78 



Journal of Agriculture, Victoria. 



[lo Feb., 1911. 



Owing to two or three farmers lodging a complaint as to the prices 

 charged for artificial manures, inquiries were instituted and it was found 

 that in this district, which only possessed one manure agent, abnormallv 

 high prices were being asked for fertilizers ; the price of a simple manure 

 like superphosphate was £^ per ton. This is most unusual, and as 

 the Chemist for Agriculture is empowered to supervise the prices charged 

 the farmer, advice was tendered and the matter set right. 



Some Popular Fallacies. 



_ A few notes on questions asked by farmers and some popular fallacie.s 

 existing amongst the tillers of the soil in reference to manures and the 

 Manures Act may not be out of place. 



When observing a farmer taking delivery of manure it is usual for the 

 Deputv Chemist to ask him to produce the invoice certificate, which it is 

 compulsory for the manufacturer, dealer, or agent to tender to the pur- 

 chaser when making a sale or before deli\-prv of anv part nf the manure. 



SAMPLING SUPLRl'HOSPHATE CONSIGNMENTS. 



This invoice certificate is nothing more or less than a warrant. Recently, 

 whilst loading his manure, a farmer was incidentally made aware of the 

 presence of the inspector and erroneously thought that as he had no in- 

 voice certificate he would get into trouble. It was most amusing to see 

 him immediately drive away at a furious pace leaving behind, in the 

 centre of the road, a bag of superphosphate. 



Incidents of this description are net common, but it is unusual for 

 farmers to willingly give information or produce invoice certificates. The 

 sole object of the Manures Act inspection conducted by the Department i.s 

 to protect the farmer and, accordingly, he should hail the visit of an in- 

 specting officer with pleasure rather than hurriedly make an undignified 

 exit. 



Section 24 of the Act empowers the Deputy Chemist to demand the in- 

 voice certificate received with any artificial manure and, unless the inspect- 

 ing officer be wilfully obstructed, the producer has nothing to fear and 

 everything to gain. Every farmer who purchases artificial manure should 

 not take delivery unless he has a warranty in the shape of an invoice certi- 

 ficate, and this should l:>e carefullv preserved. 



