Last 3^ear the selling price of the superphosphates and specials was 

 on the average fifteen per cent, greater than the Station valuations, 

 or thirty-five per cent, iu advance of the Avholesale cost of the fertil- 

 izing elements iu the raw materials. 



The average cost of Ammoniated Superphosphates and Guano 

 was about $41.50, the average estimated value was about $35.00, and 

 the difference $6.50. 



In case of specials, average cost was $50.00, average valuation 

 $42.50, difference $7.50. 



It has been the aim in previous bulletins of the Station to describe 

 briefly in connection with analytical reports regarding their composi- 

 tion, the peculiar character and the special merits of prominent 

 agricultural chemicals, and of refuse materials of various industries 

 which are commonly used for the manufacture of compound fertilizers 

 for farm purposes. 



This feature of the bulletins will be retained for the future, wher- 

 ever an inducement is offered. The information thus far given on 

 these occasions may be improved by studying the official annual re- 

 ports on Commercial Fertilizers published for ten years past, in the 

 Reports of the Mass. State Board of Agriculture. A knowledge of 

 the sources and of the character of the ingredients which serve large- 

 ly for the manufacture of our commercial fertilizers, leads quite 

 naturally to a due appreciation of the importance of securing the pro- 

 per form for our circumstances. No mode of supplying our special 

 wants of plant food for a successful and economical cultivation of 

 crops is as safe, as the practice to supplement — if needed — our home- 

 made manures with commercial fertilizing ingredients in the form of 

 suitable raw materials and chemicals to meet our wants ; and if 

 obliged to increase our home resources of manure, to compound them 

 from the most suitable stock in the market. Although a first trial of 

 that course of action may not realize all the advantages expected, 

 there can be no doubt about the correctness of the statement, that the 

 best financial success on the part of the farmer can only be secured 

 by the gradual adoption of that system of manuring the farm. 



Our leading dealers in fertilizers begin to realize the late tendency 

 in their trade, and are preparing to meet the call. There is every 

 reason to assume that the consumption of commercial manurial mat- 

 ter will increase in the same proportion, as the principles of a rational 

 and economical system of manuring becomes better understood. 



