172 
FLORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY 
PROPORTIONING 
One source each of phosphoric acid 
and potash is sufficient so far as econ¬ 
omy is concerned, for phosphoric acid 
does not leach away to any extent, and 
neither does potash up to a certain soil 
content, after which one form of potash 
will leach about as readily as another, 
hence there is nothing* to, be gained 
in diversification. But when we con¬ 
sider that practically all available am¬ 
monia is subject to leaching, the pro¬ 
portioning of ammoniates in a growing 
formula to insure a steady supply of 
nitrate with a minimum loss is a ques¬ 
tion of vast importance and the key to 
the difference in field work of formulas 
of the same analysis and ingredients. 
JUDGMENT IN THE USE OF NITRATES 
There should be enough nitrate to 
supply the needs of the plant until the 
sulphate of ammonia comes into avail¬ 
ability, and enough sulphate of am¬ 
monia to last until the tankage or other 
organic matter has been reduced to ni¬ 
trate form. The slower ammoniates 
do not become available all at once, so 
if the proportioning is right there is 
very little loss. If, however, there is 
too great a proportion of nitrates a 
large part is likely to leach away, leav¬ 
ing an insufficient supply for the later 
growth, for, remember, we have only 
a definite amount of ammonia in the 
formula as indicated by the analysis. 
On the other hand, if we have too little 
nitrate there is a stunting period at 
first and a period later, perhaps of 
waste or perhaps of over growth. The 
same unbalanced condition occurs by 
the use of too small or too great pro¬ 
portion of the slower ammoniates. The 
point is to have food for the trees when 
they need it and just as little as possi¬ 
ble in a form subject to waste. 
MIXING 
The subject of mixing is altogether 
too broad to be covered at this time, 
and besides I would feel very diffident 
about attempting to handle it. I have 
studied fertilizer enough to appreciate 
the many problems that arise, but not 
enough to be competent to mix ma¬ 
terials to get best results from the 
money expended. 
THE GROWER IS THEORETICAL 
Did it ever occur to you how many 
factors there are in crop production, 
and how difficult it is for the grower to 
see to just what extent his results are 
governed by the fertilizer applied? Very 
often he forms conclusions based on his 
field work that are entirely at variance 
with the findings of carefully trained 
scientific men working under controlled 
conditions. Why? Because in the field, 
results may be controlled by factors 
unnoticed by him. There is much said 
about theory and practice in farming, 
but when dealing with basic principles, 
it is the grower and not the scientist 
who is theoretical. 
It is not at all unusual to have such 
good condition of the soil and favorable 
climatic influences as to produce a fine 
crop with very poor fertilization; 
neither is it unusual especially where 
people have been experimenting with 
