224 TWENTY-FIFTH ANNIVERSARY REPORT. 
complished by placing such literature in the hands of farmers, as 
has been frequently evidenced by the numerous expressions of ap- 
preciation received from the farmers. 
Some direct results of fertilizer inspection— In the form of a 
brief summary, we will call attention to some of the more promi- 
nent, direct results of the work done by this Station in the line 
under discussion. 
1. It has driven dishonest fertilizer manufacturers out of exist- 
ence in this State, and in the case of fraudulent goods manufac- 
tured outside of the State, it has had the effect of eliminating them 
from our State commerce. One of the most notable cases was 
the so-called ‘ Natural Plant-Food,” the sale of which was being 
pushed vigorously in 1896 with most pretentious claims. It sold at 
$25 to $28 a ton and was worth much less than $10 a ton, being 
chiefly an impure insoluble phosphate of lime. 
2. There has been direct protection to farmers against fraud by 
placing in their hands specific and reliable information about the 
composition of commercial fertilizers in the market. The publicity 
afforded by the annual publication of the results of analysis has 
been the most efficient means of protecting farmers. Many farmers 
refuse to purchase a fertilizer unless the Station analysis shows 
that it has been up to its guarantee in previous years. Manufac- 
turers fully understand this and are usually anxious to make their 
goods up to or well above their guarantee. The legal prosecution 
of those manufacturers whose goods fall below guarantee has had 
very little effect in restricting the manufacture of fraudulent ferti- 
lizers as compared with the publication of the results of analysis. 
Manufacturers whose goods are below guarantee would much prefer 
to pay fines and have the analysis suppressed than to have the re- 
sults published and the fines remitted. This belief is based upon 
the results of eighteen years of experience in observing facts con- 
nected with fertilizer inspection. 
3. The fund of information about the composition of special 
fertilizers and also about the general principles underlying the wise 
use of plant-foods has been greatly enlarged and brought within 
the personal knowledge of the farmers. 
4. Such increased knowledge has led to a more judicious selec- 
tion and economical use of plant-foods. | 
5. The general standard of composition of commercial fertilizers 
has been made more uniform and, in general, the number of brands 
falling below guarantee has decreased. 
—— oO ee 
