286 MASS. EXPERIMENT STATION BULLETIN 171. 



There was a small variation in favor of the plots dressed with nitrogen 

 in both nitrogen and dry matter. 



On May 17, 1911, a series of samples was collected in a similar manner 

 from the home field in Amherst, where the material could be prepared for 

 drying as soon as cut. These samples represented one plot without 

 nitrogen, one without phosphoric acid, one without potash and one with 

 a complete fertihzer. Nitrogen and dry matter were determined, and 

 the figures are arranged below. 



In this series there was again a slight gain in nitrogen in the sample 

 from the plot receiving a complete fertilizer, but there was no effect on 

 the dry matter. 



On June 1, June 8 and June 14 the entire day's crop from each of four 

 plots was saved and analyzed. These plots represented variations in 

 quantities of nitrogen, phosphoric acid and potash applied as a dressing. 

 The results are shown below for dry matter and nitrogen. 



There was little effect on the composition of the young stalks to be 

 perceived by comparing the results of the first plot with those of each of 

 the other plots. The dry matter varied within narrow limits, while the 

 nitrogen showed a progressive decrease as the season advanced, which was 

 independent of the fertilizers. There was a slight but consistent advantage 

 shown by the double quantity of potash on dry matter results from the 

 last plot. 



Effects of Fertilizers on Asparagus Tops. 

 The period immediately following blooming was chosen as one of the 

 stages of growth at which to study the effect of fertilizers on the develop- 

 ment of reserve material in the tops for translocation to the roots. Up to 

 this period the asparagus plant increases steadily in size, and presumably 



