ANALYTICAL ASSOCIATIOXS. 397 



phosphate, it might have been no real compensation at all, for 

 the insoluble phosphate, whatever its origin, might be unsuited 

 to the soil on which it was applied and of little use as maoure. 

 In such a case the loss of the buyer is not limited to 20s. per 

 ton, but it includes probably the deficiency of a turnip crop, 

 which may amount to several pounds per acre. Manure 

 merchants are not sufficiently aware of the responsibility they 

 incur in supplying manures differing from the guarantee. There 

 is not always time to have a manure autalysed previous to 

 sowing, and if the manure after application is found to be 

 deficient from the guarantee, any loss arising out of that 

 deficiency to which the buyer is subjected in the proper applica- 

 tion of the manure is a loss for which the seller is responsible. 

 The buyer is entitled to trust to the accuracy of the guarantee, 

 for a guarantee is a bond. The position of a manure merchant 

 is therefore one of great trust, and should be felt to be one of great 

 responsiblity. 



The other deficient manure w^as sold to a member of the 

 Strathearn Analytical Association. It was a sample of " Turnip 

 Manure," supplied by Messrs Somerville & Co., Montrose, 

 throutjh their ai:rent at Perth, to Mr James Donaldson, Gloaoburn. 

 It was guaranteed to contain 0"75 per cent, ammonia, and 

 25 to 27 per cent, phosphates, fully one half soluble. It was 

 found by the analyst of the association to contain — 



Soluble phosphate, . . . 7*84 per cent. 



Insolul)le „ . . . 11"24 „ 



Ammonia, . . . 4 "62 „ 



Potash, . . . 3*10 „ 



When the deficiency was observed, a second sample was sent to 

 me with the consent of the sellers, who expressed their willing- 

 ness to make compensation for any deficiency. It was found to 

 contain — 



Solu})le phosphate, 



Insoluble „ ... 



Ammonia, 



Potash, 



This result was communicated to the sellers, who took no notice 

 of it. They exi)lain that the report of the second analysis was 

 mislaid, and the circumstance escaped their recollection, and 

 they repeat their wish to ])ay or give rebate for the deficiency. 



It must also be mentioned that the guarantee given above 

 is subject to an allowance of ^ per cent, ammonia, and 3 per 

 cent, phosjihates, to cover po.ssibk' variations in manufacture. 

 In botli these cases of deficient manures, the deficiency exceeded 

 one-tenth of the nett amount Lruaranteed, and they are published 

 here in accordance with liegulation III. (App. B, p. 20). ^ ., 



Besides these cases, there were others which would have been 



