1910.] 



PUBLIC DOCUMENT — N(3. 31, 



53 



The above table shows : — 



1. That 290 diHtinet brands of eoni]ilete licensed fertilizers 

 were collected and analyzed, 



2. That l-'>8 bi'ands (4r».(> per cent, of the whole number 

 analyzed) fell below the nianiH'acturer's guarantee; in one or 

 more elements. 



3. That IOC) brands were deficient in one element. 



4. That 30 brands were deficient in two elements. 



5. That 2 brands were deficient in all three elements. In 

 this connection it might be added that 80 brands were found 

 deficient in nitrogen, 63 in potash and 28 in phosphoric acid. 



6. That 45 out of the 206 brands analyzed (over 15 ])er cent, 

 of the total number) showed a commercial shortage. The term 

 " connuercial shortage " means that the brands in question did 

 not show the quantity and value of 'plant food guaranteed, 

 although the excess of any element of plant food was figiired in 

 full value to offset the deficiencies. 



7. Tliat certain manufacturers are either extremely careless 

 in mixing or else they do not allow a sufficient margin for 

 variation in the composition of crude stock. In other words, 

 they fry to have their goods run too close to the minininni 

 guarantee. 



(/) Commercial Shortages. 

 The following table has been prepared to show the commer- 

 cial shortages in the mixed fertilizers for the season of 1909, 

 also to furnish a comparison with the previous year : — 



Commercial Shortages. 



The season of 1909 shows the largest number of deficiencies 

 and commercial shortages which has probably ever occurred 



