COMPLETE FERTILIZERS 129 



COMPLETE FERTILIZERS 



136. Cost, Valuation and Analyses. Fertilizers that 

 are purchased by farmers are usually made up of a mixture 

 of some of the materials previously described. Such fer- 

 tilizers usually contain nitrogen, phosphoric acid and 

 potash. They are commonly used without much regard 

 for the needs of crops on the particular soil. 



They are subject to inspection in a number of states 

 and must be labeled with the per cent of each plant-food 

 that they contain. In Vermont, in 1908, the result of this 

 inspection showed that the average selling price of mixed 

 fertilizers was $31.24 per ton, but the materials for mixing 

 them could have been purchased at retail in Boston or 

 New York for $20.75. Evidently there is a considerable 

 loss to farmers in purchasing complete fertilizers. Not 

 only are the fertilizers likely to be ill adapted to their 

 needs, but the prices are too high. The difference between 

 $20.75 and $31.24 per ton covers: 



(1) The cost of mixing. 



(2) Cost oT transportation. 



(3) Storage, commission to agents, dealers, etc. 



(4) Selling on credit, and bad debts. 



A careful farmer should always avoid the last two 

 expenses, so far as possible. 



At the average retail prices in New York City in 1908, 

 nitrogen cost 18A cents, phosphoric acid and potash each 

 cost 4 cents per pound. The farmers have paid much 

 more than these prices. According to the figures above 

 they must have paid 25 cents per pound for nitrogen and 

 f> cents for potash and for phosphoric acid. 



