FERTILIZERS 39 



A "waste water" right on one ranch from another 

 may become also a fertilizer right. 



If, however, some form of plant food, not so 

 quickly soluble in running water as nitrate of soda, 

 and yet readily soluble by soil moisture and root 

 action, is used, there is much less actual loss during 

 a season, and its effect is more sure and lasting. Yet 

 there are times when a quick-acting fertilizer is 

 needed. This would then be the most economical 

 form. It depends upon the needs at the time, and 

 the farmer should know enough about the nature of 

 the different forms of plant food to exercise judg- 

 ment in the selection. (46-48) (68-71). 



GENERAL PURCHASING PRINCIPLES. 



61. The market value of every brand depends 

 upon the amount, or percentage of plant food con- 

 tained, and its form. The nitrogen, phosphoric acid 

 and potash each have their own market value per 

 pound, and these must be known to the grower, in 

 order to purchase economically. 



Be sure the food elements are of proper source and 

 form to be available as fast as wanted by the trees. 

 This availability depends upon soil conditions. 



Purchase high grade materials. 



EXAMPLE OF FERTILIZER WORTH $6.50 PER TON. 



Fresh water mud, 2000 pounds, contains : 



30 pounds nitrogen (1V 2 %) at 20c $6.00 



4>y 2 " phosphoric acid (.23%)at 5M>c... .23 



4% " potash (.23%) at 6c 27 



$6.50 



EXAMPLE OF FERTILIZER WORTH $41.10 PER TON. 



Eighteen hundred pounds of blood and bone, 

 containing 7% nitrogen and 10 % phosphoric acid, 



