INSPECTION OF FERTILIZERS. 



W. H. JoRDAX. Director. 

 •J. M. Bartlett, L. H. Merrill, Chemists, 



This bulletin is ihe second to be issued during the year 1894 

 giving a report oi the official inspection of fertilizers. The first 

 bulletin, Xo. 7, was published on February 1st, and gave the 

 results of the analyses of Manufacturer's Samples. These 

 samples were furnished by the manufacturers for inspection 

 accompanied by an affidavit that they were like the goods which 

 they represented •• within reasonable limits." 



The samples mentioned in this bulletin are almost wholly those 

 selected by a Station representative at different points in the State 

 from goods which were exposed or offered for sale. These samples 

 were very carefully taken in accordance with the provisions of a 

 law which seeks to guard the rights of the manufacturers, and 

 they certainly represent the particular lots of goods from which 

 they were selected. 



The outcome of this year's inspection of fertilizers in Maine 

 under a new law is of somewhat unusual interest, especially to 

 those who are responsible for the execution of the law. This new 

 law, as has been repeatedly stated, was brought into existence in 

 Older to give to the farmer, if possible, some official assurance of 

 the composition of the goods in the market before purchasing. 

 Tiiis assurance is to come from the analysis of manufacturers' 

 samples, and it is important to all partie.^; concerned to know 

 whether with the best of intentions on all sides it is feasible for 

 tlie manufacturers to supply a sample which will not only fairly 

 represent a brand of goods in a general way. but which will also 

 lie a safe guarantee for the individual farmer to accept in buying a 

 few tons or even a few hundred pounds of that particular 

 fertilizer. We now have the data of one year's experience, and 

 wliile better results can be obtained in succeeding years, the testi- 

 mony supplied is worth considering. 



One feature of this bulletin which may cause more or less com- 

 ment is the omission of the monev valuation of each brand 



