REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR 



SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 



acre, with 3,042 lbs. of straw, while the same weight of fresh manure has given for 

 the same period 37 bushels 4 lbs. of grain, with 3,187 lbs. of straw. The best result 

 obtained from the use of artificial fertilizers was 28 bushels, 42 lbs. of grain -per acre, 

 with 2,382 lbs. of straw. One of the plots devoted to barley has been treated with 

 common salt only, in the proportion of 300 lbs. per acre each year. This has given an 

 average crop of 28 bushels 7 lbs. of grain per acre with an average of 1,890 lbs. of 

 straw, while the two plots in this series on which this crop has been grown con- 

 tinuously for 17 years without any fertilizer whatever have given an average of 15 

 bushels, G lbs. of grain and 1,412 lbs. of straw, thus demonstrating the usefulness of 

 salt on a barley crop. 



In the growing of oats the heaviest crop has been had from the plot treated with 

 fresh manure. This has given an average from seventeen years of continuous cropping 

 of 5G bushels, 4 lbs. per acre. It has also given the heaviest weight of straw 3,370 lbs. 

 per acre. The best result obtained from the use of artificial fertilizers was an average 

 of 49 bushels, 31 lbs. per acre, with 3,132 lbs. of straw. The two unfertilized plots 

 have averaged 29 bushels, 334 lbs. of grain and 1,608 lbs. of straw. 



With Indian corn cut green for ensilage rotted manure has given the heaviest 

 crops. This, with continuous cropping for 14 years, has given an average of 16 tons, 

 1,070 lbs. per acre, while the plot to which fresh manure has been applied has given 

 16 tons, 809 lbs. per acre. With this crop artificial fertilizers have succeeded well, the 

 best results being an average of 16 tons, 545 lbs. per acre. The unfertilized plots have 

 given an average of 9 tons, 72 lbs. per acre. 



In the growing of mangels the rotted manure has given an average in continuous 

 cropping for 14 years of 22 tons, 358 lbs., while the fresh manure has given for the 

 same period, 21 tons, 423 lbs. The best result obtained from artificial fertilizers was 

 an average for 14 years of 15 tons, 214 lbs. The two unfertilized plots have given an 

 average for the same period of 8 tons, 434 lbs. per acre. 



With turnips the advantage has been with the plot treated with fresh manure, 

 this having given an average for 14 years of 15 tons, 1,467 lbs. of roots per acre, while 

 that to which the rotted manure was applied gave an average of 15 tons, 1,397 lbs. 

 per acre. The best result had with the artificial fertilizers with turnips was an average 

 of 12 tons, 299 lbs. The two unfertilized plots gave an average of 7 tons, 837 lbs. 



CLOVER AS A FERTILIZER. 



The ploughing under of clover has been most effective as an additional source of 

 fertility, as it increases the store of available plant food by the addition of nitrogen 

 taken directly from the atmosphere. The experiments undertaken by the experimental 

 farms to demonstrate the value of clover for this purpose were begun in 1894 and 

 have been continued up to the present time. The clover has been sown in the spring 

 with wheat, barley or oats, in the proportion of about lO^lbs. of clover seed to the acre. 

 This has almost invariably resulted in a good stand of clover before the close of the 

 season, as it grows rapidly after the grain is harvested. If it is intended to use the 

 land for growing spring grain the following season, the clover is ploughed under 

 about the middle of October, but if the land is to be used for growing potatoes or 

 Indian corn, the clover is left until the following spring, when by the second or third 

 week in May it will have made a heavy growth and will furnish a large amount of 

 material for turning under. 



In addition to the nitrogen collected by the clover it also adds to the mineral plant 

 foods available by gathering these from depths in the soil not reached by the shallower 

 root systems of other farm crops. It also serves as a catch crop during the autumn 

 months, retaining fertilizing material brought down by the rain, much of which would 

 otherwise be lost. It also supplies the soil with a large addition of humus whereby 

 the land is innde more retentive of moisture, and results in a deepening and mellowing 

 of the soil. Humus also furnishes material in which those minute forms of life which 

 act beneficially on the soil can thrive and propagate freely. 



