122 HATCH EXPERIMENT STATION. [Jan. 



silicate. Each is applied annually to the same plot, and all 

 are used in such quantities as to furnish equal potash to each 

 plot. All plots arc equally manured with materials furnish- 

 ing nitrogen and phosphoric acid. There are forty plots, 

 in five series of eight plots each, each series including a 

 no-potash plot and one for each potash salt used. The area 

 per plot is about one-fortieth of an acre. The crops on this 

 land last year were winter wdieat on one series and ensilage 

 corn on the other four series. On the series occupied by 

 the winter wheat, clover Avas sown after reploughi ng, the 

 last of July. On the four series occupied hy corn last year 

 clover was sown in the corn early in August. The clover on 

 the series following wheat got an excellent start, and went 

 through the winter well. The clover on the other series, 

 owing to the dense shade of the corn, which was very heavj^ 

 made much less growth, and was to a considerable extent 

 winter-killed. On these plots, Nos. 9 to 40, it was neces- 

 sary to sow additional seed this spring. This w^as done 

 on March 26, w^hen the . soil and weather conditions 

 were favorable. The seed sown at this time started well. 

 The usual fertilizers were applied this spring on April 25. 

 The crop on all the plots was cut on June 11. That on the 

 series which followed wheat was well groAvn, and the product 

 of each plot was separately weighed. The product of the 

 other plots w^as much mixed with weeds, which, on account 

 of the winter-killing, were able to make consideral)le growth ; 

 and it w^as not considered that the weights would have much 

 value, as indicating the relative yield of clover. Before the 

 clover was cut, however, the plots were carefully examined. 

 It was found that on each of the plots to which kainite had 

 been applied the condition of the young clover was much 

 inferior to that of the clover on the other plots. The color 

 was poor, while mau)^ of the plants appeared to be dj'ing. 

 This diiference Avas not apparent between the clover 

 plants which had survived the Avinter on the difl'erent plots. 

 Examination disclosed the further fact that there Avas a 

 somcAvhat similar degree of inferiority in the condition of 

 the young clover on all of the plots which had received an 

 apjilication either of the low-grade sulfate of potasli or of 

 muriate of potash, as compared wdth that on the other plots. 



