MASSACHUSETTS ANIMAL INDUSTRY 



149 



It was under these discouraging conditions that the first fertilizer was 

 applied, as a top-dressing, in the early spring of 1921. A second, more elab- 

 orate experiment was started in 1922. The fertilizers applied, and the rates 

 at which they were used, were as follows: 



Acid phosphate, 480 and 960 pounds per acre. 



Muriate of potash, 80 and 160 pounds per acre. 



Ground limestone, 24-00 pounds per acre. 



Acid phosphate and nuiriate of potash as above, at 

 the two different rates. 



Space does not permit of extended description of the remarkable effect of 

 tiiese fertilizers. By 1923 many of the plots had developed a dense growth, 

 of white clover. Potash was the most effective of any of the treatments; lime 

 and acid phosphate, used alone or together, were relatively ineffective. Pot- 

 ash and acid phosphate combined, especially when used in the limed areas, 

 showed a distinct advantage over the potash alone. As time has elapsed, the 

 apparent effectiveness of lime has been increasing; also, but to a less marked 

 degree, has that of the acid phosphate. 



Photographic records best portray the remarkaljle results of tiiis experi- 

 ment. A camera was suspended over a tji^ical area, and in each of three 

 successive years an exposure was made of tlie same portion of the sod. The 

 upper picture shows the character of the sod as it was before fertilizer was 

 applied; that in the center, taken a year later, shoM's the changing vegetation 

 as produced by fertilizer; and the lower picture shows the results of 1923, 

 which was definitely a "clover year." The fertilizer here used was the potash 

 and acid phosphate mixture with lime. Similar results were obtained in the 

 experimental plots started in 1922; but here, probably on accoimt of more 

 favorable weather conditions, the fertilizer had more rapid effect. 



Effect of Fertilizer on Quality of Pasturage 



About the middle of June, 1923, animals were barred for a three weeks 

 period from the pasture plots fertilized in 1922. Samples of the three weeks' 

 growth were cut, the product dried, weighed and subjected to chemical anal- 

 ysis. Results are shown in the following table: ■ 



Fertilizer Treatment 



Protein 



Per 



cent 



Pounds 

 per Acre 



Acid phosphate 960 lbs.; no lime 

 Acid phosphate 960 lbs.; limestone 2400 lbs. . 

 Muriate of potash 160 lbs.; no lime . 

 Muriate of potash 160 lbs.; limestone 2400 Its. 

 No fertilizer; no lime ...... 



Limestone 2400 lbs 



.'Void phosphate 960 lbs.; muriate of potash 



160 lbs.; no lime 



Acid phosphate 960 lbs.; muriate of potash 



160 lbs.; limestone 2400 lbs. 



14.17 

 18.70 

 20.78 

 23.29 

 14.60 

 17.97 



20.56 



24.. 5.3 



122 

 196 

 140 

 238 

 103 

 138 



262 



387 



