134 
as the crop would be harvested and but very little "addition of organic matter made 
to the soil. If crimson clover were used, then a crop rich in nitrogen would be har- 
vested, leaving a residue also rich in nitrogen, adding to the soil stores of both nitro- 
gen and vegetable matter. J f turnips or rape were used, then the chief gains would he 
in the organic matter stored up in the fall and in the protecting of the soil from washing 
and from leaching during the winter. The next rule observed was based upon the 
principle that the dormant constituents of soils are changed into active in proportion 
as the soil particles are made finer and greater surfaces brought into contact with the 
atmospheric agencies. Hence, the experiment provided for frequent and practically 
continuous cropping, which was naturally accompanied by more frequent cultivation 
and changing of the soil particles and a greater accumulation of organic matter in the 
soil, by virtue of the residues of the catch and other crops. The biological properties 
of soils were also recognized, and care was taken to have the soil covered (luring the 
hot, dry periods, in order that the life would be maintained and encouraged and not 
destroyed by the high temperatures that would be developed in the bare soils during 
the hot summer months. 
The results obtained by this experiment for 2 acres of land are tabulated herewith: 
PLAT 16, 1 ACRE. 
Applied. 
Taken off. 
Balance. 
Year. 
Nitro- 
gen. 
Phos- 
phoric 
acid. 
Potash. 
Nitro- 
gen . 
Phos- 
phoric 
acid. 
Potash. 
Nitrogen. 
Phos- 
phoric, 
acid. 
Potash. 
1896 and 1897 .... 
1898 and 1899 .... 
1900 and 1901 .... 
Pounds. 
18.78 
82. 78 
71.15 
1 'omuls. 
31.11 
100. 79 
122.52 
1'oUllds. 
41.37 
114.35 
254. 33 
Pounds. 
67. 40 
290. 68 
203. 92 
Pounds. 
35.52 
114.20 
86. 74 
Pounds. 
85. 08 
287. 52 
277. 82 
Pounds. 
- 48.62 
-207. 90 
-132.77 
Pounds. 
- 4.41 
-13.41 
+35. 78 
Pounds. 
- 43.71 
-143.17 
- 23.49 
Balance, 
-389. 29 
+ 17.90 
—210. 37 
PLAT 19, 1 ACRE. 
1896 and 1897 
Pounds. 
15.81 
80. 68 
rx;. -^ 
Pounds. 
Pounds. 
Pounds. 
55.91 
1 is. \)2 
251.39 
Pounds. 
25. 14 
59.07 
91.40 
Pounds. 
50.38 
197. 67 
336. 00 
Pounds. 
- 40.10 
- 68.24 
-194.84 
Pounds. 
-25. 14 
+72.00 
-13.47 
Pounds. 
5'J. 38 
1898 and 1899 
1900 and 1901 .... 
131.07 
77. 93 
160.86 
190. 39 
- 36.81 
1 15. 61 
Balance, 
-303. 18 
+33. 39 
-232.80 
The table shows the income and outgo to the soil of the fertilizer constituents, 
nitrogen, phosphoric acid, and potash, on 2-acre plats. The increase or decrease in 
soil constituents are grouped in periods of two years each. It is shown, in the case 
of plat 16, that there was removed by the first two crops nearly 50 pounds more of 
nitrogen, and about 44 pounds more of potash than was applied, yet the crops for the 
next series of two years were able to obtain over four times as much nitrogen as in 
the first series, over three times as much phosphoric acid, and over three times as 
much potash as the crops of the previous period, and hence a considerable loss of 
potential fertility. Or, in other words, notwithstanding that there was a marked 
loss of the fertilizer elements in the first period, the soil was improved in actual fer- 
tility, making its crop-producing power in the second period three times as great when 
measured in terms of constituents removed. In the third period the crops were not 
as great as in the second, though showing a very much greater yield of crops than in 
the first period. This lower crop yield is due rather to seasonal conditions than to 
any decrease in active fertility. The same relative results are also shown in the case 
of the other plat, and demonstrates that by the proper observation of natural laws, 
and the judicious application of manures, it is possible to increase soil condition and 
crop-producing power, while at the same time to very materially reduce the potential 
fertility. These experiments, though in a sense general and unscientific, gave results 
of great value; in suggesting rational methods of practice. 
' n relation to the second, or specific method, which must in the long run be regarded 
as ot the greatest importance, because resulting in the establishment of principles, I 
shall refer briefly to experimental methods already in operation at our station, and 
to preliminary results thai have been obtained, as showing by contrast the greater 
value of more scientific methods of investigation. 
