638 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



author states that the chemical composition of plants bears relation to the chemical 

 composition of the soil on which they were grown, and that the proportion of the 

 different food elements contained in the plants is the chief characteristic in this con- 

 nection. The insufficiency of potash in the soil narrowed the ratio of potash to 

 phosphoric acid and of potash to nitrogen in the tubers. The ratio of potash to 

 nitrogen was lower than 1 in some instances. The inadequate supply of nitrogen 

 manifested itself in the composition of the tubers by widening the ratio of potash to 

 nitrogen and narrowing the ratio of nitrogen to nearly all ash constituents. A ratio 

 of nitrogen to phosphoric acid in potatoes narrower than 100:50 is considered as an 

 indication of nitrogen poverty of the soil. The results indicate further that the 

 relation of potash to nitrogen in potatoes is influenced by factors other than the 

 chemical com^wsition of the soil, and that the relation of potash to magnesia is only 

 slightly affected by the composition of the soil or its content in potash. The com- 

 position of the soil was found to affect the composition of barley straw more than 

 that of the grains. A high nitrogen content in barley straw and potato tubers is not 

 regarded as an indication of a soil rich in assimilable nitrogen, but as showing that 

 more than the minimum amount of nitrogen is present. An inadequate supply of 

 potash in the soil reduced the potash content of barley straw to less than 1 per cent 

 in the dry matter, increased the amounts of nitrogen, lime, and magnesia, and nar- 

 rowed the ratio of potash to phosphoric acid, magnesia, and lime, and of phosphoric 

 acid to magnesia. The normal relation of potash, nitrogen, phosphoric acid, lime, 

 and magnesia in barley straw is given at 100, 50, 30, 40, and 10. A low nitrogen 

 content of the soil narrowed the ratio of nitrogen to phosphoric acid in barley straw 

 without affecting the relation of the nitrogen to other elements, while an insufficient 

 amount of phosphoric acid widened the ratio of nitrogen to phosphoric acid to 5 : 1, 

 and is considered as indicating lack of phosphoric acid in the soil. It is not thought 

 that the results of chemical analyses of plants show definitely the composition of 

 the soil, l)ut that they aid in determining what element of plant food is lacking in 

 quantity. 



Experiments with, crops and stock {Dept. Agr. Cambridge Unir. Rpt. 1901, 

 P2). 89) . — This report presents the results of cooperative experiments on manuring 

 meadows and pastures, laying down land to grass, and rotation experiments combined 

 with fertilizer tests. Each experiment is concisely outlined and the results shown 

 graphically and in tables. In some cases the experiments have not yet been com- 

 pleted. In connection with the reports on the seeding of temporary pasture and on 

 a rotation experiment, the results and analysis of the soil and subsoil are recorded. 

 Nitrate of soda at the rate of 1 to 1| cwt. per acre applied in conjunction with 1 cwt. 

 of muriate of potash or 4 cwt. of basic slag, gave the l)est results on grass land as 

 compared with other applications. The nitrate was applied in the spring. IVIanured 

 and unmanured 3-acre plats were compared for pasturing sheep, with the results in 

 the production of live weight decidedly in favor of the manured plats. A plat 

 receiving ^ ton of basic slag per acre carried nearly 2 sheep more than a plat dressed 

 with half the quantity. Phosphoric acid in the form of superphosphate produced a 

 greater live weight than in the form of basic slag. Grass mixtures consisting of 

 perennial red clover, white clover, Italian rye grass, orchard grass, tall oat grass, 

 yellow oat grass, timothy, Kentucky blue grass, and rough meadow grass, gave 

 good results on a light chalky soil. For heavy soils it was found best to add trefoil 

 {Medicago lupidinu), perennial rye grass, and fescue grass to this mixture and with- 

 draw Italian rye grass and yellow oat grass, and to double the amount of timothy. 

 The behavior of these different grasses and clovers in the various mixtures grown on 

 different soils is noted. On heavy wet land commercial fertilizers were more 

 economical than barnyard manure. 



Field work of the Division of Agrostology, C. L. Shear ( f7. *S'. Dept. Agr., Dili- 

 sion of Agrostology Bui. 25, pp. 67, jils. 2S, maps S) . — This bulletin is a review and 



