New York Agricultural Experiment Station. 87 



If we consider only the year 1899, the average increase per acre 

 was 15,373 pounds or 102 barrels. 



It will be. observed that in 1899 and 190Q even the check plata 

 gave a fair yield, showing that the disease was not nearly as 

 destructive as it is sometimes. Had there been more smut pres- 

 ent the difference between the treated and untreated plats would 

 most likely have been greater. 



Since the plats were of fair size (^V acre), very narrow, and 

 duplicated five times, and the experiment continued three years, 

 with the yield constantly in favor of the treated plats, it appears 

 to us conclusively pi'oven that sulphur and lime in the drills is 

 an important aid in increasing the yield of onions on smutty 

 land. This conclusion is further supported by the results of the 

 experiments in 1897 (see page 80) as well as by Thaxter'a 

 experiments. 



It is possible that the substances used have s.ome value as 

 fertilizer, but judging from the experiments in which sulphur 

 and lime were applied broadcast it appears that their fertilizing 

 value is at best but trifling. (See page 90.) That the treatment 

 does actually prevent smut ia shown by the fact that the un- 

 treated rows invariably showed a larger percentage of smutty 



plants. 



Series II. — Sulphur and Lime Broadcast. 



Plan of experiment. — This experiment was designed to show 

 the effect of applying the sulphur and lime broadcast and also 

 the effect of repeated applications. The field used was 340 feet 

 long by 81 feet wide. It was divided crosswise into 12 equal 

 plats, each 28^x81 feet and having an area of-gV acre. (See 

 diagram on page 85.) There were six treated plata alternating 

 with six check plats. 



On three of the treated plats 100 pounds of sulphur and 50 

 ponnds of air-slaked lime (same quantity as used in the drills in 

 Series I) were applied broadcast and harrowed in two or three 

 days before the seed was sown. On one of these three plats the 

 chemicals were applied only one year (1898); on one, two years 

 (1898 and 1899); and on one, three years (1898, 1899 and 1900), 



