1922.] PUBLIC DOCUMENT — No. 31. 39a 



per cent, phosphoric acid products; and about 7 per cent, 

 potash products. In all probability the tonnage of unmixed 

 potash salts is abnormally low on account of the high prices 

 which have prevailed for this ingredient. 



With reference to the uneconomic phase of the purchase of 

 low analysis fertilizers, it is estimated that the plant food 

 bought by the Massachusetts farmers in 1921 in form of low 

 analysis fertilizers cost them about $94,000 more than if it 

 had been bought in the form of high analysis mixtures. To 

 this should be added the extra cost of freight, cartage and 

 labor for application to the land. 



Feed Control. 



p. H. Smith, Chemist in Charge. 

 Miss E. M. Bradley, Analyst. 



During the year, 1,121 samples of feeding stufYs, collected of 

 dealers and manufacturers, were analyzed and are reported in 

 Bulletin No. 15 of the Control Series. Two hundred and 

 twenty-one dealers located in 136 towns were visited at least 

 once. One thousand, three hundred and forty-nine brands of 

 feeding stuffs were registered for sale in Massachusetts by 258 

 dealers. The purchase of an automobile for the use of the 

 inspector not only enabled him to save much time, but also 

 made it possible to visit more frequently stores not easily ac- 

 cessible on account of their distance from railroad and trolley 

 lines. 



In common with other business, the grain trade has been 

 extremely unsettled, and in order to meet a falling market 

 much feed has been sold by the retailer at less than the whole- 

 sale price at the time of purchase. 



No serious cases of adulteration and misbranding were dis- 

 covered. While it is true that some feeders may not use the 

 best of judgment in their selection of feeding stuffs offered, the 

 guarantee requirement of the feeding stuffs law including a 

 statement of ingredients, enables the purchaser to determine the 

 quality of the goods he purchases. The law does not prohibit 

 the sale of any material which is not actually injurious, but 

 simply requires that such information be furnished the pur- 

 chaser, by means of the guarantee, as to enable him to know 

 just what he is buying. 



