398 Report of the Inspection Work of the 



varied from 4.4 to 11 cents and averaged 5.1 cents.. On an aver- 

 age, the available phosphoric acid cost less in this form than in 

 mixed goods, but the variation was much greater than it should 

 be. If we did not have a record of the facts, it would be difficult 

 to believe that any seller of fertilizers could bring himself to 

 charge $25 a ton for plain acid phosphate. It is inconceivable 

 that any circumstances should exist that could justify such an 

 enormous overcharge. 



COST OF PLANT-FOOD IN THE FORM OF BONE-MEAL. 



In the case of 2;^ different brands of bone-meal, the nitrogen 

 varied from 1.26 to 5.56 per ct. and averaged 3.32 per ct.; the 

 total phosphoric acid varied from 13.42 to 28.48 per ct. and 

 averaged 23.48 per ct. The selling price varied from $21.50 to 

 $35 and averaged $28.50; the commercial valuation varied from 

 $26.28 to $35.75 and averaged $28.74, exceeding the selling price 

 somewhat. The cost of one pound of nitrogen in bone-meal 

 varied from 11.5 to 32 cents and averaged 14.9 cents; the cost 

 of one pound of available phosphoric acid varied from 3.1 to 8.6 

 cents and averaged 3.96 cents. As compared with the cost of 

 nitrogen and phosphoric acid in complete fertilizers, these forms 

 of plant-food are considerably cheaper when purchased in bone, 

 but it should be kept in mind that the phosphoric acid in bone- 

 meal is considerably less readily available than in the form of 

 dissolved rock. Where moderately slow action of phosphoric 

 acid is desired, bone-meal may answer the purpose, but for rapid 

 action, one should use the readily soluble forms. 



COST OF NITROGEN IN NITRATE OF SODA. 



In the samples of nitrate of soda examined by us in 1902, the 

 percentage of nitrogen varied from 15.21 to 16.20, averaging 

 15.77. The selling price varied from $42 to $48.50, averaging 

 $44.12. The commeroial valuation varied from $45.63 to $48.60, 

 averaging $47.30, which was considerably in excess of selling 

 price. The cost of one pound of nitrogen in this form varied 

 from 13 to 15 cents and averaged 13.9 cents. This was much 

 cheaper than the cost of nitrogen in the form of complete fer- 

 tilizers. 



