402 Report of the Inspection Work of the 



, In this connection, it may be well to state that soluble phos- 

 phoric acid has the same value, pound for pound, whatever its 

 source. At present dissolved rock is the cheapest source and 

 this is the form in which farmers should buy phosphoric acid, if 

 they desire to receive the largest amount of actual plant-food for 

 their money. 



(r) Each pound of potash, mostly in form of muriate, cost the 

 farmer nearly 6 cents in mixed fertilizers, while in one sample of 

 muriate purchased, the cost was 4.4 cents. 



It can readily be seen that, in point of economy, under the con- 

 ditions actually prevailing- last year, farmers could buy their plant- 

 food at much lower prices in unmixed forms than in mixed 

 goods. 



(3) Hozv can plant- food he purchased nwst cheaply? 



If each farmer by himself buys plant-food, he can undoubtedly 

 secure most economical results by getting unmixed materials. 

 Still better prices can be realized by co-operation. This method 

 is being effectively carried out in many parts of the State by 

 granges and by farmers' clubs. The unmixed materials are pur- 

 chased in quantity and distributed to individuals, each of whom 

 mixes his own materials; or the goods are mixed by some manu- 

 facturer of fertilizers in accordance with specifications calling for 

 a certain formula and certain ingredients, the mixed goods being 

 delivered to a purchasing agent, who distributes them to in- 

 dividual consumers. Such methods always depend upon cash 

 payment and usually result in the most economical purchase of 

 plant-food. 



(4) Purchasing mixed fertilizers. 



In purchasing mixed fertilizers, farmers should always make a 

 commercial valuation based on the guaranteed composition of the 

 fertilizer and compare this with the selling price. The difiference 

 should not exceed $5. Taking the precaution to compare the 

 commercial valuation and the selling price, it is always wise to 

 purchase high-grade fertilizers. These should furnish plant-food 

 at a less cost than fertilizers of lower grade, owing to lower cost 

 of freight per pound of actual plant-food and lower cost of sack- 

 ing, etc. 



