Juue, 1908.] HUMUS IN N. H. SOILS. 203 



Such soils should be drained, whereupon they would be among 

 our most fertile fields, because of their large amount of latent 

 fertility. They contain about as much humus and nitrogen as 

 the virgin soils of the West, since in North Dakota the maximum 

 humus was reported as 7.9 per cent and nitrogen .45 per cent. 

 AVith a judicious rotation, the humus could be conserved and the 

 fields maintained for years in a highly productive condition. 



It is also probable that these wet soils contain relatively more 

 phosphoric acid and potash available for crops than is found in 

 higher land, because they often receive the drainage of the sur- 

 rounding slopes. 



Therefore it is usually the case that such soils when drained 

 are found to be the most productive of any on the farm. 



SUMMARY. 



There is a fair average proportion of humus in the soils of 

 this state, and they are by no means worn out when compared 

 with the soils of localities noted for fertility. 



It should be the aim of the farmer to increase the proportion 

 of humus in the soil because of its value in relation to soil- 

 water and because it produces a supply of available nitrogen, 

 phosphoric acid and potash. 



Continuously tilling the soil on the one hand, or cropping 

 it with hay for a long term of years on the other hand, are 

 unsuitable methods for handling our soils, since the former 

 way destroys humus rapidly, while the latter does not main- 

 tain it at the highest point. 



A rotation of crops by combining periodical rests from til- 

 lage, with additions of sod and stubble to the soil, favors the 

 production of humus and promotes its increase. 



