324 



(4) Compoftfa on coffoyi. — This is a trijil nt tlio rolnnibia farm c)f tlic 

 eight composts tested iu 1888. All of tlie composts gave as good results 

 as the complete fertilizer supplying tlie theoretical amounts of ingre- 

 dients. 



(5) Modes of (qyplyiiuj fertiUzers for cotton. — These experiments were 

 to compare the effects of applying fertilizers broadcast and in the 

 hill. As in the previcms year, fertilizers containing the full and one 

 half the theoretical annmnts of ingredients were ap[»lied broadcast and 

 in the hill, the same amount per acre being used in either ease. 



"From all the results of the above tests it would apjiear to follow 

 that where heavy amounts nf fertilizers are used one modeof ai>plieati(tii 

 answers just as well as the ()ther, but that moderate amounts can be 

 ap]>lied more effectively in the drill. When apjilied by hand the cost 

 of each method is the same." 



(()) I'imc for op/thfinff nitrate of sotla. — ICxperiments were begun u\ 

 1881> at the Columbia and Darlington farms to secure data as to the best 

 time for a]>plying nitrat<' of soda — whether at time of ])lanting or in 

 t»»p dressings during the growing season. I'sing the full thenretiral 

 aiiMiuiits of nitrogen (as nitrate of soda). phos]>lioric acid, and pnfasli in 

 all cases, tlu^ nitrogen was applied in one ea>;e liall" at tinn- of planting 

 and half Iat<'r, and in anollier ease in two topdressings about .'J weeks 

 apart. The land selected at Darlington jtrnved so uneven ''as to \itiate 

 the I'csnlts.'* The results at Coliinibia indi<'ated "a slight dilleieni-e in 

 favor of a|>itlying all the nitrate of soda in tojt dressings u]ton the grow 

 ing cro]>s." 



(7) J>iJ}'trnit proportions of nitroi/rn, phosphorir ociiJ, ami potash fn 

 cotton. — The results are tabulated for experinuMits made in ISS'J ;it tin 

 Columbia and Darlington farms witli a view to ascertaining the jiiojxu- 

 tion of nitrogen, phosphori<' aci<l. and jtotash retpiiied by the cotton 

 crop. The season was so unfaxorable at Cohnnbia and the laml so 

 uneven at Darlington that the ronbs furnished no reliabh- indications. 



(8) Modes <f plan till ij cotton. — A continuat i<»n of the compariseui of 

 checking and drilling <omnienced in ISSS. Tables show the av«'rage 

 results of twelve tests, two at each of the three farms for 2 years. 

 "The close agreement in the returns of the checked an«l <lrillc«l jilats is 

 remarkable. It api>ears that either nn>de of ])lanting may be indilfer 

 ently (Muploycd, and that the distance within the limits tested malt« is 

 little. Our tests, howev(ii". covei* a jieriod of only 2 years, <aie of whicli 

 was very unfavoiable fiu- cottiui." 



(!)) Topping cotton. — Tests at two farms in 1888 an«l 1880. in whicli 

 the cotton on one plat was top]ted and that on another was not lo]»|>ed. 

 indicated that "top]>ing produced no ben«'lieial eflects and involved an 

 unnecessary outlay." 



(10) Rotations of cotton. — Tabulated data are given on tln^ yields ol 

 cotton in 1889 under ea<'h ol" the ele\en systems inaugurated the year 



