10 



Low-Grade Fertilizers. 



The products which are included in the second class differ from the 

 first, in that they not only vary in their composition, but the constituents 

 contained in them do not show a uniform rate of availability. Different 

 samples of bone derived from the same source, treated in the same way, 

 and ground to the same degree of fineness, would be high-grade, but 

 because these conditions differ, bone from various sources cannot be 

 depended upon to act the same under similar climatic and soil conditions. 

 The same is true of tankage ; but, it varies also in the proportion of its 

 two main constituents, nitrogen and phosphoric acid, and in the rate at 

 which they become available to plants. In this class we must also place 

 fish scrap, wood ashes, and all the miscellaneous substances that may be 

 used in building up mixed or complete fertilizers. 



Guarantees. 



It is, therefore, evident that mixed fertilizers manufactured from 

 these two classes of raw material will differ in value ; for, the nitrogen 

 from nitrate of soda or dried blood will act quicker and is worth more 

 than that from ground leather or horn. In the making of the ordinary 

 complete fertilizers of commerce, in which nitrogenous, potassic, and 

 phosphatic materials are all mixed together, it is impossible for the pur- 

 chaser to judge of the nature of the materials used by the appearance, 

 weight, or smell of the mixture. This fact is so well recognized that 

 some years ago the Dominion Government enacted a law whereby it was 

 made illegal for any manufacturer or importer of fertilizers to offer for 

 sale any fertilizer at more than ten dollars per ton without first submitting 

 a sample to the Minister of Inland Revenue. Along with the sample there 

 must be a statement setting forth the nature of the materials which enter 

 into its composition and the manufacurer's certificate of analysis of the 

 fertilizer. The sample is submitted to the Chief Analyst for analysis and 

 is preserved by the Department for the purpose of comparison with any 

 samples of the fertilizer of that brand which may be collected during the 

 next twelve months. If the fertilizer is put up in packages, every package 

 must have the certificate of analysis placed upon it or attached to it ; if 

 it is sold in bulk, such certificate must be produced and a copy given to 

 every purchaser. Every certificate or guarantee must also contain a 

 statement of the nature of the materials entering into the composition of 

 the fertilizer. 



According to the provisions of the Fertilizer Act, the samples must 

 be sent to the Inland Revenue Department in January of the year in which 

 they are to be offered for sale. Immediately on the completion of the 

 analysis, usually in March or April, the Department issues a bulletin giving 

 the special name of the fertilizer, by whom manufactured, from what 

 materials it was produced, composition as reported by manufacturers, 



