23 



(4). The average high grade fertilizer with about 15 percent 

 advance in price over the medium grade goods, furnishes over 24 

 percent more plant food and 34 percent increase in commercial 

 value. 



(5). The percentage activity of the total nitrogen is 9.38 

 percent, and the percentage activity of the organic nitrogen is 

 8.65 percent more in the high grade fertilizer than in the low grade 

 brands. This would indicate the superior quality of nitrogenous 

 materials found in the high grade brands, which is still another 

 advantage in purchasing the latter class of fertilizer. 



Table showing the comparative pound cost of nitrogen, potash 

 and phosphoric acid in its various forms in the three grades of 

 fertilizer. 



FORM OF ELEMENT 



Nitrogen (as Nitrates and Am- 



raoniatesj 



Nitrogen (Organic) 



Potash (as Muriate) 



Soluble Phosphoric Acid . . . . , 

 Reverted Phosphoric Acid . . . , 

 Insoiwble Phosphoric Acid . . . , 



This table shows : 



(1). That the purchase of high grade fertilizers in place of 

 low grade has saved nearly 12 cents on every pound of nitrogen 

 and nearly 3 cents on every pound of potash and phosphoric acid. 



(2). That the purchase of high grade fertilizers in place of 

 mediimi grade has saved 4^ cents on every pound of nitrogen 

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



(3). The cost of the several elements of plant food in the 

 average high grade fertilizer amounts to $37.65 a ton. If the 

 farmer purchases this same amount of plant food on the basis of 

 the cost of the fertilizer elements in the low grade fertilizer, he 

 would pay $56.17. In other words, he would pay $18.52 more for 

 the same plant food if purchased in the form of low grade fertili- 

 zer; and he would pay $12.06 more for it if purchased in the form 

 of medium grade fertilizer. 



(4). About 52 percent of the brands of fertilizer sold in the 

 state are classed as low and medium grade. This is by far too 

 large a proportion as it means that those purchasing this class of 

 goods are paying an excessive price for the actual plant food 

 obtained, which in the aggregate must amount to many thousands 

 of dollars. 



