Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-05-15

Plat II did not make as large an increase over
the nearest nothing plat as plat 7, both contain
ing the same materials in the same amounts The
chemicals were bought for plat 7, and the manu-.
featured material for plat II, the chemicals cost
ing 20 per cent. less for plat than the material
for plat IT, Plat IL was treated the same as plat
l. only that one-half the quantity of nitrogen was
used with AS favorable results. Ashes furnish all
Of the mineral elements Of plants 1t was thought
that, by the addition of nitrogen, a complete ma
nure would be had, practically; yet we find our
selves much surprised to learn that it has de-
creased the crop 147 per cent. What is the rea-
son? The omission of potash cuts the crop down
oDe-half in plat s, or 10 per cent. In plat 10
nitrogen is omitted; yet we get really the largest
crop of any plat, relatively. Phosphoric acid is
necessary, is seen by plat II, where it is want
ing, in comparison with plats 10 and l6 Nitrogen
is one-half the cost of our potato fertilizer nearly
and what have we to show for its use on our
potato-plats?
| FERTILIZERS ON THE WILSON FARM, GILMANToN
| Upon the same plan, George W. Sanborn, Of
Gilmanton, on his farm, tried the three elements
that enter into the Stockbridge formula These
results are so unlike those on the college farm
that introduce them here The soil on the col
lege farm is alluvial-a heavy blue clay The
Wilson farm is a clay-loam hill farm, very much
like the majority of hill farms of New Hampshire.
Two rows, 2pounds Of ntrogN-, 90 bushel large,
80 bushel small potatoes equa,s l.
One row, nothing, II bushe large, 81 bushel
small potatoes, multiplied by 2, equals 1Os
Two rows, pounds of potash, 81 bushe small
potatoes, equals 1,37.
One row, nothing, 30 bushel small potatoes,
multiplied by 2 equals LOG.
Two rows, pounds of nitrogen and pounds
OF potash, 80 bushel small and 20 bushel large
potatoes, equals 100.
One row, nothing % bushel large potatoes,
30 bushe small, multiplied by 2, equals 90
Two rows, 1 pound Of phosphorc acid, l,5C
bushel large potatoes, .S7 bushel small equal 81
Two rows, l pound phosphoric acid and 4
pounds of potash, l.is bushel large potatoes, go
bushel small, equals / so.
One row, nothing 81 bushel large potatoes, .2I
bushel small, multiplied by q equals ia.
Two rows, pound Of phosphoric acid and Z
pounds Of nitrogen, 1853 bushel potatoes, bushel
small, equals 26S.
Two rows, nothing, 40 bushel large potatoes
32 bushel small equals ~.
Two rows, Stockbridge bought OF Bowker 4
Co., 1877 bushel large and 10 bushel small pota
toes, equals 2.62
Nitrogen has accomplished but little here, and
has not paid. win the potato-plant gather all Of
its nitrogen from the air and soil In its com
pounds9 Phosphoric acid has given wonderful
result alone, and for that crop must have been O
much profit 1t was potash needed for the croI
on the state farm. 1t is phosphorc acid for thu
Wilson farm, The nitrogen was for both farm
procured in dried blood the phosphate acid IL
comeback, and the potash in muriate of potash
We do not claim maturity for these experiments
but suppose they may be Of some benefit to tn,
practical farmer | trust the time will come wheI
the college farm will have the means to carry OF
more extended inquiry in WIDER more fruitful