KKKTILIZERS AND AGRICULTURM, I.IMK 19 



DIUKI) AMMAL MANURES 



From tiiiif In tifiio, elTorts have hciMi made to impnive- llie <juality of tin- drifil 

 animal manures bfinj; sold in this State. 



During the past year each sample analyzed also was examined microscopically. 

 Chemical analysis revealed in some samples serious deficiencies in the content of 

 nitrogen, phosphoric acid, and/or potash. Microscopic examination showed that 

 some lots were grossly mislabeled. The contents of the hags in these lots sometimes 

 boie only a faint resemblance to the product named on the label. 



In the table of brands seriously deficient there are listed six lots that were 

 so bad they were withdrawn from sale either voluntarily by the registrant or at the 

 request of the Control Service. 



When notified of the high sand content and improper labeling of his product, 

 one manufacturer replied ". . . it is the writer's opinion, after forty years of ex- 

 perience in this exclusive field, that no one or no nianufadurer has evtrr packed 

 or sold a 100% sheep manure. For proof of that, the most popular brand on 

 the market up to a few years ago labeled as Sheep Manure contained over 95 % of 

 straw and foreign matter including dirt. . . . the public very apparently does not 

 care whether the product contains 1 % of Sheep Manure or no Sheep Manure ju3t 

 so long as it is labeled Sheep Manure." 



From this it might be inferred that at least some dried animal manure suppliers 

 feel there is no fraud involved because those familiar with the processing and 

 packaging ot animal manures allegedly know that most products labeled Sheep 

 Manure, Cow Manure, etc., contain very high amounts of sand, or straw and similar 

 materials, or l)Oth. 



In a decision involving a Federal Trade Commission order the Su])reme Courl 

 ruled otherwise, stating: 



''The fact thai a false statement may be obviously false to those who are trained 

 and experienced does not change its character, nor take away its power to deceive 

 others less experienced. There is no duty resting upon a citizen to suspect the 

 honcstv of those with whom he transacts business. Laws are made to protect the 

 trusting as well as the suspicious. The best element of business has long since de- 

 cided that honesty should govern competitive enterprises, and that the rule of 

 caveat emptor (buyer beware) should not be relied upon to reward fraud and de- 

 ception." 



The Massachusetts Fertilizer Control Service will continue its efforts to pro- 

 vide gardeners with dried animal manures of better quality. 



