88 



The Bulletin. 



through legumes. In the case of the Porter's clay, phosphoric acid is dis- 

 tinctly the controlling element of plant food. Phosphoric acid alone gave an 

 increase of over 15 hushels per acre ; in addition to nitrogen it gave 2S.3 

 bushels, to potash 20.4 bushels, and to both nitrogen and potash 24.0 bushels. 

 In the case of the wheat the crop was a total failure except in those plats 

 which received phosphoric acid. 



The results on the Gastonia field, which is on tj'pical Cecil sandy loam, 

 indicate that both nitrogen and phosphoric acid are essential, and that no 

 very great permanent increase can be expected until they are both supplied. 



The results on the Goldsboro field, on the other hand, show distinctly that 

 for the Norfolk sandy loam nitrogen is the controlling element in crop pro- 

 duction, and that potash stands second. The chemical analysis of this soil 

 is shown to be low in phosphoric acid as well as nitrogen and potash, but 

 phosphoric acid in the form of acid phosphate does not seem to be especially 

 beneficial. Other carriers of phosphoric acid are being experimented with to 

 find their effect on this soil. 



Such results as these show beyond a doubt the great importance of consider- 

 ing the soil in selecting fertilizer. Certainly the farmer on Porter's clay 

 will not find the same fertilizer mixture equally profitable for corn or any 

 other crop as the one on Norfolk sandy loam. Both the Porter's clay and 

 the Cecil sandy loam are well supplied with potash, and if intelligently handled 

 should supply the crops with abundance of potash for years. Norfolk sandy 

 loam, on the contrary, is deficient in potash, and this deficiency should be lib- 

 erally supplied. Until we know something definite about the deficiencies of 

 our soils, fertilizers cannot be selected most economically for permanent im- 

 provement. 



HOME MIXING OF FERTILIZERS. 



By T. Frank Parker. 



The im]ini'tance of the homo mixing of fertilizers cannot be emphasized too 

 much, because it demonstrates to the farmer tlie importance of a knowledge 

 of the different fertilizing carriers which contain the plant food; also, when 

 studying these, he realizes the need of knowing more about plant nutrition 

 and assimilation. 



In fact, from observation and experience we may safely say that when we 

 begin to mix our fertilizers at home we have taken the initial step to the 

 most improved methods of farming. No sooner do we buy the three usual 



