FERTILIZERS. f)39 



9, p. 037). The main results of these experiments are summarized as 

 follows: 



"In experiments with beets already conducted in 15 localities in the State 

 marked benefit from liming has been observed in every case but one. The .smallest 

 gain has been 21 per cent, the nest smallest 37 per cent, while in the other cases the 

 crop has been practically doubled, or increased several times. 



"Experiments with barley, in 1896, indicated a more or less general need of lime, 

 but the results were far less marked than with beets. 



"With but one or two exceptions the most striking benefit from liming lias been 

 noticeable, in 1897, in connection with both red clover and timothy (Phleum pra- 

 tense) in various sections of the State. Liming increases the relative amount of 

 timothy in mixtures of that grass with redtop, and also the total weight of the hay 

 crop on many soils. Practically all of the reasonably heavy soils, and particularly 

 such as are well supplied with humus, have been found to be less in need of nitrogen 

 than of phosphoric acid." 



Five years' observations upon the growth of plants upon an 

 acid upland soil, limed and unlimed, H. J. Wheeler and J. A. 

 TiLLlNGHAST {Rhode Island Sta. Rpt. 1897, pp. 202-225, pis. 2).— The 

 experiments in 1897 were conducted on the same plan as that followed 

 in previous years (E. S. B., 9, p. 935). The results obtained are as 

 follows : 



"Of all the grasses thus far tested, none .seemed to stand so much in need of lime 

 on acid soil as Kentucky blue grass and timothy. 



"Orchard grass and meadow fescue, though less injured by soil acidity (souruese) 

 than Kentucky blue grass or timothy, nevertheless show great benefit from liming. 

 Sheep fescue is also benefited by liming to a considerable extent, though it gives 

 no promise of value for hay in this section. 



"Awnless brome grass, redtop, and Rhode Island bent, though valuable grasses, 

 do not seem to be susceptible of great injury, even upon quite acid soils. This obser- 

 vation furnishes a satisfactory explanation of the fact that timothy and clover give 

 way rapidly to redtop and Rhode Island bent on many of our New England farms. 



"This season's trial indicates wonderful benefit from the use of lime in the grow- 

 ing of asparagus. These observations are to be continued if possible. 



"New Zealand spinach, like the ordinary varieties, seems to be much helped by 

 liming. 



"Spinach and asparagus give much better results from nitrogen in form of nitrate 

 of soda than from like quantities in form of sulphate of ammonia. Experiments are 

 in progress for the purpose of ascertaining definitely, if possible, to what this dif- 

 ference is due. 



"Strawberries, currants, and gooseberries have shown this season some benefit 

 from liming, yet it will be necessary to wait a year or two before definite conclusions 

 in the matter can be drawn. 



"Judging from the growth only, raspberry plants appear to show some benefit 

 fromliming, while no noticeable differences in blackberry pi ants have been observable. 



"Delaware grapevines seem to be injured in a marked degree by sour soil, and 

 correspondingly helped by liming, while the Concord viues appear to be compara- 

 tively indifferent in this particular. 



"Among the other tests made the past season the orange quince, Golden Sweet 

 apple, American elm, and American linden show more probability of Tiltimate benefit 

 from liming than the Crawford Early peach, Baldwin apple, Uartlett pear, sugar 

 maple, or American white birch. In future years more conclusive data should be 

 obtainable in relation to the small fruits, orchard and forest trees." 



