Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1908-12-09
How to Mix Fertilizers.

Clemson College, Speclal.-M l..
E. Keitt, chemist of the South Caro-
lima Experiment Station, has prepar.
ed an article on "Home Mixing OF
Commercial Fertilizers" sum-
mary of which is given herewith. AS
the time approaches for the farmer to
procure his fetilizers for the next
crop, the question confronts him:
How can l get the maximum of the
most available plant food at the min
imum price? Although growing
plants derive tteir food from sol,
water and air, it is the fertility Of
the soil that concerns us in the appll-
cation of commercial fertilizers. The
chief clements which plants derive
from the soil are potassium, phospho-
rus, nitrogen, calcium and sulphur.
The constant natural activities going
on in the soil furnish generally
enough of all except nitrogen, phos-
phoric acid, and potash, which, there
fore, the farmer must buy in the form
of~commercial fertilizers.
In what sorm shall these be
bought9 AS ul4mixed materials or as
mixed fertilizers? The manufac-
ture of available phosphoric acid
from raw rock or bone requires skill
and experience, and to the novice is
somewhat dangerous; therefore, it is
not generally desirable for the farmer
to attempt to make i'superphos-
phates.'' But mixing the manuac-
tured goods is rather simple, requir-
ing ~ Judgment in selecting ma
terial, (2) knowledge of the calcula-
tions involved, (3) a tight floor to
mix on, and (4) a plenty of energy.
l. The material will depend on the
character of the soil, the crop to be
grown and the price of material.
Fhosphoric acid hastens maturity and
aids in developing the seed; potash
lengthens the growing season and
stiffens the stalk; nitrogen gives
rapid and luxuriant growth. Nitro
gen, the most expensive, can be sup
piled by legumes- peas, etc, but the
one-crop system now followed neces-
states the. buying of nitrogen in the
form of nitrate of soda. sulphate OF
ammonia. dried blood and cotton seed
meal. The present prohihitive price
of dried blood leaves us the other
three forms in which to obtain nitro
gen, until we adopt systems of rota-
tion to supply it.
The commercial sources of potash
are kainit, muriate and sulphate of
potash, containing 1880 and 4S per
cent of potash, respectively. For
cotton or corn, muriate OF kainit is
better because cheaper; but muriate
cannot be used for tobacco. as it in
iures the burning qualities of the
leaf. For potatoes, turnips and
other root crops some claim that the
sulphate is better.
Phosphoric acid can be obtained
from the IA per cent or the 16 per
cent article. When prices are pro-
portinate, the higher grade bought
saves in the hauling. Do not be
afraid to use a few postage stamps
writing to a number, of firms for
prices, and, if possible, order in car
load lots, alone, or by clubbing with
..neighbors.
2. AS to calculations, unit is l
per cent of ton, or 20 pounds. If
we desire an S-3-3 guano, we must
have in ton s units of phosphoric
acid, Of ammonia, or its equivalent.
and 3 of potash, or 160 pounds of
the first. 60 of the second and On
Of the third. Suppose we desire to
get the ammonia half from meal and
half from nitrate and the acid from
16 per cent phosphate, the following
amounts would give the S-3-3 ratio:
429 pounds meal, 167 pounds nitrate,
IL pounds muriate, 960 pounds acid.
333 pounds filler. The number of
hundred pounds Of material is got
ten by dividing the amount of plant
food desired by the per cent contain
ed in the material.
Using full sacks for greater con-
uan;onoo am mounds frneal. 200 of