248 SOILS 



principle. Maybe the same farmers prepare their soils 

 with little care; they may plow poorly. But shall you 

 condemn the plowing idea because it is not done in all 

 cases, in the best manner, and according to the best in- 

 formation and knowledge? 



The objection, then, is only apparent: it is not real. 

 The business-like farmer will employ home-mixing be- 

 cause it is a saving to him ; because he can make ten to 

 twenty-five dollars for each day he gives to this work ; 

 and because he can get a better fertilizer. 



Home-mixing means definite knowledge. When the 

 different materials are purchased and mixed at home the 

 farmer can know, with more certainty, just what he is 

 adding to his soil. When mixed goods are used, it is not 

 easy to detect inferior articles. The chances are the 

 farmer will get better materials in home-mixed goods 

 than in factory-mixed goods. 



By careful observation and experiment the farmer can 

 compound his mixture in a way to adapt it more nearly to 

 the needs of his crops and soils. Manufacturers claim to 

 manufacture goods that are of especial value to some 

 special crop, but this is not true, although it ought to be 

 true. This is because the manufacturer is unacquainted 

 with the needs of the soil, and he knows nothing about 

 the system of farming that has been or now is being fol- 

 lowed. Consequently, the composition of the crop (and 

 the manufacturer largely takes it into account) is not a 

 dominant factor for consideration in compounding fertil- 

 izers. 



Here is a case : Two farmers on adjoining farms grow 

 wheat. It is a money crop with both. Their soils may be 

 quite similar in formation ; both farms may be drained 

 equally well ; both farmers use the same seed, but one 

 feeds many cattle and makes much manure for his land 



