Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1920-03-08

During the spring months. four in
srectors Of the department will de-
vote their entire time to collecting
samples of commercial fertilizer from
dealers and farmers. Two new
plans extending the scope of the in
spection work and increasing the
number Of samples Of fertilizer for
analysis will be put into operation.
This action Is prompted by the un-
fortunate experience in the summer
of 1919, when more than four hum
bred farmers in the state used COM
mercial fertilizer containing boraX
with disastrous results.
The following Is an outline OF the
plans:
Authority is given for the execu-
tive of the fertilizer law to request
a sample of commercial fertilizer for
analysis when each manufacturers
certificate is filed. Up to the pres
ent time this authority has never
been taken advantage Of but. this
year the following form letter has
been sent to all fertilizer naanufac-
turers:
Under Section 8 Of Chapter s. Of the
Revised Statutes of Maine the authority
ture to request a sample OF not less
than two pounds Of commercial fertili-
ger for analysis as described IN eacn
manufacturers certificate, when such
Ohice. The endeavor is always made. OF
course, by officers Of this division to Oh.
tain samples in the open market OF
every brand Of fertilizer sold or offered
for sale in the State Of Maine, but this
lions, we feel that it is not at all un-
reasonable to ask that samples OF Ter
tilizer, Of all brands registered. be SUB.
mitted direct for analysis WIZ
you please send conveniently soon a
sample of each brand of fertilizer. regis
tered for sale in Maine by your com.
pany for 1920, to the Commissioner OF
Agriculture. Augusta. Maine"
In compliance with the request OF
the above letter manufacturers SAM
pies are being daily received and will
receive prompt attention at the lab
oratory.
In order to further safeguard tho
farmers interests mailing card car
rying the following instructions has
been sent out:
To Users Of Fertilizer in Maine
Unusual care will be taken this year
to obtain samples of all brands Of fer.
tilizers offered for sale in the State OF
Maine, by inspectors for analysis but
it is readily understood that it will be
practically impossible to obtain an OFF,
cial sample of each lot of fertilizer
shipped into the State. In 1919 whe.
serious trouble was discovered in Ger.
tain makes of fertilizer. it so happened
that all Of the fertilizer bought had
been used and the users could not furn'
ish sample for examination and analy.
sis. This lack was a serious handicar
to the executive Of the law and to the
grower AS a preventative measure il
is earnestly suggested that when your
supply of fertilizer for 1920 is received
you draw sample at once in accord
SO that sample of fertilizer will thus be
available for analysis.
Directions for Forwarding Fertilizer
for Analysis
Provide tea cup, some large news.
papers, and for each sample a clean
dry pint or quart glass fruit jar In the
presence of d witness open at least five
full unbroken packages: thoroughly
mix the contents of each, for at least q
foot in depth, taking out three cupfuls
from the mixed portions of each pack.
age, pour them over one another upon
a paper and intermiX; attach label in
dicating the brand and guaranteed
anal sis. send by express prepaid to the
Agricultural Experiment Station al
Orono, fill out the blank on the reverse
side of this card and mail.
The card has been sent to all peo-
pie who made any complaint regard
ing damage supposed to have come
from fertilizer used during 1919 and
is also placed in all correspondence
of the members of the Department of
Agriculture. to all persons who would
probably be interested in taking ad-
vantage of the instructions outlined.
| 1t is hoped that every person using
commercial fertilizer during the COM
ing season will be in a position to
know the quality of the particular
brand employed. Anyone interested
can obtain mailing cards described
above, by application to the Division
of Inspection, Department of Agri-
culture.
! 1t is hoped that large number OF
samples will be received for analy-
sis.