13 



In a number of places the marsh soils themselves contain sufficient 

 lime to render a further addition of this substance unnecessary. Such 

 is the case in some marsh soils in northern Europe, in Ontario, in certain 

 areas in Wisconsin, and as we have already seen, in the majority of the 

 marsh soils of Porto Rico. Extensive studies of marsh soils have been 

 made by the University of Wisconsin and the most important conclusions 

 that were arrived are as follows (1) : 



" Through proper drainage and soil management much of this land can 

 by made very productive and will add greatly to the farm area of the state. 

 The chemical composition and the possibility of thorough drainage are the 

 chief factors which determine the value of marsh lands for cultivation. The 

 drainage of marshes is the first step toward improvement. On large marshes 

 the organization of drainage districts and the cooperation of a number of 

 adjoining land owners is necessary, but thousands of farms include some land 

 which can be readily drained by the owners without legal difficulties. Pro- 

 per tillage of marsh lands is of the utmost importance. Heavy rolling by 

 packing the loose peat soil, produces a firmer seed bed which is better 

 adapted to cultvated crops, especially small grains. Fertilization of the 

 marsh soils is important on account of the unbalanced condition of the ele- 

 ments which they contain. Marsh soils are excessively rich in nitrogen, 

 but are frequently deficient in phosphorus and potash While barn yard 

 manure will supply the last two elements, these can be supplied in com- 

 mercial fertililizers. allowing the use of barn yard manure on upland soils 

 where its nitrogen as well as its mineral elements are needed Under 

 such special conditions it is profitable to use commercial fertilizers supple- 

 menting the manure of the farm. The crops best adapted to marsh lands 

 nclude corn " 



Some of the results of special experimo?its in the non-acid marshes of 

 Wisconsin may be of interest in this connection. It was found that : 



" Owing to'the presence of lime carbonate and hence to the sweet cha 

 racter of these soils, there is no dificulty in securing the necessary decom- 

 position of the soil to supply an abundance of nitrogen where ^ood drainage 

 is developed. As a rule, the amount of nitrogen in these soils is so large 

 that it is unnecessary to use fertilizers that contain this element so 

 that barn yard manure, the most important element of which is nitrogen 

 may be used on upland soils which require it, using only mineral fertilizers 

 on the marsh soils as needed. 



There seem to be two effects of the presence of lime carbonate on the 

 phosphorus supply of these marsh soils; first that it carries with it a some- 

 what larger amount of phosphorus than is found in other marsh soils, 

 and even more important than this, seems to render what is there more 

 available than it is in acid marsh soils. Tn Wisconsin so far as these marsh 

 soils in the southeastern part of the state have been cropped they have not 

 shown a special need for phosphate fertilizers. However, it is quite pro- 

 bable that after some years of cropping they will be found to need some 

 supply of phosphorus, as do all other soils. 



The only marked need for special treatment which the marsh soils of 

 this portion of the state, when properly drained ordinarily show within 

 the first few years after reclamation, is for potash. Quite frequently these 

 marshes when planted to corn or other crop, show patches of from a few 

 rods to several acres in extent on which the seed germinates well, but the 

 crop turns yellow at an early stajre and fails to develop. It frequently 

 happens that corn will grow to a height of only one or two feet during 

 the whole season and produce no grain whatever. Where this occurs, so far 

 as our experience goes, it is due either to the lack of sufficient drainage 

 or the lack of a supply of available potash. For some reason not yet fully 

 understood, the potash present in the soil is not available and some fertili- 

 zer must be used. 



(1) Wisconsin Agric. Expt. Sta.. Bull. 205. pp. 2 and 16 to 17; 1911. 



