F °piants ^ ere ^ ie so ^ an< ^ c ^ mate exert an important modi- 



. fying influence. For instance, clovers and other 



2 3 6 legumes are capable of securing their Nitrogen 

 from the air and, except in the early stages of growth, 

 are independent of the supply in the soil or fer- 

 tilizers. On the other hand, they require large 

 amounts of potash, phosphoric acid and lime. 

 Nevertheless, certain limestone soils require only 

 applications of potash, while many silt loam or 

 clay soils require only applications of phosphoric 

 acid. In a word, then, no single formula for any 

 particular crop can be devised to suit all soils and 

 seasons. When the mixing is done on the farm, 

 proper adjustment can be made to suit local con- 

 ditions, known best by the farm manager after 

 adequate experience. 



One advantage of Z/ome-Mixing is that the 

 farmer may make any combination of plant-food 

 he wishes, and know the form and availability of 

 the ingredients of his own fertilizer, and he will 

 save not only the high price paid for filler, but also 

 the cost of transporting it. 



2. Better information concerning the quality of 

 materials. The present high prices of organic am- 

 moniates are forcing the fertilizer mixers to employ 

 various organic materials of inferior quality. Since 

 the fertilizer laws do not require any distinction 

 between the sources of Nitrogen, mixers feel free to 

 meet competition and to reduce the cost of mixing 

 by employing inert materials like leather-scrap, 

 hair, wool and garbage tankage. Moreover, even 

 the better grades of organic ammoniates like dried 

 blood, tankage, and ground fish are now adulter- 

 ated more than formerly. .Home-mixing protects 

 the farmer against the use of inferior materials 

 and permits him to purchase his Nitrogen in the 

 readily available forms. 



Many of the ingredients used by the manu- 

 facturers of "complete" fertilizers are produced 

 directly or indirectly by themselves. Others, like 

 Nitrate of Soda, potash salts and basic slag, are 



