26 EXPERIMENT STATION. [Jan. 



investigation is not jet completed, this expectation has been 

 largely realized. The special object in view in the first collec- 

 tion of roots made was to study the effect of the varying nse of 

 nitrogen in the form of nitrate of soda upon the reserve mate- 

 rial in the roots in the antnnm. The following points appear to 

 have been well established by the analyses so far made : - — 



The amonnt of nitrogen in the roots in the fall: (1) is in- 

 creased by application of nitrate of soda; (2) is greater where 

 nitrate was used at the rate of 4GG pounds per acre than where 

 it was used at the rate of 311 pounds per acre; (3) is not 

 greater where the nitrate of soda was used at the rate of 622 

 pounds per acre than where it was used at the rate of 4G6 

 pounds per acre. 



It is believed, although this has not yet been proved, that the 

 crop of the following season must bear a rather close relation 

 to the amount of reserve material in the roots in the fall. If 

 this be so, and if further investigation gives results in agree- 

 ment with those already obtained, the conclusion that the use 

 of nitrate of soda among our growers is not infrequently in 

 excess of the most profitable quantity would appear to be justi- 

 fied. This conclusion should, however, for the jiresent be re- 

 garded as tentative rather than fully established. 



Cranberry Substations. 

 During the ]iast year our work in the interest of cranberry 

 growers has been put upon a much more satisfactory basis than 

 heretofore, through a special appropriation by the Legislature 

 to provide for the work. The amount of this appropriation was 

 $15,000. A bog containing about 12 acres, lying near Specta- 

 cle Pond in East Wareham, with a small amount of adjoining 

 upland, two small buildings and a powerful gasoline engine and 

 pump, were purchased for $12,000. A building to contain 

 screen and storage rooms, living and offi-ce rooms for an assist- 

 ant, and a small laboratory will be erected early this year at a 

 cost of about $2,000. The balance of the appropriation will 

 be used for the purchase of additional upland to provide readier 

 access to the building above referred to, in the making of needed 



