148 HATCH EXPERIMENT STATION. [Jan. 



but few exceptions to imperfect mixing of the several ingre- 

 dients of the fertilizer, and did not, as a rule, materially affect 

 the commercial value of the article. In this connection at- 

 tention should be called to the fact that the lowest amount 

 stated in the guarantee is only legally binding. As our 

 State law makes allowance for these circumstances, the re- 

 sults of our examinations have been published without further 

 comment. When deemed best for the interest of all parties 

 concerned, the results have been sent by letter to the manu- 

 facturers of the goods, for their guidance and consideration. 

 To convey a more direct idea of the actual value of this 

 feature in the trade of commercial fertilizers of 1895, the 

 following detailed statement is here inserted : — 



(a) Where three essential elements of plant food were 

 guaranteed : - - 



Number with three elements equal to or above the highest 



guarantee, 5 



Number with two elements above the highest guarantee, . . 11 



Number with one element above the highest guarantee, . . 49 

 Number with three elements between the lowest and highest 



guarantees, 45 



Number with two elements between the lowest and highest 



guarantees, 54 



Number with one element between the lowest and highest 



guarantees, 27 



Number with two elements below the lowest guarantee, . . 6 



Number with one element below the lowest guarantee, ... 30 



(b) Where two essential elements of plant food were 

 guaranteed : — 



Number with two elements above the highest guarantee, . . 1 

 Number with one element above the highest guarantee, . . .11 

 Number with two elements between the lowest and highest 



guarantees, 17 



Number with one element between the lowest and highest 



guarantees, 7 



Number with one element below the lowest guarantee, ... 10 



(c) Where one essential element of plant food was 

 guaranteed : — 



Number above the highest guarantee, 4 



Number between the lowest and highest guarantees, ... 21 

 Number below the lowest guarantee, 6 



