WHY FERTILISERS FAIL.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVI, Issue 4900, 9 November 1925, Page 4

WHY FERTILISERS FAIL.

CAUSES OF POOR CROPS. WELL-BALANCED MANURES. There are three common causes why the application of fertilisers does not produce the expected results. Firstly, a deficiency of lime, in the soil is often an obstacle, and until such deficiency is made good no fertiliser dressings can act with full effect.’ According to the best agricultural authorities the farm lands of this country are calling out for more lime.. . We would say that a second reason is the use of fertilisers in a badlybalanced way. The importance of what may be called balanced manures is not properly appreciated. There are farmers who think they have done the needful when they, apply only one type of fertiliser,, say, for instance* phosphate of lime, whereas the soil may be requiring also nitrogen and potash. hTe chain of fertility is broken by the absence of a necessary ingredient, and so ,the ,- crop A third course has been the use of low-class manures sold at apparently tempting prices, but .which are, really extremely dear. The business in this class of manure is not so extensive as was the case some years back, but there is still a large quantity of such poor stuff sold to imprudent farmers whose crops are consequently poor in character. Buyers should always examine the percentage of nitrogen, phosphate of lame, and pqtash in the fertiliser offered them, and should select a high-class fertiliser and be prepared to pay a. fair price for a good article.