1908.] PUBLIC DOCUMENT— No. 33. 53 



The last of the four tables under consideration shows the 

 results, as compared with the nothing plots, of the use respec- 

 tively of the lime, the manure, the plaster and the complete 

 fertilizer. The lime used alone proves absolutely valueless. 

 The manure gives a heavy crop, and its use is highly profitable. 

 Plaster produces a small increase. Complete fertilizer pro- 

 duces a fair crop, and is moderately profitable. 



Attention is here called to the fact, previously noted in 

 referring to this field, that the object in view is not to demon- 

 strate the possibility of producing large crops, but to bring out 

 the specific effects of long-continued use of the different ferti- 

 lizer elements and fertilizer combinations. A more profitable 

 crop could undoubtedly be produced on fertilizers by making a 

 more liberal application. The possibility of doing this is suf- 

 ficiently demonstrated by the results obtained in raising corn 

 in alternation with mixed mowings on fertilizers alone on the 

 north corn acre, 1 where highly profitable crops have been yearly 

 produced. This soil test work, taken in connection with other 

 experimental work, a part of which is referred to in this report, 

 and in connection with results obtained in various parts of the 

 State, certainly indicates the desirability of a more general and 

 larger use of fertilizers rich in potash in the production of the 

 corn crop. 



VIII. — Experiment in Manuring Grass Land. 

 The plan of this experiment will be understood from the 

 following outline, quoted from my sixteenth annual report: — 



In this experiment, which has continued since 1893, the purpose is to 

 test a system of using manures in rotation for the production of grass. The 

 area used in the experiment is about 9 acres. It is divided into three 

 approximately equal plots. The plan is to apply to each plot one year 

 barnyard manure, the next year wood ashes, and the third year, fine-ground 

 bone and muriate of potash. As we have three plots, the system of ma- 

 nuring has been so arranged that every year we have a plot illustrating the 

 results of each of the applications under trial. The rates at which the sev- 

 eral manures are employed are as follows: barnyard manure, 8 tons; 

 wood ashes, 1 ton; ground bone, GOO pounds ; and muriate of potash, 200 

 pounds, per acre. The manure is always applied in the fall ; ashes and 

 the bone and potash in early spring. 



i See page 43. 



