426 Report oF THE DEPARTMENT OF FIELD Crops OF THE 
DISCUSSION OF RESULTS. 
Those who read this bulletin should bear in mind that these 
yearly records of field experiments are really reports of progress. 
Anything in the nature of conclusions will scarcely be more 
than a statement of what is the outcome of a single year’s observa- 
tions. After several years general deductions will have greater 
value, especially if evidence is cumulative in particular directions. 
EFFECT OF QUANTITY OF FERTILIZER UPON YIELD AND PROFIT. 
In 1897 the application of 1,000 lbs. of fertilizers per acre. 
proved to be more profitable than quanties either less or more, 
although in both years the yield has increased with the amount of 
fertilizer even up to,2,000 lbs. per acre. In 1898 the profit was 
greatest with 1,500 lbs. of fertilizer per acre, diminishing when 
more than this quantity was used. (See Tables V & VI). This 
lack of uniformity in results demonstrates the necessity of several 
years of observation before reliable conclusions can .be drawn. 
Just what will happen after several rotations of crops have been 
grown is not yet clear. 
TABLE V.— INCREASE OF YIELD OF POTATOES FROM DIFFERENT QUANTITIES 
OF FERTILIZER. 










Seileey aol Ae oh fortis y ) caeat me e Soth Venn ae 
both years. pabre 4 Large. “3 Total. Large. s Total. Large. e Total. 
Lbs. Bu. Bu. Bu. Bu. Bu. Bu. 
OA ssp els CAS EE 500 34.1 31.6 33.2 33 .4 33.6 32.5 
AW ep it teresa 1,000 69.1 62.3 61.8 60.7 65.4 61.5 
D4 hey te be =. e. .7500 77.6 ~ 65,1. 85.8) 4.8 — Sine 





PA in. Pe sees Oe 2,000 78.7 71.3 89.9 89.7 84.3 80.5 

*Average of Fleet and Hallock plats. 
