EFFECT OF GYPSUM ON CLOVEK. 323 



for granted that the developement of the root increased 

 in the same ratio as that of the stem. Now, as the in- 

 crease of a plant' in bulk is proportionate to the extent 

 of food absorbent surface, we can understand that the 

 manured plots should have produced when compared 

 with the unmanured not only a larger mass of stems, 

 but, as in the case of the sulphate of magnesia plot, 

 also of flowers and 'leaves. 



The entire crop per morgen, was, 



Manured Manured with 

 . Unmanured. with sulphate of 



gypsum. magnesia. 



Flowers 370-5 Ibs. 358-5 Ibs. 394-0 Ibs. 



Leaves 592-9 " 773-7 " 849-5 " 



Stems 1196-6 ' 1927'8 " 1996'5 " 



2160 " 3060 " 3240 " 



The quantity of most of the ash constituents was 

 found larger, nearly in the same proportion as the pro- 

 duce was greater. Phosphoric and sulphuric acids, 

 however, showed in this respect a marked difference 

 from the other ash-constituents, inasmuch as the quan- 

 tity of these two substances was both absolutely and 

 relatively larger in the clover from the manured plots. 



The ash of the air-dried clover-hay amounted to 



Manured Manured with 



Unmanured. with sulphate of 



gypsum. magnesia. 



Percent 6'95 7'96 7'94 



In the entire crop 150'0 Ibs. 243'0 Ibs. 257 '0 Ibs. 



Containing sulphuric acid 2-0 " 8'0 " 6'0 " 



phosphoric acid ... 11-95 " 21-55 " 21-82 " 



The dressing with the sulphates had checked the 

 developement of the flowers, and also that of the fruit ; 

 and it is evident that, though a higher crop of stems 

 and leaves may be obtained by the use of these agents 

 from a given surface, the result is not the same as re- 

 gards the seeds. With an increase of flowers, leaves, 

 and stems in the same ratio as on the unmanured plot, 

 the two morgens of ground, dressed severally with 

 gypsum and sulphate of magnesia, ought to have pro- 

 duced more than 600 Ibs. of flowers each ; whereas, 



