LABORATORY EXERCISES 307 



of population which offer ready markets. The lack of available 

 labor in some sections, on dairy and stock farms, and especially 

 on large tracts, determines, in a large measm-e, the development of 

 marsh lands along extensive lines, since one man in general or stock 

 farming can care for many acres. This is well shown in Figure 203.^ 



The growing of general farm crops does not involve so much 

 risk as in the growing of such crops as onions and celery; moreover, 

 the profits are more dependable from year to year. It is also highly 

 probable that, through a period of years, the average profit in 

 grain-and-stock farming will be larger than for any special type, 

 as in celery or onion farming, when similar amounts of capital and 

 labor are involved.^ 



Many farms include marsh tracts containing from a few to 

 many acres. It is common experience that when these tracts are 

 well drained and properly fertilized they become as profitable as 

 the best upland. 



It is possible to pursue general or stock farming on farms con- 

 sisting entirely of muck and peat soils. Indeed, many such farms 

 are already being operated with marked success. These are encour- 

 aging facts since it is plainly evident that if large areas of marsh 

 lands are to be utihzed for agricultural purposes extensive systems 

 of farming must be developed. 



Field Studies. — 1. Study good systems of marsh management, particu- 

 larly on successful farms. 



2. Examme an undrained marsh and note in particular the wetter por- 

 tions, and determme the reasons why. 



3. On the same area examine the depth and different types of soil. Sketch 

 a map of the area mdicatmg the streams, types of soil, etc. 



Home Projects and Experiments. — To determine the profitable use of 

 mineral fertilizers on a peat soil. 



Procedure. — ^Lay out at least an acre, or a smaller area, of peat soil and 

 divide equally into three strips. To strip No. 1 apply muriate of potash at 

 the rate of 200 pounds per acre. Strip No. 2 is to receive no treatment. On 

 strip No. 3 apply a mixture of muriate of potash and acid phosphate at the 

 rate of 200 pounds of the j^otash and 300 pounds of acid phosphate per acre. 

 (Figs. 231, 232, 233, 132, and 221.) Keep account of all costs, determine 

 yields, and compute net profits. 



To Compare the Value of "Wood Ashes with a Potash Fertilizer. — Pro" 

 ceduTe. — In a similar manner as in the previous project, compare the value of 

 wood ashes with muriate of potash or sulfate of potash. Use com. Con- 

 sult text. 



To Determine Economy in Using the Proper Fertilizer in the Hill for Com. 

 — Procedure. — Mix acid phosphate and muriate of potash in proportion of one 

 to one. On one strip of peat apply 125 to 135 pounds of this mixture per acre 



6 United States Department of Agriculture Farmers' Bulletin 761. 



