MANGANESE UNDER ACID AND NEtTTEAL SOIL CONDITIONS. 



11 



acting on the organic soil constituents in such a manner as to pro- 

 duce changes mjm'ious to the growmg crops. 



The stimulation of the oxidative processes by manganese was 

 favorable in the soil kept under neutral or alkaline conditions by 

 applying lime year by year, and these oxidative processes acting in 

 timi on the organic or inorganic constituents of the soil produced 

 changes beneficial to the growing crops. 



SUMMARY. 



In a 6-years' field test of manganese sulphate used at the rate of 

 50 pounds per acre on an acid silty clay loam, its effect each year 



Fig. 3.— Effect of manganese on rye. Straw and grain from check ]>hit, on the loft; from plat treated 



with manganese, on the right. 



was not beneficial t(; the crops grown — wheat, rye, corn, cowpeas, 

 and potatoes. The soil in the various plats required from 1,780 to 

 alKJut 2,750 pounds of CaCO., to neutralize tlie first 6 inches. The soil 

 is of an acid character, is low in organic matt(^r, rather ])ad physically, 

 and naturally has a poor oxidizing power. Tlie oxidative processes 

 in the soil were lessened l)y manganese in most of tlte plats under 

 the acid condition. 



