Cornell University, 

 Ithaca, N. Y., February 1, 1900. 



Honorable Commissioner of Agriculture, Albany : 



Sir. — It cannot be denied that the use of commercial fertilizers 

 is a source of profit for the farmer when they are used in the right 

 way. But the common way of using them is not the right way. 

 The application of a complete fertilizer, without knowing whether 

 the crop to be fertilized needs the three plant foods, or whether the 

 yield may not be just as large if but one or perhaps two of them 

 are supplied, usually results in waste. 



The purpose of the field experiments with commercial fertilizers. 

 Tan account of which is given in part in this bulletin, was to interest 

 farmers in testing their soils in order that they might learn what 

 plant-food is deficient for the crops that they wish to raise, and also 

 whether the commercial fertilizers used are more or less profitable 

 than good stable manure. 



The results of these experiments have taught many farmers that 

 they have not been using these fertilizers in the right way ; this 

 work has also taught them how to experiment. To Dr. G. C. Cald- 

 well, chemist of the Experiment Station, much credit is due for 

 having inaugurated this plan of conducting field experiments. The 

 work has been made especially effective by the zeal with which the 

 author of this bulletin has superintended the experiments during 

 the three years of their continuance. In his visits to a large number 

 of the farms where experiments were being cai"ried on he helped 

 and encouraged the experimenters by his valuable criticisms and 

 suggestions. 



It is hoped that this work can be continued during the present 



year. 



I. P. EGBERTS, 



Director 

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