22 Director’s REPORT OF THE 
CROP PRODUCTION. 
Expertments in plant nutrition —During the years 1898 to 1900, 
inclusive, forcing house experiments were conducted relative to 
the much discussed substitution of soda for potash in plant 
growth. Several series of observations were made which were 
consistent within themselves and with the investigational results 
of the past. It was clearly shown that while soda may be sub- 
stituted for potash in quantity, it cannot supply the place of pot- 
ash in physiological function. Incidental observations raised the 
question of the necessary proportion of potash in the plant which 
is to be made the subject of future studies. 
Commercial fertilizers in potato growing—Experiments in 
potato growing conducted for four years on four Long Island 
farms with fertilizers varying in quantity from 500 pounds to 
2,000 pounds per acre showed that on the average the largest 
profit was realized from the use of 1,000 pounds. 
In comparing mixtures the so-called Long Island formula, 4, 
8 and 10, proved to be superior to a potato formula 7, 4 and 10. 
Other experiments with varying quantities of potash gave re- 
sults which do not justify the use of such large quantities of this 
ingredient as are now being applied to potato growing by many 
Long Island farmers whose conditions are similar to those under 
which these tests were made. 
One incidental result of these experiments was to make it 
clearly evident that a large supply of available plant food does 
not necessarily insure a satisfactory crop. Other conditions 
which Jargely pertain to culture, such as texture, humus and 
water supply, exercise a controlling influence,and when these con- 
ditions are unfavorable the situation is not overcome by heavy 
applications of fertilizer. 
DAIRY DEPARTMENT. 
Influence of the temperature of curing upon the quality of cheese.— 
The experiments in cheese-curing which have been conducted. for | 
two years have results of the highest importance from the com- 
mercial standpoint. Cheeses have been cured at temperatures 
