220 



HATCH EXPERIMENT STATION. 



[Jan. 



Analysis of Phosphatic Slag Meal. 



[I. Analyses of above-stated sample, 1896; II. Average of four analyses of earlier 



dates.] 



Action of Chloi'ide of Potassium {Muriate of Potash) and 

 Chloride of /Sodium (Common Salt) on the Lime Re- 

 sources of tlie Soil. 



In a previous bulletin, No. 38, issued March, 1896, by 

 the Hatch Experiment Station, I called attention to an ob- 

 servation in connection with some field experiments, which 

 showed that in several instances where, under otherwise 

 corresponding circumstances, for several years muriate of 

 potash had l)een liberally used as a potash source for a vari- 

 ety of crops, instead of sulphate of potash, an unhealthy 

 appearance and lower yield of crop became from year to 

 year more apparent. To correct this feature, from 350 to 

 400 pounds })er acre of dry slacked lime were scattered 

 broadcast over the surface of the soil, and ploughed under 

 before manuring and seeding down the crop. The addition 

 of lime gave excellent satisfaction, for the new crop looked 

 healthy and vigorous, and the yield of the crop increased 

 again fully to the average amount of the field. An examina- 

 tion of the drainage waters confirmed the view taken in the 

 treatment of the field ; the chlorides of calcium and mag- 

 nesium were noticed to form prominent constituents of the 



