AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION. 35 



In the experiment with partial and complete fertilizers, the results 

 of which are given in Table II., those plots which were fertilized 

 with the complete fertilizer gave the largest yield in grain ; and 

 while the heaviest application does not seem to be necessary to 

 produce the maximum yield of grain the first year, the heaviest 

 application is felt in increased yield in the hay crop. 



From some unaccountable reason the medium application of the 

 complete fertilizer fails to increase the yield of the grain the 

 second year, and the yield of hay the third year is correspond- 

 inglv low. 



•"o'j 



Field Experiments with Fertilizers by Farmers/ 



In the spring of 1886, the Station sent to farmers located in dif" 

 ferent parts of the State experimental sets of fertilizers, which were- 

 to be used according to certain directions given by the Station, the^ 

 results of the experiments to be reported to the Station. 



The objects in view in cooperating with farmers in this sort of 

 experimental work were the following : 



(1.) To stimulate habits of inquiry and observation. 



(2.) To render farmers more familiar with the composition of 

 fertilizers. 



(3.) To add something, if possible, to our stock of knowledge in 

 regard to the profitable use of commercial fertilizers. 



It was hoped to secure these results not only through the observa- 

 tions and experience of the farmers conducting the experiments, 

 but also through the interest that the experiments might excite 

 among other farmers in the localities to which the experimental sets 

 of fertilizers were sent. 



Fourteen farmers undertook experiments. With six of these the 

 work resulted in utter failure, in most cases due to a drouth, which 

 either prevented the proper germination of the seed or so dwarfed 

 the crop from lack of water as to prevent any beneficial effect the 

 fertilizers might otherwise have had. 



Eight carried their experiments through successfully, and the 

 results were reported in the Station Report for 1886-87. 



In 1887 experimental sets were again sent out to various farmers, 

 ten of whom have reported their results to the Station. 



These reports are presented in the following tables. 



