ILLINOIS STATE DAIRYMEN'S ASSOCIATION 283 



POTASH— 



as high-grade sulfate, and in forms free from muriate 5 



as muriate 4^4 



In order to obtain the valuation price of 100 lbs. of a fer- 

 tilizer, the • percentages of valuable fertilizing components are 

 multiplied in each case by the price given in the preceding 

 schedule; to this actual cost of the fertilizing ingredients con- 

 tained in the fertilizer should be added the cost of placing the 

 fertilizer on the market; this cost will vary considerably ac- 

 cording to local and other conditions; the Pennsylvania De- 

 partment of Agriculture estimates the expense as follows : 



Mixing $1.00 per ton 



Bagging $1.00 per ton. 



Agent's commission 20 per cent of retail cash value of ingredients 



Freight $2.00 per ton 



The approximate values of the various fertilizers licensed 

 for sale in our state may be ascertained by this method of 

 calculation, and the purchaser will thus be able to form an 

 opinion whether or not a fair price is asked for a certain fer- 

 tilizer. 



It must be remembered, however, that the valuation placed 

 on the various fertilizers by this method is a Commercial and 

 not an Agricultural one. It shows the average retail cash price 

 of the different fertilizing ingredients plus the cost of placing 

 the fertilizer on the market; the agricultural value of a fertil- 

 izer will depend on a number of conditions beyond the control 

 of the seller, such as the need of the soil of the particular fer- 

 tilizing ingredient or ingredients in question; the judgment 

 used in applying the same, as to methods, time, and quantities 

 applied ; the conditions of the weather, etc. ; the agricultural 

 value of a fertilizer, in other words, will vary according to tlie 

 season and according to the intelligent application of the fertil- 

 izer; one farmer may derive full benefit from the use of a fer- 

 tilizer, while to another it may be almost money thrown away. 

 It is therefore evident that only a commercial valuation of fer- 

 tilizers is ever possible; this will enable persons to compare the 

 different fertilizers offered for sale, and will assist them in de- 

 ciding which are the most economical ones for their special 

 purpose. 



