OFFICIAL INSPECTIONS 29. 9 



Multiply 4.0 by the percentage of nitrogen. 



Multiply 0.8 by the percentage of available phosphoric acid. 



Multiply 0.4 by the percentage of insoluble phosphoric acid. 



Multiply i.o by the percentage of potash. 



The sum of these 4 products will be the commercial valua- 

 tion per ton on the basis taken. 



Illustration. The table of analyses shows a certain fertilizer 

 to have the following composition : Nitrogen 3.30 per cent ; 

 Available phosphoric acid 8.00 per cent; Insoluble phosphoric 

 acid 1. 00 per cent; Potash 6.00 per cent. The valuation in this 

 case will be computed thus: 



Nitrogen, 4.0 X 3-30> $I3 20 



Available phosphoric acid, 0.8 X 8.00, 6 40 



Insoluble phosphoric acid, 0.4 X i-OO, 40 



Potash, 1.0 X 6.00, 6 00 



$26 GO 



Since this rule assumes all the nitrogen to be organic and all 

 the potash to be in the form of the sulphate, it is evident that the 

 valuations thus calculated must not be taken as the only guide in 

 the choice of a fertilizer. In every case the farmer should con- 

 sider the needs of his soil before he begins to consider the cost. 

 [n many instances a little careful experimenting will show him 

 that materials containing either nitrogen, potash, or phosphoric 

 acid alone will serve his purpose as fully as a "complete fer- 

 tilizer," in which he must pay for all three constituents, whether 

 needed or not. 



WOOD ASHES. 



Wood ashes while quite extensively sold in Maine as a fer- 

 tilizer are not sold at a price that puts them into the class of 

 materials that come under the inspection laws. Most every 

 farmer and particularly those who are engaged in producing 

 hay on rather heavy or clay loam lands, know the value of 

 these materials for fertilizing purposes and there is no question 

 but they are a valuable addition to the stock of substances used 

 as manures. 



While ashes are valuable and we would not wish to discour- 

 age their use in any way we would caution the farmer against 

 purchasing promiscuous lots, of which he has no knowledge oi 



