28 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



crops commercial plant foods and chemical manures had been very 

 successful. Sweet com for canning purpose was all grown on 

 commercial fertilizers; so also potatoes where grown in large 

 acreages. The cotton grower of the Southern States is getting 

 stronger financially through the use of commercial manures. In 

 England, France, and Germany they could not carry on their 

 agricultural industries without the aid of commercial plant food 

 and the advice of the agricultural chemist. 



On the other hand, some crops and some small fruits where there 

 is a very delicate root system require a better seed bed and some- 

 what different treatment. Less moisture is required for the assimi- 

 lation of commercial fertilizers than of stable manure. Of 1500 

 pounds of fertilizer put about one-third in the hills and scatter the 

 rest broadcast. Use stable manure on grassland and fields which 

 are easily accessible and commercial manures on hoed crops and on 

 fields at a distance. 



Methods have greatly changed since the introduction of com- 

 mercial manures. Formerly 50 to 100 bushels of potatoes to the 

 acre were satisfactory. Now 250 to 300 bushels are grown. 



In growing a hoed crop never trust it in the open, to the bacterial 

 action alone, but use some predigested food to feed that crop until 

 it gets into condition to feed itself. 



Geo. F. Wheeler inquired as to the value of ground floats. 



The Lecturer answered that he would use floats as bedding as he 

 would use road dust, but would not expect great results when 

 applied to a crop of cabbages or carrots. He considered floats as 

 unavailaVjle dead assets. 



