474 MISCELLANEOUS FARM SUBJECTS 



marized by the station, indicate that in the case of corn the average 

 for 24 different fertilizers was 51.8 pounds of stover (stalks without 

 ears) for each bushel of unshelled corn (70 pounds). The average 

 proportion for the 7 complete fertilizers was 55.4 pounds of stover 

 per bushel of corn, and of these barnyard manure gave the smallest 

 proportion of stover to ears (47.6 pounds,) and the complete fertilizer 

 containing dried blood the largest (58.1 pounds.) Complete com- 

 mercial fertilizers materially increased the proportion of stover to 

 ears as compared with barnyard manure. 



In the case of oats, however, the largest relative yield of straw 

 was from the barnyard-manure plats, which showed about 10 per 

 cent more straw in proportion to the grain than the plats receiving 

 complete commercial fertilizers. The average for the 24 different 

 fertilizers was 45 pounds of straw per bushel of oats (32 pounds) 

 and the average for 7 complete fertilizers was 42 pounds of straw, of 

 which barnyard manure gave the largest proportion (46.2 pounds). 

 Complete fertilizers containing sulphate of ammonia gave about 7 

 per cent more straw in proportion to grain than either nitrate of soda 

 or dried blood. 



With wheat the average proportion of straw for all the plats 

 was 101 pounds per bushel of grain (60 pounds). Complete fertil- 

 izers increased the proportion of straw, and among them barnyard 

 manure showed the least increase and sulphate of ammonia the 

 greatest. 



Except in the case of corn, increasing the amount of nitrogen 

 per acre (24, 48, and 72 pounds) regularly increased the amount of 

 straw to a bushel of grain. While these relations of fertilizers to the 

 proportions of grain and straw may not hold good under all condi- 

 tions, they are interesting as showing the way in which different 

 fertilizers may affect the relation through a series of years, and may 

 have a bearing in the selection of fertilizers. 



HOME-MIXED FERTILIZERS. 



In many cases it is desirable to purchase the unmixed fertilizing 

 materials, either for use singly or for home mixing. Here a great 

 saving may be effected (1) in the cost per pound of the constituents, 

 (2) in freight rates, and (3) in having the mixing performed by 

 the ordinary labor of the farm at times when it does not interfere 

 with regular outdoor work. The advantages to be derived from this 

 method are, however, fully realized only when it is possible to pur- 

 chase fertilizers in large quantities and for cash. 



As an illustration of the saving that may be thus effected, it is 

 but necessary to cite the experience of a farmers' organization in New 

 Jersey, which now purchases annually some 800 to 1,000 tons of 

 unmixed goods at a cost per pound of the ingredients from 25 to 40 

 per cent less than the average cost to those who buy the average 

 mixture in small quantities on time from their local dealers. 



It has been shown, too, by the studies of many of the experi- 

 ment stations of both the East and South that the materials can be 

 evenly mixed on the farm ; besides, samples carefully taken show as 



