1911.] PUBLIC DOCUMENT — No. 31. 25 



Fertilizer Experiments. — It remains true, as was stated 

 to be the case in earlier reports concerning these experiments, 

 that the growth and development of the crops, even upon the 

 no fertilizer plots, owing to the very thorough preparation which 

 the soil received, is still remarkably vigorous. Naturally, 

 therefore, the varying fertilizer treatment does not as yet 

 show the differences which may be confidently looked for. A 

 few ]>oints, however, seem to be sufficiently well established to 

 deserve mention. 



The field contains 40 plots of one-twentieth acre each. The 

 crop of 1910 was rather seriously injured by frost, but it was 

 nevertheless fairly satisfactory as to quantity and quality. The 

 past season was the fourth since the plants were set. The first 

 cutting was made on April 23, the last on June 29. The total 

 yield of all the plots was 9,020 pounds and G ounces. 



Attention is called to the following conclusions, based upon 

 results, as of possible. interest : — 



(1) The use of fertilizer made up of a combination of ni- 

 trate of soda, acid phosphate and muriate of potash, in addition 

 to an application of manure at the rate of 10 tons per acre, has 

 not materially increased the crop in whatever quantity applied. 



(2) The nse of nitrate of soda in addition to manure at 

 the rate above named, in quantities ranging between the rate of 

 from 811 pounds to G22 pounds per acre, has not increased the 

 crop. 



(3) The use of nitrate of soda in addition to a fairly liberal 

 application of acid phosphate and muriate of potash has some- 

 what increased the crop, but a quantity in excess of 311 pounds 

 has not resulted in further increase. 



Chemical Work on Asparagus Boots. — It is a part of the 

 plan of the experiments with fertilizers to study the effects of 

 varying treatment upon the composition of the roots. This in- 

 vestigation on the chemical side is being carried on by Prof. 

 F. W. ]\Iorse, who will in due time report fully upon the results 

 of the analytical work. It was thought that a study of the re- 

 serve material stored in the roots in the autumn might offer 

 results of especial interest and inqiortance, and although the 



