EIGHTH ANNUAL YEAE BOOK— PART III. 135 



Phosphoric acid we still have in limited quantities in our- Iowa soil, 

 and this substance enters largely in the formation of the grain. Nitro- 

 gen that insures the growth of the stalk we can furnish by growing 

 clover and the application of manure. Potash to give strength to the 

 stalk, that lodging of the grain may be in a large measure prevented, is 

 absolutely necessary, and it is for the lack of this plant food and not be- 

 cause our soil is too rich that the growing of oats has so often resulted 

 in failure. 



It is yet doubtful whether the purchase of potash in large quantities 

 and its application to the soil would prove profitable, with the low price 

 that usually prevails for oats, the present season being an exception. 



But of the value of the suggestions in this paper as to seed, cultiva- 

 tion, harvesting and stacking, there is no question, and the farmer who 

 follows the advice here given will not only reap a I'ich reward, but have 

 the consciousness that he has risen to a higher plane as a farmer than he 

 formerly occupied, and in adding to his own wealth he is at the same 

 time advancing one of the greatest industries of the best agricultural state 

 In the American union. 



The President : This closes our program for this afternoon. I 

 desire to say on behalf of the audience, that we thank these gentle- 

 men most sincerely for their addresses, which have been so highly 

 entertaining, and the discussions following have been highly appre- 

 ciated. 



This meeting will reconvene this evening, at 8 o'clock, when I 

 have no doubt a full and most interesting program will be carried 

 out. 



(Adjournment taken until 8 o'clock P. M.) 



TUESDAY EVENING SESSION— 8 O'CLOCK P. M. 



. . I 



The President : Gentlemen, we will proceed with our evening 



program. I am highly pleased to announce that we have with us 

 tonight, Dr. A. D. Melvin, head of the Animal Industry, of Wash- 

 ington, D. C. We are glad for the privilege of having this gentle- 

 man with us to-night. I am sure Secretary Wilson could not have 

 pleased us better than to have sent him to address this meeting this 

 evening. I now have the pleasure of introducing to you Dr. A. D. 

 Melvin. 



