EXPERIMENT STATION BULLETINS. 573 



DISCUSSION OF RESULTS. 



Of the "609 samples analyzed, 158 (25.9%) were found to be below guaran- 

 tee in one or more ingredients. Thirty-nine (6.4%) were below in nitrogen, 

 2 (0.3%) in total phosphoric acid, 45 (7.4%) in available phosphoric acid 

 and 100 (16.4%) in potash. As in the case of last year, the greatest num- 

 ber of deficiencies were due to potash. There is some evidence to indicate 

 that these deficiencies have been due to inefficient factory help but there is 

 also much evidence to indicate, in some cases, a very lax system of factory 

 control. 



The results of the inspection pretty accurately reflect the carefulness of 

 the manufacturer in preparing his products for the market and every user 

 of commercial fertilizer should carefully study the fertilizer bulletin, in 

 order to determine what companies are consistently fulfilling their obliga- 

 tions. While the results of a single season may not be a fair criterion, as 

 something beyond the immediate control of the officers of a company may 

 happen to lower the standard of their product, the performance of a company 

 over a period of years is an accurate index of its integrity and well meaning. 

 The object of the inspection is to protect the user of commercial fertilizers 

 against fraud and unless the real consumers make use of the results, by 

 studying the bulletins, the inspection is not fulfilling its greatest usefulness. 



