HOME MIXED FERTILIZERS. 

 Chas. D. Woods. 



Commercial fertilizers have been commonly employed for 

 more than a generation and in that time there has been compara- 

 tively little advance made by the farmer in their use. Where 

 money crops are grown it has become the custom of many suc- 

 cessful growers to fertilize liberally, with only slight regard to 

 the needs of the crop and the fertility of the land. For instance, 

 in Aroostook County the growers of potatoes have found that 

 it pays to use large amounts of commercial fertilizers upon this 

 crop, and one finds farmers applying iooo to 1800 pounds of a 

 high grade fertilizer to the acre without reference to the preced- 

 ing crop, either in the choice of the kind of fertilizer or the 

 amount to be used. 



When commercial fertilizers were first placed upon the mar- 

 ket, there was a good deal of excuse for its unwise and wasteful 

 use. While it is not a simple matter, for even the most expert, 

 to always correctly apply the principles of feeding plants to field 

 practice, and while many conditions such as season, tilth, and 

 other circumstances arise both within and beyond the control of 

 the grower, the principles underlying the production and main- 

 tenance of soil fertility have been so clearly and frequently 

 stated, that there is comparatively little excuse for slipshod 

 practice in the purchase and use of commercial plant food. The 

 subject of the intelligent use of farm manures and commercial 

 fertilizers is too large to be entered upon at this time and place. 

 Many valuable, readable and readily understood books have been 

 written upon this subject and can be had from any book dealer 

 at prices within the reach of all. Farmers' Bulletin 44, of the 

 United States Department of Agriculture, takes up in a concise 

 manner the composition and use of commercial fertilizers. By 

 applying to your Congressman or to the Secretray of Agricul- 

 ture, Washington, D. C, a copy may be had free. A little book 

 on "Manures : How to Make and How to Use Them," pub- 

 II 



