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especially true where leguminous crops have been largely used in the rotation, 

 thereby increasing the nitrogen content of the soil, as previously described. Thus, 

 providing the farmer sufficiently understands the use and properties of the simple 

 fertilizers, it is a decided advantage to make up his own mixtures according to 

 the requirements of his soil and crops. Home made mixtures can be made up 

 at a minimum cost. The nature and availability of fertilizers can be considered 

 in making up a mix-ture. A farmer knowing exactly what he is applying is enabled 

 to read his results more intelligently and to improve future applications. 



There is no reason whatever why the farmer should not use Tankage, Dried 

 Blood and other offal from the pork-packing and slaughter houses as a basis in 

 his mixtures and as a source of organic nitrogen and phosphate. 



How TO Mix Fertilizers. 



It is highly important that fertilizers be thoroughly mixed. Unless a farmer 

 is prepared to carry out the work efficiently home mixing will prove a failure. 

 In mixing manures the following directions should be followed : Select a clean, 

 dry floor, preferably of concrete, and spread out the fertilizers in the required 

 proportions in a heap. By means of a broad shovel turn the heap completely 

 several times until thoroughly mixed and crush finely any lumps. The mixture 

 should be finally passed through a fine riddle or screen (of one-eighth inch mesh) 

 such as is used for sifting sand or gravel in making cement. Should a mixture form 

 only a small quantity to cover a large area, the bulk should be increased to at least 

 half a ton per acre by adding a quantity of sand or fine dry earth. This ensures 

 more even distribution on applying. 



Fertilizers Which Should Not be Mixed. 



Some manures cannot be mixed on account of chemical action being thereby 

 set up which results in a loss or depreciation of the fertilizing ingredients. To 

 avoid this trouble do not mix the following: 



1. Lime, wood ashes or basic slag with any manure containing ammonia, 

 such as Sulphate of Ammonia, Farmyard Manure, or any organic manure. 



2. Lime, Wood Ashes or Calcium Cyanamid with any fertilizer containing 

 soluble phosphate, such as Superphosphate or Dissolved Bones. 



3. Nitrate of Soda with Superphosphate or Dissolved Bones, except for im- 

 mediate application, and under no circumstances if the Superphosphate or Bones 

 be not in a fine dry condition. 



4. ^AHien fertilizers of a crystalline nature like the potash salts are mixed 

 with Superphosphate or Basic Slag, a hard, cement-like mass is likely to result 

 if the mixture is not spread within a few hours. This can be avoided by adding 

 a quantity of sawdust, dry peaty material, or earth. 



APPLICATION OF FERTILIZERS. 



The successful use of fertilizers depends largely on the method of application. 

 Uniformity and evenness of distribution on the land is all important. It is 

 common where Nitrate of Soda has been used as a top dressing to see lines or 

 patches of darker green and stronger growth, especially in the case of a hay or 

 cereal crop. This is due to the uneven distribution of the supply of nitrogen and 



