130 Report of the Chemist op the 



which are likely to arise. These additional statements we will 

 make under the following heads: 



(1) To what goods the law applies. 



(2) What must be stated on each package of fertilizer. 

 {S) Filing of statements. 



(4) Requirements regarding inert nitrogenous materials. 



(5) What constitutes violation of the law. ' 



(6) What persons are regarded as responsible parties. 



1. To What Goods the Law Applies. 



In the terms of the statute, its provisions apply to " any com- 

 mercial fertilizer or any material to be used as a fertilizer, the 

 selling price of which exceeds ten dollars per ton," when such 

 goods are sold, offered or exposed for sale in this State. 



Originally the term "commercial fertilizer" applied to mixtures 

 of fertilizing materials sold under trade names, containing nitro- 

 gen, phosphoric acid and potash. The term now has a broader 

 application and includes materials commonly used for fertilizing 

 purposes, whether mixed or unmixed, containing either nitrogen, 

 phosphoric acid or potash, or any combination of these three 

 elements of plant-food. 



The law also applies specifically to "any material to be used as a 

 fertilizer." If there were any doubt in regard to the term " com- 

 mercial fertilizer " covering any forms of unmixed fertilizing 

 materials, such materials would be comprehended under " any 

 material to be used as a fertilizer." 



A question may arise as to the interpretation of the phrase, 

 " to be used as a fertilizer." The meaning of the word fertilizer 

 in its broadest signification may be defined as any substance 

 which, by its addition to the soil, is intended to produce a better 

 growth of plants. But the design of those who framed the law 

 was to use the word fertilizer in its more restricted sense, con- 

 fining it to the materials and artificial mixtures put on the 

 market under specific names, containing either nitrogen, phos- 

 phoric acid or potash or any combination of these. 



The law therefore applies to all mixtures containing nitrogen, 

 phosphoric acid or potash or any combination of these, and also 



