One hundred parts of crude ash contained : 



Stems. Roots. 



Potasssium oxide, 42.94 56.43 



Sodium oxide, 3.58 5.42 



Calcium oxide, 27.18 15.48 



Magnesium oxide, 12.77 7.57 



Pliosphoric acid, 12.31 15.09 



Sesquioxide of iron, 1.22 not determined. 



The examination has been carried on at the especial request of 

 several garden farmers in the eastern part of the state. The plants, 

 serving for the analysis, were raised upon the college grounds, upon 

 a light loamy soil, which previously had been occupied by grasses. 

 The comparatively small amount of soda in the ashes of both stems 

 and roots confirms the impression that the beneficial influence of 

 common salt on asparagus beds not unfrequeutly reported, is due 

 rather to its action on the physical condition of the soil, than to its 

 requirement as plant food. The common salt increases the hydro- 

 scopic quality of the soil, assists in the diffusion of potassa, and 

 phosphoric acid, and rarely supplies deficiencies in the soil, as far as 

 its own constituents are concerned. A judicious application of mu- 

 riate of potash, with sulphate of magnesia (Kieserit) tends to secure 

 available potash throughout the entire body of the soil, penetrated 

 by the extensive root mass of the plants. 



162. ONIONS. 



Samples collected on the college grounds. 



One hundred parts of air dry onions without leaves contained : 



