1912. 



PUBLIC DOCUMENT — No. 31. 



57 



Table showing the Comparative Pound Cost, in Cents, of Nitrogen, 

 Potash and Phosphoric Acid in its Various Forms in the Three 

 Grades of Fertilizer. 



Element. 



Low-grade 

 Fertilizer. 



Mediuni-prade 

 Fertilizer. 



HiKh-crade 

 Fertilizer. 



Nitrogen, .... 

 Potash (as muriate), 

 Soluble phosphoric acid, . 

 llevcrted phosphoric acid, 

 Insoluble phosphoric acid. 



38 6 

 8.2 

 8.7 

 7.7 

 3.9 



33.4 

 7.1 

 7.5 

 6.7 

 3.3 



28.3 

 6.0 

 6.4 

 5.7 



2.8 



This table shows : — 



1. That the purchase of high-grade fertilizers in place of low- 

 grade goods has saved over 10 cents on every pound of nitrogen 

 and over 2 cents on every pound of potash and phosphoric acid. 



2. That the purchase of high-grade fertilizers in place of 

 medium-grade goods has saved over 5 cents on every pound of 

 nitrogen and over 1 cent on every pound of potash and phos- 

 phoric acid. 



3. Taking the average analysis of the high-grade fertilizer as 

 a basis, the purchase of the high-grade in place of the low-grade 

 goods would mean a saving of $14.23 on every ton purchased; 

 the purchase of the high-grade in place of the medium-grade 

 would mean a saving of $7.12 on every ton purchased. 



4. About 54 per cent, of the number of brands sold in ]\[assa- 

 chusetts are classed as medium or low-grade fertilizers. Assum- 

 ing that the tonnage of these goods was as large as for the high- 

 grade brands, there would have been a tremendous saving to the 

 Massachusetts farmer had he bought only high-grade fertilizer. 



5. The purchaser of fertilizers should look to the guaranteed 

 analysis and remember that he is buying pounds of ]dant food 

 as well as tons of fertilizer. He should know the form and 

 about the proportion of the various elements of plant food and 

 should purchase the brand which sells for the least money which 

 comes nearest fulfilling his requirements. 



6. Every one should consider and profit by the lessons taught 

 bv the above data. 



