104 



Food for Plants. 



assumption is borne out by the facts; the gain on the 

 upland in 1906 is 3,040 pounds, or 95 per cent., as against 

 a gain of 5,160 pounds, or 162 per cent, in 1905; ^vhile 

 the gain on the lowland is 36.4 per cent, in 1906, as 

 against 24.7 per cent, in 1905. The lower percentage 

 increase in yield from Nitrate on the upland being due 

 in part, at least, to the fact that the Nitrate used in 1905 

 energized the plants to acquire more from soil sources 

 than was possible with the use of minerals only, and in 

 part to the lower quantity applied in 1906, 168 pounds 

 instead of 200 pounds. 



On the lowland the greater percentage increase this 

 year, due to Nitrate, is for the same reason that it was 

 greater in 1905 on the ui)land than in 1906. This is a 

 clear demonstration again of the influence of character 

 of soil as a determining factor. Instead of reducing the 

 amount of Nitrate used in 1906, it should have been in- 

 creased, especially on the upland. The value of crop and 

 profits are also influenced by the smaller amounts of 

 Nitrate applied, as show^l in the comparative profits in 

 the tabulated statement. 



In making up this table, the actual cost of labor and 

 fertilizers is recorded, while the value of dry hay was 

 estimated to be $12 per ton w^hen stored, as in 1905. 



As a whole, the results confirm those of 1905 in show'- 

 ing a profit in all cases, ranging from $2.31 per acre. 



