42 



EXPERIMENT STATION. 



[J: 



an. 



This shortage ranged from a few cents to $3.36 per ton; only 

 8 brands showed a commercial shortage of over $1 per ton. 



The following table shows a comparison between the com- 

 mercial shortages fomid during 1908 and 1907: — 



Commercial Shortage. 



Number op Brands. 



Between $1 and $2, 

 Between $'2 and $3, 

 Between $3 and $4, 

 Between $4 and $8, 



The above certainly shows an improvement this year over 



conditions which existed during 1907. 



(/) Iligh-gj-ade v. Low-grade Fertilizers. 



It is gratifying to note the large proportion of high-grade as 

 compared with the medium and low-grade fertilizers that arc 

 being sold in Massachusetts. One hundred and fifty-one out 

 of a total of 282, or 53.55 per cent, of the complete fertilizers 

 sold, have a value of over $24 per ton. Some interesting in- 

 formation is brought out by comparing the quantity and value 

 of plant food furnished by three grades of mixed fertilizer. The 

 282 brands analyzed may be grouped as follows: — 



Brands valuing $18 per ton or less (low grade), . 



Brands valuing between $18 and $24 per ton (medium grade), 



Brands valuing over $24 per ton (high grade), . 



Total, 



26 

 105 

 151 



282 



