11 



COLLECTION OF FERTILIZERS. 



During the past season the State was divided into districts and a man al- 

 lotted to each district as follows: J. T. Howard (onr regular inspector) to 

 Hampshire, Hampden, Franklin and Berkshire counties; Mr. B. D. Raymond, 

 Essex, Middlesex and SufTolk counties; Mr. C. M. Bourne, Norfolk, Bristol, 

 Plymouth and Barnstable counties; and Mr. George H. Kelton, Worcester 

 County. The last three men had the use of automobiles, which very much 

 facilitated their work. 



Some difficulties have been encountered during the season which have made 

 it impossible to secure a perfectly satisfactory collection, even with the im- 

 proved system employed. Thus the high prices which have prevailed for both 

 mixed fertilizers and crude stock materials resulted in a restricted purchase of 

 these commodities in many sections of the State. Furthermore, the condi- 

 tions of transportation were so bad that many agents canceled their orders 

 when it became apparent that the goods would not be delivered until after 

 the crops w^re planted. In many instances fertilizer was received so late 

 that it was not put in storage at all, but was drawn by the consumer directly 

 from the car to the field and applied to the soil. In some parts of the State 

 conditions were worse than in others. In the counties of Essex, Middlesex 

 and Suffolk very little fertilizer was delivered until May 3, while in Norfolk, 

 Bristol, Plymouth and Barnstable counties considerable was received by 

 April 23. The inspectors in these territories were therefore laid off for two 

 to three Aveeks. The same condition prevailed, but to a somewhat less de- 

 gree, in Worcester County, while in the four western counties plenty of ferti- 

 lizer of certain makes was found from April 1 through the spring season. 



The usual service has been extended to farmers and farmers' organiza- 

 tions throughout the State for the early sampling and analysis of large lots 

 of fertilizer and fertilizing materials bought for home consumption. So far 

 as possible, requests for this work should be made during the fall and winter 

 months before the rush of spring collection begins. 



The following statistics have been gathered in regard to the 1920 collection: 

 17,919 sacks were sampled, representing 7,403 tons of fertilizer; 193 towns 

 were visited; 1,311 samples, representing 492 distinct brands, were drawn 

 from stock found in the possession of 716 different agents or owners. 



