METHODS OF APPLYING MANURE. 



45 



Examination of this table shows that, as might be expected by any one 

 famihar with the variations in our cHmate, results were not consistently 

 favorable throughout the entire period, either to one or the other season 

 of apphcation; but the general average result was most favorable to 

 winter application in 19 out of 60 comparisons, or practically 1 in 3. 



The following points appear to be worthy of especial mention. In 1903, 

 the crop being soy beans, the general average based upon results upon all 

 the plots showed that plots X were ahead both in yields of beans and 

 straw. In 1904, the crop being corn and soy beans which were ensiled, 

 the crops were about equal. When the crop was mixed grass and clover 

 the general average was favorable to the North half three years out of 

 five, or in three-fifths of the trials. On the other hand, when corn for 

 ripened grain was the crop, the South half was invariably' ahead on the 

 general average. 



The general results, therefore, it may be said, appear to indicate that 

 the common practice of top-dressing mowings with manure during the 

 late fall or winter rather than in the spring is wise. If, however, we 

 stud}' Table IV, which shows the percentage results, it will be noticed 

 that the average superiority of the North half is due to the fact that 

 the first, or hay, crop is usually the better under that plan; therowen 

 crop, on the other hand, is usually better when the manure is spread in 

 the spring, and the degree of superiority as indicated by the higher per- 

 centage shown in Table IV for the rowen crop under spring application 

 is usually very high. 



