10 Jan., 1916.] Inspection under the Artificial Fertilizers Act. 



15 



INSPECTION UNDER THE ARTIFICIAL FERTILIZERS 



ACT. 



Season 1914-15. 



By P. R. Scott, Chemist for Agriculture, and W. C. Robertson, 

 Supervising Analyst. 



Owing to resignations from the staff and important special work 

 carried out in the Laboratory during the past year, the usual thorough 

 method of inspecting artificial manure stocks and consignments could 

 not be undertaken. 



However, during the course of the year approximately 50 samples 

 of the various manures on the market were collected. The majority 

 were obtained at the consigning station in the metropolis, but as a 

 safeguard one or two flying visits were made to the country and samples 

 taken en route. 



In addition, numerous consignments were weighed when being 

 consigned, and it is satisfactory to report that in every instance the 

 guaranteed net weight was exceeded. 



In one or two cases technical breaches were observed, and a note of 

 warning despatched to the offender. Whilst technical offences of the 

 Act are, speaking generally, lightly regarded by merchant, agent, and 

 farmer, it should be remembered that they offer loopholes for the 

 practice of fraud. 



As an instance one particular case is cited. A consignmcvit of 

 artificial manure was noticed, each and every bag of which had a label 

 affixed as required by the Act. A closer inspection of the labels, however, 

 disclosed the fact that the net w^eight in pounds had been altered, the 

 printed number being deleted and a pencil number substituted. 



Alterations to the label cannot be permitted, simply because it opens 

 up an avenue for fraud. 



The samples collected comprise mainly " Superphosphates," " Bone 

 Fertilizer and Super.," and " Bone Fertilizers " ; but, in addition, samples 

 of " Dissolved Bones and Super.," " Blood, Bone, and Super, mixed," 

 " Nitro-Supcrphospliate," ''Animal Fertilizer," "Blood and Bone 

 Fertilizer," and " Onion Manure " were obtained. 



In not one single instance did the analysis of these samples disclose 

 any necessity to institute proceedings. 



The following is a comparison of tiie average analytical result of 

 the collected samples against the average guaranteed analysis, together 

 with tlie com]')arahve average value calculated on the season's unit 

 values. 



SrPEKPFrOSPUATES. 



Average Guarantee. 



Phosphoric Acid. 



Water Soluble . i Citrate Soluble . , nJoIuble 



17-10 



•91 



2-00 



Total. 



20-01 



Average Analysis of Collected Sample 



Phosphoric Acid. 



Water Soluble. Citrate Soluble. iiJ^ol'ublc.l ^•***'- 



17-25 



1-04 



1-83 20 -12 



