no chance for the addition of tiller or make-weight material. In 

 case of the low grade fertilizer the i per cent nitrogen, 8 per cent 

 available phosphoric acid, and 3 per cent potash may be furnished by 



50 lbs. Nitrate of Soda, 

 1 13 " Dried Blood, 

 1000 " Acid Phosphate, 

 120 " High Grade Sulphate of Potash. 



1283 lbs. 

 This combination contains 1283 lbs. of fertilizing material and the 

 balance of 717 lbs. to make the ton must be supplied by a filler 

 which may have no more value than so much sand, on which the 

 consumer must pay freight charges. He must also handle just so 

 much more weight if he buys the low grade goods. 



In case no inert substance is used as a filler in the low grade fer- 

 tilizers the manufacturer has recourse to those forms of plant food 

 having a low analysis and an inferior availability. Of course it is 

 most desirable that the low grade fertilizing substances should be 

 used in the manufacture of fertilizers; they all have a value and much 

 credit is due the manufacturer for developing processes for the 

 utilization of this class of materials. The point which the writer 

 would make is the inconsistency of charging a higher cost per unit 

 for the plant food in these fertilizers than what is charged in case of 

 goods made from the highest grade of raw materials and chemicals. 



The consumer should purchase and use high grade goods, there- 

 fore, if ready mixed fertilizers are to be selected. There is yet no 

 general agreement among manufacturers as to the proper proportions 

 and amounts of plant food elements in fertilizers for special crops, as 

 is shown by the wide variation in the goods offered by different dealers 

 for one and the same purpose. There probably never will be such 

 agreement, for conditions dififer ; each farmer therefore must 

 study to learn what seems best to meet his individual requirements. 

 All other considerations having received due attention, a fertilizer 

 should be selected which will give the largest amount of plant food 

 in a suitable and available form for the least money. 



The following tables have been prepared from the results of this 

 year's inspection to show some comparisons between the various 

 grades of fertilizers. All brands having a comparative commercial 

 value of $18.00 or less per ton have been classed as low grade; 



