28 UNIV. OF N. H. AGR. EXPERIMENT STATION [Bulletin 216 



made. However, in each season owing to misunderstanding with the owner of 

 the orchard the fruit was picked before the data were obtained. 



Soil Fertility in the Garden. 



In 1924 the permanent soU fertihty plots in charge of J. R. Hepler (Horti" 

 culture) were planted to Blue Hubbard squash. After harvest Plots 3 and 7 

 were planted to winter rye as a cover crop. The results are shown in Table 

 XVII. 



The plots are approximately one-eighth acre each in size. The lower half of 

 each plot is treated with lime at the rate of 2000 pounds per acre every second 

 year. The effect of the lime in 1924 was negligible. By weight an increase of 

 4.4 per cent in yield of squash was recorded, but it is more likely that this is due 

 to greater moisture than to the influence of the lime. The season was very dry, 

 and the limed plots are on the lower end of the field where there is probably 

 somewhat more moisture available. 



On the whole, the squash responded remarkably to applications of readily 

 available plant food either in the form of stable manure, or stable manure with 

 supplementary commercial fertilizers. Four plots show an increase of 100 

 per cent or more as compared to the plot not fertilized, and one other an in- 

 crease of 83 per cent. 



The benefit resulting from an application of commercial fertiUzer alone is 

 illustrated by comparing Plot 3, which received commercial fertihzer in addition 

 to the green manure, and Plot 7, which received a green manure cover crop 

 alone. The yield from Plot 3 is approximately three times that obtained from 

 Plot 7. 



That it is possible to substitute commercial fertilizers for a considerable 

 portion of the stable manure customarily used is shown by the fact that Plot 6, 

 which receives only eight tons per acre and a heavy application of commercial 

 fertilizer, yielded approximately the same as Plot 1, which receives thirty-two 

 tons of stable manure per acre. 



Tomato Fertilizer Project. 



The tomato fertilizer experiment was conducted by J. R. Hepler on the same 

 lines as in the previous seasons, except that additional data on size of plants 

 were obtained. The 32 plots in this experiment received eight different treat- 

 ments, as follows: 



Treatment per acre. 

 Plot No. 1. Manure 40 tons 



2. " 20 " 



3. " " " and calcium sulphate 1000 lbs. 



4. " " " " acid phosphate 1000 lbs. 



5. " " " " " " 500 " 



6. " " " " " " 1000 " muriate of potash 



1000 lbs. 



7. " " " " muriate of potash 1000 lbs. 



8. " " " " acid phosphate 1500 lbs. 



