1 NTRODUCTION. 



Ivii 



must use a manure tlmt furnishes ammonia without any admixture of phosphates, potash, soda, lime, 

 magnesia, &c., even though it cost much more than we could obtain the same amount of ammonia for in 

 other manures. These remarks are made in order to correct a very common opinion, that if experi 

 ments do not pay they are useless. The ultimate object, indeed, is to ascertain the most profitable 

 method of manuring; but the means of obtaining this information cannot, in all cases, be profitable. 



Similar experiments to those made on Indian corn were made on soil of a similar character on 

 about an acre of sorghum or Chinese sugar-cane. We have not space to give the results in detail at 

 this time, and allude to them merely to mention one very important fact the superphosphate of lime had 

 a very marked effect. This manure was applied in the hill on one plot (the twentieth of an acre) at 

 the rate of 400 pounds per acre, and the plants on this plot came up first, and outgrew all the others 

 from the start, and ultimately attained the height of about ten feet, while on the plot receiving no 

 manure the plants were not five feet high. This is a result entirely different from what Mr. Harris 

 expected. He supposed, from the fact that superphosphate of lime had no effect on wheat, that it 

 would probably have little effect on corn, or on the sugar-cane, or other ceralia; and that as ammonia 

 is so beneficial tor wheat, it would probably be beneficial for corn and sugar-cane. The above experi 

 ment indicates that such is the case in regard to Indian corn, so far as the production of grain is con 

 cerned, though, as we have stated, it is not true in reference to the early growth of the plants. The 

 superphosphate of lime on Indian corn stimulated the growth of the plants in a very decided manner 

 at first so much so that Mr. Harris was led to suppose for some time that it would give the largest 

 crops, but at harvest it was found that it produced no more corn than plaster. These results seem to 

 indicate that superphosphate of lime stimulates the growth of stalks and leaves, and has little effect in 

 increasing the production of seed. In raising Indian corn for fodder, or for soiling purposes, super 

 phosphate of lime may be beneficial as well as in growing the sorghum for sugar-making purposes, or 

 for fodder, though perhaps not for seed. 



In addition to the experiments given above, Mr. Harris made the same season, on an adjoining 

 field, another set of experiments on Indian corn, the results of which are interesting. 



The land on which these experiments were made, was of a somewhat firmer texture than that on 

 which the other set of experiments was made. It is situated about a mile from the barn-yard, and on 

 this account had seldom if ever been manured. It had been cultivated for many years with ordinary 

 farm crops. It was ploughed early in the spring, and harrowed until quite mellow. The corn was 

 planted May 30. Each experiment occupied one-tenth of an acre, consisting of four rows three and a 

 half feet apart, and the same distance between the hills in the rows, with one row without manure 

 between each experimental plot. 



The manure was applied in the hill in the same manner as in the first set of experiments. 



The barn-yard manure was well rotted, and consisted principally of cow-dung, with a little horse- 

 dung. Twenty two-horse wagon-loads of this was applied per acre, and each load would probably 

 weigh about one ton. It was put in the hill and covered with soil, and the seed then planted on the top. 



The following table gives the results of the experiments : 



Table showing the results of experiments on Indian corn near Rochester, New York. 



