134 [ ASSEMBLY 
Although the influence of the fertilizer of last year cannot be esti- 
mated in this year’s crop of corn, yet it is worthy of notice that in the 
case of the potatoes the influence of the previous application was very 
noticeable. 
In plat four A. we had another trial of the effect of cultivation. This 
plat was also in corn last year, the upper half without fertilizer, the 
lower half with four hundred pounds of superphosphate per acre. As 
this plat was only in part occupied with crop, we can but estimate the 
yield per acre from the plants that grew at sixty-eight bushels for the 
unfertilized and eighty-three bushels for the fertilized plat. The yield 
in 1883; no fertilizer applied, the corn of the Waushakum variety, 
planted May 17, and harvested October 12. 
Plat yield. Yield per acre. 
The uncultivated half... .2.% 3.25 vee 223 Ibs. 44 ozs., or 55.8 bush. 
The, enltiyated, half a¢ «icit plist 421 oleae 209 “ 6% or 52.3) 4 
These results, be it observed, are in accordance with those derived 
from Series one A. 
Root-PRUNING. 
We find no evidence this year favorable to the breaking of the roots 
of.corn in order to influence crop. In order to render the experiment 
as decisive as possible, the operation was carried forward with great 
severity, the roots being. cut just before the heading of the plant by 
means of a lawn edger forced its whole depth into the ground at two 
inches from the plant, and on two sides. The effect was quickly 
seen in the cessation of growth, and the yellowing of the foliage, and 
the plants did not recover vigorous growth throughout the season. 
If excessive root-pruning of corn during growth be advisable in some 
soils, it certainly is not in the clay soil ‘of the Station. 
The yields were, for the twentieths acres: 
Sound corn. Soft corn. 
GEA a evans oak cus Not root-pruned :........... Q27 Ibs. 34 lbs. 
A AB Fh ae PL Root-pruneds ivisw west)... 131 ‘ oe 
ERY ny WE eas Ee Not root-pruned......... {eee Robe 46 ** 
15 eh DOA seat aes Pi Root-prunediwn...... div... lati ** 52 < 
11 A. WS a Not root-pruned............. R32 £< a5 <s 
CO | a Ae Rpot-prunediy..... 8... ves Aegon” 46 < 
11 n AY shihis oft Not root-pruned...........0.. ABR ¥S 26. « 
yea aot 0 BAR aA Root-prunedyal, . 3. -) bee 162° £* 36. *< 
LAS OE Es ie Not root-pruned... ........ R2B2 <* 32°66 
Sakis Sintec Root-prined’s 2 taaen sects 142 << Buch 
LIRA th AG te ire Not root-pruned............. Rea ae Gai re* 
fey cdebisatiists > i Root-pruned ..... - Aes 102055 a ek! 
117A Bae oe ae Oe TOGTERIIN GML» 5/0 lo wie, b we! ove Quine 42.5§ 
OT a Cage rae Root-praned yr -p =< olapricw sings » 102 8 49 << 
EFFECT OF FERTILIZER. 
In Series eleven A., we have data for studying the effect of fertil- 
izer left over from last year. . In 1882, these plats received fertilizer 
