Distribution of Tonnage as Related to the "New England Standard Nine" 

 Grades of Mixed Fertilizer. 



A comparison of the above figures with similar data for 1924 shows that an 

 increasingly large tonnage of the "New England Standard Nine" fertilizers is 

 being used by our farmers. About 54 per cent of the total tonnage of mixed 

 fertilizers sold in Massachusetts during the past year was from the "New England 

 Standard Nine" grades (47 per cent in 1924), and an additional 22 per cent was 

 from grades varying but one per cent from these in one or more elements of plant 

 food. 



About 11 per cent of the total tonnage of mixed fertilizers was from six grades 

 not recommended in the "New England Standard Nine," the 4-6-10 grade leading 

 with 1,975 tons and 15 brands, followed by the 7-3-7 grade with 986 tons and 7 

 brands. It is probable that the substitution of a 5-8-7 or a 4-8-6 brand could be 

 made for the 4-6-10 grade without seriously diminishing the crop yield. The 

 7-3-7 grade is used for tobacco, and apparently represents an effort to secure a 

 larger growth by the use of increased amounts of nitrogen and potash and thus 

 avoid the early topping out frequently noted on old tobacco land, which may be 

 favored by a too liberal use of phosphoric acid. 



MIXED FERTILIZERS. 

 Summary of Deficiencies. 



The table headed "Deficiency Statistics for Mixed Fertilizers" records for each 

 manufacturer the following data: number of brands analyzed and number of 

 brands found equal to guarantee in commercial valuation, — in other words, that 

 did not have a commercial shortage, value of overruns being used to offset value of 

 deficiencies; number and extent of deficiencies found, data being based on tests for 

 nitrogen, available phosphoric acid and potash. In the tables of analyses found 

 later in the bulletin, those brands having a commercial shortage of |l or over 

 per ton are grouped in a table by themselves, as are also those brands that have been 

 found seriously out of balance through a deficiency or deficiencies accompanied by 

 overruns of some other plant food element. These two groups immediately pre- 

 cede the tables listing brands which were found substantially as guaranteed. 



