42 



HATCH EXPEEIMENT STATION. 



[Jan. 



dition is poor. It is much inclined to crust, and soon be- 

 comes so compact after tillage that aeration is very imperfect. 

 The results of this year lead to the conclusion that the prac- 

 tical advice as to the selection of fertilizers for onions given 

 in the last annual report will be found suited to the condi- 

 tions existing in a majority of instances. 



IX. — Manure Alone v. Manure and Potash. 



This experiment, intended to illustrate the relative value 

 in crop production of an average application of manure as 

 compared with a smaller application of manure in connec- 

 tion with some form of potash, was begun in 1890. Full 

 accounts will be found in preceding annual reports and sum- 

 maries in the reports of 1895 and 1900. 



The field contains one acre, and is divided into four plots 

 of one-fourth acre each. The crop for the years 1890 to 

 1896 was corn ; for the years 1897 and 1898, mixed grass 

 and clover; for the years 1899 and 1900, corn. For this 

 year the field has been in grass and clover, having been 

 seeded in corn in the latter part of July, 1900. Neither 

 manure nor fertilizer was applied this year previous to the 

 harvesting of the rowen crop, as it was judged that the ap- 

 plication of manures would cause the crop to lodge seriously. 

 In previous years plots 1 and 3 have received manure at the 

 rate of 6 cords per acre ; plots 2 and 4, manure, a part of 

 the time 3 cords and for the last year 4 cords, and potash. 

 For the last few years potash has been used at the rate of 

 160 pounds per acre of the high-grade sulfate. The past 

 season was very favorable for the hay crop. The field was 

 cut twice, July 2 and August 28. The yields are shown in 

 the table : — 



