I So 



Journal of Agricultural Research 



Vol. IV, Xo. 2 



acid to the amount of 0.05S per cent of the dn.- matter was found. In 

 \'iew of the inconsistencies found in the above reports and in our analj'ses, 

 it was deemed advisable to study the question further, especially with 

 respect to the production and distribution of the prussic acid in sorghum, 



EXPERIMENTAL WORK 



Two of the plots of sorghum grown on the university farm in rich, 

 fertile soil were selected, and the second row of each was treated with 

 dried blood at the rate of 800 pounds per acre. This left five check 



Fio. I. — Curve showing tie effect of available nitrogen on tiie hydrocyanic-acid content of sorghum. 

 The percentage of hydrocyanic acid is based on dr>- matter. 



rows unfertilized. The fertilizer was appUed on July 2, when the plants 

 were about 8 inches high. Samples of the crop were taken at intervals 

 thereafter and analyzed for hydrocyanic acid. At the same time six 

 rows of sorghum (Early Rose variety) were planted in some very poor, 

 sandy soil. The first row was left as a check, the second treated with 

 dried blood at the rate of 100 pounds per acre, the third with 200 pounds, 

 the fourth left as a check, the fifth with 400 pounds, and the sixth with 

 800 pounds per acre. 



The six rows planted on the sandy plot of ground thrived very poorly. 

 They were slow in sprouting, owing to dr\' weather, and for the first few 

 weeks grew ver>' slowly. The soil was too poor to support plant growth 



