Fertilisers. 
153 
follow up the beneficial action by taking active proceedings 
against the vendors. In this connection it is well to point out 
that County Councils have, in not a few instances, shown 
themselves ready to undertake and carry through, on their 
own responsibility, cases which have been put before them 
and which will stand investigation. Where this has been 
done it is seldom that the action has not been followed with 
success. 
7. Hemp Fibre. 
A sample of meal made from the fibre of the hemp plant 
was submitted to me and gave the following results : — 
Moisture ...... 7’39 
Ether extract . . . . . 2- 70 
Albuminoids . . . . . 6*19 
Carbohydrates, &c. .... 28’23 
Woody fibre. ..... 5O20 
2 Mineral matter (ash) .... 5*29 
100-00 
1 Containing nitrogen .... -99 
including silica ..... *35 
This had a very insipid taste, and its feeding value can be 
but small. 
B. Fertilisers. 
Attention has been called to the more satisfactory condition 
of the trade in linseed cake, and the same may be said as 
regards the trade in the staple manufactured fertilisers, such as 
mineral superphosphate, dissolved bones, &c. Of these there 
has been little to complain about when purchasers have gone to 
well-known and respected firms, of whom there is an abundance. 
It is, however, when buying compound manures, special fer- 
tilisers, and waste products particularly, that care requires to be 
exercised, and the aid of chemical analysis to be employed. 
1. Basic Slag. 
Improved manufacture and better milling, aided by com- 
petition, has caused a general raising of the terms of guarantee 
under which basic slag is offered. Whereas, formerly, vendors 
confined themselves to giving a guarantee of 75 to 80 per cent. 
“ fineness,” it is now not at all infrequent to give one of 85 to 
90 per cent. ; and it must in justice be said that this when 
offered is generally attained. Nevertheless, there must 
necessarily occur variations, and the only real safeguard is 
to buy under strict guarantee and to check deliveries by 
subsequent analysis. The following are cases in point : — • 
