Influence of Fertilizeus on the Yield of Timothy Hay. 335 



Discussion of Results 



While the primary purpose of this experiment is to study the in- 

 fluence of fertihzers upon meadows, the problem cannot be studied apart 

 from a systematic rotation of crops. The final value of fertilizers will 

 not be known until a full rotation has been accomplished, which in this 

 case will be timothy, three years ; oats and wheat, each one year. It will 

 thus be four years before the financial aspects of this experiment may be 

 discussed safely. Such striking results have been obtained, however, as 

 to suggest the possibility of a rather extended use of commercial fer- 

 tilizers in the production of hay, and emphasizing anew the importance 

 of systems of farm management which will bring to soils of this type in 

 New York State the largest supply of readily available nitrogen. To 

 this end, the use of leguminous crops and the proper preservation of stable 

 manure, and particularly the lic[uid excrement, is of first importance. 

 Below are given some of the more important facts brought out by the 

 experiment thus far: 



1. In 1904, the average yield of oats on eight plats not fertilized 

 was at the rate of 53.8 bushels per acre; upon 14 fertilized plats, 

 59.6 bushels. The apparent increase in yield was most marked 

 where a complete fertilizer high in nitrogen and phosphoric acid 

 was used and wdiere 20 tons of stable manure were applied 

 per acre. The inference is that both nitrogen and phosphoric acid 

 had an influence in increasing the yield of oats. 



2. Upon timothy the influence of nitrogen was most marked as 

 shown both in the growing crop and in the yield and quality of 

 the hay. In 1905, the average yield of hay on eight plats re- 

 ceiving no fertilizer was at the rate of 2160 pounds per acre; on 

 three plats receiving only mineral fertilizers, 2890 pounds ; on seven 

 plats receiving nitrogen as nitrate of soda with or without mineral 

 fertilizer, 4728 pounds ; and on two plats receiving nitrogen in 

 stable manure, 4805 pounds. In 1906, the average amount of hay 

 on eight plats receiving no fertilizer was at the rate of 3365 pounds 

 per acre; on three plats receiving only mineral fertilizers, 5133 

 pounds ; on seven plats receiving nitrogen as nitrate of soda with 

 or without mineral fertilizers, 6451 pounds; and on two plats re- 

 ceiving nitrogen in stable manure, 5885 pounds. In this com- 

 parison plats ^2^ and 728 have been omitted because they were not 

 treated precisely alike both years. From this it will be seen that 

 while the yield on the unfertilized plats was low, the plats re- 

 ceiving fertilizer gave satisfactory yields. The plat which received, 

 in the fall of 1903, 20 tons of stable manure per acre and has 

 since received no application of any kind in 1906 yielded at the 

 rate of 7420 pounds of hay per acre, while two unfertilized plats 



