INSPECTION OF COMMERCIAL FERTILIZERS 5 



Superphosphate 16% was quoted at an average price of $9.00 during March, 

 declining in April to $8.50 where it was maintained during May and June. During 

 July, August and September it was quoted at an average price of $8.00 per ton, 

 f.o.b. Baltimore. Ground bone showed a decline from $18.75 in March to $17.00 

 in June. During the three months following, it advanced to $23.25. 



None of the potash sales have shown any fluctuation in quotation since March 1, 

 average quotations being as follows: for 50% muriate of potash, $26.75; for high 

 grade sulfate of potash, $38.00; for sulfate of potash-magnesia, $25.75; for cotton 

 hull ashes on the basis of 25% K2O, $27.50. 



From this summary, and assuming that labor conditions will remain normal, 

 there seems to be but little justification for an advance in the price of mixed com- 

 mercial fertilizers for 1939. 



The fertilizer trade values are based on average wholesale quotations of fer- 

 tilizer chemicals and unmixed materials, as taken from trade journals for six 

 months ending March 1, 1938, to which 20 percent has been added for overhead. 

 When appropriate, an additional allowance has also been made for bags, labor, 

 and transportation. 



FERTILIZER TONNAGE 

 Tonnage of Mixed and Unmixed Fertilizers Sold in Massachusetts 



There were 5,099 tons less fertilizer sold in the state in 1938 than during the 

 previous year. The tonnage of mixed fertilizer was 3,188 less, and that of the 

 fertilizer chemicals and unmixed materials was 1,644 less than for 1937. Pul- 

 verized manures showed a decrease of 267 tons. Of the total tonnage sold, 65.54 

 percent was mixed fertilizer, 32.32 percent was unmixed materials, and 2.14 

 percent was dried and pulverized natural manures. 



Plant Food Tonnage 



Does not include plant food tonnage of fertilizer mixed for special orders. 



There were 1,267 less tons of plant food sold in the state than during 1937, of 

 which 342 tons were nitrogen, 704 tons available phosphoric acid, and 221 tons 

 potash. 



There were 13,769 tons of plant food sold, of which 28 percent was nitrogen, 

 42 percent available phosphoric acid, and 30 percent potash. Mixed fertilizers 

 furnished 68.8 percent of the plant food, chemicals and unmixed materials 30.5 

 percent, and pulverized manures 0.7 percent. 



