ITEMS OF INTEREST.

FERTILIZER INSPECTION AND ANALYSIS.

Ohio expends annually $4,000,000 or more in the purchase of commercial fertilizers. Most of this is well spent, but it can be better spent in a more careful selection of goods, by adapting the fertilizer to the needs of the crops and the soil upon which it is grown, and by buying on basis of plant food only, rather than by seeking goods that sell for a low price per ton.

The present Fertilizer Law was passed in the interest of the farmer.
All goods sold in Ohio during 1912 conformed to this law:

The main requirement is in stating Sources of Ammonia. If muck, peat, pulverized leather, hair, ground horn, wool waste or other materials in which the ammonia is largely unavailable, is used, it must be stated on sack or tag affixed thereto.

The demand for good fertilizer increases.

Much of the tillable soil in Ohio is in need of some fertilizing ele

ments.

Farmers should give this subject attention and inquire of the Experiment Station, Wooster, or farmers' institute lecturers concerning

same.

Analysis of the different brands of fertilizers found by Inspectors on the open market are published from time to time in the Official Bulletin.

Users of fertilizers not required to wait till the end of the year before learning Chemist's findings.

The publicity given in the Official Bulletin to brands of fertilizers falling below guarantee has been conducive of good results:

In 1907, upon first analysis, 191 brands were found to be below the guarantee.

In 1911, out of 695 brands analyzed only 23 were below the guarantee.

At that time law permitted lee-way of 6.00% in total money value before evidence of fraudulent intent was presumed.

This was all changed when our present law became effective, December 1st, 1911, requiring all companies to give one hundred cents on the dollar, so all brands listed in the 1912 Report are expected to conform thereto.

Inspectors visit every section of the state in order to secure samples of fertilizers exposed for sale.

In 1908, 565 brands were licensed.
In 1909, 666 brands were licensed.
In 1910, 698 brands were licensed.
In 1911, 756 brands were licensed.
In 1912, 785 brands were licensed.
License fee $30 per brand.

Chemist at Ohio State University, recommended by President W, O. Thompson, makes official analyses.

Farmers should make sure that fertilizer companies are licensed and legal in Ohio before purchasing.

They should buy with the understanding that the analysis of the state chemist shows good up to guarantee.

Farmers, but not dealers or agents, can have brands of fertilizer sent to the Department of Agriculture and analysis made upon payment of $1.00 for each element for which analysis is asked; ammonia andpotash one each; phosphoric acid two.

Before sending sample, a letter should be written to the Department asking for instructions as to how to draw sample.

All licensed brands will appear in Official Bulletin.

SOURCES OF AMMONIA.

AVAILABLE SOURCES OF AMMONIA.

Our present Fertilizer law cells for Sources of Ammonia. Materials used are classed as ANIMAL, MINERAL AND VEGETABLE. ANIMAL: Animal Tankage, Dried Blood, Fish Scrap, Bone Meal, etc.

MINERAL: Sulphate of Ammonia, Nitrate of Soda, Cyanamid, etc.

VEGETABLE: Cotton Seed Meal, Castor Pomace, Garbage Tankage, Oil Seed Meals, Tobacco Stems or Dust, etc.

UNAVAILABLE SOURCES OF AMMONIA.

The manufacturer who uses muck, peat, pulverized leather, hair, ground horn or wool waste or other similar materials in which the ammonia is largely unavailable may expect his sales to decrease among those farmers who learn to make use of the information furnished in the Official Bulletins.

ADVANCE REPORT.

No advance Report of Analysis on the different brands licensed will be given out. The findings published in the Bulletins from time to

time are sufficient for all parties concerned. In case where Chemist's findings show any one ingredient of 1% less than Manufacturer's claims, sample is re-tested and results not published until receipt of report on second analysis. This eliminates possibility for error.

FERTILIZER USED-A COMPARISON.

Some States require no official record of tonnage, only registering the brand for taxation and inspection.

Below we give tonnage of fertilizers used in Ohio and Indiana since 1905. As a contrast we show tonnage reported by both Georgia and South Carolina.

When purchasing fertilizers do you buy goods containing those elements which the soil lacks, or is deficient in, viz.: Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium; or do you buy those elements in a fertilizer that the crop to be raised is in need of?

You are aware that Ohio farmers spend millions of dollars every year for fertilizers. The use of fertilizers intelligently give good returns on time, money and labor invested. Some apparently get little or no return for their efforts; WHY?

WHAT ARE THE INDICATIONS OF THE NEEDS OF FERTILIZERS ?

The constantly decreasing yields of the principal crops grown in the State, together with the poor quality of grain. When the crop is yellow and will not grow it lacks nitrogen; when the ears of corn and the heads

of wheat fail to fill with plump, ripe kernels it lacks Phosphoric Acid Potash is needed for the starch and sugar in the plant. It also gives stamina to the straw.

WHAT "PER CENT" MEANS IN BUYING FERTILIZERS.

"Per cent" is simply an abbreviation for percentum or per hundred. Acid Phosphate of 16 per cent simply means that the article has sixteen pounds of phosphoric acid in each 100 pounds, the rest being made up of various earthly matters found in the rock from which the phosphate is made. By knowing the amount of each elementary material in 100 pounds it is easy to arrive at the percentage that each would bear to a ton, or 2,000 pounds. A 2-8-2 goods for instance, would have twelve pounds. of plant food to each 100 pounds, or 240 pounds of plent food to the ton. It is well to remember this when purchasing fertilizers.

HOW CAN YOU PROTECT YOURSELF IN THE PURCHASE OF FERTILIZERS ?

By paying strict attention to the result of analyses published in the Official Bulletin issued by the Department of Agriculture. These are published periodically and contain reliable information, and should be in the possession of every buyer of commercial fertilizers. If interested in the use of fertilizers make written request of the Department at Columbus that your name may be placed on the mailing list for future publications.

THE EFFECT OF FERTILIZERS ON CROPS.

Fertilizers should be in good mechanical condition. They should be uniformly mixed, finely ground, dry and drillable. Not all of the fertilizer is used up by the crop to which it is applied. If the fertilizer is applied systematically, it adds fertility to the natural store of the soil and shows its effect in succeeding crops.

WHY IS THE USE OF FERTILIZERS IN OHIO A GOOD INVESTMENT?

Because it is more intelligently used than ever before; because many farmers now buy solely on basis of plant food only, rather than by name of BRAND or PRICE per ton; because we have now for the first time a good fertilizer law passed in your interest.

Give us the benefit of your experience and write us your method of buying fertilizers.

AGRICULTURAL LIME.

The Experiment Station recommends the purchase of those limes containing calcium; this constituent being useful in neutralizing soil acidity.

LICENSES.

Commercial Fertilizers must be licensed before sold or offered for sale in Ohio. All licenses expire with the calendar year, December 31st; hence any commercial fertilizer found on the market at any time. during the year will require license.

FEE $30.

This amount cannot be prorated under the provisions of the fertilizer law. If manufacturer license goods, agents and dealers are relieved from license liability. Communicate with the Department at Columbus and ascertain facts to avoid liability.

EARLY HISTORY.

Ohio's first Fertilizer law passed March 16, 1881. The first Fertilizer Plant established in the State was in 1874. In that year three Companies were incorporated, one of which is still in existence, the Cleveland Dryer Company of Cleveland, now part of the American Agricultural Chemical Co.

COMMENT.

During the year The Bash Fertilizer Co., of Fort Wayne, Ind., changed its name to The Bash Fertilizer & Chemical Co.

The Buffalo Fertilizer Company, of Buffalo, N. Y., now known as The International Agricultural Corporation, Buffalo Fertilizer Works.

SUMMARY OF CHEMIST'S FINDINGS.

Chemist's findings on brands published in this Report exceed Manufacturers' CLAIMS. On a money basis this would be equivalent to eight per cent. It is therefore apparent that the Fertilizer Companies are endeavoring to give purchasers one hundred cents or more in value for each dollar paid them, which the new law requires. The old law permitted a margin of six per cent. in total money value, which was charged against the buyer.

PAGES OF REPORT DATED 1912.

All analyses pages of his Report dated 1912. In the event any are clipped therefrom, you can readily ascertain the year by referring to the date on that particular page.