As a source of potash, muriate of potash, 160 pounds per acre, 

 containiug 50 per cent, potash. 



As a source of sulphate of lime, 160 pounds of high grade gvpsum 

 per acre. 



As a source of lime, 160 pounds quick lime per acre. In tdl cases 

 multiples of 16 were recommended on account of the manifest con- 

 venience of being able to apply a whole number of pounds for each 

 square rod. The use of gypsum was recommended in order that the 

 sulphate of lime in it might offset that in the superphosphate, and 

 also because of the general fertilizing action of gypsum. 



3. It was recommended that the outside corners of sections or 

 series of plots be marked with sections of gas pipe driven to or below 

 the surface and that at least one stake be driven along each side of 

 the section. 



4. It was voted to recommend that when practicable missing hills 

 be replanted (in order to equalize conditions of light, soil, space, etc.) 

 but that in computing results re-plants be rejected from the com- 

 putation. 



5. The importance of duplication of both fertilized and unfertilized 

 plots to as great an extent as feasible was unanimously agreed upon ; 

 and it was the general opinion that in computing results fertilized plots 

 should be compared with contiguous or nearest unfertilized plots 

 rather than with the average of all the unfertilized plots. 



6. The plots should extend north and south whenever the contour 

 of the land will permit. They should extend up and down i-ather 

 than across the line of greatest slope of the field. 



7. The importance of analyses of the produce and of care in sam- 

 pling for such work was discussed at length ; and it was decided to 

 be desirable that the amount of nitrogen, at least, in the soil be 

 determined. 



The convention voted to ask Prof. Atwater to prepare explanations 

 of the experiments and directions for carrying them out, and in ac- 

 cordance with this decision he prepared such explanations and direc- 

 tions, which were published by the Department of Agriculture and 

 furnished in such numbers as the several stations required. 



Being deeply impressed with the general excellence and many 

 advantages of the proposed plan of experiments, and fully convinced 

 of its importance as a step towards the more rational and economical 

 use of fertilizers by the farmers of the state, I decided with the 

 approval of our Director upon adopting it on such a scale as our 



