BULLETIN OF THE BUSSEY INSTITUTION. 175 
prices refer to the gross weight of the superphosphate packed in bags. 
In case casks are ordered, 6° is allowed for tare. Among the various 
other products advertised by Giissefeld, an 187% article made from 
Baker Island guano, at 24 to 22 thalers, and a 197 ditto, at 22 to 23 
thalers, are noteworthy. 
From these data, and the experience gained by the actual impor- 
tation of June, 1873, Mr. Saltonstall has drawn up the following 
estimate : — 
Estimated Cost of importing Ten Tons German Superphosphate from 
Hamburg by Sailing-Vessel to Boston. 
10 tons, guaranteed to contain 20% soluble phosphoric acid, @ 3 
Prussian thalers for 100 lbs. German, or 61 Prussian thalers for 
2,240 lbs. English = 610 thalers @ 724 cents each. : . $442.25 
Say 70 barrels (about 300 lbs. in each) @ 4 thaler each, or 364. cents 25.38 
Shipping charges, consul’s fees, postage, and commission, say . ateivid Wi 8310 
482.63 
Freight and primage to Boston @ say 30s. per ton= £15 @ $4.90 73.50 
$ 556.13 
$556.13 gold @ 137% premium = $ 628.43 currency. 
Boston Charges. 
Custom-house fees and wharfage, say - . 25.00 
$ 653.43 currency, 
or $ 65.34 per ton on wharf in Boston. 
Allowing all charges, except first cost, to remain the same as above, and 
substituting 2? thalers per cwt. for 18%, and 2} thalers per cwt. for 15%, then 
10 tons of 18% should cost, landed, say $ 61.25 per ton currency, and 
10 * 73 15% “é 73 “ 73 52. 84 * 66 “ 
From this estimate, it appears that the 448 pounds of soluble 
phosphoric acid contained in a ton of the 20% article may be landed 
in Boston for $654, the 403 pounds in a ton of the 18% article for 
$ 614, and the 336 pounds in a ton of the 157 article for $53; that 
is to say, the soluble phosphoric acid would cost us 143 cents per 
pound in the 20% article, 15} cents in the 187, and about 152 cents 
in that of 157%. There would naturally be a certain advantage in 
importing the higher grade samples, since the transportation of a ton 
of the best material will cost no more than the transport of a ton of 
the worst ; and, in fact, it appears from the estimate that, while the 
price at Hamburg of any given quantity of soluble phosphoric acid is 
