68 



HATCH EXPERIMENT STATION. 



[Jan. 



Accordingly, it was decided to apply equal amounts of 

 thoroughly mixed stable manure to each plot, and to use on 

 each, in addition, the same fertilizers as heretofore. Further, 

 in order to have a basis for determining whether the fertil- 

 izers should prove in any degree useful, another plot was 

 added, to which manure alone is applied. It was impossible 

 to secure for this purpose a plot of exactly the same shape 

 as the others, and of course it has not had the same history. 

 It is, however, contiguous, and it has the same elevation 

 and similar soil. This plot, which will be called plot 0, 

 has for the past fifteen years received an annual application 

 at the rate of ground bone 400 pounds and muriate of potash 

 200 pounds per acre. It has been planted yearly with a 

 variety of the newer forage crops. Manure was applied at 

 the rate per acre of twelve cords to all of the seven plots. 

 The manure was applied by measure, but it was also weighed. 

 The table shows the weight applied to each plot and the 

 quantities of plant food which it carried : — 



Details. 

 The manure was evenly spread upon the surface April 

 18-23. The land was ploughed April 27, a thin crop of 

 rye, previously alluded to, being turned under. The fer- 

 tilizers were applied evenly, broadcast as in previous years, 

 on May 2, and harrowed in. The land was once more har- 

 rowed on May 5. Throughout the season all plots received 

 clean culture. 



