24 MAINE STATE COLLEGE 



economical method of buyiug can more easily be applied. As 

 Mr. Voorhces suggests, the common brands of superphosphate 

 could doubtless be obtained on just as favorable terms, provided 

 a change could be made to direct sales of large quantities for 

 cash. 



If farmers would give this matter immediate practical attention, 

 they -svould be more certain to secure prompt and important 

 liuancial advantages than by the long drawn out discussions over 

 tax and tariff reforms, however important these may be. 



The disadvantages of tlie present method by which our farmers 

 are largely obtaining their fertilizers may be summarized, as 

 follows : 



(1) It is a costly system of selling due to the large expense 

 for agents and the great loss on credits. 



(2) It is a system which unfortunately seems to be accom- 

 panied by so many unfair arguments and so much of distortion of 

 facts that the farmer is, to some extent, hindered rather than 

 aided in gaining clear ideas of true facts. 



(3) And so this is a system which leads farmers to consider 

 chiefly the rival claims of competing manufacturers rather than 

 to study his own needs and then to buy such plant food as is 

 adapted to his wants. 



If farmers are to purchase commercial plant food, great advan- 

 tages would result in a change to the following system : 



(1) The buyiug of plant food as such under proper names, 

 and thus avoid the confusion and uncertainty attending the pur- 

 chase of an ever increasing number of brands whose names mean 

 little or nothing. 



(2) The purchase of fertilizers in large quantities for cash. 



