VALUE OF FERTILIZERS. 91 



The next three columns give the valuations, 

 which, of course, are subject to variations accord- 

 ing to market prices of the raw materials and 

 manufactured fertilizer, etc. In computing the 

 value of the fertilizer from these figures we have 

 the following: 



Nitrogen from nitrates 0.83 pounds @ 14i cents, ^2*03^ cts. 



from ammonia salts 1 . 54 pounds @ 1 8i cts, 28.49 ' ' 



' * from organic matter 1 . 89 pounds @ 3 5i cts, 29. 29i ' ' 



Phosphoric acid soluble in water 3. 95 pounds @ 8 cts, 31 . 61 " 



" " in ammonium citrate (revert- " 



ed 5.82 pounds @ 8 cents, - - 4656 " 



Phosphoric acid insoluble 3.35 pounds @, 2 cents, 6.70 " 



Potash (sulphate) 7. 19 pounds @ 5i, - - 39.54 " 



Total, per 100 pounds, - - $K9421i 



or in 2000 pounds 20x$1.9421i^$38.84yV 



To this amount the legitimate expenses for mix- 

 ing, bagging, transportation, etc., have to be added, 

 so that at present trade values we cannot expect to 

 buy this fertilizer at much if any less than forty- 

 five dollars per ton. 



In explanation of my figuring I have yet to make 

 the following statements : Mtrogen from organic 

 matter was figured at eighteen and one-half cents per 

 pound, in the assumption that it was derived from 

 dry and fine-ground meat and blood, bones, or 

 equally good forms of animal matter, and not from 

 leather, shoddy, hair, or any low-priced, inferior 

 form of vegetable matter. As we have no way of 

 telling, by analysis, whether this nitrogen is readily 

 available for the use of plants or not, this assump- 

 tion is largely a matter of confidence in the integrity 

 of the manufacturer, and based upon the general 

 good results reported by the users of such fertilizer. 

 Reputable firms, that intend to do business perma- 

 nently, cannot afford to use the inferior articles 



