11 



beneficial, as the growing mustard conserves the nitrogen of the 

 soil, and it is sufficiently hardy to grow until about the middle of 

 November. 



An Experiment with Scarlet Clover used in a similar way has 

 been begun, but no results can be obtained before another year. 



The two experiments for the comparison of the muriate with the 

 sulphate of potash described in the last annual report have been 

 repeated this year upon the same land. Equal amounts of mate- 

 rials furnishing nitrogen and phosphoric acid are used upon all 

 the plats, and the same number of pounds of actual potash is ap- 

 plied to each ; but upon two of the 4^-acre plats the muriate is 

 the compound of potash used ; on the other two the sulphate is 

 used. On one each of both the muriate and sulphate plats the 

 fertilizers were all spread broadcast and harrowed in ; on the other 

 l)lat of each they were all put in the drill. 



This year, as last, the larger yield is produced by the sulphate 

 of potash ; but the difference is less than last year. Last year 

 the quality of the potatoes raised on the sulphate was much better 

 than that of those grown on the muriate. This year the most 

 careful tests of a number of different parties fail to detect any 

 appreciable difference. Both are of a very superior quality. In 

 appearance the advantage is with the potatoes raised on the mu- 

 riate of potash ; they average larger and there are fewer very 

 small ones. The yields per acre were as follows : — 



Sulphate of Potash. 



Broadcast: Merchantable tubers, 290.4 bushels; small tubers, 26.4 

 bushels. 



Drill: Merchantable tubers, 344.4 bushels ; small tubers, 16 bushels 



Muriate of Potash. 



Broadcast: Merchantable tubers, 285.6 bushels; small tubers, 15 

 bushels. 



Drill: Merchantable tubers, 325.8 bushels; small tubers, 21 bushels. 



This year, as last, the advantage lies with drill application, and 

 the differences are even greater than last year. The past season 

 has been much drier than last, and this, I think, explains the fact 

 that the quality of the potatoes grown on the muriate is this year 

 equal to that of those grown on the sulphate, while last year it 

 was much inferior. It does not seem best to theorize, however. 

 This experiment must be repeated upon both the same and differ- 

 ent soils. 



