426 Report of the Department of Field Crops of the 



DISCUSSION OF RESULTS. 



Those who read this bulletin should bear in mind that these 

 yearly records of field experiments are really reports of progress. 



Anything in the nature of conclusions will scarcely be more 

 than a statement of what is the outcome of a single year's observa- 

 tions. After several years general deductions will have greater 

 value, especially if evidence is cumulative in particular directions. 



EFFECT OF QUANTITY OF FERTILIZER UPON YIELD AND PROFIT. 



In 1897 the application of 1,000 lbs. of fertilizers per acre 

 proved to be more profitable than quanties either less or more, 

 although in both years the yield has increased with the amount of 

 fertilizer even up to 2,000 lbs. per acre. In 1898 the profit was 

 greatest with 1,500 lbs. of fertilizer per acre, diminishing when 

 more than this quantity was used. (See Tables V & YI). This 

 lack of uniformity in results demonstrates the necessity of several 

 years of observation before reliable conclusions can be drawn. 

 Just what will happen after several rotations of crops have been 

 grown is not yet clear. 



Table V. — Increase of Yield of Potatoes from Different Quantities 



of Fertilizer. 



1 Average of Fleet and Hallock plats. 



