84 



MASS. EXPERIMENT STATION BULLETIN 165. 



Analysis of Drainage Waters. 



To determine if the composition of the drainage waters would throw 

 any light on the effect of long-continued use of ammoniimi sulfate as a 

 fertilizer, the following analyses of drainage waters from the plots studied 

 in the first part of this bulletin were undertaken. 



The drainage waters were collected in the spring and fall of 1912 and 

 1913. Most of the samples were collected in the spring after the frost had 

 left the ground. Only three samples were taken in the late fall. No 

 drainage took place during the summer and earty fall. The waters at all 

 times were clear and free from sediment of any kind. In the spring of 

 1912 five sets of samples were collected, — the first on March 18 and the 

 last on May 17. In the fall a set of samples was collected on November 5 

 and December 6. In 1913 the first samples were taken on March 9. Five 

 subsequent sets of samples were taken at intervals of one week. Another 

 set was obtained on December 8. 



The waters were analyzed for total solids, fixed solids, calciimi, sodium, 

 potassium, iron, chlorides and sulfates. As the nitrates varj^ between 

 ^vide limits within short spaces of time no attempts were made to deter- 

 mine them, except when the water could be analyzed as soon as collected. 

 Iron was found in traces only in any of the waters. 



The amount of drainage varied considerably between the different plots. 

 The amount can be estimated only bj^ the apparent flow from the outlets. 

 Plot had the largest amount, with plots 1 and 7 closely following in the 

 order named. Plots 6 and 8 had the smallest amount. The differences 

 can be explained in part by the general slope of the field. Plots and 1 

 are the lowest in the field. While the slope is not great it is probably 

 enough to cause some increase on the lower plots. The actual amount of 

 drainage for the year could not be determined, as means for measuring the 

 flow were not available. 



Table VIII. — Average Composition of Drainage Waters in Parts per 



100,000. 



1912. 



