116 



EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



Analyses of commercial fertilizers^ J. L. Hills, B. O. White, 



and C. H. Jones ( Vermont Sta. BuJs. 50, pp. 8; 51, pp. 11-19; 52, pp. 

 23-43). — Trade values of fertilizing materials in Vermont during 1895- 

 '96 witli notes on valuation, statements regarding the collection of sam- 

 ples, a comparison of values of fertilizers licensed in 1895 and 1896, and 

 tabulated analyses and valuations of 232 samples of fertilizers. 



"The station has analyzed samples of 110 distinct brands of fertilizers, all taken 

 tliis spring from dealers' stocks and all this year's goods. This is 18 more than were 

 analyzed in 1895 and 57 more than in any year previous to that time. 



"Of 110 brands analj'zed, 70 (nearly two-thirds) were above guaranty throughout. 

 Of the 40 deficient brands, 21 were but slightly short in a single ingredient, but 3 

 were lacking in two ingredients, and but one was seriously deficient. Practicallj'^ 

 five-sixths of the braiids sold in Vermont this year are equal to or better than guar- 

 anties, and 99 per cent are commercially equivalent to guaranties. In no year 

 previous have so good results been obtained. 



"The average composition of 71 brands sold in Vermont in 1895 and 1896 shows a 

 slightly better qiiality this year and an increase of 40 cts. in valuation. Prices are 

 a little less, but have not dropped in proportion to the lessened cost of crude stock. 

 The increase of cost over valuation of the average goods is 57 per cent, the highest 

 since the station begun to execute the State law 10 years ago. Yet plant food is as 

 cheap to-day to the farmer as it has ever been. If former prices were fair, however, 

 it should be cheaper now than ever before." 



The following table shows the average composition, selling jjrice, 

 and station valuation of all the fertilizers analyzed each year since 

 the station took charge of the State inspection of fertilizers: 



Averatje composition and value of fertilizers, 1885-96. 



Nitrogen 



Soluble phosphoric acid 

 Eeverted phosphoric acid 

 Insohilile phosphoric acid 

 Available phosphoricacid 

 Total phosphoric acid . . . 

 Potash 



Average selling price 



Average valuation by 



each year's price 



Per cent increase of cost 



over ^'aluation 



Valuation by 1896 prices. 



1885. 1880. 1887. 1888. 1889. 1890. 1891. 1892. 1893. 1894. 1895. 1896 



2.38 

 6.35 

 1.93 

 2.13 

 8.28 

 10.41 

 2.77 



.$37. 90 

 26.72 



42.00 

 18. 92 



2.58 

 6.15 

 1.92 

 2.59 

 8.07 

 10.66 

 2.69 



2.75 

 5.48 

 3. 23 

 2.52 

 8.71 

 11.23 

 2.84 



2.80 

 6.74 

 2.80 

 2.56 

 9.54 

 12.10 

 3.12 



$37. 02 

 25.75 



44.00 

 19.32 



$36. 75 



35.00 

 20.53 



$35. 13 

 28.96 



21.00 

 21.80 



2. 55 

 6.68 

 2.97 

 2.08 

 9.65 

 12.63 

 2.69 



$35. 11 

 29.05 



21. 00 

 21.07 



2.41 

 .5.99 

 2.97 

 2.71 

 8.96 

 11.67 

 3.16 



2.52 

 6.47 

 2.86 

 2.00 

 9.33 

 11.33 

 3.13 



$34. 39 $33. 14 

 26.70 26.07 



29.00 27.00 

 20.26 20.65 



$32. 47 

 24.48 



33.00 

 19.91 



2.41 

 6.44 

 2.84 

 2.34 

 9.28 

 11.62 

 2.64 



$32. 32 

 23.53 



37.00 

 19.99 



2.22 

 5.36 

 3.44 

 2.22 

 8.80 

 11.02 

 3.66 



$30. 90 

 19.73 



57. CO 

 19.73 



Agricultural manures and the principles underlying their use, Loxley Meg- 

 GITT {Nottingham : B. B. Earp cf Sons, pj). 31). 



On the management of human excreta in the country, J. H. Vogel {Mitt. dent, 

 landw. Ges., 11 {1896), No. 16, pp. 169-171). 



On liming, Holdefleis.s {Mitt. deut. landw. Ges., 2 {1896), No. 13, pp. 143-145). 



The proper use of tables of analyses of fertilizers and fertilizer chemicals, E. 

 H. Jenkix.s {Connecfictit State Sta. Bnl. 122, pp. 9-16). — This is a brief popular sum- 

 mary of information on the factors of crop production and on the character of the 

 various fertilizing materials found in the market, designed to aid the farmer in a 

 rational use of fertilizers and in understanding and utilizing "the analyses of com 

 mercial fertilizers and fertilizer chemicals which are yearly published by the sta- 

 tion." 



Fall fertilizers, Maizi£:res {UEngrais, 11 {1896), No. 36, pp. 852, 853).— An argu- 

 ment in favor of phosphates as the fertilizer j>ar excellence for fall application. 



