278 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



The valuation of this class of fertilizers, as above carried 

 out, is based on the supposition that their essential ingredients 

 are present in equally efficient condition. While there can 

 be no doubt about the correctness of this view, as far as the 

 soluble and reduced phosphoric acid is concerned, it must be 

 conceded that the assumption, with regard to the source of 

 nitrogen, and in particular that of the insoluble phosphoric 

 acid, becomes somewhat arbitrary. In sight of the practi- 

 cal difficulties of discriminating more satisfactorily in each 

 individual case, it seems to be safest not to buy superphos- 

 phates which contain more than 2 per cent, of insoluble phos- 

 phoric acid, and also those which contain a larger quantity of 

 animal matter like hair, skin parts, pieces of horn, etc. The 

 prices adopted in the above calculation are the following ruling 

 market prices of the past year : — 



Soluble phosphoric acid, per pound, 12.5 cents. 



Reduced phosphoric acid, per pound, 9.0 " 



Insoluble phosphoric acid (of bones), per pound, . . .6.0 " 

 Nitrogen (of meat, blood, fish, guano, etc.), per pound, . 21.0 " 

 Potassium oxide (kainit) , per pound, 7.5 " 



The mechanical condition of most of the samples tested 

 was very satisfactory as compared with former years. 

 Although the chemical composition of some of the leading 

 brands of the ammoniated superphosphates has been improved 

 of late, it is a matter of regret that the change for the better 

 is not more general ; the value of some is still greatly 

 impaired by a large percentage of insoluble phosphoric acid 

 in some instances, and by an objectionable excess of moisture 

 in others. As long as these conditions exist, it becomes of 

 the utmost importance that farmers should always buy with 

 a definite guarantee of composition. The law for the regula- 

 tion imposes upon all fertilizer dealers the duty to state on 

 each package the quantity of the essential constituents of the 

 article it contains. There is no redress for losses suffered, 

 except the sales are made with reference to articles of a speci- 

 fied composition. 



The above-stated values refer to the retail price, which the 

 various articles may claim, at the storehouse of the manufact- 

 urer, without charges for transportation. A recent consulta- 



