28 MAINE STATE COLLEGE 



It seems quite evident that a larger percentage of the materials 

 furnished by the commercial fertilizers has been appropriated by 

 the growing crops than was the case with the stable manure. This 

 may due, however, to the smaller supply from commercial sources. 



SYSTEMS OF MA NUKING. 



In 1888 this Station began a field experiment upon a somewhat 

 large scale, which was designed for the purpose of securing infor- 

 mation on two points of great practical interest : 



1st. The possibility of maintaining soil fertility by the use of 

 commercial fertilizers alone. 



2nd. The comparative value for general farming of crude and 

 dissolved phosphates. 



This experiment was under the immediate direction of Professor 

 Walter Balentine until his death in 1894 when it passed to the care 

 of the writer. The data from four years work are given in the 

 Station reports for 1890 and 1891 but for various reasons no report 

 has been made of the results reached since the season of 1891, at 

 which time the plot were sown to oats and seeded with timothy 

 and clover. In reporting the additional data secured, it appears 

 desirable to restate the plan and conditions of the experiment and 

 summarize the seven years results. 



The experimental field consists of ten acres, divided into four 

 plots of two and one-half acres each. The treatment decided upon 

 for each of these plots was as follows : 



