New York Agricultural Experiment Station. 441 



of acid rock, 350 pounds of sulphate of potash, 450 pounds of dried 

 blood, 200 pounds of nitrate of soda. This mixture was applied at 

 the rates of 500 pounds and 750 pounds an acre. The approxi- 

 mate cost of this mixture was $24 a ton, which would make the 

 cost of the fertilizer applied equal to $6 in one case and $9 in the 

 other. 



(1) Effect of fertilizers on yield. — When 500 pounds of fertili- 

 tilizer per acre were applied, the yield of beets, trimmed and 

 washed, increased in 15 out of 17 cases. The increase of yield 

 varied from 140 pounds to 9,010 pounds an acre. The average 

 increase in all cases amounted to 3,874 pounds an acre. 



The application of 750 pounds of fertilizer was accompanied by 

 an increased yield in every case but one, as compared with the use 

 of no fertilizer. The increase of yield varied from 570 pounds to 

 11,790 pounds and averaged 5,264 pounds an acre. 



As compared with the application of 500 pounds of fertilizer 

 an acre, the application of 750 pounds was attended by an increase 

 except in two cases. The increased yield varied from 240 pounds 

 to 8,170 pounds and averaged 1,390 pounds an acre. 



Table II. — Effect of Fertilizers on Yield of Beets per Acre. 



Fertilirer used Lowest Highest Average 



fertilizer used. yield< yie!d yieM 



Lbs. 







500 



750 



(2) Effect of fertilizers on percentage of sugar. — When 500 

 pounds of fertilizer an acre were applied, the sugar content of 

 the beets increased in 9 cases and decreased in 8 cases, the general 

 average remaining unchanged. With the application of 750 

 pounds an acre, the sugar increased in 4 cases and decreased in 13 

 cases, the average decrease being one-half of 1 per cent. 



