460 



materials containing less active forms of plant food were used in the 

 preparation of that fertilizer. In the next place, it is the quality and 

 amount of plant food contained in a fertilizer which determines its 

 value, rather that the relative proportions of the various constitu- 

 ents, though under certain well known conditions the latter is of 

 very considerable importance. Special crop brands are particularly 

 useful only when the soil is already in a good state of fertility and 

 not deficient in any plant-food constituent. 



With a more or less complete knowledge of the need of artificial 

 supplies of fertilizer, the character, composition, and usefulness of 

 the various materials, and the best method of purchase, the practical 

 question arises, viz.: Will it pay to use them? 



PRINCIPLES GOVERNING PROFITABLE USE. 



Many of our most successful farmers are, by their practice, an- 

 swering this question in the affirmative. It is, however, not entirely a 

 question of plant food with them, and one phase of it may be illus- 

 trated by the following typical case: Mr. A applies fertilizer; his 

 crop is largely increased, and a reasonable profit is secured. Mr. B 

 applies the same amount and kind under similar conditions of soil, 

 and receives no benefit. The difference in results is due, not to the 

 fertilizer, but to the farmer himself. In one case the natural agencies 

 (sun, air, and water) were assisted and enabled to do their maxi- 

 mum work, because care was taken to make the conditions other than 

 the supply of plant food as perfect as possible, while in the other 

 they were prevented from exercising their full influence, because 

 physical conditions of soil were imperfect, on account of careless 

 plowing, seeding, cultivation, and cropping. 



The production of a large crop that is, the transformation of 

 large amounts of plant food into plant substance presupposes not 

 only an abundance of all of the ingredients, but the absence of un- 

 favorable influences, such as excessive moisture, low temperature, 

 improper aeration, acidity, etc. In other words, the profit from the 

 use of fertilizers is measured to a large degree by the perfection of 

 soil conditions which are entirely within the power of the farmer to 

 control. The production possible from a definite amount of plant 

 food can be secured only wnen the conditions are such as to permit its 

 proper solution, distribution, and retention in the soil. 



It has been demonstrated that it is entirely practicable and profit- 

 able under certain conditions to use as much as 1,000 to 1,200 pounds 

 of high-grade commercial fertilizers for top dressing grass lands. 

 The successful practice in this case is, among other things, dependent 

 upon the absence of too great a degree of acidity in the soil and the 

 presence of a good stand of timothy and redtop ; in other words, of 

 a sufficient number of vigorous plants to utilize to the best advantage 

 the food offered to them. It has also been demonstrated that the 

 best returns from the use of fertilizers may be secured when proper 

 attention is paid not only to the varying needs of the different crops 

 but also to the varying needs of the different soils. Applications of 

 fertilizer ingredients suitable both in amount and proportion for one 

 soil may be ill advised and wasteful on another soil. It is therefore 



