The Marietta journal. [volume] (Marietta, Ga.) 1866-1909, 1895-04-04
HOME FERTILIZERS.
The Formula for Mixing as Given by the
Georgia State Chemist.

Georgia State Chemist.
1t has always been the policy of the
department to encourage the purchase
OF fertilizer material and mixing at
home. By this policy not only does the
farmer make fertilizer adapted to his
soil, if, as he should, he studies its
needs, but also develops the economy of
carefully saving the manure of the
farm.
Compelled to save in every quarter,
If we wish even comparative success,
let all endeavcz to adopt the least ex-
pensive method of fertilizing and i'm
proving this land. In this connection,
the following reply by DR.. George F.
Payne, the state chemist, to an inquiry
for formula and as to the cost of mate
rial, will be found of interest:
Farmers can save money by clubbing
together and buying acid phosphate in
bulk for cash and making their own
fertilizers. 1t is difficult to farm sue
cessfully in most sections of Georgia
without the use of fertilizers, but it is
all important to secure the best fertil-
izers at as close figures as possible.
Acid phosphate can now be bought in
bulk for cash at IS 80 ton. Cottonseed
meal can now be bought in bulk for
cash at $500 ton. Muriate of pot
ash can now be bought in i2-ton lots
for cash at $42 90 ton.
At these figures the materials for an
average fertilizer of the market will be:
1,400 pounds acid phosphate contain
ing IA per cent available phosphoric
acid at $751; 90 ton, 1896.
$50 pounds cottonseed meal contain
ing nitrogren equivalent to s 1.2 per
cent ammonia) at SIS. 90 a ton, $3.50.
so pounds muriate of potash contain
ing 81 1-2 per cent of potash at $42. 90 a
ton, sizes.
Making total of 2,OCO pounds at a
cost of $113 So, containing the following
percentage Of plant food per ton:
Available phosphoric acid, $50 per
cent.
Ammonia, 2.21 per cent.
Potash, 2.O6 per cent.
If you desire a full strength goods,
the following formula will prove salts.
factory, being made of the materials
you wish to use:
Acid phosphate, 1902 pounds, cost
about $3.50, $40 per cent available
phosphoric acid. Nitrate of soda, $50
pounds. coat about S.. 90, equivalent to
2.37 per cent ammonia Kainit, 800
pounds, cost about $780, 1So per cent
potash Mix mari OF rotten leaves. $50
pounds. Total pounds, 1000. Total
cost, $l4.60.
If you wish cheaper fertilizer ado
more Of the last ingredient. If you de-
sire a stronger one leave out the last
ingredient. Muriate of potash is a
more ooncent rated form Of potash fhan
kainit and costs less for freight and for
the actual potash in it. Kainit CON
tains about IL per cent of potash, and
muMate about 80 per cent.
70 estimate the full cost, the freight
on the acid phosphate and muriats of
potash should be added ts this, .the
freight will vary according to the length
of the hauD and also the labor required
to mix the fertili5Ar.
The mixing is best done by spread
ing out the materials in layers
on top of each other and cutting
through the layers with hoe and mix,
ing as the compound is cut down.
The use Of bricklayer's sand screen
enables ens to make a better mixture.
So many local dealers are reported as
not intending to handle fertilizers this
season, that some such plan may be
necessary in some sections
Very respectfully,
GEORGE +. PAYNE,
State Chemist