INSPECTION OF FERTILIZERS. 293 



even domestic animals, these do possess many of the attributes 

 of mind corresponding to those enjoyed and exercised by 

 members of the human race. In what degree, we will not 

 pretend to say. But had such animals the power of speech, 

 I doubt not they would quite astonish us by the exhibition of 

 those faculties in a degree of which we do not now even 

 dream ; and thus showing that their likeness to the human, 

 in addition to other considerations, entitles them to humane 

 treatment and the protection of the law. 



Hebron Vincent. 



The report was accepted. 



Prof. GoESSMANN then submitted his 



THIRD ANNUAL REPORT ON FERTILIZERS. 



To (lie State Board of Agriculture, 



Gentlemen : — The history of the fertilizer trade during 

 the past year presents many features of general interest. 



Much progress has been made towards the adoption of a 

 more satisfactory basis for the sale of fertilizers. The 

 proposition for selling the latter by chemical analysis, with 

 guarantee of a stated definite composition, has met with gen- 

 eral indorsement. The propriety of distinguishing between the 

 commercial and the agricultural value of a fertilizing material, 

 is well recognized as a naturally satisfactory basis for business 

 transactions between manufacturer and farmer. 



The former begins to realize that the fertilizer law does not 

 make his position an exceptional one ; for he enjoys in the 

 general market the full benefit of his personal business 

 resources ; he feels encouraged in making improvements in 

 the production of his article, because its true merits are 

 rendered more conspicuous by a comparative analytical state- 

 ment, which the law requires, regarding the chemical com- 

 position and the general character of the various fertilizers 

 offered for sale. As the comparative cheapness of the differ- 

 ent brands of so-called standard fertilizers will be decided 

 in the future, not by their respective price per ton, but more 

 generally, as it ought to be, by their relative amount and 

 the peculiar condition of the phosphoric acid, potassium oxide 



