29 



The table on the opposite page shows : 



(1). That 334 brands of registered complete fertilizers have 

 been collected and analyzed. 



(2). That 191 brands (57 per cent of the total number ana- 

 lyzed) fell below the manufacturer's guarantee in one or more ele- 

 ments. 



(3). That 135 brands were deficient in one element. 



(4). That 51 brands were deficient in two elements. 



(5). That 5 brands were deficient in three elements. 



(6). That 41 brands (over 12 per cent of the whole number 

 analyzed) showed a commercial shortage; that is, when the over- 

 nms were used to offset shortages they did not show the amount in 

 value of plant food as expressed by the smallest guarantee. 



The deficiencies found were divided as follows : 



96 brands were found deficient in nitrogen. 



90 brands were found deficient in available phosphoric acid. 



66 brands were found deficient in potash. 



As compared with the previous year the guarantees have not 

 been as generally maintained. Thirty-six more brands were found 

 deficient in nitrogen and ten more in available phosphoric acid 

 than for the season of 1910. The brands showing a commercial 

 shortage were 17 more than during the previous year; in many 

 cases, however, the commercial deficiency was small, amounting 

 to less than 25 cents per ton. 



Table showing commercial shortages (25 cents or over) in mix- 

 ed complete fertilizers for 1910 and 1911. 



Commercial Shortages 



Number of Brands 



Between $1.00 and $2.00 per ton 



Under $1 . 00 not less than 25 cents per ton 



Some brands have suffered serious deficiencies in some element 

 of plant food without showing any commercial shortage, the de- 

 ficiency being made up by an overrun of some other element. 

 This is due probably either to carelessness or poor mixing rather 

 than a disposition to furnish less plant food value than is called for 

 in the guarantee. It furnishes a condition not to be commended, 

 however, as the fertilizer may be rendered seriously out of balance. 

 The following brands have shown a commercial 

 Commercial shortage of over 50 cents per ton, the value of 

 Shortages. overruns having in all cases been deducted from 

 the total shortages. 



