The Bulletin. 61 



per cent of available phosphoric acid, the second and third the same of nitrogen 

 and potash, tlint is containod in the mixture. The second or nitrojrcn fij^Mire 

 often causes confusion, but tlie laws of our State require tliat tlie nitroiicn erjuiva- 

 lent be included with the analysis. For instance, in most of the ordinary 8-2-2 

 goods the nitroeen is not two, but only l.G."), per cent; the two in this case would 

 mean ammonia instead of nitrogen. U'e should speak of the nitrogen percentage 

 ratlier than of tlie ammonia, for the plant does not feed on ammonia Imt in some 

 otiier form. Uhe relation of nitrogen to ammonia is 14-17, or by adding 1-.5 of 

 the nitrogen content to itself for ammonia and by subtracting 1-G from ammonia 

 for the nitrogen ecpiivalent. 



For an exam[)le the following ingredients, subject to varying prices at the 

 different markets, may be used to work up a fertilizer: 



16 % Phosphoric Acid @ $15.00 per ton. 



15.5% (N) Nitrate of Soda @ 50.00 per ton. 



U % (N) Blood - --- @ 60.00 per ton. 



60 % Muriate of Potash @ 40.00 per ton. 



For the 8-2-2 we have 8-2-2 lbs. in 100 of the mixture available. 



20 



lGO-40-40 lbs. in one ton of the mixture. 



If we need 100 pounds of phosphoric acid to be gotten from the IG per cent 

 goods it will take as many pounds as .10 (per cent) is contained into IGO which 

 will give 1,000 pounds. Likewise with the nitrogen needed, only in this case it 

 is advisable to use ingredients tliat become available to the plant as it is needed. 

 For this purpose we use both quickly available and less readily available mate- 

 rials. In the example given we divide the 40 pounds needed between soda and 

 blood using 20 of each. Continuing this plan we have the following: 



1,000 pounds 16 % Acid Phosphate=I60 pounds Phosphoric Acid. @ $ 0.75 = $ 7.50 



130 pounds 15. 5% Nitrate Soda = 20 pounds Nitrogen @ 2.50= 3.25 



140 pounds 14 % Blood = 20 pounds Nitrogen @ 3.00= 4.20 



80 pounds 50 9o Muriate of Potash = 40 pounds Potash.. _ @ 2.00= 1.60 



1, 350 pounds mixed on the farm. Cost $16.55 



2, 000 pounds mixed at the factory. Average cost 21.00 



650 pounds difference (filler). DifTerence in cost $ 4.45 



As will be seen in the above, tliere are 0.5U pounds ot tiller winch has no ler 

 tilizing value and is only for additional weiglit. Use no filler in home mixed 

 goods. For instance, in the above fertilizer we would use 1,."5.")0 pounds instead 

 of a ton, or we would use 2-3 of the weight of the home mixed goods that we 

 wo)ild of the connuercial goods of tlie same analysis. 



Besides the cost and weight saved, there are other things to be considered. 

 Extra sacks must be paid for to hold this filler, the freight must be paid on it, 

 the factory has to buy it, and of course the farmer must pay for it; it nuist be 

 hauled oftentimes considerable distances, which requires extra eiTort, expense, 

 and time. It is a feature of business principles tliat when any appreciable 

 amount of money is saved in a jjurchase it is equivalent to that much made. 

 The farmers who realize this principle and practice it are tlie ones who are becom- 

 ing leaders in the farming world. Whv do the best farmers house and care for 

 their working machinery and tools, use plenty of oil on them when at work, and 

 save feed by careful feeding, etc.? It is because it saves expenses. It is money 

 made. 



It pays to use high-grade fertilizers, it pays to know fertilizers, it pays to 

 know the needs of soils and plants. It pays for all of us farmers to take the 

 farm papers and to study others' experiences and to take some of their sugges- 

 tions into our own operations. There are many books bearing on this subject 

 that are of great value to farmers. It will pay to procure some of these and 

 study them. 



