The Monitor. [volume] (Woodstown, N.J.) 1884-1892, 1891-08-28
Home made Fertilizers.

otatO APCI lDlCAl
Station recently sent out a circular rela-
tive to Incomplete fertilizers and home
mixtures, and as this is the time that
farmers are considering what are the best
manures to use for the winter grain, we
give some of the conclusions arrived at.
A study Of the analyses of the complete
fertilizers made in 1890 clearly shows that
the value per ton of the average of over
two hundred brands of fertilizers was $2S.-
81 and the average selling price $34.6 d, a
difference of $6.21 per ton, or q cost of 22.1
per cent greater tina the value; this added
to the 80 per cent would make a total diff
ference in favor Of homo mixtures of 81
per cent; in other words an amount 0 fplant
food in a mixture that would cost on the
average 800 when bought in the form of
raw materials mixed at home, would, on
the average, cost s131 when bought in the
usual manner in the form of manufactured
brands. While this difference represents
a certain saving, it Is not due SO much to
the fact that raw materials are bought and
mixed at home as to the method of buying,
viz, direct from the manufacturers for
cash.
The making of home mixtures has been
practised for years by a number of the
best and most business-like farmers of the
toh hNH IA hhOn eHdt III II u q
fertilizer depends upon the kind and form
of the nitrogen, phosphoric acid and potash
contained in it and not upon the name of
the brand. These men, if using manu-
featured brands, would be likely to know
how to buy and to get the best, yet they
continue to get the raw materials and do
their own mixing. 1t is their experience
that it is the best method and that it pays.
The method of using fertilizers is also
important in this connection, a saving in
their cost often means a decrease of loss
IL the soil does not require one or more of
the elements contained in the mixture.
Thus, it has been fully demonstrated that
on certain soils and for certain crops, the
application, at the right time, of materials
furnishing but one or two feItilizing ele-
ments proves more profitable than the best
or cheapest complete fertilizers. Tosecure
the greatest advantages from the use of
fertilizers it is necessary
1. To know that the chief elements of
direct plant food are nitrogen. %phosphoric
acid and potash;
2. To learn how and where to buy them
in the best forms and,
8. To study the special requirements of
the soil for them.
The following are the conclusions
| reached:
l. While standard fertilizing chemicals
are reasonably uniform in quality, the
safest and most satisfactory method OF
buying them is that which makes guaran-
teed composition or the unit system the
basis of contract.
2. In buying materials OF a variable
character, a careful study should be made
of the relation between guarantee and sell
ing price.
3. Variation in cost per pound of plant.
food depends less upon where it is bought
than upon how it is bought.
4. The Stations schedule of prices is a
safe guide as to manufacturers average lie.
tail prices of plant-fcod. except in the
case of ayallable phosphoiic acid, which is
20 per cent too high.
8. With ordinary facilities farmers car
make even mixtures of raw materials.
which in mechanical condition compare
favorably with the best manufactured
brands of complete fertilizers, which means
that manufacturers charges for mixing
may be saved without increasing the cost
of farm labor.
6. Aside from financial considerations,
the home mixing of fertilizers presents the
follow ing advantages; j, A definite knowl-
| edge Of the kind and form of plant food
used, and. ii. The preparation of formulas
best suited to the particular needs of the
soil for different crops.
Z, The Stations value of home mixing
lie 50. 90 greater than their cost. This rep
resents the total saving only when the
Stations value of manufactured brands is
| equal to their selling price at the point OF
| consumption.