COLLECTION OF SAMPLES. 



As usual, four sampling agents were employed for this work, beginning April 1 

 and closing about June 9. Some stray samples that were not secured during 

 this time were sampled later after reports had been received as to where sales had 

 been made. Territories were assigned as follows: James T. Howard, Berkshire, 

 Franklin, Hampden and Hampshire counties; George H. Kelton, Worcester 

 County; Thomas A. Hamilton, Bristol, Norfolk, Plymouth and Barnstable coun- 

 ties; Percy Milbery, Essex, Middlesex and Suffolk counties. 



The following statistics are noted with reference to the season's fertilizer col- 

 lection: 19,019 sacks were sampled, representing 6,358 tons of fertilizing materials; 

 284 towns were visited; 1,634 samples, representing 533 distinct brands, were 

 drawn from stock found in the possession of 594 agents or owners. At 280 other 

 agencies no samples were drawn, 27 having discontinued selling, and others having 

 no stocks on hand when visited by the sampling agent. 



COMPARATIVE COST OF FERTILIZER CHEMICALS AND UNMIXED 



PRODUCTS. 



The wholesale quotations on fertilizer chemicals and unmixed fertilizing ma- 

 terials did not show a wide range in fluctuation during the six months preceding 

 March 1, 1927. Ammonium sulfate and nitrate of soda showed a small decline, 

 tankage and fish remained about the same, while cottonseed meal showed a de- 

 crease of nearly $8 per ton as compared with the preceding year. There was a 

 slight decline in the price of acid phosphate, while ground bone registered an 

 advance of nearly $3 per ton. Potash salts sold for nearly $1 per ton in advance 

 of the average for 1926. 



As this goes to print, quotations in the trade journals show the mineral sources 

 of nitrogen selling for considerably less than the average for the six months ending 

 March 1, 1927. These declines vary per ton from $1.50 in case of ammonium 

 sulfate and nitrate of soda to $2.80 for calcium nitrate and $12.35 for ammonium 

 sulfate-nitrate. The organic nitrogen containing substances, on the other hand, 

 are showing a corresponding increase in cost, varying from $6 in case of tankage 

 to $13.90 for fertilizer blood, $11.50 for dry ground fish and $9.50 for cottonseed 

 meal. Ground bone also shows an advance of $4.40, and potash salts of the higher 

 grade register an advance of about 50 cents per ton. Acid phosphate is selling for 

 about $1 less per ton than for the six months ending March 1, 1927. 



But for the fact that during the past year price slashing for cash trade seemed 

 to be the general custom, present trade quotations would not indicate that the cost 

 of mixed fertilizers for 1928 should be much in advance of prices which prevailed 

 in 1927. 



The following average quotations were compiled from data secured from the 

 trade journals, "Oil, Paint and Drug Reporter" and "Chemical Markets." 



