INSPECTION OF COMMERCIAL FERTILIZERS 5 



COLLECTION OF SAMPLES. 



For about ten weeks, beginning April 1, four sampling agents were employed in 

 drawing representative samples for inspection and analysis. As only a limited 

 time is available for drawing samples before the fertilizers are used on the soil, and 

 as a large percentage of the selUng agents are located in country districts not 

 conveniently accessible except by automobile, the four sampling agents are as- 

 signed to sections that can be conveniently covered, thus increasing the prospect 

 of securing representative samples of all the fertilizing materials that are offered 

 for sale. The counties covered by each sampUng agent this season were as follows : 

 James T. Howard, Berkshire, Franklin, Hampshire and Hampden; George H. 

 Kelton, Worcester; R. G. Tonseth, Norfolk, Bristol, Plymouth and Barnstable; 

 C. L. Whiting, Essex, Middlesex and Suffolk. 



The following statistics are recorded with reference to secimng fertihzer sam- 

 ples: 21,074 sacks were sampled, representing 6,804 tons of fertilizer; 216 town- 

 ships were visited; 1,772 samples, representing 546 distinct brands, were drawn 

 from stock in the possession of 565 agents or owners; 378 other agencies, or former 

 agencies, were visited where no samples were secured. 



COMPARATIVE COST OF FERTILIZER CHEMICALS AND UNMIXED 

 FERTILIZER PRODUCTS. 



AU of the ammoniates showed a fluctuation in wholesale cost during the six 

 months preceding March 1, 1929. There was a lack of consistency noted in the 

 average cost of both mineral and organic forms. The average declines or advances 

 noted in ton costs, as compared with the same period for 1928, are as follows: 

 ammonium sulfate, decline $1; nitrate of soda, dechne $4.70; nitrate of hme, 

 advance $2.62; ammonium sulfate-nitrate, advance 75c; dried blood, decline 

 $3.1.3; tankage, decline $1.90; dry ground fish, advance $10.86; cottonseed meal, 

 advance $3.90. 



Ground bone (2.47% N, 22.88% P2O5) showed a decUne of $4. Superphosphate 

 16% held steady at $10 per ton f.o.b. Baltimore, in bulk, which was an advance of 

 $1.29 over the average for 1928. 



Potash salts held steady and showed no variation from quotations for the same 

 period during the previous year. 



The following average quotations were comi)iled from data secured from the 

 Oil, Paint and Drug Reporter. 



