26 EXPERLMEXT STATION. [Jan. 



investigation is not jet completed, this expectation has been 

 largely realized. The s])eeial object in view in the first collec- 

 tion of roots made was to study the effect of the varying use of 

 nitrogen in the form of nitrate of soda npon the reserve mate- 

 rial in the I'ciots in the antnnm. The following points appear to 

 have been well established by the analyses so far made: — 



The amount of nitrogen in the roots in the fall: (1) is in- 

 creased by application of nitrate of soda; (2) is gi-eater where 

 nitrate w^as used at the rate of 4GG pounds per acre than where 

 it was used at the rate of 311 pounds per aero; (3) is not 

 greater where the nitrate of soda was used at the rate of 622 

 pounds per acre than where it was used at the rate of 40G 

 pounds per acre. 



It is believed, although this has not yet been proved, that the 

 crop of the following season must bear a rather close relation 

 to the amount of re^^erve material in the roots in the fall. If 

 this be so, and if further investigation gives results in agree- 

 ment with those already ol)tained, the conclusion that the use 

 of nitrate of soda among our growers is not infrequently in 

 excess of the most profitable quantity would appear to be justi- 

 fied. This conclusion should, however, for the present be re- 

 garded as tentative rather than fully established. 



Ceanbeery Substations. 

 During the past year our work in the interest of cranberry 

 gi'owers has been put upon a much more satisfactory basis than 

 heretofore, through a special appropriation by the Legislature 

 to provide for the work. The amount of this appropriation was 

 i/ $15,000. A bog containing about 12 acres, lying near Specta- 

 cle Pond in East Wareham, with a small amount of adjoining 

 upland, two small buildings and a powerful gasoline engine and 

 pump, were purchased for $12,000. A building to contain 

 screen and storage rooms, living and office rooms for an assist- 

 ant, and a small laboratory will be erected early this year at a 

 cost of about $2,000. The balance of the appropriation will 

 be used f«tr the purchase of additional upland to ]irovide readier 

 access to the building above referred to, in the making of needed 



