INSPECTION OF COMMERCIAL FERTILIZERS 



35 



In the inspection work this season the organic matter has been determined 

 roughly by incinerating the samples analyzed and the results appearing in the 

 following table show a variation from less than 36 per cent to nearly 73 per cent. 

 The samples showing the lower content of organic matter invariably carry a 

 correspondingly high amount of soil which is naturally mixed with the manure 

 deposit in corrals where the product is accumulated. This large amoimt of 

 insoluble earthy matter, which sometimes runs as high as 40 per cent, naturally 

 lowers the value of the manure even though the content of plant food may be 

 well up to the minimum guarantee. 



The official definition and interpretation of dried pulverized or shredded 

 manures, as formulated by the Committee on Definition of Terms and Inter- 

 pretation of Results on Fertilizers, is as follows: "Dried pulverized or shredded 

 manures shall be only what the name indicates, and not mixtures of manures 

 and other materials." This definition should be borne in mind by firms making 

 contracts for these products to be sold in Massachusetts. The inspection this 

 year has shown that several products are being imported to this country, and 

 other mixtures are being produced in America and sold as pulverized sheep 

 manure which are either not sheep manure at all, or are mixtures of pulverized 

 manure and garbage tankage which have to a certain extent been standardized 

 by the addition of acid phosphate, bone, hoof meal, and possibly other materials. 

 One large imported cargo, a sample of which was submitted to the Station lab- 

 oratory by a prospective purchaser, proved to be the dried and ground residue 

 from wool scouring establishments. Its sale was not permitted under the name 

 of pulverized sheep manure and the product was finally used as a conditioner 

 in mixed fertilizers. There is no objection to the sale of these products as fer- 

 tilizers provided they are sold under appropriate names. The Fertihzer Control 

 department invites the co-operation of dealers and manufacturers in an effort 

 to prevent the sale of these products imder names that are misleading. 



Pulverized Animal Manures. 



Brands Substantially Meeting Their Guarantees. 



1 Two analyses. 



