Barn and Field Experiments in 1917. 



31 



EFFECT OF OMITTING POTASH FERTILIZATION 

 UPON THE OAT CROP. 



Owing to the shortage of potash caused by the war it is 

 very important to have as much information as possible regard- 

 ing the value of this element for various crops. In 191 5 the 

 Maine Agricultural Experiment Station began a series of ex- 

 periments at Aroostook Farm with the object of determining 

 the value of potash for potatoes. In general these results have 

 shown that there is sufficient available potash in Aroostook 

 soils to mature a profitable -crop of potatoes. Nevertheless the 

 addition of relatively small amounts of potash has resulted in 

 a marked increase in yield. 



In order to obtain some information relative to the value 

 of potash for oats experiments were begun at both of the ex- 

 periment farms in 1916. The stand was so poor and uneven 

 because of heavy rains that no records of importance were 

 obtained at Highmoor Farm in 19 16. The results obtained at 

 Aroostook Farm in 191 6 were published in Bulletin 260. The 

 experiment was continued at both farms in 1917. The results 

 are given in the tables that follow. 



Table Showing Yields Per Acre in No Potash Experiment with 

 Maine 340 Oats on Aroostook Farm 1917. 



Plot No. 



Amount of Potash 



Straw Pounds 



Grain Bushels 



714 



None 



2110 



43.4 



719 



None 



1080 



33.8 



Average 





1595 



38.6 



715 



None + Common Salt 



2020 



46.2 



720 



None + Common Salt 



1220 



36.7 



Average 





1620 



4L5 



716 



2 per cent potash 



1580 



38.1 



721 



2 per cent potash 



1204 



37.6 



Average 





1392 



37.9 



717 



5 per cent potash 



1880 



44.4 



722 



5 per cent potash 



1670 



38.4 



Average 





1775 



41.4 



718 



7 per cent potash 



2230 



45.9 



723 



7 per cent potash 



1420 



43.1 



Average 





1825 



44.5 



