On four of the plots, the limed portions showed a gain in yield of cured hay ranging 

 from half a ton to a ton and three-quarters per acre. Two plots showed no increase, 

 due evidently to the fact that the soil was in extra good condition and grew clover well 

 even without liming. The second growth showed just as marked a difference in favour 

 of the limed parts as did the first crop. As the benefits of liming continue for a number 

 of years after the application, the results of succeeding crops will be of interest. 



Prof. Trueman points out that, according to these experiments, lime gives the best 

 results on soils of medium richness. Where the soil is already in good condition for 

 growing clover, lime does not have any marked result on the yield. Likewise on poor 

 soils the results are unsatisfactory. Such soils are deficient in vegetable matter and 

 plant food, and these things lime does not furnish. These are conditions that the 

 farmer should test for himself by treating at least one acre with sufficient lime to be sure 

 of his results. 



THE WAR AND FERTILIZERS 



The recommendations of Dr. Van Slyke, Chemist of the N.Y. Agricultural Experi- 

 ment station, call for more attention to thorough tillage, a conservation and utilization 

 of all plant food produced about the farm, and use of clovers. 



"We shall probably learn," said Dr. Van Slyke, "that we can get along with less 

 potash than we have been led to believe. The propaganda carried on by the German 

 Potash Syndicate induced many to use potash far in excess of their needs. Rock meals, 

 reputed to contain potash, will be offered for sale said the speaker. They are ground 

 from rocks which contain unavailable potash and if you want to get 'stung,' use them." 

 Unleached hardwood ashes may be obtained, and they should contain in the vicinity of 

 5 per cent, potash. They vary so in composition that they should always be purchased 

 under a guarantee to contain a certain fixed amount of potash. During the coming 

 season some mixed fertilizers, the speaker said, would contain perhaps one per cent, of 

 potash. In this form the potash would be very expensive, and it would not be profitable 

 for farmers to purchase the potash in a mixed fertilizer, as the amount contained therein 

 would be totally inadequate if potash was required, and, furthermore, the price of it 

 would be out of all reason. 



The phosphatic manures do not present so difficult a proposition as does potash. 

 Ground phosphatic rock was not a readily available source of phosphoric acid. 



The speaker recommended the use of common salt on grass lands and other farm 

 crops. From 150 to 300 lbs. per acre, he said, could often be applied with profit. It 

 was explained that sodium, which is a part of common salt, changes the insoluble potash 

 compounds of the soil into available form. 



THE POTASH FAMINE 



According to the British Board of Trade, the German syndicate controlling the 

 potash beds, sold in 1913 potash to the value of £96,000,000. This amount would have 

 been largely exceeded in 1914 had it not been for the war. 



There are few soils that do not contain enough potash in some form, and the amount 

 required to be added should be small. Green crops should be grown and dug into the 

 soil. In this way the latent potash power of the soil will be developed and utilized. 

 There is too great a tendency in modern agriculture to draw from the outside for plant 

 food, rather than to look to the soil to give it. The present potash famine may therefore 

 be of great service to agriculture by compelling the cultivator to bring up his crops on 

 nutriment from the soil, instead of by the feeding bottle of modern manuring. (From 

 West India Committee Circular). 



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