22 MALNK STATE COLLEGE 



OBSERVATIONS OX THE FERTILIZER INSPECTION OF 



1892, AND REMARKS ON METHODS OF BUYING 



PLANT FOOD. 



In the case of sixtj^-fonr brands of fcrtilizeis analyzed, the 

 average selling price as given to the Station Agent was $34.08. 

 The average station valuation of the same brands was $24.07, or 

 $10 less than the selling price. 



The station valuation is the same for which the fertilizing 

 ingredients in one ton can be bought in the large markets in a 

 condition ready for use, consequently in 1892 it is costing the 

 farmer $10 per ton or forty per cent, of the retail price in Boston, 

 for instance, to have the goods placed at his door. Perhaps it 

 may be said that some manufacturers are furnishing plant food 

 more cheaply. In the case of seventeen brands sold by two 

 leading manufacturers, the average selling price is $36.38 and the 

 average station valuation $27.05, a difference of $9.33, or 34.5 

 per cent, of the cost in the market. 



It appears then, that even with the manufacturers most largely 

 patronized, there is a margin of over $9.00 between what farmers 

 are actually paying for a ton of superphosphate and the cost of 

 the same amount of plant food in unmixed goods when bought in 

 the large markets. It certainly does not cost $9.00 for freight 

 and mixing. The other items of expense are agents' commis- 

 sions, credit, etc., and these might be saved by a change in 

 business methods. 



This subject has been extensively studied and discussed by the 

 New Jersey Experiment Station, and the following admirable 

 comments by Mr. Voorhees, chemist of the station, are of inter- 

 est to farmers in general. 



"The principal points which have been shown are — 1. That 

 the nitrogen, phosphoric acid and potash in raw or unmixed 

 materials can be bought at a less cost per pound than the Station's 

 valuations ; and 2. That the cost of the same elements in mixed 

 fertilizers is at least 25 per cent, greater than Station's valuations. 

 The difference between these two methods of buying would 

 amount on the basis of last year's sales to over $336,000. (For 

 New Jersey.) This sum is consumed not in manufacturers' 



