial manure manufactures'. He claims that farmers would save money by taking his advice. Punch praises Little's scheme.