THe JOUHNAb 



OF 



Yfis department of Mgnculture 



OP 



VICTORIA. 



Vol. XV. Part 2. lOth February, 1917. 



ANNUAL REPORT OX RESULT OF IXSPECTION UNDER 

 THE FERTILIZERS ACT, SEASON 1915-16. 



By ir. G. Robertson, Supervising Analyst. 



The original scheme of inspection of artificial manure stocks and 

 consignments had to be considerably curtailed during the past season. 

 This was mainly due to the depleted nature of the staff. 



It is satisfactory to report, however, that a fairly complete inspection 

 was made at consigning stations in the metropolis, and, taking into con- 

 sideration the fact that fully 90 per cent, per annum of the artificial 

 fertilizers sold in Victoria are sold or forwarded from Melbourne, the 

 analytical results of the samples collected are a safe guide in judging 

 the quality of fertilizer placed at the disposal of the farming community. 



Following the custom of previous years, consignments of manure 

 were weighed at the consigning station, the system being to take one 

 bag in every ten, and after computing the resultant weights, striking an 

 average for the whole consignment. 



It is satisfactory to report that not one single instance of short 

 weight came under notice. In the matter of superphosphates, the 

 average giiaranteed weight per bag was 186g lbs. net, whilst the average 

 net weight was found to be 188A lbs. per bag, equalling 1 5-6 lbs. 

 excess weight of superphosphate per bag, or 22 lbs. per ton. This means 

 that fanners buvin? su|>erphospha£e during the season would receive 

 excess weight equivalent iiti' value to lOd. per ton. 



Whilst on the subject of weight, it is neeessary to point out that all 

 manures tend to " dry out" more or less in transit. The greater bulk 

 308.— 1 



