394 ANNUAL, REPORT OF THE Off. Doc. 



Here we desire to say that this home mixing has a decided 

 educational value, which the progressive farmer should not overlook 

 as he i)repares his soil and fertilizer for his different crops, and we 

 predict the day is not far distant when more study will be given 

 the requirements of our crops and more home mixing will be done 

 even though it be an unpleasant task. 



Our State Department of Agriculture has been greatly aiding the 

 farmers during the years that the manufacturing of fertilizers have 

 been under State control, and that aid has only been limited by 

 the defective laws that were at first enacted, but as better and 

 more comprehensive laws have been enacted for the protection of 

 the farmer in the purchase of fertilizers, the Department has proved 

 itself to be of incalculable value by enforcing them, by the collect- 

 ing of hundreds of samples of fertilizers all over the State and 

 having them analyzed by the State Chemist to ascertain whether 

 the contents of the sack from which the sample was taken 

 corresponds with what is printed on the outside and thus protect- 

 ing the purchaser from fraud. The Department should certainly be 

 commended for its good work during the past year on this line, for 

 it reports the taking of 2,747 samples, gathered from all parts of 

 the State, 1,113 of which were analyzed, the remaining being 

 duplicate samples. There were approximately 5,000 determinations 

 for which were paid a specific rate for each determination, and 

 best of all 13 cases were prosecuted for ^'deficiency" and fines and 

 costs collected amounting to |344. Five cases were prosecuted for 

 selling without license and fines and costs collected $103.74. There 

 were 1,314 brands licensed by 147 manufacturers. License fees 

 collected |22,G40.00. 



In conclusion, we recommend that action be taken by fhe Depart- 

 ment, as there has been no session of the Legislature since the 

 adoption of the report of one year ago, to have enacted into laws 

 the suggestions and recommendations contained in that report as 

 adopted, which reads as follows: 



First: Prevent the printing on bag or tag of all but plain 

 minimum figures. 



Second: Provide for some statement on bag or tag of the source 

 of ingredients in the fertilizer, or at least for the establishment of 

 some standard of solubility by the use of which the tag can show 

 various degrees. 



Third: Provide for an increased penalty for non-compliance with 

 the law. The minimum fine of |25, and possible maximum of |200, 

 does not seem sufficiently severe. 



Fourth: Provide that the official analysis made by the State 

 Chemist shall be sufficient legal evidence of the infraction of the 

 law, where such analysis shows less value than the guarantee. 



ADDRESS OF DR. HUNT. 



Mr. Chairman, and Gentlemen: I hardly know whether it is 

 altogether wise for me to talk to you for ten minutes before I begin 

 to speak, because when a man comes before an audience, he should 

 be prepared, and I have not had time to even consider what I might 



