Redonda phosphate show a superior value, which, though evident, was not marked.

There are two explanations which may be suggested for this fact: (a) The action of the citrate solution is not even an approximate measure of the root action of plants, or (b) the dehydrated phosphates of iron and alumina revert to a hydrated and less available condition after entering the soil.

(4) The eight species of plants employed in these experiments showed greatly unlike ability to appropriate phosphoric acid from the water-insoluble phosphates. The differences in this respect were striking. From almost the very earliest period of growth, the two varieties of turnips appeared to feed nearly as freely upon the Florida rock as upon the dissolved Florida rock, whereas the barley, corn, potatoes and tomatoes derived but little if any benefit from the water-insoluble phosphates until during the more advanced stages of growth, and even then the benefit was not nearly so marked as with the cruciferous plants.

The leguminous plants, viz. peas and clover, appeared to occupy a position between the cruciferous and graminaceous plants, showing a very material increase of early development due to the water-insoluble phosphates.

The facts so far observed suggest that this difference in feeding power which these plants exhibited is more than a difference between single species and relates to groups of species.

(5) The ability to appropriate water-insoluble phosphoric acid appeared with some species of plants to greatly increase as the plants developed.

While the turnips and ruta-bagas fed freely upon the crude Florida rock even in the earlier stages of growth, it was observed that not until after some weeks did the clover, tomatoes and in one case the corn, begin to make any perceptible use of the water-nsoluble phosphates.

The photographs showing the clover in two stages of growth illustrate the above statement very clearly. This observed increase of feeding power as the plants matured, so that they fed upon the crude ground rock, especially the clover, suggests that the crude ground phosphates may be made a cheap and useful source of phosphoric acid in grass fields, and on the other hand the inability of several species, notably certain of the gramineae and solanaceae, to use the water-insoluble phosphates freely in the earlier periods of growth, emphasizes the wisdom of using chiefly water-soluble phosphoric acid upon hoed crops, especially where early maturty is essential.

The following table shows very clearly the relation of growth of the several species when fed with the different forms of phosphoric acid.

TABLE III.

RELATIVE PERCENTAGE YIELD WITH THE SEVERAL FORMS OF PHOSPHORIC ACID, THE YIELD WITH NO PHOSPHORIC ACID BEING TAKEN AS 100.

THE PROFITABLE AMOUNT OF SEED PER ACRE

FOR CORN.

W. H. JORDAN.

In 1894 an experiment was conducted for the purpose of testing the influence of the rate of seeding upon the growth of corn, the results being given in the Station Report for 1893, pp. 33-34. This experiment has been repeated in 1895 and the results are given below.

As in 1894 one acre of land was used. This area received a dressing of ten two-horse loads of stable manure and 750 pounds of commercial fertilizer, the latter being made up of 500 pounds acid phosphate, 100 pounds muriate of potash and 150 pounds nitrate of soda.The acre was divided into twelve plots, or four sets of plots with three plots in a set.

On one plot in each set the single kernels were planted six inches apart, on another nine inches, and on the third twelve inches. This gave four plots or one-third of an acre planted by each method. Great pains were taken to insure a stand of stalks in accordance with the plan, and the experiment appeared to be a success so far as the field work was concerned. The intention was to allow the corn to stand only until it began to glaze and then cut it and store it in the silo. Owing to a necessary delay, the corn stood until it was too ripe for the best results as a silage crop, and while this fact does not affect the actual or comparative yield of dry matter, it accounts for the loss per cent of water in the crop as harvested. Below may be seen the composition of the corn for 1895 and the rates of yield for both years.

Total

yieldpounds.

YIELD PER ACRE OF CORN FROM VARYING QUANTITIES OF SEED.

CROP OF 1894.

CROP OF 1895.

Total

yield

pounds.

The results so far reached indicate that the amount of seed may vary greatly without materially affecting the yield of dry matter in the mature crop. The average yield per acre of dry matter for the two seasons with the several rates of seeding are as follows: Kernels six inches apart 5.246 pounds; at nine inches 5.390 pounds; at twelve inches 4.848 pounds.

There appears so far to be only a small difference between six inches and nine inches seeding, whereas the yield from the twelve inches was materially smaller both years.

It should be noted, that the corn from the nine inch and twelve inch seeding was eared more satisfactorily than that from the six inch.

SUNFLOWER HEADS AND BLACKEYE PEAS AS

SILAGE CROPS.

J. M. BARTLETT.

In growing crops economically for this purpose two very important points must be considered.

1st. The adaptability of the crop to the process, its keeping qualities &c.

2nd. Its productiveness.

ex

Corn is acknowledged by every one who has had much perience in the matter to be the great silage crop of this country. It is true that many other crops have been successfully kept in the silo but there is no other fodder which so uniformly produces good silage as corn.

If allowed to mature until the kernels become glazed it furnishes a valuable, succulent food for winter use, much relished by stock. It does not make, however, when fed with hay alone a properly balanced ration for milch cows. Both the grain and stalks are deficient in protein therefore it is necessary to feed with it some foods like cotton seed or linseed meal rich in protein to secure the best results.

Professor Robertson of Toronto, has suggested putting other fodders quite rich in protein with corn in the silo to make a more nearly balanced food. Horse beans and sunflower heads are the materials he uses and silage thus made has come to be called the Robertson Mixture. As a rule fodders rich in protein, like the legumes, do not keep well when put in the silo alone, but mixed with corn they are usually quite well preserved.

At the time this experiment was made, horse beans could not be obtained, consequently peas, which have about the same composition, were substituted.

It was necessary to plant them late in the season that they might not mature too early for the corn and sunflowers. The latter part of the season was unfavorable to their growth, mildew affecting them badly and consequently the yield was rather light. The sunflowers were grown on land put in the same condition as for corn, and the seed was planted one foot apart in drills three and one-half feet apart. The plants grew well and a good average yield was secured. The expense of raising the crop may be estimated to be the same as for

corn.

The proportions of the different materials used for the silage was the same as for the Robertson Mixture namely: one-fourth acre sunflowers, and one-half acre of peas to one acre of corn. All were run through the cutter, packed in the silo by the ordinary method, and as is elsewhere noted, the silage kept perfectly and when opened in February was found to be in first class condition.