1920.] 



Compound Manures. 



A further interesting result is that finely-ground mineral 

 phosphate gives satisfactory results on grass land, and can 

 be used if slag proves unobtainable. 



Although it is not usual to apply slag as late as this, farmers 

 will do well to examine their grass land closely during the 

 present season, and ascertain whether they should not apply 

 slag early next autumn. 



COMPOUND MANURES. 



For various reasons farmers frequently have recourse to 

 compound manures supplying in greater or less degree most 

 of or all the food constituents required by plants. In such 

 circumstances the farmer can either purchase the ingredients 

 of the mixture and mix them himself, or he can request a 

 reliable manure merchant to compound a m'"xtiire according to 

 hi? ^ the farmer's) specification. The farmer knows the manurial 

 requirements of his own land better than the merchant ; or 

 if he is not certain on this point he can seek the aid of the 

 agricultural organiser of his county, who is specially quaUfied 

 to advise and who has a knowledge of local conditions. It is 

 probably more economical for the farmer to do his own 

 mixing, as he can employ his men on this work at slack periods 

 and avoid the charge for m'xing made by the merchant. 



Manures which may and may not be mixed. — Sulphate of 

 ammonia or other ammoniacal manure must not be mixed 

 with any manure holding free Hme, such as basic slag and basic 

 superphosphate, nor should it be mixed with precipitated 

 phosphates or with manures containing much carbonate of 

 hme, such as Belgian and Algerian phosphates. The result of 

 making such a mixture is the liberation of free ammonia, the 

 presence of which, in the air, can be detected by its pungent 

 odour. Sulphate of ammonia may, however, be mixed with 

 superphosphate, bone manures, fish meal, nitrate of soda, salt 

 and most forms of potash. ]\ fixtures of sulphate of ammonia 

 and superphosphate, or both of these along with salt and 

 kainit, if not sown soon after being made, become moist 

 and pasty ; this, however, can be obviated by including in 

 the mixture a drying manure such as bone flour, fine bone 

 meal, or castor meal to the extent of at least i in lo. 



Nitrate of soda should not ordinarily be mixed with super- 

 phosphate or dissolved bones ; not only may such a mixture 



