262 Missouri State Horticultural Society. 



cast between the matted rows just after the plants were uncovered 

 in the spring (none on the plants) and raked in with a garden rake. 

 The result was very perceivable in the strong vigorous growth of 

 the plants and about one-fourth increase in fruit. 



In the spring of 1883 I used it again on a three-year-old bed 

 of downings at the rate of a little over four hundred pounds per 

 acre. This time broadcast over the plants and none between the 

 rows. The rains dissolved it and washed it down among the roots 

 of the plants. There was this time also a strong plant growth, 

 and a much better yield of fruit from this old bed of downings, 

 then three-year-old, than from same variety one year old ; whether 

 the fertilizer was the cause or not I am unable to positively say, 

 but suspect it was. I made a second application on three rows in 

 the center of same bed, same amount as at first, about the time the 

 last blooms were out. This brought nearly all the berries up to a 

 good size, and the plants still showed a very strong growth, which 

 was plainly visible when I covered them at the beginning of the 

 winter. I have been groping in the dark — feeling my way — all for 

 the lack of a chemical analysis of the blood. We know that the 

 strawberry needs nitrogen, phosphorous and potash. We also know 

 the blood contains these elements, but in what quantities of each 

 we are ignorant, lience we have to be cautious in its use until we 

 find out by experience or analysis how much to use ; every agricul- 

 turist and horticulturist should be sufficiently skilled in chemistry 

 to analyze his own soil. We want better educated farmers, hence 

 the importance of giving more encouragement to our agricultural 

 colleges. 



I would say use the dry blood for your vegetables, flower beds, 

 strawberries, raspberries and small fruits. Plow raspberries early 

 in spring, pulverize the ground well, sow broadcast and cultivate in 

 with small tooth cultivator or harrow, and also sprinkle around the 

 stools. Before I close this bloody chapter I will relate an incident 

 that occurred at our place last spring. The women folks wishing 

 to try an experiment with the blood, made a secret raid on my 

 barrel ; the result was a very strong, rich growth of plants and an 

 abundance of fine blooms, especially geraniums. They attracted 

 my attention and I asked the cause, the reply was they had been 

 using my dried blood as a fertilizer. I guess if the experiment had 

 not been a success I would never have known it. In conclusion, I 

 would suggest that this society employ an expert chemist to analyze 

 this dry blood and see what it contains, so we can all use it under- 

 standingly. W. M. HOPKINS. 



