io8 maine; agricultural experiment station. 1908. 



to call attention to the shortage and to the promise of the com- 

 pany that these matters would be corrected in 1908. 



The R. T. Prentiss Company are obtaining their fertilizer for 

 1908 from the Buffalo Fertilizer Company who made the goods 

 for 1907. These goods are apparently compounded on prac- 

 tically the same formula as in 1907. 



At the expense of the R. T. Prentiss Company a Station 

 chemist has sampled all of the cars that have been received in 

 the county up to February 1, 1908. All of the goods received 

 up to early in January carried more nitrogen and potash than 

 called for by the guaranty. The total phosphoric acid was also 

 in excess ; the available phosphoric acid was somewhat below 

 guaranty. The makers claim that with their particular process 

 of manufacture the availability of the phosphoric acid will 

 increase so that by the time the goods are used, they will be up 

 to the guaranty in available phosphoric acid. This point is 

 being investigated by the Station. Ten cars received in Febru- 

 ary ran under in nitrogen and potash. For the most part these 

 goods as in 1907 carry little or no nitrate nitrogen. The com- 

 pany advertises that it will attach to each lot of goods shipped 

 out the exact analysis as found by the Station and base settle- 

 ment accordingly. It is recommended by the Station that any- 

 one using the Prentiss goods for potatoes in Maine, either make 

 sure that the goods carry nitrate nitrogen, or else use nitrate of 

 soda at the rate of 100 pounds to the acre in connection with the 

 "fertilizer. The R. T. Prentiss Company have arranged to sup- 

 ply nitrate of soda for this purpose if desired by their customers. 



