CONCLUDING REMARKS. 255 



superior quality of their products; hence they 

 procure as many of them as possible. Two ad- 

 vantages are thus gained : First. It effectually 

 closes the farmer's mouth for subsequent unfavor- 

 able criticism. Second. Every farmer's opinion 

 has weight in the circle in which he moves, and 

 his favorable report of a fertilizer induces others 

 to give it a trial. Thus the business of these 

 manufacturers is increased, and the farmer un- 

 wittingly becomes a party to their frauds, and 

 when his neighbors find that they are cheated, 

 he receives his share of blame. Hence farmers 

 should be very careful in giving these loosely 

 worded recommendations, which benefit no one 

 but the manufacturers. Those who have given 

 these certificates know how they have been pro- 

 cured ; personal friendship for the manufacturer 

 or dealer^ has led many to give favorable re- 

 ports, we doubt not against their better judg- 

 ment, while with others, perhaps, the desire of 

 seeing their name in print has its influence. 



Certificates are a part of the stock in trade of 

 quackery, and no honestly conducted business 

 needs them. Besides the certificates given to 

 different manufacturers when taken collectively 

 do not amount to anything, because each man- 

 ure sold is represented by the certificates to be 

 the best. Such conflicting statements are with- 

 out value as evidence ; consequently, the farmer 



