198 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



barn ; if so, mine cost in the ground not less than $2 per load, 

 but the excess of the crop over the same amount of land with 

 out any stimulus makes it only -SI. 55 per load ; the cost of the 

 guano was 13.10 per cwt. 



Statement of H. I. Hodges. 



In April, 1857, I selected and staked off seven half acre lots 

 on the Hampshire, Franklin and Hampden Agricultural Society's 

 grounds at Northampton, on the north-easterly side of said 

 grounds. Each lot was of precisely the same quality of soil and 

 in the same condition, and in grass — Timothy, red and white 

 clover ; six of the seven lots I gave a top-dressing, each with a 

 different fertilizer, leaving one lot without any. Each lot was 

 mowed at the same time, and managed alike, and the hay upon 

 each weighed separately, and the table at the close of this com- 

 munication presents a full and accurate statement of the experi- 

 ments upon these lots. 



These experiments have been made with reference to knowing 

 the true and exact effect of the several fertilizers on this lot, by 

 top-dressing, as it is not desirable to plough or cultivate except 

 for grass, as these grounds (fifteen acres) are kept for the use of 

 the society, and for the purpose of holding the annual shows. 

 The result shows quite plainly that several of the fertilizers can- 

 not 1)6 used as a top-dressing upon these lands to any profit. The 

 soil is a loam, w^ith sand and clay so well mixed that good judges 

 disagree whether to call it sandyAoixvii or 67f/7/-loam, — it is a 

 cold land, and retains moisture late in the spring. 



From the table, it will be discovered that ashes are the only 

 fertilizer which produce a decidedly favorable result the first 

 year. The increase of hay upon the lot where ashes were used 

 pays for the fertilizer, and one hundred and nineteen per cent, 

 over. The increase of hay on no otlier lot pays for the fer- 

 tilizer. Guano comes near it ; where guano was used the 

 increase of hay was the greatest. Other soils would, without 

 doubt, produce quite different results. It is hoped that every 

 meml)cr of this society will make himself familiar with the soil 

 and. location, if he is not already, so tliat lie may better judge 

 of the value of tliis experiment to his own lands. 



