Food for reduced to 400 pounds in 1901, and to 415 pounds in 1902. 



^°^^ The Nitrate on the second plat was also reduced in propor- 



76 tion. The phosphoric acid, however, was probably in 



considerable excess, since liming sets free phosphoric acid 



already in the soil and so lessens the apparent financial 



profit; but not to an excessive degree. 



Excess of Value of Hay Over Cost of Fertilizers. 



^'*a^*^i'id^°'^^ 1899. 1900. 1901. 1902. Average. 



None ^6.09 ;S5i3.42 ^12.13 $7-U $9-77 



150 lbs.* 14-34 20.37 23.97 16.52 18.80 



450 lbs.* 19.62 30.40 40.70 32.74 30.86 



♦Slightly reduced in 1901 and 1902. 



Practical Conclusions. 



From these striking results it must be evident that grass 

 land as well as tilled fields is greatly benefited by Nitrate, 

 and that it would be to the advantage of most farmers to 

 improve the fertility of their soils by growing good crops 

 of grass, aided thereto by liberal fertilizing. 

 ToB-Dressinp- '^^^ application should be in the form 



Grass Lands. °^ aTop-Dressing, applied very early in the 



spring in order that the first growth may 

 find readily available material for its support and be carried 

 through the season with no check from partial starvation. 



On land which shows any tendency to sourness, a ton 

 to the acre of slaked lime should be used every five or six 

 years. This makes the land sweet and promotes the growth 

 of grass plants of the best kinds. 



Lime should be sown upon the furrows and harrowed 

 into the soil. Top-dressing with lime after seeding will not 

 answer, and, in the case of very acid soils, the omission of 

 lime at the proper time will necessitate re-seeding to secure a 

 good stand of grass. 



•r^ • 1 All the elements of fertility are essen- 



Economical . , , t -i i r -i- 



and Profitable ^ ^° "^^ ordmanly complete fertilizers 

 Practice "^^^^ ^^ used. Nitrate being used as a Top 



Dresser, though on some soils rich in phos- 

 phoric acid or potash, one or both of these ingredients may 

 be used in small quantity. This is particularly true of phos- 



