266 Bureau of Farmers' Institutes. 



mixed goods, although this would not be true in dealing with the 

 most reliable manufacturers. 



Variation of Mixture to Suit Different Crops. — By care- 

 ful observation and experiment in the manner previously de- 

 scribed, the farmer can change his mixture so as to adapt it more 

 nearly to the needs of his crops and soil. Manufacturers claim 

 to manufacture goods which are specifics for different crops. But 

 it is noticed that the special mixtures for the same crop, as made 

 by different manufacturers, vary quite as much as do mixtures for 

 different crops. For illustration, taking forty different potato 

 manures in the market, we find that they vary in nitrogen from 

 1.50 to 6 per cent.; in available phosphoric acid, from 4. 75 to 

 11 per cent.; and in potash, from 2.50 to 11.50 per cent.; and 

 yet each claims to be exactly adapted to the needs of the potato 

 crop. We have met with instances where the manufacturer used 

 the same formula as a special for different crops whose needs were 

 quite unlike. It is safe to say that, without any experience, the 

 farmer can hit the needs of his soil and crops by mere guess quite 

 as closely as do some of the complete fertilizers. The farmer can 

 ascertain what particular forms and quantities of materials are 

 best suited to his needs by means of simple experiments. 



Educational Value. — There is little of educational value in 

 using an unknown mixture. To purchase intelligently unmixed 

 fertilizinc; materials will ultimately lead in most cases to a well- 

 grounded knowledge of the science of agriculture. One will seek 

 to know what the different forms of plant food are, what they do, 

 from what sources they can be obtained, and how he can use them 

 to best advantage. He will become to some extent an investigator, 

 and will, of necessity, take a deeper interest in his work. His 

 entire system of farming will be lifted to a higher plane and his 

 more intelligent labor will yield more profitable results. 



The chief disadvantages connected with purchasing separate 

 materials are the following: (1) On small purchases little or no 

 reduction of price is made. This may often be true, but in such 

 ca.~es it is easily possible for farmers to combine and order larger 

 lots. (2) It is claimed that, owing to lack of proper facilities, the 

 fanner cannot make mixtures that will be even and fine. So far 

 as actual results go, it is found that farmers can and do make mix- 

 tures which are, on an average, very satisfactory in their practical 

 working as compared with mixtures of manufacturers. 



It has been represented to farmers that peculiar virtues are im- 

 parted to the elements of plant food by proper mixing, and that 



