23 



those having a value of $i8.oo-$24.oo per ton as medium grade ; and 

 those over $24.00 per ton as high grade fertilizers. 



A study of the above table shows a decided increase in the per- 

 centage of nitrogen and potash in the high grade and medium grade 

 fertilizers while the phosphoric acid remains more constant in all 

 three grades. 



With less than a 44 per cent advance in price over the low grade 

 fertilizer, the high grade furnishes more than 75 per cent increase in 

 available plant food. The high grade fertilizer also furnishes nearly 

 90 per cent increase in commercial value. A ton of the average 

 high grade fertilizer furnishes about 46 pounds more of nitrogen, 15 

 more of available phosphoric acid and 104 more of potash than does 

 a ton of the low grade goods. The high grade fertilizers with a 31.6 

 per cent advance in price over the medium grade furnish 35 per cent 

 more plant food with about 46 per cent increase in commercial value. 

 The medium grade fertilizers cost only 9 per cent more than the low 

 grade fertilizers and furnish 30.5 per cent greater commercial value. 



It is very gratifying to note the small number of low grade ferti- 

 lizers that is being sold in Massachusetts — only 26 out of a total of 

 282 or only 9.22 per cent. 



Table showing the pound cost of the various elements of plant 

 food in the three grades of fertilizer. 



Nitrogen, 



Soluble phosphoric acid, 



Reverted 



Insoluble, •' " 



Potash, 



Low Grade 

 Fertilizer. 



Medium Grade 

 Fertilizer. 



High Grade 

 Fertilizer. 



36.35 CtS. 

 8.86 CtS. 

 7.98 CtS. 

 3-55 CtS. 

 8.86 cts. 



30.58 cts. 

 7.46 cts. 

 6.71 cts. 

 2.98 cts. 

 7.46 cts. 



27.52 cts. 

 6.7 I cts. 

 6.04 cts. 

 2.69 cts. 

 6.7 I cts. 



It is apparent from the above table that the consumer purchasing 

 the low grade fertilizers has paid on the average 8. 83 cents per 



