Minnesota STave HorricuLruraL SocieTy. . 27 
| Me | COMMERCIAL FERTILIZERS. 
5 his subject was called up for discussion. 
Mr. Elliot. We have plenty of fertilizers at home without the 
aid of foreign ones, but the day is coming when we shall need them. 
Mr. Hollister. Uhave had some experience with them; have 
made trials with Peruvian guano and bone dust and have decided in 
favor of home-made manure. Have used two tons of gypsum on 
pieces of corn, potatoes, peas and clover—have seen no good results 
from it. Could not tell where it had been sown two weeks later, 
although sown in strips through the fields. 
Wood Ashes. 
Mr. Kenney. Would like to hear about the use of wood ashes. 
Mr. Hollister. They have been one of the best of fertilizers with . 
me. I think one ton of them worth two of gypsum. Have put 
them on corn when three inches high, and they were of temporary 
benefit. Have sown broadcast on peas just before blossoming with 
- good results. Have got the best results from an application to a 
newly set bed of strawberries at the rate of five to ten bushels per 
acre. 
Mr, Elliot. Think they increase the yield of onions one-third. 
Mr. Wilcox. Wave used gypsum on clover and it increased the 
yield one-third ; saw no good from its use on strawberries. 
Mr. Kenney. From three-fourths of an acre I obtained two hun- 
dred, and forty bushels of onions; the manure was ashes sown 
broadcast. Have put ashes on strawberries at the rate of one peck 
to the rod and think them excellent for this fruit. 
Mr. Wyman. Have used ashes and horse manure together for 
onions and obtained good results. 
Mr. Phillips. Have sown gypsum on clover and obtained three 
and a half bushels of seed per acre to two bushels where gypsum 
was not sowed. 
Mr. Hollister. Think that in mixing ashes and horse manure no 
permanent result will be obtained though the immediate effect will 
be very marked. The ashes will liberate the ammonia which will 
destroy its permanency as a fertilizer. 
Mr. Hodges. 1 think the best fertilizer for onions is to herd eat- 
tle on the ground previous to breaking. Have sowed seed broadcast 
on such ground and thinned to four or five mches. The onions 
grew so large they had to stand on edge to get room. 
