140 HATCH EXPERIMENT STATION. [Jan. 



and to some slight extent in previous seasons, it has been 

 noticed that the growth of the crops on the edges of Plot 6, 

 although it is separated from 5 and 7 by strips 31/2 feet in 

 width which have not received any fertilizer since the ex- 

 periment began, shows plainly the influence of the potash 

 applied to the neighboring plots, which has apparently dif- 

 fused through the intervening 31/2 feet strips, and is now 

 beginning to aifect the growth of the crops on Plot 6. Dur- 

 ing the past season there has been a little fringe of clover 

 on each edge of Plot 6 ; this, however, has not been suffi- 

 cient in amount to materially afiect the yield on this plot, 

 which, as will be seen, showed but little increase in the 

 amount of rowen, which best measures the proportion of 

 clover. The figures, however, for this plot are undoubtedly 

 to some small degree misleading. The nitrate and the dis- 

 solved bone-black alone would produce little or no clover ; 

 they have, however, produced a fairly large crop of hay, 

 al)0ut equally good on the unlimed and limed portions of 

 the plot. This result is doubtless to be ascribed mainly to 

 the effect of nitrate of soda in stimulating the growth of the 

 grasses. 



The relatively small increase on the limed portion of Plot 

 7, where nitrate of soda and muriate of potash are used 

 together, appears to be due to the fact referred to in my 

 last annual report, — that, where these two fertilizers are 

 used together, soil effects very unfavorable to the growth of 

 clover follow. It is believed that, to correct this unfavorable 

 influence of these chemicals, lime must be used in very large 

 amounts. 



VI. — Special Corn Fertilizer v. Fertilizer richer in 



Potash. 

 It may be remembered that on this acre we are endeavor- 

 ing to throw light upon the question as to the proper com- 

 position of fertilizers used alone for the corn crop. This 

 experiment began in 1891. The crop from 1891 to 1896 

 inclusive Avas corn ; in 1897 and 1898 the crop was mixed 

 grass and clover; in 1899 and 1900 it was corn; in 1901 

 and 1902, grass and clover; in 1903 and 1904, corn. A 

 statement of the results to date will be found in preceding an- 



