18 



Precipitated Phosphate. Seven samples, representing one 

 brand, have been analyzed. The average of five analyses showed the 

 presence of 27.96 per cent of available phosphoric acid. The selling 

 price of this product has been $31.80, making the pound cost of availa- 

 ble phosphoric acid from this source 5.69 cents. 



MIXED COMPLETE FERTILIZERS. The summaries of 

 analyses of complete fertilizers show that out of a total of 129 brands 

 analyzed, 63 (49 per cent of the total number) fell below the minimum 

 guarantee in one or more elements. The deficiencies were as follows: 



Brands deficient in one element 50 



Brands deficient in two elements 13 



Only four brands (3.1 per cent of the total number) showed a com- 

 mercial shortage. The deficiencies in the several ingredients were 

 as follows: 



Brands deficient in nitrogen 16 



Brands deficient in available phosphoric acid 24 



Brands deficient in potash 36 



The following table shows commercial shortages of 25 cents and 

 over per ton in mixed complete fertilizers, as compared with 1916. 



The following brands have shown a commercial shortage of 50 

 cents or over per ton, values of over-runs being used in all cases to 

 reduce shortages. 



Alphano Humus Co. Alphano Humus, No. 654. Nitrogen found 

 1.49%, guaranteed 1.25%; phosphoric acid found .56%, guaranteed 

 .50%; potash found .10%, guaranteed .50%. 



Armour Fertilizer Works. Armour's 5-8-4, No. 538. Nitrogen 

 found 3.71%, guaranteed 4.11%; available phosphoric acid found 



