54 EXPERIMENT STATION. [Jan. 



in this State. The hirgest nnniber occnrring are below $1 per 

 ton, and yet many of the deficiencies are very serious, running 

 1 per cent, or over below the niininium guarantee. In the table 

 of shortages, in all cases where an excess of plant food has 

 occurred the commercial value of the excess has been used to 

 offset the commercial shortage resulting from a deficiency in 

 some of the other elements. This practice is certainly ex- 

 tremely fair to the manufacturer. We should not lose sight of 

 the fact, however, that serious deficiencies or excesses change 

 the essential character of a fertilizer. A prosecution in every 

 case this year must, from necessity, have contained a certain 

 element of unfairness, as some of the cases of the most serious 

 deficiencies occurred where the licensee was not the manufac- 

 turer, and was, therefore, not directly responsible for the compo- 

 sition of the goods, which were manufactured by parties outside 

 of the State. Therefore no prosecutions have been made for 

 shortages. It seemed wise, after a careful review of the situa- 

 tion, to take up the matter with each manufacturer separately, 

 and endeavor to secure an adjustment that would be as favorable 

 as possible to the consumer. It is obviously not possible, how- 

 ever, to follow such a method year after year. All manufac- 

 turers whose goods have fallen seriously below their guarantees 

 have been advised, and all others are hereby informed, that 

 snch, conditions cannot continue to exist, and that another sea- 

 son it will be necessary to prosecute violators of the statute. 



(g) Grades of Fertilizer. 

 The 323 brands of complete fertilizers may be divided into 

 three groups : — 



Low-grade fertilizers, havino- a commercial value of $18 

 or less per ton, 83 



Medium-grade fertiUzers, having a commercial value of 

 between $18 and $24 per ton, 122 



High-grade fertilizers, having a commercial vahie of over 

 $24 per ton, 118 



The following table has l)oen com]iiled for the purpose of 

 makinc: a studv of the three grades of i>oods: — 



