1913. 



PUBLIC DOCUMENT — No. 31. 



157 



The nitrate of soda was applied to plots 31, 34 and 37 in the 

 spring before growth began; to plots 32, 35 and 38 in the sum- 

 mer after cutting had ceased ; and to plots 33, 36 and 39, one- 

 half in spring and one-half in summer. All phosphate and 

 potash salts were applied in the spring. 



Effect of Fertilizers on the Weight of Roots. 



Since the marketable crop from the asparagus plant must be 

 grown almost entirely at the expense of the reserve plant food 

 stored in the crown and roots, the size of the roots at the begin- 

 ning of the growing season would seem to be an important factor 

 in the yield of sprouts. While their relationship has not yet 

 been determined, it has been noted that the different top-dress- 

 ings influenced the size of the roots to a marked extent. 



The eflFeets of nitrate of soda have been observed in all three 

 series of samples, but only one series has afforded an opportu- 

 nity to study the effects of phosphates and of potash salts. 

 ISTevertheless, the series gathered in 1910 was at the end of the 

 fourth season of growth, and hence should have the cumulative 

 effect of three annual dressings. 



