236 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



USES OP PHOSPHORIC ACID. 



1. Phosphoric acid is useful iu promoting seed formation and early 

 maturity. In this respect it works antagonistic to nitrogen. 



2. It promotes the formation of proteid material and is thus essential 

 to plant nutrition. 



USES OF POTASH. 



1. Potash seems to play an important part in sugar formation by aiding 

 in the transference of starches in plants. It is abundant in the sugar beet 

 but excessive amounts are detrimental to the artificial recovery of sugar 

 from the plant, because it prevents crystallization of the sugar. 



2. It is essential to the development of the fleshy fruits and is impor- 

 tant in the formation of the woody structure of the plant. 



VALUATION OF FERTILIZERS. 



The following prices may be used as representing quite closely the 

 retail cost per pound of the ordinary forms of nitrogen, phosphoric a^^id 

 and potash in chemicals and raw materials: 



Per pound. 



Nitrogen in nitrates f 15 



Nitrogen in ammonia salts 17| 



Nitrogen in organic matter 17 



Phosphoric acid, available 04 



Phosphoric acid, insoluble 024 



Potash as muriate 04| 



Potash as sulphate 05 



Potash as carbonate 05 



The above valuations refer to the commercial value and not to the 

 agricultural value of fertilizers. They simply refer to the market cost of 

 the ingredients in the various forms as found in our large markets and 

 as subject to market law of supply and demand. The agricultural value 

 is quite a different thing and is a matter of variation on different farms. 



CONCERNING GUARANTIES. 



Farmers should note carefully that the maintenance of a guaranty has 

 nothing whatsoever to do with the excellence of the fertilizer. It simply 

 means that the manufacturer has set a standard and the Station has 

 found the goods up to his mark. The law simply requires the manufac- 

 turer to guarantee the composition of his goods and he has complied with 

 the law when these requirements are met. The maintenance of a guaranty 

 is, therefore, not a proof of the value of the goods but simply shows that 

 the manufacturer meets his claim. 



SUPERFLUOUS GUARANTIES. 



The law requires the manufacturer to print on the outside of the sack 

 the guaranteed analysis of the fertilizer. Beyond this point the law is 

 silent. It does not say what price shall be asked, neither does it place 

 any limit on the guaranty. As a consequence manufacturers have in 



