304 Report of IxsrEcxiox ^VoltK of tue 



result of study of tlie prices actually prevailing in tlie large 

 markets of \hese states. 



These trade-values represent, as nearly as can be estimated, 

 the average prices at which, during the six months preceding 

 March, the respective ingredients, in tJie form of uiiminfed raw 

 materials, could be bought at retail for cash in our large 

 markets. These prices also correspond (except in case of avail- 

 able phosphoric acid) to the average wholesale prices for the 

 six months preceding March, plus about 20 per ct. in c;;sc' of 

 goods for which there are wholesale quotations. 



Trade-Values of Plant-Food Elements in Raw Materials and 



Chemicals. 



1901. 



Ct8. per 



puuiid. 



Nitrogen in ammonia salts 161^ 



Nitrogen in nitrates 1-i 



Organic nitrogen in dry and fine-ground fish, meat and blood, and 



mixed fertilizers 16 



Organic nitrogen in fine-ground bone and tankage 16 



Organic nitrogen in coarse bone and tankage 12 



Phosphoric acid, Tvater-soluble 5 



Phosphoric acid, citrate-soluble 4^/^ 



Phosphoric acid in fine-ground fish, bone and tankage 4 



Phosplioric acid in coarse fish, bone and tankage 3 



Phosphoric acid in mixed fertilizers, insoluble in ammonium cit- 

 rate and water 2 



Potash as high-grade sulphate, in forms free from muriates (chlo- 

 rides), in ashes, etc 5 



Potash in muriate .* 4^4 



comparison of SELIiING PRICE AND COMMERCIAL VALUATION. 



Giving to the different constituents the values assigned in the 

 schedule for mixed fertilizers, 16 cents a pound for nitrogen, 5 

 cents a pound for water-soluble phosphoric acid 4^ cents a 

 pound for citrate-soluble phosphoric acid, 2 cents a pound for 

 insoluble phosphoric acid, and 4^ cents a pound for potash, we 

 can calculate the commercial valuation, or the price at which 

 the separate unmixed materials contained in one ton of fertil- 

 izer, having the composition indicated in the preceding table, 

 could be purchased for cash at retail at the seaboard. Knowing 

 the retail prices at which these goods were offered for sale, we 

 can also readily estimate the difference between the actual sell- 



