1898.] 



PUBLIC DOCUMENT — No. 33. 



15 



soda and potash-magnesia sulphate at the same rate as the 

 other plots. 



The yield of the plots receiving phosphate for each of 

 the years 1890-96 inclusive will be found in our ninth 

 annual report. This report also contains a statement show- 

 ing the amounts of phosphoric acid applied and removed 

 from each plot during each of these years. This statement 

 shows an excess added over and above that removed from 

 each of the plots at the end of the season of 1896 as follows : 

 where phosphatic slag had been used, the amount of phos- 

 phoric acid remaining was 65.6 pounds ; where Mona guano 

 had been used, 44.2 pounds ; where apatite and Florida phos- 

 phate had been used, 141.7 pounds; where South Carolina 

 rock phosphate had been used, 115.0 pounds ; and where acid 

 phosphate had been used, 21.8 pounds. 



The crop during the past year was Swedish turnips. The 

 field had been sown with rye for winter protection in the 

 fall of 1896. The growth of the rye was characterized as 

 poor. It was ploughed on June 1, the land was harrowed 

 on the 2d, and on the 3d of June, Laing's Swedes were sown 

 in drills two feet apart. The seed germinated promptly and 

 evenly, but the season was much too wet for the best growth 

 of the crop. It was, however, kept free from weeds by fre- 

 quent cultivation. The crop was thinned on June 20 to 

 eight inches. It was harvested November 2-4. The tur- 

 nips were poor in quality, small, and a few of them decayed. 



The yields of the several plots were as follows : — 



