123 



apparent increase due to the fertilizers. The richness of the soil is 

 shown in the fact that the unfertilized plats averaged 58.3 bushels of 

 dried corn. 



" In computing the increase of the fertilized plats each fertilized plat 

 is compared with the unfertilized plats between which it lies. * * * 



" A careful studj- of these tables fails to discover that any marked 

 influence has been exerted on the crop by any of the fertilizers. There 

 are considerable variations, it is true, between the yields of some of 

 the fertilized plats and the unfertilized one adjoining; but these varia- 

 tions do not occur with sufficient regularity to justify the assumption 

 that they are due to the fertilizers. Even where it seems safest to as- 

 sume that the fertilizers have increased the crop, the increase shown 

 is wholly inadequate to cover the cost of the manure or fertilizer. * * * 



" In regard to this use of oil meal as a fertilizer it may be well to ex- 

 plain that the object in view is to determine its incidental value as a 

 fertilizer. Linseed-oil meal is a valuable feeding stuff, and careful ex- 

 periments have shown that after it has performed its function as a feed- 

 ing stuff, two thirds of its value as a fertilizer may yet be recovered in 

 the manure, if the manui-e be properly cared for. But we are shipping 

 our oil meal to Europe, and sending to South America for nitrate of 

 soda, to Germany for potash salts, and to South Carolina for phosphatic 

 rock with which to compound our fertilizers." 



Co-operative yield experiments with corn. — Soil tests (pp. 30-47). — These 

 were conducted by farmers in seven counties of the State. Fertilizers 

 were used as in soil tests Nos. 1 to 7 above described, no comparison 

 being attempted between different quantities or kinds of nitrogen and 

 phosphoric acid. Tables show the results of each test, and a summary 

 of the average increase of corn on the fertilized plats. In five tests the 

 evidence is conclusive that the fertilizers had a marked effect upon the 

 crop. In general the results were most marked on poor or worn-out 

 soils. With corn at 33^ cents per bushel, however, superphosphate 

 was used with profit in only three of the cases, muriate of potash in only 

 one case, and nitrate of soda failed in every case to return its cost 

 whether used alone or in combination with other fertilizers. 



One of these farm tests was made by Mr. G. H. Bunnell, of Jefferson, 

 Ashtabula County. "The land had been in pasture about thirty-five 

 years, then cultivated about twenty years in a regular rotation of corn, 

 oats, wheat, and grass, the grass occupying the land until it required 

 reseeding. In this entire period it had had but one application of 

 manure. In this experiment we get a very striking result. The aver- 

 age yield of the unfertilized plats is 31.9 bushels per acre, and that of 

 the four plats receiving phosphoric acid is 48.8 bushels — an increase of 

 nearly 17 bushels. It would seem, moreover, that this increase is due 

 entirely to the phosphoric acid or to the combination of phosphoric acid 

 with potash, and that nitrogen is not needed. But, as has been already 

 pointed out, it is not safe to draw final conclusions from a single test." 



