COMPLETE FERTILIZERS 129 



COMPLETE FERTILIZERS 



136. Cost, Valuation and Analyses. Fertilizers that 

 are purchased by farmers are usually made up of a mixture 

 of some of the materials previously described. Such fer- 

 tilizers usually contain nitrogen, phosphoric acid and 

 potash. They are commonly used without much regard 

 for the needs of crops on the particular soil. 



They are subject to inspection in a number of states 

 and must be labeled with the per cent of each plant-food 

 that they contain. In Vermont, in 1908, the result of this 

 inspection showed that the average selling price of mixed 

 fertilizers was $31.24 per ton, but the materials for mixing 

 them could have been purchased at retail in Boston or 

 New York for $20.75. Evidently there is a considerable 

 loss to farmers in purchasing complete fertilizers. Not 

 only are the fertilizers likely to be ill adapted to their 

 needs, but the prices are too high. The difference between 

 $20.75 and $31.24 per ton covers: 



(1) The cost of mixing. 



(2) Cost of transportation. 



(3) Storage, commission to agents, dealers, etc. 



(4) Selling on credit, and bad debts. 



A careful farmer should always avoid the last two 

 expenses, so far as possible. 



At the average retail prices in New York City in 1908, 

 nitrogen cost 18^ cents, phosphoric acid and potash each 

 cost 4 cents per pound. The farmers have paid much 

 more than these prices. According to the figures above 

 they must have paid 25 cents per pound for nitrogen and 

 6 cents for potash and for phosphoric acid. 



