138 maine state college 



Systems of Manuring. 



The object of this experiment is, as was stated in last year's 

 report, to compare a system of manuring with stable manure with 

 systems of manuring with commercial fertilizers and with cropping 

 without manure. 



A ten acre field was selected and divided into plots of two and 

 one-half acres each, as shown in accompanying diagram. 



These plots were cropped two years with hay previous to the 

 application of any manure in order to gain an idea of the relative 

 fertility of the different plots at the beginning of the experiment. 

 The average annual 3 7 ield of hay was found to be as follows : 



Per Plot. Per Acre. 



Plot 1 6,355 lbs. 2,542 lbs. 



" 2 6.040 " 2,416" 



li 3 5,207 t; 2.082 ' ; 



" 4 6,265 " 2,510 " 



Plot 4, which is under cultivation without manure, is taken as a 

 standard from which to reckon the productiveness of the other 

 plots had they been cultivated without fertilization. 



The yield of this plot is taken as 100 per cent. The average 

 annual yields of the other plots for the two years they were in 

 hay as compared with this plot are 



Plot 1 101 per cent. 



" 2 96 



" 3 SO 



'■ 4 100 il 



In calculating what the probable yield of plots 1, 2 and 3 would 

 be for any year, had uo fertilizer been applied, the crop of plot 4 

 is taken for that year and multiplied by the per cent, of plot 4 

 which those plots produced while in hay before manuring. 



Below is given a diagram of the field with amounts of fertilizers 

 applied in 1890. 



