I40 



Bulletin 394 



grow the plants for this period in 19 16 before turning under. In view 

 of the previous season's work it seemed desirable that a repetition of the 

 experiment should produce results of greater value in drawing conclusions 

 as to rate of decay. It was hoped that the variations in the results for 

 nitrate formation might be reduced by a repetition of the work. 



The soil used in the second season's work is described on page 126. 

 Seed was again obtained from the Bokhara Seed Company. Four pots 

 limed with slaked lime, four limed with ground limestone, and four 

 unlimed, were set up. The seed was sown on June 2. 



The cultural observations made were similar to those reported for 

 19 14. During the first six weeks differences due to lime were not 

 noticeable. Thereafter, however, more rapid growth on the limed soil 

 became increasingly evident. Toward the end of the growing period the 

 plants on the unlimed soil were characterized by an unhealthy color and 

 by the dying of the leaves. 



The plants were harvested after a growth of 116 days. The roots and 

 the tops were removed from all the pots and a sample of the soil was 

 taken. As in 19 14, the plants from two pots of each series as regards 

 liming were saved for analysis. The plants from the remaining pots 

 were incorporated with the soil. All pots were then maintained at a 

 moisture content of 30 per cent, pending later examination for ra e of 

 decay. 



In taking up the plants it was evident that the roots did not bear as 

 many nodules as in 19 14, but the nodules were somewhat larger. The 

 limed plants were more plentifully supplied and their root systems were 

 much better developed. This was markedly shown by branching at 

 the crown. 



The plants removed were allowed to air-dry and were then analyzed, 

 as in 19 14. The results are given in table 6: 



TABLE 6. Yield and Composition of Crops 

 (Duration of growth, 116 days) 



2^2 



