﻿EFFECT OF BORAX ON GROWTH AND YIELD OF CROPS. 



19 



At the other stations the fertilizer-borax mixtures were injurious 

 and when applied in the drill caused lower yields than when applied 

 with a fertilizer distributer. The illustrations shown in Plate VII, 

 Figures 1 and 2, and Plate VIII, Figures 1 and 2, will give some 

 idea of the effect of borax in fertilizer upon the yield of potatoes on 

 two soil types. 



What is brought out here as well as in other parts of this bulletin is 

 convincing proof that borax caused injury. Even were the rainfall 

 heavy in one section, thereby mitigating the injury, it does not follow 

 that the same weather conditions would prevail elsewhere or in another 

 season, and since it has been definitely brought out herein that borax 

 is quite apt to be harmful, it should be practically eliminated from 

 fertilizer salts. Fortunately, this is already fully recognized. The fact 

 is further brought out from the field tests on several soil types that 

 practically borax-free potash salts give good results. 



FURTHER RESULTS WITH POTATOES AND CORN. 



Results obtained with potatoes and corn at New Brunswick, N. 

 J. (2), and with potatoes at Presque Isle, Me., 5 are again referred to 

 here, with certam tabular presentations of yields and rainfall data, 

 in order that the results may be assembled in their entirety, the 

 details having been presented elsewhere. 



The plan of the experiments in New Jersey and in Maine was 

 similar to that at Arlington, Va., particularly as applies to the quan- 

 tity of borax used. In New Jersey, fertilizer at the rate of 1,500 

 pounds per acre was applied to potatoes and at the rate of 400 pounds 

 to corn; and in Maine, at the rate of 2,000 pounds to potatoes. The 

 results are presented in Tables 9, 10, and 12. 



Table 9. — Effect of various quantities of borax on potatoes in plats on Sassafras loam at 

 New Brunswick, N. J., in 1920. 



[Fertilizer application, 1,500 pounds per acre; variety grown, Irish Cobbler.] 



Borax per acre. 



None (check 1) 



1 pound 



2 pounds 



3 pounds 



None (check 2) 



4 pounds 



5 pounds 



10 pounds 



None (check 3) 



20 pounds 



30 pounds 



50 pounds 



None (check 4) 



100 pounds 



200 pounds 



400 pounds 



Yield per plat (pounds). 



Sec. 1. — Fertilizer applied 

 in drill some time pre- 

 vious to planting. 



Primes. Seconds. Total 



78. 25 

 64.20 

 75. 55 

 75.65 

 79.75 

 88.35 

 85.20 

 S8.60 

 86. 90 

 S5.70 

 76.95 

 67.95 

 65.15 

 43.75 

 22.50 

 4.00 



7.50 

 5.75 

 4.65 

 6.65 

 7.70 

 6.40 

 6.00 

 5.90 

 5.75 

 3.75 

 3.00 

 3.55 

 7.65 

 3.00 

 1.25 

 .50 



85.75 

 69. 95 

 80.20 

 82.30 

 87.45 

 94. 75 

 91.20 

 94.50 

 92.65 

 89.45 

 79.95 

 71.50 

 72.80 

 46.75 

 23.75 

 4.50 



Sec. 2.— Fertilizer applied 

 in drill at time of planting. 



Primes. Seconds. Total. 



75.50 

 56.30 

 72.50 

 65.60 

 62.95 

 69.55 

 77.15 

 64.55 

 67.75 

 68.75 

 55.00 

 25.35 

 60.35 

 2.00 



None. 



None. 



5.50 

 6.85 

 9.00 

 9.10 



10.35 

 7.60 

 4.65 

 6.45 

 8.60 

 6.90 

 3.85 

 1.40 

 6.00 

 1.00 

 .125 



None. 



SI. 00 

 63.15 

 81.50 

 74.70 

 73.30 

 77.15 

 81. SO 

 71.00 

 76.35 

 75.65 

 58.85 

 26.75 

 66.35 

 3.00 

 .125 

 None. 



Sec. 3. — Fertilizer applied 

 broadcast at time of planting. 



Primes. Seconds. Total. 



58. 25 

 41.40 

 58.05 

 60.15 

 65.70 

 66.35 

 62.20 

 60.80 

 65.80 

 79.00 

 74.00 

 45.70 

 66.85 

 1.25 



None. 



None. 



7.50 

 5.00 

 5.80 

 5.75 

 4.45 

 4.95 

 8.00 

 5.10 

 4.10 

 3.00 

 3.55 

 2.00 

 6.55 

 .50 



None. 



None. 



65.75 

 46.40 

 63.85 

 65.90 

 70.15 

 71.30 

 70.20 

 65.90 

 69.90 

 82.00 

 77. 55 

 47.70 

 73.40 

 1.75 



None. 



None. 



« Brown B. E. Effect of borax in fertilizer on the growth and yield of potatoes. 

 Bui. 998, 8 p., 1 fig., 4 pi. 1922. 



U. S. Dept. Agr. 



