Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-07-07
ELLINGToN.FERTILIzER BILL.

Hon. W. L. Peek. OF Rockdale county.
has anarticle in. The Atlanta Journal OF
June co entitled Defects In Present Fer
tfilxer Laws in which he roundly de-
ncunces the present fertilizer laws in Geor-
gia In 50 far az they are Intended to pro
tect the farmers In their purchase OF
commercial fertilizers. There is much
truth IN Colonel Peeks contention with
reference to the general fertilizer law
enacted and approved October 9. 1891.
Colonel Peek's criticism OF the fact that
all fertilizer materials must pass through
the hands OF the manufacturers before
delivery 10 the consumers is. however.
not based upon good reasoning. The
crude phosphate rock as IL comes from
the mines would be worthless TO the
farmer unless the manufacturer was there
20 crush IL. treat IL with sulphurtc acid
and render Its fertilizing ingredients solu-
BILE 20 the plants the phosphate Is intend
ed to supply. The same thing is true
Of cotton seed meal. dried blood, nitrate
OF soda. muriate OF potash. and all other
forms Of the artificial plant food which
are used in our commercial fertilizers
There is no law. however, to prevent
farmers from purchasing these materials
in their different manufactured forms.
and mixing them together by proper
formula and making their complete
guanos at home. thereby acting indie
pendently OF the manufacturers Of com
plete fertilizers. and saving the profit
--atch such manufacturers charge for
mixing. branding and sacking. Hun
dreds OF farmers do this every year In
Georgia. I have for several years con-
tended FOR better fertilizer laws, which
would protect consumers from low grade
SPURIOUS guanos. but my efforts along
that line were not successful until the
last session OF the legislature. The new
Law passed last December, and which
goes into effect next August. was pub
Hshed in the same weekly issue OF June
- This new law viii correct many ex-
listing evils. viii raise ghe standard Of
grades and forever shut out the sales
or low grade 10 per cent. fertilizers In
Georgia
Colonel Peek refers particularly TO and
lays much stress upon our present meth
eds OF inspecting guanos offered for sale
By manufacturers ] think his contention
a good one. and have for some time be-
lieved that the only safe and proper plan
70 pursue would be 20 have an inspector
inspect the different brands Of guano at
the factory where manufactured before
the goods are shipped out. particularly at
those fertilizer plants located in this
state believe such plan would be fea-
sible and would obviate the necessity OF
inspectors running all over the state and
NENNAA& a lev N1EAN&A ANA1 AEAN @AA
there. The words in the old law. contains
substantially the ingredients indicated
thereby" and 10 which reference j. made
IN Colonel Peek's article. were thrown out
IN the new law. as viii be seen BY its
reading. and the question Is clearly de-
fined and places a heavy penalty upon all
manufacturers whose goods fall below the
guaranteed analysis. beside permitting the
purchaser to plead failure Of consideration
II his crops are not benefited by the use
OF such fertilizers. The last paragraph OF
Colonel Peeks article contains the follow
ing language. and 10 which l desire par
ticularly to reply:
What we want is a law compelling ev-
cry dealer in fertilizer and fertilizer ma
teriaIs In and out OF our state who seIls
20 Georgia farmers. to take sample from
every package in the presence Of the pur-
chaser and place same in a bottle. giving
name. number Of sack or tons bought. and
that il contains a certain per cent OF
phosphoric acid. potash and ammonia,
sealed with his own seal and given to the
purchaser. Should the consumer not be
satisfied with the effect or result on his
crop. let the sample be forwarded TO the
commissioner Of agriculture who shall
have the same analysed by the state
chemist II IL contains the percentage and
comes up 70 the guaranteed analysis. let
the consumer pay for il. II not. let him
ure OF consideration"
since 1880 we have had on the statute
books what Is commonly known as the
Ellington bill. and which is much more
drastic IN its provisions than the enact
ment Of law above proposed by Colonel
Peek. as the following verbatim quotation
Of the bin viii testify.
Provisions Of Ellington Bill.
section l. Be Il enacted By the general as
eagablv q Georgia, and u Is hereby enacted
Nv authority 81 the same. That from and after
fka passage of this act Il shall be lawful for
any purchaser o. fertilizer from any owner
thereof, agent o. such owner. 20 require OF
tre rerson selling and al tire time Of sale OF
delivery. % take from each lot OF each brand
sold q sample q It, contents
Sec 2 BE u further enacted. That said sam.
rle 80 taken shah be mixed together and
pIacsd In q bottle. jar Or such other receptacle
a. the purchaser may present Il shall then
deliver said package 20 the ordinary o. the
county. who shall label same with the names
Sc / Be il further enacted. That said
ordinary shall safely keep said package. al
y IsssrssssStsr proysasS ne oraInary nan
receive Zee q ten fl1l cents from the party
deposifiug such sample for each sample 20 de-
So So d BE II further enacted. That should
said purchase. after having used such fer
from ire Yields thereof that said fertilizer was
totally or partially worthless, he shall notify
Ire saId sample deposited with him Cor a
essfsrspncv thereof % insure q fair anaiysis1
10 tne state chemist. without stating the names
~ ne parties. tne name Of the fertilizer or Civ
ing its guaranteed analysis. the cost % sending
h~tnw prepaid BY the purchaser
see s. Pc 4 further enacted. That II shan
b tire duty q said state chemist % analyEe
and send copy o. the result 20 said ordinary.
see e he II further enacted, That should
aaId analysis show that said fertilizer comes
uu a the guaranteed analysis upon which Il r.
cola then the statement sent by the state
cherngsf shall be conclusive evidence against
rlea % partial OF total failure % consideration
&ut should said analysis show that such fer
AlExNr does not come " 70 the guaranteed
analysis. then the sale shall Be illegal null
ard void. and when suit e brought. upon any
evidence % Indebtedness given for such ferti-
lfxer the statement o. such state chemist. 80
transmlttet = the ordinary. shall be conclusive