60 The Bulletin. 



Let U9 consider barn manure in comparison with commercial fertilizers. One 

 importiint dillerence is tliiit commercial fertilizers as a rule come from mineral 

 origin, tliat is, they are mined from the earth, while barn manure is the decom- 

 post'd vciietahie niiilter. Tiiis dillerence. tiien, would indicate that commercial 

 fertilizers (commonly called) contain little or no humus, excejiting those that get 

 nitrogen from organic matter, consequently would not improve the physical condi- 

 tion of the soil like stable manure would. While on the other hand commercial 

 fertilizers are more concentrated, and are preferable for that reason. Live stock 

 take out nhnut one-fourth of tlie elements of plant food composing the average 

 feed stulTs, therefore tliiee-fourths is returned to the soil in a state of decoftiposi- 

 tion. The essential dillerence, then, between these two forms of fertilizers is that 

 one contains more water and waste but more valuable humus, while the other is 

 more concentrated in mineral f)lant food with comparatively no humus. One 

 tends more to build up the land for future crops, while the other gives immediate 

 results. 



But as my subject is intended more for the mixing of commercial fertilizer? 

 than abo\it i)arn maiuires, I shall leave this imi)ortant subject for others to dis- 

 cuss. Sullice it to say that where the best agricultural prosperity reigns, there 

 one- will always find live stock. 



Another mode of fertilizing the soil that is very important is the growing of 

 legumes. l\v doing tliis the expensive bills for nitrogen may be partially or 

 entirely done away with and the physical condition of the soil improved at the 

 same time; for these crops not only supply nitrogen but also humus to the 

 soil. 



We find that in the same way that animals and plants must be fed well to give 

 us good service, likewise our soils must be treated for good returns. Yes, we 

 must feed the soil and not always expect the feeding to go in one direction. 

 Treat our fields like our work stock, in the sense that they must be fed for good 

 service, and we will find this the most profitable investment a farmer can make. 

 We nuist spend our energy and money in improving our poor soils if we expect 

 the increase to be many fold. 



Let us consider the>e plant foods that are usually lacking in the soil. These 

 three elements are deficient largely because they are drawn on more heavily by 

 the crops than any others, and this being the case, we should know them better. 



Phosphorus (better known to the farmer as phosphoric acid because it is avail- 

 able to the plant in this form only) hastens the maturing of the crop as well 

 as increases the yield. 



Kitrogen causes a heavy growth of the plant, giving it the rich, dark-green 

 color and heavy stalk. Sometimes this is at the expense of the yield. 



Potassium increases the yield, but has a tendency to retard the maturing of the 

 crop. 



Whenever a heavy, green growth but poor yield is found, one may reasonably 

 assume that pliospliorus and potash are lacking. If the maturing of the crop is 

 slow, that likely indicates a lack of plinsphorus. If there is a tendency for heavy 

 yield but a small body and growth with perhaps a sickly color, nitrogen is prob- 

 ably lacking. 



As was stated before, the best way to know about the needs of our soils is to 

 experiment ourselves. 



Oftentimes farmers are fooled in buying fertilizers. For instance, Mr. Farmer 

 comes into town and asks his dealer for prices on corn fertilizers. He is given 

 several higli-snnmling names that really have no meaning. After studious con- 

 sideration he selects the one with the price that s\iits rather than the one con- 

 taining the greatest food value. Pay no attention to the name but to the analysis. 

 It is full time for us to know why and how fertilizers are prepared, and this 

 known we will become more interested in them and realize that by buying the 

 separate inL'redients and mixing them at home we may not only prepare any 

 desired analysis but as many and as much of each as is desired. This work may 

 be done rainy or otherwise disagreeable weather when little other work would 

 be done. This will mean a great saving of time and mojiey. I^et us consider the 

 advisability of buying ready mixed fertilizers or mixing them ourselves. For 

 illustration we will use the ordinary 8-2-2 grade. There may be some who do 

 not fully understand the meaning of these figures. Tlie first one indicates the 



