iS 



BEAN CULTURE 



that it is a good crop for a poor soil. The average 

 crop of beans was nearly five times as great where 

 the full allowance of potassium salt was used as 

 where the full amount of sodium salts was em- 

 ployed. A fractional application of potassium salts 

 made in addition to full quantities of sodium salts 

 had a most beneficial influence upon the yields. 



Co-operative fertilizer tests on lo farms in Ster- 

 ling* include the following elements in diflferent 

 combinations : superphosphate, muriate of potash, 

 kainit, gypsum, and sulphate of iron. These were 

 used in varying quantities ; the deductions were that 

 as good bean crops can be grown with commercial 

 fertilizers as with barnyard manure, and that there 

 are no marked differences in the use of one kind of 

 fertilizer over another. The yields with kainit and 

 muriate of potash were equally good. Sulphate of 

 iron effects were very erratic. 



During the seasons 1899-1900 many farmers in 

 New York undertook experiments with commercial 

 fertilizers on beans. Drouth occurred during both 

 seasons and the crops were very much affected. The 

 result of these tests conducted by Professor Stone*"^ 

 are given herewith. The plats were one-tenth or 

 one-twentieth acre each, according as the farmer de- 

 sired to test moderate or heavy applications of fer- 

 tilizers. Usually the plats consisted of three to six 

 rows, extending far enough into the field to secure 

 the desired area. The plats were as nearly alike in 

 area, character of soil, etc. as was possible to secure. 

 They were treated exactly alike, except as to the 

 fertilizer applied. In the appended table the letters 

 K, N and P stand respectively for potash, nitrogen 

 and phosphoric acid. 



•Trans Highland and Agrl Soc, Scotland, 1895. **N Y Cornell 

 Bui 210. 



