14 



The "comparative valuations" per ton which ap- 

 Concerning pear in the tables of analyses represent the cash 

 Valuations, cost at centers of distribution in New England of 



an amount of nitrogen, potash and phosphoric 

 acid in unmixed chemicals and standard raw materials of good 

 quality, corresponding with the same amount and quality found 

 in one ton of the fertilizer analyzed. It is assumed that the 

 various elements of plant food in the mixed fertilizers are derived 

 from high grade products. This may not always be the case 

 hence it places the manufacturer who uses inferior and low grade 

 materials on the same plane with those using high grade ma- 

 terials. The comparative valuations are no indication of the 

 agricultural value of a fertilizer, which can only be ascertained 

 by the increased yield due to its use. 



It will be readily understood from the above that the valua- 

 tions published in the tables do not represent the proper retail 

 price of the fertilizer at the place where the sample was procured. 

 To arrive at a fair retail price there should be added to the val- 

 uations the cost of grinding, maxing, bagging, storing, hauling 

 and freighting the goods, as well as commissions to agents, long 

 credits, depreciation of factory plants, interest, and profits. 

 Commercial valuations are useful in comparing the relative 

 values of similar brands of goods sold by different manufac- 

 turers. 



The retail cash prices which are published in the 



Concerning following tables of analyses are, in almost every 



Retail Cash instance, verified in writing over the agent's signa- 



Prices. ture. The prices are obtained first by the collector 



at the time the samples are drawn, later a communi- 

 cation is sent to every agent asking him to verify and if necessary 

 correct these prices. Frequently two or three appeals have to 

 be made before the desired verification can be secured. Great 

 care and pains are taken, however, to obtain reliable and repre- 

 sentative figures. In cases of wide variations in prices on the 

 same brand, further correspondence is had with the several 

 agents in order, if possible, to ascertain the cause of such varia- 

 tions. 



