38 Journal op the Department op Agriculture. 



unaccompanied by fig-ures setting out the composition of the article, 

 or by figures which are intended to be misleading. 



The manufacturer or vendor of fertilizers or farm foods is pro- 

 tected against the unfair competition of worthless goods, and has his 

 wares placed on an equal basis, or on as equal a basis as is possible, 

 with those of all other vendors. The seller who supplies a fair article 

 at a fair price is safeguarded ag'ainst the trader who supplies a low- 

 grade article at a hig-h price, justifying the price by some specious 

 argument as to quality of the goods. 



An examination of the registrations effected during the first year 

 of the operation of the Act shows that the number and variety of 

 ready-mixed " complete " fertilizers offered for sale is enormous. We 

 are of opinion that this is a mistaken policy for the fertilizer trade. 

 It is impossible that a " coihplete " fertilizer for any particular crop 

 will be equally effective on that crop in all cases. Cases of failure to 

 increase crop yields are bound to occur, with the result that the 

 particular fertilizer gets a bad name. Another effect which such 

 failures have is the general disrepute in which commercial fertilizers 

 are held by certain farmers. The majority of farmers in South Africa 

 have to be educated in the use of fertilizers. If, when the farmer has 

 been induced to take up commercial fertilizers, a failure ensues the 

 result is that that farmer will buy no more fertilizer for a long time 

 to come, and the value of commercial fertilizers will have to be 

 demonstrated to him a second time. ' Before the Act came into force 

 complaints were made from time to time by farmers that the com- 

 mercial fertilizers they had bought were " no good." Analysis 

 frequently showed that the quality of the fertilizer was good ; in 

 many cases the best that was to be had. Failure was due merely to 

 the unsuitability of the fertilizer for the particular case. We feel 

 sure that it is not to the ultimate good of the country as a whole, nor 

 in the long run to the merchant, to persist in the practice of supplying 

 and using standard mixtures for all cases. We have not reached a 

 stage in agricultiiral science in which it is possible to lay down rules 

 for manuring. Each case is a problem which must be considered on 

 its merits. Vendors are not agreed as to the proportions of the 

 various ingredients which should be supplied for a particular crop. 

 It is impossible under the circumstances that they should be agreed. 

 The following table, compiled from the registrations published in the 

 Gazette of the 2nd January, 1920, is given as an index of the range 

 in mixed fertilizers, intended for the maize crop, offered for sale in 

 the Union. 



