2(5 



Ten samples of acid phos]jhale have been examined. 



Acid all but three being found well up to the minimum 



Phosphate, guarantee. No eommercial shortages of over 50 



cents per ton were noticed. The pound of available 



])hosphoric acid from acid phosphate has cost 5.76 cents. 



Five samples have been analyzed and the phosphoric 



Basic acid ran low in two instances. There were no com- 



Slag mcrcial shortages of over 50 cents per ton. The 



Phosphate, pound of available phosphoric acid (by Wagner's 



method) from basic slag has cost, on the average, 



5.01 cents. 



Lava Fertilizers. 



On the last page of the bulletin will be found the analyses of 

 various brands of "Lava" so-called. Although these materials 

 have not been oiTered for sale in the Massachusetts markets, to 

 our knowledge, yet in view of the fact that literature has been 

 distributed by the Lava Company of America, located at Passaic, 

 N. J., it has been thought best to have samples of these various 

 products examined and the results published in order to avoid 

 correspondence with parties in regard to their value. 



The samples which have served for the analyses, were for- 

 warded by the company who were anxious that they might be 

 tested both in the field and laboratory. Many extravagant 

 claims are made by the company concerning the value of the 

 products. The analyses speak for themselves. The large amount 

 of insoluble matter and lime would indicate some of them to be 

 ground limestone, marl or similar natural products to which have 

 been added various amounts of nitrate of soda and some form of 

 organic nitrogen. The organic portion of the nitrogen shows a 

 low availability by the alkaline-pemianganate method, indicating 

 inferior materials. Several of the samples contained sufheient 

 nitrogen from nitrate of soda to give them considerable value. 

 They contain very little or no phosphoric acid and with one 

 exception (The Coba Brand), little water soluble potash. They 

 cannot, therefore, be called complete fertilizers. Several of the 

 samples showed the presence of free sulfur. 



In calculating the relative values of the various brands it 

 has been assumed that the organic nitrogen was derived from 

 only high grade sources; potash was counted as derived from 

 muriate, and the phosphoric acid was valued at the same price 

 as when found in wood ashes (3 cents). The lime was valued 

 the same as agricultural lime. The valuations must, therefore, be 

 favorable to the brands in question; in other words, are somewhat 

 higher than conditions would warrant. 



