22 



RESULTS OF THE ADDITION OF POTASH TO 



Financial result, 7.71 gain 27.21 gain 5.43 gain 9.57 gain 



The teaching of these comparisons is that this soil needed nitrogen, 

 phosphoric acid and potash in about equal degrees. In the case of 

 each the largest increase is produced when it is added to the two 

 others. If either is withheld the full effect of no one is possible. 

 Probably by selection of cheaper sources of nitrogen and phosphoric 

 acid, corn could be produced by fertilizers on this land at a still 

 larger profit. The phenomenal yield due to the manure has already 

 been discussed. 



It is noticeable that both lime and plaster produce a profitable 

 increase in the crop. This is a surprise to me, and I can offer no 

 explanation, unless it be due to the long continued action of the lime 

 and plaster applied last year to the same plots. A similar result is 

 found in Westfield ; but not in Worcester, Shelburne or in Amherst, 

 under similar conditions. I do not feel that I should be warranted 

 in advising the use of either lime or plaster alone on this land in the 

 hope of a profitable return. With other fertilizers or manures they 

 would, I should think, prove profitable. 



