14 



Station Bulletin 362 



13 per cent more than in that with a 60 per cent content. Chemicals in 3- 

 12-6 complete fertilizer cost about 23 per cent more than those in 5-20- 

 10. (See Figure 8 mid also Appendix, Table A-11.) These savings are 

 certainly worthy of consideration in making purchases. 



ANALYSES OFFERED IN 1943 

 Figure 8. — Amount by which chemicals in a ton of mixed fertilizers exceeds 

 the cost of chemicals purchased separately 



PRICES OF MATERIALS AND MIXED FERTILIZERS 

 Variation of Price Quotations of Different Companies 



Prices differ considerably between companies for fertilizers of the 

 same analysis. Thus, opportunities do exist for cash savings in the pur- 

 chase of the three principal chemicals as such, and in mixed fertilizers. 

 On four mixed fertilizers the maximum differentials averaged better than 

 $5.00 a ton over a five-year period, and on chemicals averaged well over 

 $3.00 a ton. Thus, it appears that farmers can well afford to compare 

 prices and learn where they can buy chemicals for the least money. (See 

 Table 7 jor a more detailed coiiiparison.) 



In 36 comparisons of 176 price quotations covering these seven 

 analyses over the six-year period, it was found that on the average 59 per 

 cent \\ere identical for a given analysis as of a given year. For example, 

 7-7-7 was quoted at $43.83 by five companies, $43.80 by one, and $46.12 

 by one. The 5-10-10 analysis was quoted at $43.60 by six companies, 

 $38 by one, and $45.94 by another. After such observations one would 

 tend to conclude that some comapnies had an understanding concerning 

 the quotations to be issued. In any case, it is obvious that farmers can 

 well afford to compare quotations and to determine what savings are 

 possible in making purchases. The savings indicated should repay such 

 effort as might be involved. 



