42 



EXPEKIMENT STATION. 



[J 



an. 



This shortage ranged from a few cents to $3.36 per ton; only 

 8 brands showed a commercial shortage of over $1 per ton. 



The following table shows a comparison between the com- 

 mercial shortages fonnd during 1908 and 1907: — 



Number of Brands. 



Commercial Shortage. 



Between $1 and $2, 

 Between $2 and $3, 

 Between $3 and $4, 

 Between $4 and $8, 



The above certainly shows an improvement this year over 

 conditions which existed during 1907. 



(/) High-grade v. Low-grade Fertilizers. 

 It is gratifying to note the large proportion of high-grade as 

 compared with the medium and low-grade fertilizers that are 

 being sold in Massachusetts. One hundred and fifty-one out 

 of a total of 282, or 53.55 per cent, of the complete fertilizers 

 sold, have a value of over $2-4 per ton. Some interesting in- 

 formation is brought out by comparing the quantity and value 

 of plant food furnished by three grades of mixed fertilizer. The 

 282 brands analyzed may be grouped as follows: — 



Brands valuing $18 per ton or less (low grade), .... 26 

 Brands valuing between $18 and $24 per ton (medium grade), . 105 

 Brands valuing over $24 per ton (high grade), .... 151 



Total, 



282 



