215 



•wore tivatod with salt at the rate of .'lOO pounds per aci'e — two in 

 spriiio', four in fall : foiii- were sii1)soile(l : four were cultivated; four 

 received burn-yard manure at the rate of 25 tons per acre; two, 

 superphosphate, 400 pounds per acre; and two, nitrate of soda at the 

 same rate. The yields of each plat are stated in a table and presented 

 o-raphically in a diagram. Summaries for each method of manuring 

 and cnltivation as compared with the adjacent check plats arc given 

 in another table. '' The plats treated with salt, taken as a wdiole, 

 show no increase of grain, and only a very slight gain in straw, over 

 the unsalted.'' Tn comparing these results with those of a similar 

 experiment made in 1S88, when an average gain of nearly 5 bushels 

 of grain and SOO pounds of straw was recorded for salted plats, it is 

 stated that " these facts ai"e in direct accord with previous experiences 

 had with this fertilizer. Upon certain soils and during particular 

 seasons salt has proved valnable, but (piite as often it has been inert 

 and worthless as a fertilizer." The hopes recently raised in Kansas 

 regarding the influence of salt are believed to be " for the most part 

 extravagant, and not likely to be realized in practice."' 



The barn-yard manure, which, with the other fertilizers, was 

 applied [broadcast in the fall and harrovred in, is reported to have had 

 an unfortunate effect, loosening the upper soil and permitting it to 

 dry out to such an extent that a large proportion of the wheat failed 

 to germinate. The effects of the superphosphates and nitrate of 

 soda were likewise unfavorable. '' The above experimental facts 

 show strikingly that the better class of Kansas soils, when well 

 farmed, during favorable seasons require little in the way of artificial 

 stinudation."' 



Salt applied to oats, E. M. Siielton, M. S. (pp. 86, 87). — To 

 study further the influence of salt as a fertilizer, six one-tenth-acre 

 l^lats were sow^ed with oats, and salt at the rate of 300 pounds per 

 acre was applied to each alternate plat in the series. The increase 

 (as shown by the tabular record) from the salted as compared with 

 the unsalted plats Avas at the rate of 3 bushels of grain and 270 jwunds 

 of straw per acre, a rate by no means profitable. 



Listing aviieat, E. M. Shelton, M. S. (p. 87). — In this experiment 

 three snuill doul)le shovel plows were secured to the frame-work of a 

 '• Buckeye '' one-horse drill so as to malce a 0-inch deep furrow^ in 

 advance of the three discharge spouts of the drill. By this means 

 seed wheat was placed in furroAvs 8 to 10 inches deep and about 14 

 inches apart. The Avheat ajipeared somewhat earlier, made a ranker 

 groAvth. and seemed superior to that Avhich had been seeded upon the 

 surface. The winter, however, furnished no test for the main ques- 

 tion iuA-oh'ed (Avhether listing would enable Avinter wheat to Avith- 

 stand freezing) , and further experience Avill be necessary to determine 

 the merits of this method of seeding. 

 18492— No. 4—05 m 4 



