ANNUAL REPORT, 1931 199 



Magnesium Requirements of Crops. (A. B. Beaumont and M. E. Snell) 

 In a field experiment, corn, potatoes, timothy, alsike clover, soy beans, and 

 onions were grown on soil known to be deficient in magnesium. Only corn 

 showed distinct symptoms of magnesium deficiency by chlorosis of the leaves. 

 There were some indications of chlorosis on soy beans and alsike clover, but they 

 were not positive. However, with all crops except timothy, yields were better 

 where magnesium sulfate was apphed in recent years than where magnesium 

 sulfate was not applied. Magnesium-deficient soils taken from the field in 1929 

 were used to grow corn, potatoes, timothy, alfalfa, red and alsike clover in pots. 

 Here, also, only corn exhibited positive symptoms of magnesium deficiency. 



Method of Applying Fertilizer to Corn. (A. B. Beaumont, E. F. Gaskill 

 and R. W. Donaldson.) For the fourth consecutive year this test has been con- 

 tinued according to the standard plan prepared by the Joint Committee men- 

 tioned in the last annual report. Again it has been demonstrated that, under 

 our conditions, a small amount of mixed fertilizer (4-10-6 grade) is more effective 

 for corn when placed in the hill than when broadcast. Both the 125-pound and 

 250-pound applications in the hill produced more and better ears of corn than 

 did 500 pounds broadcast. The exact placement of the fertilizer with reference 

 to the seed made no difference so long as it was in the hill and near, but not in 

 contact with, the seed. 



Fertilizer Ratios for Grassland. (A. B. Beaumont and M. E. Snell). In 

 1928 an experiment in the top-dressing of an old mowing (meadow) was started. 

 A mixed fertilizer with a varying ratio of nitrogen, phosphoric acid and potash 

 has been used. Comparisons have been made by maintaining two of the nu- 

 trients at a constant level and varying the third. Data accumulated through 

 four years show a distinct response to increments of nitrogen, a slight response 

 to increments of potash, and no response to increments of phosphoric acid. 



Nitrogen in Golf Green Clippings. (M. H. Cubbon). In 1928, clippings 

 from greens in the vicinit}^ of Amherst contained slightly less than 3 per cent 

 nitrogen (dry matter basis) the first week in May. By the first of June the 

 nitrogen content was 5 per cent. This general level was maintained until the 

 latter part of August, with pronounced reduction after September 1. The high- 

 est individual percentage found was 5.92. Growing conditions were favorable 

 throughout the season. No increase in nitrogen was found following application 

 of nitrogen fertilizers. 



Lawns and Lawn Grasses and Management. (L. S. Dickinson). Exten- 

 sive studies have been made as to the desirability of pre-seeding fertilization of 

 newly built lawns or other turf areas. The object of the studies was to obtain 

 further data concerning the effect upon the balance between root growth and 

 leaf of grasses when fertilizer is applied before seeding. Nitrogen, phosphorus, 

 and potash were applied singly and in various combinations, and the grasses 

 grown were Kentucky blue grass and Colonial bent. The results indicate that on 

 normal soils pre-seeding fertilization with anything but superphosphate or a 

 strictly phosphorus carrier is unnecessary and even undesirable if a well-balanced 

 grass plant is desired. The project was made possible by the New England 

 Greenkeepers' Association. 



Additional data have been obtained regarding the influence of certain fer- 

 tilizers and grasses on the control of angleworms in putting green turf. 



