PLANT GROWTH. 439 



Plat One. — Fifteen pounds of superphosphate (12 percent, 

 soluble phosphoric acid) and 5 pounds of nitrate of potassa. 



Plat Tivo. — Five pounds of nitrate of potash and 10 

 pounds of calcined kieserite (crude sulphate of magnesia). 



Plat Three. — Fifteen pounds of superphosphate of lime, 5 

 pounds of nitrate of potash, and 10 pounds of kieserite. 



Plat Four. — Received nothing. 



Plat Five. — Fifteen pounds of superphosjihate of lime, 5 

 pounds soda saltpetre (Chili saltpetre), and 5 pounds of 

 muriate of potash. 



The fertilizers were partly applied in the fall, partly in the 

 early portion of the spring ; the fruits were collected in the 

 second year, after applying the first fertilizer. 



Analysis of the ashes of the Doivning Strawberry raised upon the 

 above stated Jive plats. 



I. 



Potassium oxide, .... 62.13 



Calcium oxide, 12.57 



Magnesium oxide, . . . 5.96 



Ferric oxide, 2.32 



Pliosplioric acid, .... 17.02 



100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 



The changes in the organic portions of the fruit raised 

 upon the various plats will be studied the coming season, if 

 time permits. As the mineral constituents of the berries 

 show siniihir changes in relative proportion to those noticed 

 in the previous experiments with grape-vines, it is to be 

 assumed that similar changes in the organic matter, and thus 

 in the quality of the fruit, will be found. 



The lime has decreased, and the potassa has increased, in 

 plats one, three, and five, as compared with that in plat 

 four. 



The unfertilized plants in plat two form apparently an ex- 

 ception ; yet the result may find a satisfactory explanation 

 by the well-known peculiar action of the sulphate of luag- 

 nesia in sending the potassa rapidly to the subsoil, and thus 

 beyond the reach of the roots of those plants which feed on 



