1897.] PUBLIC DOCUMENT — No. 33. 185 



order of plats either of muriate of potash or of high-grade 

 sulphate of potash , eontaining the same amouut of potassium 

 oxide in every ease (400 pounds of muriate of potash, 80 to 

 82 per cent., or of high-grade sulphate of potash, 95 per 

 cent., and 600 pounds of tine-ground bones per acre). 

 This system of manuring the plats has been followed ever 

 since 1893. The same crops have been raised each season 

 upon adjoining plats to notice the particular effect of both 

 forms of potash on the crop raised (for details see previous 

 reports) . 



Vetch and OaiS and Vetch and Bailey. 



1894. — The same amount and kind of manure were ap- 

 plied for raising vetch and oats and vetch and barley. The 

 tield occupied by these crops was ploughed, manured, har- 

 rowed and seeded down, as far as practicable, at the same 

 time. The seed was sown in all cases April 26. Four 

 bushels of oats with 45 pounds of vetch were sown, as on 

 previous occasions, while 3 bushels of barley were used 

 with 45 pounds of vetch per acre in case of barley and vetch. 

 Both crops came up ^Ma}' 4 and were of a uniformly healthy 

 condition during their subsequent growth. The barley began 

 to head out June 20 ; the vetch was at that time beginning 

 to bloom. The crop was cut for ha}" June 23. 



It needs no further statement to understand that the quality 

 of the seeds and of the soil ought to be considered in decid- 

 ing about weights of the former. Close cultivation is de- 

 sirable in case of this class of forage crops, for it favors a 

 succulent, tender structure and keeps weeds out. 



Average Yield of Crops. 



Yield of Barley and Vetch per Acre. 



In case of muriate of potash and bone, . . 5,737 pounds of hay. 



In case of sulphate of potash and bone, . . 5,077 pounds of ha)-. 



The oats headed out June 25 ; the vetch was fairly in 

 bloom at this time. The crop was cut for hay July 2. 



Yield of Oats and Vetch ^^er Acre. 

 In case of muriate of potash and bone, . . 8,051 pounds of hay. 



In case of sulphate of potash and bone, . . 7,088 pounds of hay. 



