The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1902-02-18
Farm Miscellany.
FARMERS SHOULD MIX THEIR OWN
FERTILIZERS.

R. J. Red1ing Dlrec or Georgia Exp rlment
Station, in At anita Constitutional
At this season of the year farmers
are beginning TO think about the
commercial fertilizers they will buy.
Already I have received many in
quiries for the "best fertilizers" for
corn, cotton, oats, potatoes, etc.
Some of the inquiries evidently ex-
poet to buy the ready-mixed guanos,
as they have been accustomed TO do
In the past. They want to know
which brand of guano is the best and
cheapest for certain crops n soils.
They do not care to undertake the
small amount of la bor required TO
mix the several ingredients that en-
ser into the composition of a
"guano," or, not knowing in what
proportions these ingredients should
be mixed for a particular crop or a
particular soil, they prefer TO leave
Ii TO the manufacturer, or mixer of
fertilizers.
This would be very well If there
were no source of information open
TO these inquirers whence they may
learn proper proportions of ingredi-
ents that would be necessary in or
der TO produce the proper proper
tions of the elements of value-phos-
phorio acid, potash and nitrogen
and at the same time if the manufac-
turers would mix the ingredients so
as to meet the demand and do it at
little more than it would cost the
farmer TO do it.
NO WAR ON MANUFACTURERS.
do not propose at this late day TO
wage a warfare on honest and capa-
BILE manufacturers of fertilizers who
sell their goods at a fair and reason
able profit. There are many of them
that are both capable and honest.
Indeed, I do not know of any that
are otherwise. Bat l do insist, as 1
have done for more than twenty
years, that an intelligent farmer,
with the proper information before
him as TO the requirements of his
soil, or the average soils of his Q
ton, can generally not only mix a
better fertilizer for his own purposes,
but at a saving of 81, s. and some
times IS on the ton, as compared
with the cost of the ready mixed ar.
ticle. Even if he can save only 81
on the ton, certainly that 81 is worth
as much as any other dollar, and
ought to b saved.
DO FARMERS BUY BREAD?
There are many peOple whose
cooks cannot make good bread, and
must buy of the baker or eat poor
bread. But the baker must be paid
for his plant, his labor, his skill and
his losses, and must have a profit.
One might pay 5 oents for a pound
loaf of bread, when the same Scents,
invested in -four, salt and a little
yeast, and a little skill, labor and
fuel employed in converting it into
bread, would result in a loaf weigh
ing one and a half TO two pounds.
This is a simple illustration, but it is
apt. If one knows what kind of
bread he wishes TO eat he can either
buy the materials and make it him
self or get it ready-made Of the baker.
So with the farmer. If he knows
what sort of a fertilizer he needs
what proportions of phosphorio acid,
potash and nitrogen il should oOn
tain-and does not care 80 spend a
rainy day or two in mixing it at
home, why, he may buy it ready
mixed of the manufacturer and pay
she latter for mixing it-just as in
the case of the bread.
Only day or two ago 1 received a
letter asking this question: II am
offered a gutno aoid phosphate,
guaranteed - ier cent. available,
and 2 per cent. potash, for $14 u
ton and a simple acid phosphate,
guaranteed IA per cent. available, at
$12 so per ton. Which is the cheaper
and which would give the best re
suits when mixed with cotton seed
meal?.' My reply was that phos-
phoric acid and potash being worth
about the same per pound, it follows
that the potash-acid phosphate, with
a guarantee of 1872 was worth Just
the same as the simple acid phosphate
guaranteed to contain IA per cent.
available. If the two go DIS we're
offered at the prices stated by the
same dealer or manufacturer, then