1 6-' AGRICULTURE OF MAINE. 



of the state. While the analysis for the official samples ob- 

 tained did not show as great a deficiency as the one reported by 

 Mr. Ayer, practically all of the samples examined were found 

 low in nitrogen and potash. After considerable correspond- 

 ence and an attempt to gain an interview with the officials of 

 the Standard Guano Company, a hearing was arranged for 

 Wednesday, August 4, with Robert W. Betts, Manager of 

 the Thorndike Farmers Union, Those present at the hearing 

 were: Robert W. Betts, who answered to the summons on the 

 charge of distributing fertilizer as agent for the Standard 

 Guano Company, John E. Nelson, attorney for Mr. Betts, and 

 Mr. Robinson, vice-president of the Standard Guano Company. 

 At the time of this hearing, Mr. Betts achnitted that — acting as 

 a distributing agent — he had supplied Mr. Ayer with the fer- 

 tilizer in question; he also admitted the sale, under the same 

 conditions, to Mr. Walton. 



After considerable discussion, and without a definite plan 

 for settlement being reached, the hearing was adjourned and 

 the case still remains unsettled. 



The Nezv Mineral Fertilizer Company. — Our particular at- 

 tention was again called during the past year to the New 

 Mineral Fertilizer which, although under a new name, was 

 being advertised and sold as "Nature's Plant Food." Early in 

 the season the inspectors reported finding these goods in a farm- 

 er's possession. Our attention was also drawn to the product 

 by the advertisements of the company. Examination of our 

 file showed that no manufacturer's certificate had been filed or 

 registration fee paid for the year 1915. The fact was also 

 taken into consideration that prosecution of this concern was 

 begun in 1914 aiid on two charges indictments were made and 

 true bills found by the Grand Jury of Cumberland County. In 

 the meantime, a change having occurred in the county officials, 

 the matter of previous prosecution was taken up with the new 

 County Attorney by personal interview and by correspondence. 

 On May 11 a letter was received from the County Attorney 

 informing us that he would be unable to proceed against the 

 fertilizer company. The matter was then brought to the at- 

 tention of the Attorney General, who wrote to the County At- 

 torney of Cumberland county, asking that the case be continued 

 to the next term, pending a consultation relative to further 



