Oswego Strawberries. 143 



Grower No. 4 replies : " I got a bigger yield by using the fertil- 

 izer, and the berries were firmer and better color. My neighbor 

 next to me had the same kind of berries (Atlantic), and he said my 

 berries sold from tliree to six cents a quart more than his did." 



Testimony of the Chemist. 



When fertilizer experiments are under way one naturally consults 

 tlie chemist. One wants to know the chemical nature of the soil. 

 The services of the Assistant Chemist of the Experiment Station, 

 G. W. Cavanaugh, were, therefore, secured in these Oswego straw- 

 berry investigations. He was asked to analyze the soils. He visited 

 the region, inspected the experiments, took samples, and submitted 

 the following report : 



If the application of the various forms of plant-food was the 

 determining factor in the productivity of a soil we might well expect 

 definite results from experiments with commercial fertilizers. It is 

 the experience, however, of those who have conducted such experi- 

 mants that the results are often at variance. Here one substance 

 tends to increase a crop, and there the same substance seems to 

 have the opposite effect. In some cases that the writer has seen the 

 check or blank plat yielded more than those fertilized. 



When it is a question of restoring or maintaining the productivity 

 of a soil, there are other points to be considered tlian the applica- 

 tion of fertilizers. These points are fully as important as the pres- 

 ence or absence of the small amount of plant-food contained in the 

 average fertilizer application. 



1st. The physical condition or tilth. 



A good physical condition is necessary to the plants to enable 

 them to obtain the necessary root growth, and to permit more even 

 distribution of the fertiUzer. The very preparation given in bring- 

 ing about this condition goes a long; way in unlocking the identical 

 constituents that are later to be applied. This desirable condition 

 is not to be had in a soil that needs drainage or has a hard-pan too 

 near the surface. If the soil is in a rough condition, fall of clods, 

 as sometimes happens in clay soils, it is dithcult to properly distrib- 

 ute the fertilizer. In general the better the tilth the more of the 

 fertilizer applied will be available. 



