686 
Journal of Agricultural Research 
Vol. XI, No. 13 
CONCLUSIONS FROM EXPERIMENT I 
(1) Lime in the form of a carbonate under the conditions of this experi¬ 
ment appreciably enhances the rate of decomposition of both original soil 
organic matter and the organic matter of stable manure and the green 
manures oats and clover when added to soil. Two of the more impor¬ 
tant results of this are the increased availability of plant food and the 
more rapid depletion of the soil organic matter. This latter effect would 
be partially and perhaps entirely offset by the fact that with lime larger 
crops could be grown which would give more organic matter to return to 
the soil. 
(2) The green manures oats and clover under the conditions of this 
experiment are decomposed much more completely than stable manure. 
Clover is decomposed somewhat more rapidly than oats. 
(3) Stable manure increases the rate of decomposition of green manure 
when used in connection with the latter. 
(4) Both stable and green manures act as conservers of lime. 
EXPERIMENT II 
In the experiment just described it will be remembered that the stable 
and green manures were applied in dry and ground condition. It was 
thought that perhaps the reason that such a large percentage of oats and 
clover was decomposed and their carbon given off as carbon dioxid was 
because of their finely divided condition. Of course the reason for adding 
manures in such a state was to make sure that a composite sample was 
added in each case. To test this and other points, a similar experiment 
was planned, but with some of these objectionable features eliminated. 
The treatment of the soils, in tons per acre, is given in Table V. 
Table V. —Treatment of soils in Experiment II 
Pot No. 
i, 2 
9, 10...... 
11,12 . . . 
13,14. . . 
i5» l6 - • • 
17,18. . . 
19,20. . . 
21, 22 . . . 
23,24. . . 
25, 26. . . 
27,28. . . 
29,30. . . 
3 U 32 . . • 
Air-dry basis. 
Control... 
3 tons of lime... 
4.77 tons of stable manure. 
14.3 tons of stable manure. 
23.8 tons of stable manure. 
4.77 tons of stable manure, 3 tons of 
lime. 
14.3 tons of stable manure, 3 tons of 
lime. 
23.8 tons of stable manure, 3 tons of 
lime. 
4.7.7 tons °f stable manure, 1.29 tons 
of oats. 
4.77 tons of stable manure, 1.29 tons 
of oats, 3 tons of lime. 
4.77 tons of stable manure, 1.18 tons 
of clover. 
4.77 tons of stable manure, 1.18 tons 
of clover, 3 tons of lime. 
1.29 tons of oats... 
1.29 tons of oats, 3 tons of lime. 
1.18 tons of clover. 
1.18 tons of clover, 3 tons of lime_ 
Fresh basis. 
Control. 
3 tons of lime. 
10 tons of stable manure. 
30 tons of stable manure. 
50 tons of stable manure. 
10 tons of stable manure, 3 tons of 
lime. 
30 tons of stable manure, 3 tons of 
lime. 
50 tons of stable manure, 3 tons of 
lime. 
10 tons of stable manure, 4 tons of 
oats. 
10 tons of stable manure, 4 tons of 
oats, 3 tons of lime. 
10 tons of stable manure, 4 tons of 
clover. 
10 tons of stable manure, 4 tons of 
clover, 3 tons of lime. 
4 tons of oats. 
4 tons of oats, 3 tons of lime. 
4 tons of clover. 
4 tons of clover, 3 tons of lime. 
