98 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



In muriate of potash, we are applying not only chlorine and 

 potash, two essential constituents of plant-growth, but also 

 variable quantities of soda, magnesia and lime. lu like 

 manner with the suli3hate of ammonia, the separation of acid 

 and base takes place here, and the potash is retained in the 

 soil to almost a complete extent, while the muriatic acid 

 passes readily downward with the water. Hence, whatever 

 potash is left over from this year's crop is available for the 

 uses of vegetation another year. In applying kainit, we 

 calculated, therefore, for the potash to be carried within 

 reach of the growing roots, before becoming entirely fixed by 

 the soil, and it is probable that we were also greatly aided 

 here by the moist season encouraging root-growth nearer the 

 surface than ordinary. 



In sulphate of potash we have similar actions, as above 

 referred to, but in our phosphoric acid we have an instance 

 of an acid being retained by the soil : so completely does the 

 soil retain this material, that even in soils containing soluble 

 phosphoric acid in great abundance, but the faintest traces 

 even appear in the waters of drainage. Hence, once applied, 

 it remains in the soil until removed by crops or vegetation. 

 Superphosphate of lime may be applied at a greater depth 

 from the surface, than in our case, with advantage. 



In a few words let me call attention, in concluding, to a few 

 lessons learned from this experiment of ours, although some 

 of this information has been merely hinted at in the preced- 

 ing pages. 



First, the importance of the proper variety of seed. If 

 possible, seed of a variety which under high culture will bear 

 two ears to the stalk should be selected. This is a most 

 essential point for a large crop. Then the variety should be 

 a small-foddered one. In a heavy-foddered crop, there is a 

 certain loss, as the fertility removed is of far more value in 

 the form of grain, than in the form of stover. 



Second, the importance of a correct system of planting. 

 The essential here is to place the hills as near together as the 

 habit of growth of the variety used, will allow ; and to leave 

 as many stalks in the hill as is possible. A field which will 

 mature ears on each stalk, six to a hill, will about double the 

 yield over the same or a similar field with three stalks. 



