70 



Fertilizer was applied was considerably better than where the 

 manure was used, the cost being the same. 



In submitting the statements of these experiments on the 

 application of manures, I desire to call your attention to the 

 importance at the present time of carefully conducting such 

 experiments, that we, as practical farmers, who have a living 

 to get by our farming operations, may be able to decide first, 

 can we afford to buy the chemical fertilizers at the prices de- 

 manded for them ; and, if so, are they an economical sub- 

 stitute for animal or barn manure? Or if used, will our lands 

 retain, their present fertility, or increase it, by their use? 

 These are vital questions, that can only be decided by careful 

 experiments and for several years. And I trust the members 

 of our Society may take an active part in solving these ques- 

 tions to our benefit. 



Very respectfully, 



Benjamin P. Ware. 



STATEMENT OF JAMES P. KING. 



The crop of Indian Corn which I offer for premium as an 

 experiment, grew on one acre of land. The land is of a 

 black soil, with somewhat of a clay bottoni. The land was 

 first ploughed in 1875, eight inches deep. Raised a crop of 

 cabbage the same year, using about five cords of manure of 

 inferior quality. In 1876 I planted the same piece with po- 

 tatoes, using about the same quantity of dressing, of good 

 quality, from my barn cellar. The present year I planted the 

 same piece to Indian corn, using $20 worth of Stockbridge 

 Fertilizer, a little less than is recommended per acre for corn. 

 It was planted June 5th in rows both ways, hills three and 

 one half feet apart, putting the fertilizer in the hill, with the 

 following result: Cost of ploughing and harrowing, $5.00; 

 cost of fertilizer, $20.00 ; hoeing with horse hoe, $2.00 ; cost 

 of cultivating six times, $9.00 ; cost of Avccding twice, by 

 boys, $2.00 ; cost of seed and planting, $4.00 ; cost of har- 

 vesting and storing, $10.00. Weight of corn on the ear. 



