Simple Manures 



4. The cost of the making of the mixture. 



5. Putting up into sacks and storing again. 



6. Fresh cost of transport to the place where it 

 is to be used. 



7. General cost, trade charges, makers' profit ; 

 and it is easy to understand that even with the most 

 honest manufacturer, the price of the unit of fertilis- 

 ing matter will sensibly increase the cost and often 

 not the value. 



Besides, many compounds actually on the market 

 enjoy an unmerited popularity, and fetch a price 

 far beyond their real value simply as the effect of the 

 law of supply and demand. Everybody knows them, 

 everybody wants to have them. The output is 

 limited, and the maker can easily demand a high 

 price and still refuse orders. This shows that people 

 buy by recommendation and habit, and not by 

 knowledge of the subject. Manures ought always 

 to be bought by the unit of fertilising material. 



Many people still purchase by the ton, without 

 even considering what that ton contains, or in any 

 case without considering how much the units of 

 fertilising material will come to. But it is not the 

 ton of manure which is fertile, but the units of 

 fertiUsing matter in it. WTien one pays good money 

 one has a right to receive good manure ; and the 

 purchaser should always compare the price of units 

 of fertilising matter so as to buy that which under a 

 similar form will cost the least. 



The best way of ascertaining what one is buying 

 is by analysing the manure, and to bring analysis 

 into general use should be the work of an Agricultural 

 Union. This society should occupy itself with 



15 



