FRAUD IN SUPERPHOSPHATES. 93 



mitted to examination, and then the results will be published. 

 It is believed that if the sale of commercial articles is to con- 

 tinue, the exact value of each substance should be understood 

 by purchasers. 



In order to show how farmers are subjected to loss in the 

 purchase of manufactured fertilizers, I will present the average 

 cost of seventeen of the most popular superphosphates, the 

 cost having been ascertained from accurate analysis of samples 

 found in the hands of dealers. A portion of these analyses 

 were made in my own laboratory, a part in others, where were 

 obtained unquestionable accuracy of results. 



The money value of the seventeen superphosphates averages 

 $16.35 per ton, and the average price at which they are sold by 

 dealers, is $51.25 per ton. These results give an average loss 

 to farmers, upon every ton purchased, of $34.90. Some of the 

 superphosphates, so called, eost the manufacturer less than $10 

 a ton, but they had a selling price of $50 the ton. The highest 

 cost of any one specimen was $36, which is sold at $60. The 

 loss to the farmer on a ton of the former would be $40, on the 

 latter $22. Now it is evident that none but the most wealthy 

 farmers can afford to buy these products ; and it is equally 

 evident, if they purchase many of them, their more sensible 

 neighbors will soon find them objects of support in the poor- 

 house. 



A considerable number of these are sold largely in the 

 Southern, New York, Baltimore and Philadelphia markets, and 

 are less known in Boston. The superphosphates, so called, 

 which hold a prominent position in Massachusetts and through- 

 out New England, are what are known as " Bradley's " and 

 ** Upton's," and are manufactured in Boston. I will present 

 the results of analysis made in my laboratory, in September, 

 of these compounds. The specimens were procured at the 

 warehouses of the manufacturers, under circumstances to 

 preclude the possibility of deception, and therefore they may 

 be regarded as representing the articles as offered for sale. 



Bradley's extra superphosphate held in one hundred parts — 



Water, 9.76 



Organic matter, . . . . .41.71 



Inorganic, 48.53 



100.00 



