No. 4.] THE HAY CROP. 375 



tion, nitrate of soda should be prominent if the production 

 of market hay is the object. The quantity of this fertilizer 

 which may be used must be determined largely by experi- 

 ence. An application which may be safely used on some 

 soils or in some localities will cause the grass to lodge seri- 

 ously in others. The usual range in quantity which may be 

 profitably used is from about 150 to 250 pounds per acre. 

 The following mixture of materials, although not yet tested 

 for a long period of time on the college grounds at Amherst, 

 is recommended with much confidence : — 



Pounds. 



Nitrate of soda, 150 to 250 



Basic slag meal, ...... 300 to 400 



High-grade sulfate of potash, . . . . 75 to 100 



For the permanent mowings, where hay rich in clover 

 is desired, an annual application of basic slag meal, 400 to 

 600 pounds, and high-grade sulfate of potash, 125 to 200 

 pounds, will, it is believed, give good crops. The mixture 

 of materials containing nitrate of soda should be put on 

 about Ma}^ 1, the other mixture late in the fall or early in 

 spring. 



It will be readily understood that the mixtures suggested 

 by no means exhaust the possibilities, and they niay not 

 under all conditions prove the most desirable. Thus, for 

 example, wood ashes may in many localities give the most 

 profitable returns Avhen used on mowings in which clover is 

 desired. These may take the place of the slag meal and 

 potash mixtures which have been suggested. The ashes will 

 supply a large amount of lime, as well as potash and i)h()S- 

 phoric acid. Fine-ground bone is also under many condi- 

 tions a useful fertilizer, especially in mixture with potash, 

 for permanent mowings where clover is desired. The ex- 

 periment station plots have been several times referred to. 

 The 9-acre field is divided into three nearly equal plots. Each 

 of these is treated as follows : first year, barnyard manure at 

 the rate of IB, 000 pounds per acre, api)lied in the fall ; sec- 

 ond year, wood ashes at the rate of 1 ton i)er acre, applied 

 in early spring; third year, fine-ground bone 400 pounds 

 per acre and muriate of potash 200 pounds, mixed and ap- 



