CHECK ON FERTILISERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20075, 12 October 1928, Page 20

CHECK ON FERTILISERS.

FEW DEFICIENT SAMPLES.

NEW METHODS THIS YEAR.

The careful check kept upon the standard of fertilisers is referred to by the Government chemist, Mr. B. C. Aston, in his section of the annual report of the Department of Agriculture. The number of unofficial samples of fertilisers received from purchasers for comparison with the vendor's invoice certificate is steadily increasing, 34 samples having been submitted during the year, states the report. In one case, that of a " special- mixture," serious deficiencies v/ere disclosed, and a substantial rebate v/as obtained by the purchaser. Seven samples were received from inspectors under the Fertilisers Act. In no case did analysis disclose any discrepancy to the prejudice of the purchaser. In an earlier report, mention was made of the inauguration of a system of examination in London of samples from all shipments of basic slag exported from England and the Continent of Europe to New Zealand. During the last four months of the year samples of 56 consignments of slag were analysed at the Imperial Institute, with the following results: Slag with minimum guarantee 17 per cent, phosphoric acid—Complied with guarantee, 42; below guarantee, 4. Slag with minimum guarantee, 20 per cent, phosphoric acid —Complied with guarantee, 3; below guarantee, 7. In only two instances, however, was the deficiency greater than 1 per cent. The importers of slag found to bo below guarantco were notified of the Imperial Institute's results before arrival of the shipments. The citric-solubility of the basic slag was in all cases satisfactory. Tn one instance, tho fineness of grinding was slightly below the minimum guarantee of 80 per cent. During the 1927 session of Parliament the Fertilisers Act, 1927, was placed on the Statute Book. The new Act, which replaces the Fertilisers Act, 1908. provides. among other things, for complete disclosure of tho components of fertiliser mixtures, in Addition to the usual statement of the chemical ingredients. The measure prohibits the sale under the description of "fertiliser" of• any material in respect of which a brand could not bo registered under the Act, and provides for a simplified form of registration by vendors who do not import or mix their own fertilisers. Regulations under the Act are now in conrso of preparation. The registration of vendors of fertilisers under the Fertilisers Act has been carried out as in previous years. The altered methods of registration under tho new Act •V l " l V e c °ming year involvo a conmi ®., m . cr<)aso in tho work of checking I *" C J tho registration of brands, in correspondence with vendors, I