23 



The table on the opposite page shows: 



(1). That out of a total of 304 brands of complete fertilizers 

 analyzed, 156 (43 per cent of the total number) fell below the mini- 

 mum guarantee in one or more elements; these deficiencies may be 

 expressed as follows: 



127 brands deficient in one element. 

 29 brands deficient in two elements. 

 (2). That 45 brands (about 13 per cent of the whole number) 

 showed a commercial shortage; that is, when overruns were used to 

 offset shortages, the value of the plant food found did not equal the 

 value guaranteed. The following deficiencies were found: 

 82 brands were deficient in nitrogen. 

 61 brands were deficient in available phosphoric acid. 

 42 brands were deficient in potash, 

 (3). More nitrogen and available phosphoric acid deficiencies 

 were recorded than for the previous season. There were 12 more 

 potash shortages and the commercial shortages were 16 more than 

 for 1913. 



Table showing commercial shortages (25 cents and over per ton) 

 in mixed commercial fertilizers for 1913 and 1914. 



Commercial Shortages 



Number of Brands. 



1913. 



More than $2.00 per ton I 2 

 Between $1.00 and $2.00 per ton 9 

 Under $1 . 00 not less than 25 cts. per t on \ 7_ 



1914. 



3 



6 



25 



The following brands have shown a commercial shortage of 50 

 cents or over per ton, value of overruns being used in all cases to re- 

 duce shortages. 



American Agricultural Chemical Co., Grass and Lawn Top Dress- 

 ing Nos. 774-836-874-990. Nitrogen found 3.56%, guaranteed 

 3.91%; available phosphoric acid found 5.36%, guaranteed 5.00%; 

 potash found 2.23%, guaranteed 2.00%. 



Special Grass and Garden Mixture No. 331. Nitrogen found 

 7.76%, guaranteed 8.23%; available phosphoric acid found 6.79%, 

 guaranteed 7.00%; potash found 7.23%, guaranteed 8.00%. Three 

 other samples of this same brand were collected and analyzed, and 

 all showed serious commercial shortages ranging from $1.36 up to 

 $4.40 per ton. 



Darling's Blood, Bone and Potash Nos. 984-1088. Nitrogen 

 found 3.63%, guaranteed 4.11%; available phosphoric acid found 

 6.97%, guaranteed 7.00%; potash found 7.54%, guaranteed 7.00%. 



Read's Practical Potato Special No. 557. Nitrogen found .84%, 

 guaranteed .82%; available phosphoric acid found 6.63%, guaranteed 

 4.00%; potash found 4.03%, guaranteed 8.00%. 



