l68 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Jan., 



to eighteen tons of chemical fertiHzers and mixing my own 

 fertilizer for use on the farm. I have felt that I have eotten 

 two striking results. One was the saving of from six to seven 

 down to, in recent years, about three dollars a ton, over the 

 cost of the corresponding fertilizer in ready mixed goods. 

 The other was that I felt as though I was getting something 

 that I knew what I was dealing with, and something that was 

 better adapted to my crops, and better adapted to the soil that 

 I want to use it upon, than in any ready-mixed fertilizer that I 

 could find. That part of the question might be a subject for 

 discussion, but it is my conviction that in point of saving the 

 fact was well proven. When I started about eight years ago 

 I could save from five to seven dollars a ton over the corres- 

 ponding fertilizer in ready-mixed goods. As time has gone on, 

 the range of difference has not been as much for with the last 

 two or three years I was able to make a saving of from three* 

 to four dollars a ton only, and if I did that I thought I was 

 doing pretty well. Even then I thought it paid me well, and I 

 felt I was able to make up a fertilizer which was just as good 

 in all respects both physically and chemically, and at the same 

 time make the saving which I have spoken of. I can provide 

 the chemicals in a condition in which they should be used. 

 The only thing to be careful about is to see that your nitrate 

 of soda is not in a lumpy condition. It should be fine unless 

 you have some means of grinding it. Unless that is the 

 case, you want to be sure to specify that it shall be reground, 

 and, if necessar)', shall be shipped to you in fine condition. 

 You will find it hard to make it fine with the shovel or hoe. 



My mixture depends also upon the crop for which I am 

 going to use it. 



Previous to the present year nitrate of soda has been rela- 

 tively about as cheap as any product that you could get, but 

 as the prices stand today, I think there are other sources of 

 nitrogen that are cheaper if you buy in wholesale quantities. 



Secretary Brown. I am requested to announce that there 

 will be a meeting of the Corn Breeders' Association of Con- 

 necticut in the parlor adjoining this hall at the close of this 

 session. 



