20 HATCH EXPERIMENT STATION. [Jan. 



Conclusions {based upon Results in 1899). 



1. A study of the tables giving the results of this year 

 afibrds convincing presumptive evidence that the continued 

 use of muriate of potash has so depleted this soil of lime that 

 its use for the onion crop is a necessity. The suspicion of 

 last year, just quoted, is apparently confirmed. The results 

 obtained in two series of pot experiments (not yet fully 

 worked up), in which soil from two plots in this field was 

 used, force me, however, to look upon this conclusion as in 

 a measure tentative ; for in the pot experiments other alkalies 

 proved almost, if not quite, as beneficial as lime, indicating 

 that the presence of free acid in the soil may have been the 

 cause of the poor growth upon most of the plots of this field. 

 Even this conclusion cannot, however, be looked upon as 

 final, for the substitution of sulfate for the muriate of potash 

 in the pots resulted in good growth without the addition of 

 any alkali. A full discussion of the subject is reserved for 

 some future article. 



2. We are meanwhile justified in the statement that both 

 field and pot experiments show that the muriate is an un- 

 desirable form in which to apply potash for this crop, though 

 the bad influence of the chlorine which it contains may pos- 

 sibly be neutralized by application of lime.* 



3. The remarks of last year may in conclusion be appro- 

 priately quoted : — 



The Proper Course as regards Potash Supply. 

 Wbat, then, in view of our results, are we to recommend? 

 Clearly not to cease using potash, — we have been unable to raise 

 good crops without it. It is believed the remedy will be found in 

 one of three dii-ections, viz., (1) the occasional liberal use of lime 

 where muriate of potash is employed ; (2) the use of other potash 

 salts, such as carbonate or sulfate ; or (3) the employment of wood 

 ashes as a source of potash. Should potash be supplied in the 

 form of either carbonate or sulfate, lime leaches from the soil much 

 less rapidly ; the same is true of ashes, and these, moreover, sup- 



* It is believed that the influence of the lime will be even more marked another 

 year. It was applied, it will be remembered, this spring. Its action, as was antici- 

 pated, was not sufficiently prompt to prevent much injury to the onions, because of 

 faulty soil conditions in the early part of the season. We have accordingly failed 

 to produce a good yield on any plot this year. 



