Milford chronicle., 1915-02-05

The manner in which the analysis OF
fertilizers is made, and the manner IN
which they are printed for the informa-
ton of the people, has never been en-
tirely satisfactory to the sgTiulturists for
two reasons, and the first Of these Is,
that the statements as to the chemical
values Of the fertilizer snalyzed, are not
understood by the growers, and by that
misunderstanding they often buy in good
faith brands of fertilizers which fail TO
produce the results, and this is the re-
suit of the failure of the statements
printed showing the available plant food
Of the various ingredients, as well as the
proportion Of its various constituencies.
The second dissatisfaction has always
been with the manner Of publication.
Years ago under State Chemist Wolf. the
reports were printed twice each year-in
the spring and fall-and the farmer
learned as to the result of these analysis
at a time when he was interested in the
use of fertilizers. OF late years these re-
ports have been printed only once each
year in mammoth advertisements in one
PAPER in each of the counties, and that
paper was selected because of the LOW
PRICE for which It would insert the sd-
vertisemeut one time. and not with any
regard as to the number Of farmers who
would be able 10 see and read this very
important statement of one Of their larg-
est expenditures to produce a farm crop
or benefit their lands. This was and is
poor business policy
The new bill presented by Senator Nsw-
ton proposes TO make a very radical
change in this business of analyzing fer
tilizers and getting the information as to
the results before the people. It IS pro-
posed to have the State Chemist make
these analysis and that Delaware Col
lege shall provide for the payment Of the /
expenses Of 50 doing from its running /
expenses. and that the State shall receive !
the fees for making the analysis, which /
will put about seven thousand dollars an /
nuaIly into the treasury. The fees now
are divided between Delaware College |
and the State Chemist, and naturally /
there viii be objection to any change in
the practices Of the past from that source;
especially the State Chemist. As it now
stands the published statements are not
understood, and while It is desired to get
certain high per centage in some Of the
constituent parts Of the phosphate, and
the analysis shows It to contain such
standard, yet It frequently so happens
that the very thing desired is not an
available plant food, as It is derived from
a source that the plant cannot assimilate
in its growing state, and therefore the
monev expended is lost to the agricultur-
ist. The new bill viii provide that a
clean cut statement must be printed on
each package as 70 its availability for the
purpose II is intended for. The bill pro-
vides a tag tax of about twenty cents per
ton, which appears to be satisfactory to I
the phosphate manufacturers but there
IS another provision in the bill for pub
fishing the results of the analyses, which I
VII in its present shape fail to give to
IN the people the information intended
lor them, and that is. the method ofpub-
ication shall be Though the bulletins Of $
he State Beard of Agriculture. These
re issued in booklet form and sent 4
hrongh the mails; but this method VIII
rot alone meet the purposes Of publica- i
son. as only a few agnculturists of all :
be farmers Of Delaware who use fsrtiI- :,
zers ever see these circulars or bullstius. :
me law shouid make It obligatory to 5