3<3 Co-operation in Purchase of Manures. 



association, and enclosing a report of analyses of manures, 

 showing the percentages of valuable ingredients guaranteed in 

 the manures purchased through the association and the per- 

 centages found by the analyst of the association. At the dinner, 

 money recovered by the association in respect of any deficiencies 

 in the guaranteed constituents of manures purchased by them is 

 paid over to the members concerned. 



At the meeting the committee of management for the year is 

 elected, and the committee proceed to decide what manures 

 shall be procured during the coming season and the dates on 

 which the manures shall be delivered. 



The committee is rather large, consisting of about thirty-six 

 members, but as the chief work of the committee is to decide 

 what manures shall be purchased, and the wishes of the members 

 of the association may be diverse, a large committee is probably 

 essential to the satisfactory working of the association. 



Immediately after the meeting a second circular is sent to 

 the subscribers informing them of the decision of the committee 

 as to the kinds of manures to be procured and the dates of the 

 deliveries, and enclosing an order form, a copy of which is given 

 on the next page. 



As soon as the quantities of various kinds of manures required 

 have been approximately ascertained, tenders are invited by 

 advertisement in ' the Press and by notices addressed to firms 

 who have supplied the association in past years. 



The following extract, taken from a recent notice to manure 

 merchants, shows the terms on which purchases are made : — 



" The dissolved bones shall contain not less than 20 per cent 

 of soluble phosphate, 13 per cent, of insoluble phosphate 

 and 1 J per cent, of ammonia; such insoluble phosphate and 

 ammonia to be derived from the raw bone used in its manu- 

 facture, and 2s. 3d. per unit will be deducted for every unit 

 under 20 per cent, of soluble phosphate, is. id. for every unit 

 under 13 per cent, of insoluble phosphate, and 12s. for every 

 unit, or 1 per cent, (and so in proportion for any less quantity 

 than a unit) under per cent, of ammonia. 



" The superphosphate to contain 26 per cent, of soluble 

 phosphate, and 2s. 3d. per unit will be deducted for every 

 unit under 26 per cent, soluble. 



