EXPERIMENT STATION REPORTS. 255 



seven fields in northern and southern Michigan on fifty-six different fer- 

 tilizer treatments. 



In charge of Gr. M. Grantham, the investigations on commercial fer- 

 tilizers in western Michigan include the use of various brands of ready 

 mixed goods; high and low analysis, goods applied in equal pound 

 rates per acre and equal money values per acre; single ingredients, 

 special attention being given to nitrate of soda, sulphate of ammonia, 

 acid phosphate, flowers of sulphur, calcium sulphate, and American and 

 French potashes. Different rates of applications as well as different 

 time and methods of application constitutes the greater bulk of this 

 fertilizer work. 



The various forms of lime, including fine and coarse ground lime- 

 stone, hydrated lime, sugar factory refuse lime and marl are being 

 used. Invesigations are under way in order to determine how deep in 

 the soil lime may be for plants to make use of the same aud in addition 

 is applied in the row with the seed. 



Each year sees an increase in the interest and use of greeu manure 

 practices for soil improvement; accordingly different crops are being 

 turned under for such purposes. In some cases the seed is removed be- 

 fore turning back the residue, while in others the greeu crop is turned 

 under. 



Some striking results have been obtained by liming and fertilizing 

 on various soil types. In Kalamazoo county, on a Fox sandy loam, which 

 has been farmed for a number of years, an application of 200 lbs. of acid 

 phosphate and 100 lbs. of muriate of potash on alfalfa caused an in- 

 crease of 1937 lbs. of hay over an unfertilized area. The same soil when 

 unlimed will not produce alfalfa. 



On the Cass County farm on a Fox sandy loam, lime alone has in- 

 creased the yield of sweet clover 4,451 lbs. green weight. Where lime, 

 acid phosphate and potash was applied the yield amounted to 7,648 lbs. 

 green weight, more than was produced on an untreated area. For legume 

 crops, such as alfalfa aud sweet clover, lime and potash seem at the 

 present time to be quite essential. The residual effect of both materials 

 over a rotation is quite marked. 



On light to medium light soils in both southern and northern parts 

 of the State, nitrogen in combination with acid phosphate has made 

 some very profitable returns. The use of nitrate of soda or sulphate of 

 ammonia as a top dressing in the spring on fall seeded grains on light 

 soils has been quite profitable. In thirty trials to the present time using 

 nitrate of soda or sulphate of ammonia as a top dressing, has averaged 

 5.1 bu. increase. Oats have responded profitably to the use of nitrogen 

 and phosphate in spring applications. 



The most profitable material applied to corn on all soil to the present 

 time is acid phosphate. It is not uncommon for an application of 

 acid phosphate to increase the yield of corn 12 to 15 bu. per acre. 



The field investigations on muck soils in charge of Dr. P. M. Harmer 

 have progressed and are on a sound basis. During the year studies 

 were undertaken on projects. These investigations included the time, 

 manner and combination of mineral fertilizers to apply for the produc- 

 tion of the common field crops and different vegetables. Considerable 

 energy has been spent on the factors that affect the yield and quality 



