The Effect of Borax in Fertilizers. 



115 



As might be expected the most severe root injury occurred 

 where the fertilizer was applied in drills, unmixed with the soil. 

 This was more pronounced in the presence of the larger amounts 

 of borax and showed a distinct correlation with stunting and 

 yellowing of the plants, or with the prevailing type of injury 

 which was observed in the field during the previous summer. 

 Fig. 21 shows a plant having a very severe type of injury where 

 practically the whole root system had been destroyed. It also 

 illustrates the entire growth made by this plant during a period 

 of 3 months. This was obtained with fertilizer 5513, or where 

 an application of 38.6 pounds of anhydrous borax was made 

 per acre. 



Where the fertilizer was applied above the seed-piece the 

 injury was least near the base of the plant. Where it was ap- 

 plied below the seed-piece it was least near the surface of the 

 soil. Rather marked cases of these forms of root injury are 

 shown in Figs. 24 and 25. It will be noted that while a part 



Fig. 24. Root injury to plant in greenhouse where fertilizer con- 

 taining borax was placed in the pot above the seed-piece unmixed with 

 the soil. 



