The Problem of Impoverished Lands. 99 



4. Exjjeriment with the land to determine what 2)lcf''i^t-food it 

 needs. — To test the need of fertilizers, a trial of five plats inry be 

 helpful : 



On tlie first, apply nitrate of soda at the rate of 200 lbs. per acre. 



On the second, 200 lbs. superphosphate. 



On the third, apply nothing. 



On the fourth, 200 lbs. muriate of potash. 



On the fifth, 1,000 lbs. lime. 



The results will in some measure indicate which of the elements 

 of plant-food is needed. 



For a more complete and conclusive method of testing fertilizers, 

 the reader is referred to Bulletin 129. The plan of experiment, as 

 outlined by that publication, is reprinted at the beginning of this 

 bulletin. 



Part II. A CRUSADE WITH THE FARMERS. 



In the winter of 1898-9 this Station discussed a series of soil and 

 fertility questions with the members of the Reading-Course (8,605 

 persons). Five Reading-Lessons were issued, two of which per- 

 tained directly to soil problems ; and these two Lessons are reprinted 

 here. AVitli each Lesson there was issued a series of questions 

 designed to bring out the points in the Lesson. The replies wliich 

 were received to these questions afford an excellent index to the 

 state of the popular mind on subjects connected with the fertility of 

 the land. The questions were designed to elucidate underlying 

 truths or principles, and correct answers to them will do much 

 towards spreading sound ideas of maintaining and increasing the 

 productive power of the land. We, therefore, reprint the questions 

 and give answers to them. These questions and answers cover all 

 the five Lessons : " The Soil : What it Is ; " " Tillage and Under- 

 D rain age : Reasons Why;" " Fertility of the Soil: What it Is;" 

 " How the Plant Gets its Food from the Soil ; " " How the Plant 

 Gets its Food from the Air." These answers are written by H. P. 

 Gould, but have been approved by specialists in the various subjects. 



