52 CHEMICAL FERTILIZERS; AND LIME 



The first column of figures in Table B shows the percentage, or 

 pounds per hundred, of the constituents, which is multiplied by the 

 percentage of fineness, which gives the percentage or pounds per hun- 

 dred of fine or coarse in the third column. The calculation is then 

 finished, as in the case of complete fertilizers. 



Home-Mixing of Fertilizers 



General advice (Kentucky Station). 



The farmer may mix his own fertilizers in a satisfactory manner. 

 He should first determine how many pounds of phosphoric acid, nitro- 

 gen, and potash he wishes to use per acre, then determine how much of 

 each of the materials used will be required to furnish the desired 

 amounts of the ingredients. This having been done, it is easy to figure 

 to any number of acres. It does not matter about figuring out what 

 per cent there will be of each ingredient, the important thing being to 

 know how many pounds of each ingredient are being applied. The 

 foregoing points having been determined, the next step is the mixing. 

 Prepare a tight floor of sufficient size. Put down the bulkiest material 

 first in an even layer, following with the others in order of their bulk. 

 See that all lumps are well broken up. Potash salts and nitrate of 

 soda may be lumpy. Take a shovel and begin at one end of the pile 

 and shovel the materials back, turning and mixing each shovelful as 

 much as possible. Repeat the operation until well mixed. There is 

 no doubt that fertilizers may be well mixed at home, but it is advised 

 only when it can be done more cheaply and when fertilizers of the 

 desired composition cannot be purchased. 



The function of the fertilizer factory is to mix fertilizers cheaper 

 and better than the farmer can do it himself. That the factory can do 

 this there is no doubt. That they are not doing so, as . a rule, is 

 evident. 



In some states, the farmer decides what he wants to use on his land 

 and submits his formula to the manufacturer, who mixes his goods for 

 him and charges the retail price for the singles or simples used, and a 

 reasonable profit on the actual cost of mixing. 



It is gratifying that some of the largest manufacturing concerns 

 advocate the exclusive use of high-grade fertilizers and the unit or 

 pound basis of purchase. 



