The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1889-07-30
The New Fertilizer Law.

Florida passed law providing for the appoint
ment of a State Chemist and several, not ex-
ceeding six, Inspectors of Fertilizers. For the
information OF all interested in this matter it has
oeen deemed wise TO prepare brief digest of
this law as we'll as to make some suggestions as
to its enforcement.
Section first of the act directs the appoint
ment of State Chemist and six Inspectors of
Fertilizers. Those appointed are Mr.. Frank
Phillips, Of Pensacola w. l. Vason, Of Talla-
hassee, W. r. Moore, of Wellborn Columbia
county, w. j. Magill, of Jacksonville, B. G.
Lanier, OF Lake county.
Section second authorizes the State Chemist
to have specimens. not exceeding two pounds
In weight, taken by the Inspectors from each
kind or brand of fertilizers manufactured or Of
feIed for sale in the State half of each spec
linen TO be used for analysis and the other to be
retained by the Commissioner OF Agriculture to
be used in case any manufacturer appeals from
the decision of the State Chemist.
Section third provides that every bag barrel
OF or other package OF commercial fertilizer shall
have securely attached a tag or label giving
plainly printed thereon the name brand and
trade mark under which the package is sold the
name and address of the manufacturer and the
guaranteed chemical analysis of the same, stat.
ing the percentage of ammonia of potash soluble
IN water, the phOsphOric acid insoluble and SOL
uble and the source from which the same is de-
rived, and all other ingredients of which the
lcI tlllZcI Is ANY WdUuIdCIuT6T
or dealer who shall misrepresent the compost
ton of thefertizer made or sold by him shall be
guilty ofa msdemeanor and upon conviction
thereof shall be fined two hundred dollars for
the first offence, and three hundred for each
subsequent offence.
Section fourth requires every manufacturer or
importer of fertilizers offering the same for sale
in the State to file with the Commissioner of
Agriculture sworn statement giving the name
of his principal agent, and also the guaranteed
analysis of each and every brand of fertilizer by
them imported or offered for sale in the State
Refusal TO furnish such information subjects
such importer or manufacturer 10 fine of one
hundred dollars for the first offence and one
hundred and fifty dollars for each subsequent
offence
Section fifth imposes a special tax of twenty
five cents ton, to be paid TO the Inspectors of
Fertilizers.
Sections sixth and seventh prescribe the duties
of the Inspectors of Fertilizers, who are to use
due diligence in the collection of the prescribed
tax, making monthly remittances and reports,
and in general securing the observance of the
law.
Section eight provides that any person pur
chasing any fertilizer, and who are themselves
citizens of the State, and who have reason to
suppose that they have been defrauded, may
forward samples for special analysis. Such
samples must be taken in the presence Of two
reputable witnesses from original packages of the
brand OF fertilizer in question offered for sale in
the open market, which analysis is to cost the
person applying for it, the expense of shipment
anG the nominal sum OF two dollars.
Section ninth provides that any person or per-
sons violating any of the provisions of this act
shall be tried before any court of competent u
risdictiOn.
Section tenth provides that any person pur-
chasing any fertilizer CT ferilizing materials
from any manufacturer or vendor who shall,
upon the analysis Of the State Chemist, discover
that he has been defrauded by reason of adulter-
ations or deficient of constituent elements either
in quality or quantity, in the said fertilizers
shall be entitled 10 recover twice the amount
paid therefor. The judgment of the court shall
in all cases be rendere against the manufac-
turer, and in case the latter reside out of the Slate
OF Florida proceedings may be by attachment,
as is provided in the case OF nonresident or alb
sconding debtors.
Section eleven provides that the term "com-
mercial fertilizers shall be understood to mean
any and every substance prepared, manufactured
sold or imported for feriliZing or manurial pur-
poses excepting stable manure, crude cotton
seed marl lime plaster, and chemicals used by
manufacturers in compounding artificial ma
nures.
Section twelfth requires the State Chemist to
furnish upon application the full analysis Of any
brand of fertilizer sold in the State together
with its estimated valuation upon fair and
Those who will give careful consideration
TO the foregoing abstract of the recently enacted
fertilizer bill will at once see that its provisions
are directly in the interest not only OF purchas-
ers but of all honest manufacturers of fertilizers
as well. Indeed we confidently appeal not only
TO the people 10 help US in securing the enforce
ment of this law, but all reputable manufactur-
ers. importers and dealers in these goods will at
or re see that 1t is 10 their interest that the law
should be rigidy impartialiy and universally
enforced We shall be obliged to any good
citizen for reliable information OF the sale OF any
fertilizers that have not paid the inspection tax,
or for any other facts tending TO indicate that
the law is being In any wise violated or evaded.
One word as to the work of the State Chem
isl. The law provides for the fitting up of
State Laboratory at Tallahassee. This, how
ever. will necessarily consume some time After
the Laboratory is complete and all the apparatus
and chemicals are ready for analytical work, the
examination of the great number OF brands OF
fertilizers made or sold in the State will neces-
,rily involve months of diligent work. 1t is
exnected also that the State Chemist will be for
some time busy in perfecting the arrangements
for securing the proper enforcement OF the law
throughout the State The public may, how
ever rest assured that the proper analytical
work of his Office will proceed as rapidly as
attending conditions will permit.
The law will be fully in force and the collec-
tion of revenue will begin promptly on the nrst
of September next All proper instructions Will
heal once forwarded TO manufacturers importers
and dealers for their guidance IN the matter.
L. B. WOMBELL, Com. of Agriculture.
n. ROBINSON, State Chemist.