Food for 

 Plants 



222 



Cost of Nitrogen in Nitrate of Soda. 



In the samples of Nitrate of Soda examined by us in 

 1902, the percentage of Nitrogen varied from 15.21 to 16.20, 

 averaging 15.77. The selling price varied from ^42 to 

 S48.50, averaging $44.12. The commercial valuation varied 

 from $45.63 to $48.60, averaging $47.30, which was con- 

 siderably in excess of selling price. The cost of one pound 

 of Nitrogen in this form varied from 13 to 15 cents and 

 averaged 13.9 cents. This was much cheaper than the cost 

 of Nitrogen in the form of complete fertilizers. 



Tabulated General Summary. 



In the table following, we give a general summary of the 

 data that have been presented, showing the cost of one 

 pound of plant-food in different forms to consumers: 



Cost of One Pound of Plant-Food to Consumers. 



Nitrogen in 



Low-grade complete fertilizers 



Medium-grade complete fertilizers 



Medium high-grade complete fertilizers 



High-grade complete fertilizers 



Dried blood 



Bone-meal 



Nitrate of Soda 



Phosphoric Acid in 



Low-grade complete fertilizers 



Medium-grade complete fertilizers 



Medium high-grade complete fertilizers 



High-grade complete fertilizers 



Phosphoric acid and potash mixtures. . 



Acid phosphate or dissolved rock 



Bone (total) 



Potash in 



Low-grade complete fertilizers , 



Medium-grade complete fertilizers 



Medium high-grade complete fertilizers. 



High-grade complete fertilizers 



Phosphoric acid and potash mixtures. . . 

 Muriate of potash 



Lowest 



Cents. 

 20 



17.9 

 17 



14.8 

 II. 5 



13 



. I 



•4 

 . I 



•25 

 •3 

 •4 

 . I 



Highest. 



Cents. 

 36.8 

 28.3 

 26 

 26 

 22.9 

 32 

 15 



II . I 



8.6 

 8.1 



7-9 

 19.5 

 II .0 



8.6 



9 



7 

 6 



6 



16 



4 



•5 

 •3 



•9 

 •7 

 ■5 

 •9 



Average. 



Cents. 

 26.3 

 23.2 

 21 



19.6 

 18.5 

 14.9 



13-9 



8.0 



7.0 



6.4 

 6.0 

 6.6 



5-1 

 3-96 



6.8 

 6.0 



5-4 

 5.0 



5-6 

 4.6 



