The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1892-06-18

Fertilizer Valuations.
1t will be observed that this issue
OF the Bulletin gives estimates Of the
values OF the various brands of fertil-
lzers so far as they have been
analyzed during the present year.
AS has frequently been explained
these values atbest are only approx,
mate. The actual selling price of
fertilizers is of course fixed by the
manufacturers themselves. In doing
this like other men they are in.
tiuenced by a great variety of
considerations. The prices of raw
materials, expenses Of manufacture
and sale and fair profit thereon,
interest upon invested capital. wear
and tear of plant, all the ordinary
and extraordinary expenditures incl
dent to the successful conduct of their
business, are among the inevitable
items which 60 to make up the first
cost of such goods. AS these ex-
penses are common to all they are
legitimate subjects of inquiry by the
state chemist in making up his
verdict. There are however a good
many other considerations that are
secondary and exceptional into which
it is not his province to inquire but
which often exercise very great in
fuence in determining the actual
prices at which fertilizers are sold.
Some of these goods are new candi-
dates for popular favor and as a rule
their manufacturers are disposed to
make liberal concessions in order to
obtain trade. Others have secured
such reputation for uniform excell-
ence as tested by results, that their
makers can demand and obtain liberal
prices. Some manufacturers do
credit business, others sell only for
cash, some are favorably located for
obtaining cheap raw materials, some
for distributing their goods, some for
obtaining low freight rates, some
for more or less combining all these
advantages. ]! we add to this the
influence Of the law OF supply and
and demand, Of sharp competition in
trade of greater or less skill and
wisdom in the conduct of business,
and last but not least the widely
varying views Of men as to what
constitutes "a fair profit" it will be
readily seen that the prices at which
fertilizers are actually sold are likely
to vary very considerably from those
fixed upon by even the most skilled
chemist and commercial expert, when
Judging by analyses alone.
AS the writer lays claims TO only y
the former of these qualifications and
the laws of Florida assume that he
possesses both, he can only say that
this year as in previous years, ne
''has done his best"
In determining the basis Of esti-
mates and in the application thereof
the same general principles have
been followed as in previous years.
1t will be observed that for the
current year somewhat lower values
have been assumed for the three
principal tertilizing ingredients than
have hitherto been given. There
has been for some time gradual
reduction in the wholesale price OF
most raw materials, and the writer
sees no reason why this reduction
should not appear in the retail valu:
ations of the fertilizers compounded
from them. In all cases a uniform
addition of $500 per ton has been
made as an allowance for freight
charges from manufacturing points
to Florida ports. In some cases tins
is considerably in excess OF the
actual cost in others it Is below 1t. II
is believed, however, that this Is
equally fair to all concerned. The
only exception to this is in the case o.
"superphosphates" and "raw phos
pilates" which are now so largely
manufactured and mined in the state
that il seems proper to consider
them as "home products. II
determining values, as has hitherto
been done, the. writer has beer
guided primarily Of course by. the
results OF his analytical determina-