24 FERTILISERS AS AN AID TO 



very simple matter to take as a basis one of 

 the price lists to be found in the 

 a ricultural journals, and calculate 

 therefrom the cost at which certain 

 mixtures could be made, employing the cheapest 

 materials. One fact appears to be overlooked : 

 the figures so obtained merely show the cost 

 of the amounts of nitrogen, soluble or other 

 phosphate and potash when purchased in the 

 form of unmixed raw materials at one or other 

 of our largest seaports or trade centres. The 

 expense incurred for railway or other carriage, 

 crushing or grinding and mixing the material, 

 loss in weight, is left entirely out of considera- 

 tion in the comparison, though it has to be paid 

 for whether at the farm or factory. 



It has already been shown that the elements of 

 plant food are present in different ingredients, in 

 varying forms of availability, and that it is not 

 good policy in every case to rely on one single 

 source. Nitrogen, in some sources, is very 

 soluble in water, and quick acting, whilst in 

 others it is not so ; the same applies to phos- 

 phates, whilst potash in some combinations is 

 far inferior to others on certain crops. 



Every practical agriculturist will agree that 

 a combination of different forms is far more 

 likely to produce the most profitable results, 

 especially as it is impossible to forecast the 

 probable weather during the growing season. 

 In agriculture one must always prepare for 

 eventualities. 



But having decided to adopt the recommenda- 



