130 FERTILITY AND FKRTILIZER HINTS 



When home mixing is practiced the farmer can purchase those 

 fertihzer materials that supply the needed constituents and in the 

 most desirable forms for the needs of his soil and crop. 



How to Purchase Fertilizer Materials — The large consumer 

 should certainly try home mixing and lind out its advantages. 

 The small farmer may find it impracticable to purchase other 

 than factory mixed fertilizers. However, several small consum- 

 ers may often advantageously club together and purchase 

 fertilizer materials in mixed carload lots. Many manufacturers 

 will gladly mix fertilizer materials for the farmer when the order 

 is large enough. Of course the farmer must know just the 

 amounts and kinds of materials he wishes wdien he orders in this 

 way. 



To purchase fertilizer materials to mix at home, it is necessary 

 to start early, say in the early winter, so that they may be mixed 

 before the heavy spring work starts. Quotations should be 

 secured from different parties in the nearest or nearby fertilizer 

 markets. In most large cities bids can be secured. Re ready 

 to pay cash because these raw materials are not usually sold on 

 credit. Buy on the guarantee and if the constituents, nitrogen, 

 phosphoric acid and potash fail to reach their guarantees de- 

 mand a rebate. This can be easily arranged by making a con- 

 tract with the manufacturer or broker. 



How to Mix Fertilizer Materials at Home. — The fertilizer ma- 

 terials may be mixed in a wagon box, or better, on a tight barn 

 floor, or a floor covered with canvas. Whenever chemicals as 

 nitrate of soda, potash salts, etc. are used, they should be well 

 broken up and rendered as fine as possible. In mixing, the light 

 bulky materials as dried blood, cotton-seed meal, dry ground fish, 

 etc., should be put on the bottom of the floor and on top of these 

 spread the other materials. The materials should be spread even- 

 ly and then turned over and over and thoroughly mixed by shovel- 

 ling. It takes considerable time to mix fertilizer materials so 

 that the mixture is uniform. After the mixing is completed the 

 fertilizers should be bagged and kept in dry storage until ready 

 for use. If the mixture predominates in concentrated salts, some 



