EXPERIMENT STATION REPORTS. ' 233 



than [)li<)splionis and until this condition is corrected phosphorus does 

 not bring results. 



In our comparisons of the value of 16% acid phosphate, the 45% or 

 Anaconda phosphate and raw rock phosphate respectively, the former or 

 IG^'c acid j)li()sphate has proved to be superior u]) to date. In two cases 

 out of the many the rock i)hosphate has been profitable. On the basis 

 of the results we have obtained thus far, roek phosphate is not promising 

 on the majority of Michigan farms. 



Lime is the keystone in the successful production of alfalfa and sweet 

 clover and is needed on many fields for the satisfactory production of 

 June and Mammoth clover. By the liberal use of lime and the proper 

 amounts of acid phosphate and potash we have been able to establish 

 satisfactory alfalfa seedings in oats and Avheat, Avhere the soil has been 

 ])reviously limed. Soil preparation for such practices will govern very 

 largely the acreage of land seeded to alfalfa. From the soil building 

 standpoint it is not suflicient to grow alfalfa on the same land ov^r a 

 long period of years. If it is to be used in this capaeity it must be in 

 the rotation and that without the loss of a crop the year it is seeded. 



The great increase in acreage of alfalfa in Micliigan has been bi-ought 

 about in the main through the use of lime or by correcting the existing 

 soil conditions. We have emphasized this ])oint through our lectures, 

 bulletins and newspaper publicity for more than six years. The attitude 

 of the county agent toward the matter of liming the soil for alfalfa is 

 largely responsible for the i)resent acreage of this crop. 



The six years' results from the use of lime on the Cass County fertility 

 field are given below. 



SWEET CLOVER. 



Fertilizer and hydrated lime, 2,960 lbs 



Fertilizer and marl, 4,000 lbs 



Fertilizer and (80 mesh) limestone, 4,000 lbs. . . 

 Fertilizer and (40-60 inch) limestone, 4,000 lbs. 

 Fertilizer and (10-20 inch) limestone, 4,000 lbs. 



6,640 lbs. green weight 

 5,840 lbs. green weight 

 4,280 lbs. green weight 

 3,280 lbs. green weight 

 3,440 lbs. green weight 



It should be noted that in earlier years of the experiment the finely 

 ground limestone was superior to the somewhat coarser materials. This 

 season, however, the latter are showing up better. The hydrate has been 

 quite effective throughout the period of experimentation. These and 

 other experiments of similar nature are to be continued inasmuch as an 

 important economic question is herein involved. 



Another point that our fertility work has brought out is that superior 

 varieties of grain are severely handica-pped when placed on infertile 

 .e;oiIs and in fact remain so a relatively short time under such conditions. 

 Where certified Rosen rye and Red Rock wheat respectively were used 

 in certain places the results obtained with and without fertilizers were 

 as follows : 



