1899.] PUBLIC DOCUMENT — No. 33. 107 



1*97. 1898. 



Number with two elements between lowest and highest 



guarantee, .... 13 25 



Number with one element between lowest and highest 



guarantee, 12 17 



Number with two elements below the lowest guarantee, . 3 2 



Number with one element below the lowest guarantee, G 8 



(c) Where one essential element of plant food was 

 guaranteed : — 



Number above the highest guarantee, 10 18 



Number between lowest and highest guarantee, . . .13 23 

 Number below the lowest guarantee, 1 15 



A comparison of the above-stated results of our inspec- 

 tion during the years 1897 and 1898 shows no material 

 differences regarding the general character of the fertilizers 

 sold in our market. In a few cases it became our duty to 

 communicate with the manufacturers, and ask for an ex- 

 planation. Imperfect mixing proved in most of these cases 

 the cause of differences between guarantee and our analysis. 

 As the commercial value of the brand was not materially 

 affected, with only two or three exceptions, the cases were 

 passed over, after a satisfactory explanation from the party 

 interested. 



The present condition of the trade in commercial fertilizers 

 offers exceptional advantages to provide efficient manures for 

 the successful raising of farm and garden crops congenial to 

 climate and soil. The fact that the most important essential 

 articles of plant food, as nitrogen, potash and phosphoric 

 acid, are freely offered for sale in our markets in forms 

 suitable to change the manurial refuse of the farm as stable 

 manure and vegetable compost into complete manures for 

 the crops to be raised, deserves the most serious attention 

 of farmers. To render th< j stated waste products of the farm 

 in a higher degree efficacious as a manure supply cannot be 

 otherwise considered than as a most promising step in th> j 

 direction of mi economical supply <>f plant food for the 'pro- 

 duction of farm and garden crops. 



As the manufacturer at best can only prepare his special 

 or so-called complete fertilizers on general lines, not know- 

 ing the particular character and condition of the soil which 

 receives them, it becomes the business of the farmer to make 



