New York Agricultural Experiment Station. 117 



be able to do mixing in large quantities more economically, since it 

 has all facilities required. As a rule, it costs the farmer from $2.50 

 to $3.00 to have the mixing and rebagging done at a factory for 

 each ton of materials. 



When the farmer prefers to purchase separate matei'inls and do 

 his mixing at home, the following suggestions may be lielpful : If 

 one has purchased the different materials in the right weights, such 

 as he wants to use for mixing, then no weighing is necessary, as he 

 has simply to mix all the materials he has. If he makes different 

 mixtures, then the different materials should be weighed accurately. 

 If the material is at all lumpy, it should be sifted with a sand screen, 

 the lumps separated and then pulverized before being added to the 

 pile of tine material. When the materials have been thus prepared^ 

 the most bulky material is spread out upon the floor in an oblong 

 pile that varies from 6 to 10 inches in depth. The top is leveled off 

 and then a layer of the next material is put on, not quite so thick, and 

 80 on until the different constituents have been added to the pile, 

 care being taken to make such material cover the one under it evenly 

 over the whole surface. Then, one should commence at one end and 

 shovel over the pile, reaching clear to the bottom every time. After 

 mixing well, tlie mixed portion is passed behind. When the whole 

 pile has been treated once in tliis way, then the mixed pile is leveled, 

 swept up around the edges and again treated in the same manner. 

 This process should be repeated three or four times. Any lumps 

 noticed at any time should be thoroughly broken up. If greater 

 thoroughness is desired, the mixture may be sifted or screened before 

 sacking. It is convenient to weigh into sacks which will hold from 

 100 to 150 pounds. One should take great pains to purchase hi& 

 materials in finely powdered and perfectly dry condition, if he plans 

 to mix the materials at home. 



8. Si'EciAL Suggestions Kklating to the Purchase of 

 Separate Fertilizing Ingredients. 



In addition to what has been already stated, there are some other 

 suggestions which it is well to heed in connection with the purchase 

 of separate fertilizing materials. 



Purchase High-Grade Materials. — It will almost invariably be 

 found more economical to purchase high-grade fertilizing materials. 



In ajjplying fertihzers, bulk is often desirable, but hi pureJiasing 

 commercial fertilizers, the object should be to secure as much nitro- 



