COMMERCIAL FERTILIZERS. 489 



whether the difference between our valuation and the prices 

 asked for is a fair one, considering local conditions of supply. 



The prices stated in these bulletins in connection with 

 analyses of commercial fertilizers refer to their cost per ton 

 of 2,000 pounds, on board of car or boat near the factory or 

 place of general distribution. To obtain the valuation of a 

 fertilizer (i. e., the money worth of its fertilizing ingre- 

 dients), we multiply the pounds per ton of nitrogen, etc., 

 by the trade value per pound. We thus get the values per 

 ton of the several ingredients, and adding them together we 

 obtain the total valuation per ton. 



The mechanical condition of any fertilizing material, 

 simple or compound, deserves the most serious consideration 

 of farmers, when articles of a similar chemical character are 

 offered for their choice. The degree of pulverization con- 

 trols, almost without exception, under similar conditions, 

 the rate of solubility, and the more or less rapid diffusion 

 of the different articles of plant-food throughout the soil. 



The state of moisture exerts a no less important influence 

 on the pecuniary value, in case of one and the same kind of 

 substance. Two samples of fish fertilizer, although equally 

 pure, may differ from fifty to one hundred per cent, in com- 

 mercial value, on account of mere difference in moisture. 



Crude stock for the manufacture of fertilizers, and refuse 

 material of various descriptions, sent to the Station for ex- 

 amination, are valued with reference to the market prices of 

 their principal constituents, taking into consideration at the 

 same time their general fitness for speedy action. 



A large percentage of commercial fertilizing material 

 consists of refuse matter from various industries. The com- 

 position of these substances depends on the mode of manu- 

 facture carried on. The rapid progress in our manufacturing 

 industry is liable to affect at any time, more or less seriously, 

 the composition of the refuse. A constant inquiry into the 

 character of the agricultural chemicals, and of commercial 

 manurial refuse substances offered for sale, cannot fail to 

 secure confidence in their composition, and to diminish 

 financial disappointment in consequence of their application. 

 This work is carried on for tho purpose of aiding the farming 



