Nov., 1910 ] ANNUAL REPORTS. 25 



increase of 45 samples of fertilizers; or, a 40 r ,' and 20' , increase, respectively. 

 The expense of this is met by the State Board of Agriculture. 



Frequent requests are received from individuals for analysis of fertilize] 

 feeds, soils, etc. When the results of these analyses are of public or general 

 interest they have generally been made. Analyses of materials of only 

 individual or personal interest are not usually made. At present no pro- 

 vision is made for such work in the department. 



Analytical assistance has been supplied for other departments in the station 

 \\ ben needed for experimental purposes. 



In the general analytical work, especially in the analysis of fertilizers and 

 feeding stuffs, the department has had the assistance of Messrs. W. L. Adams, 

 C. H. Reynolds, J. E. Robinson and C. H. Robinson. 



Investigations under the Hatch Act. 



Time Requirements of New Hampshire Soils. 



During the past year the department has begun a study of the lime require- 

 ments of New Hampshire soils. General observations point to the fact that 

 lime is useful only for a part of the soils. At the same time lime is being 

 generally recommended from soma sources for all kinds of soils regardless of 

 profit or loss to the farmer. 



The object of this work is to study such soils as respond to applications of 

 lime and determine what differences exist between these and soils that are 

 not affected by lime. 



As a beginning about thirty series of plots or small fields have been seeded 

 to grass and clover and a portion of each has been limed. These plots con- 

 sist of the various types of soils found generally throughout the state. 



Data now at hand which has been obtained from observations made on 

 boulder clay, loam overlying clay, and one or two lighter types of soil, do 

 not show any effects from applications of lime. Observations now at hand 

 do not point to a general need for lime, but do emphasize the necessity for 

 more information about the lime requirements of our soils before the use of 

 lime becomes general. From information now at hand it is certain that at 

 least a part of our soils will not give returns for money expended for lime. 



Experiments carried on with Adams Funds. 



The Study of Soil Potash. 



The progress of this work up to October, 1909, is included in Bulletin No. 

 1 1_'. Since that time the investigations have been extended to lighter types 

 of soils and now the department has under observation types varying from 

 heavy clay loam to very light sandy soils. Xo general conclusions can as yet 

 be drawn from the observations on the lighter types. 



Results obtained from the heavier clay soils are as follows : 

 For grass and clover potassium fertilizers are not essential to the growth 

 of good crops. The application of potassium salts doee not affect the yields 

 nor the composition of the crop. These observations poinl to the fact that 

 the pota^>ium in the clay soils is sufficiently soluble at all times to furnish 

 plenty of potassium for the needs of growing ^ra-s and clover. The practice' 



