No. G. 



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



893 



were strictly t-oiiipaiable with stated analytical results and sullici- 

 ently complete for the purpose: Of the 137 samples in which there 

 was deticieucy at some point, there were only lM; in which there 

 was not distinct excess above guaranty at some other point, thout^h 

 sometimes such excess was not sufficient to couuterhahuKx; the de- 

 ticiency. Naturally, the tendency is toward excess of the cheaper 

 constituent, phosjjhoric acid, and deficiency of ]»otash or nitroj^en, 

 as appears below. 



More than two-thirds of the brands wej'e up to or above guaranty 

 at all points. The true average condition of the market for com- 

 plete fertilizers will be more fairly exhibited by a comparison of 

 the average composition of all samples for which guaranties are re- 

 corded with the average of the corresponding guaranties; they are 

 as follows: 



Average Composition and Guaranty Compared. 



Fall, 1901. 

 Phosphoric acid: 



Total, 



Available 



Potash 



Nitrogen 



Spring-, 1902. 

 Phosphoric acid 



Total, 



Available, 



Potash 



Nitrogen 



Fall, 1902. 

 Phosphoric acid: 



Total 



Available, 



Potash 



Nitrogen, 



Spring, 19C3. 

 Phosphoric acid: 



Total 



Available, 



Potash, 



Nitrogen 



It is of interest to note how closely the system of valuations, 

 based upon the wholesale prices of raw materials in the principal 



