some uniform method for examining the soils of various localities and ascertaining their several needs. Chemical analysis had disappointed expectation. It was possible to analyze the crop and the land, and to compare the results, but that subtle something which defies the reagents of the laboratory, screening by a baffling frankness the most cunning concealment, the secret of "the inaccessible workshop" went undiscovered. Turning his back upon tubes and flasks, the agriculturist put the question directly to the soil: What do you need in order to produce such and such crops in the greatest abundance and at the least expense? Chemical Laboratory.       In accordance with the methods determined upon at Washington, the experimenters prepared fields of the prescribed dimensions, marked off by stakes into long parallel plots, choosing this form to overcome the variations of contour and fertility. In preparing the first plot no fertilizer was used; in the second, nitrogen, represented by nitrate of soda; in the third, phosphoric acid, represented by dissolved boneblack; in the fourth, no fertilizer again; the fifth plot contained muriate of potash; the sixth, nitrogen and phosphoric acid; the seventh, nitrogen and potash; and so on, until every combination of these three great elements of plant food had been employed. Between the plots one row of the crop was planted in order to prevent the encroachment of the plants upon other food than that set before them.       In procuring the evidence, crops were weighed at harvest time, Prof. Brooks substituting a comparison of the increase and decrease for the gross weight and finding in this revised form just the hair's- breadth of difference, which means so much in the establishment of a scientific fact. Every fertilized plot was compared with the average of the two nearest nothings and with the other fertilizers and combinations. In this manner an unequivocal response was obtained to the question.       Variations of this experiment are to be found throughout the wide territory made use of by the station. In a quarter acre devoted to corn, one half the field is prepared with manure, the other with half as much manure mixed with potash. Bisecting the field in the other direction, white mustard is sown among the stalks, Prof. Brooks contending that the mustard conserves the soluble nitrates in the soil and prevents their being washed out during heavy rains.       The independent action of various plant foods is exemplified by a field of clover. It was sown by machinery. There was no cause for variations save in the difference of fertilizers; but where nitrate of potash was applied the light green of the clover is all that can be seen, while the nitrate of soda has rendered the deep green of the grass equally conspicuous. Differing in color from both of these sections, moreover, is that part of the field lying between the stakes, and unfertilized. The entire surface shows the regular markings of a Highland plaid. Quality as well as quantity is investigated, sulphates proving more efficacious than muriates in giving to potatoes dryness and starch. The manner of planting is also considered, sowing broadcast yielding to the drills.       Next in interest to the soil tests comes the trial of new and imported crops;— Japanese radishes, bulky and white, growing to the length of two feet and weighing as high as eight pounds; Japanese millets, panicum miliaceum, and panicum crus galli plumed like Pampas grass and -- page 77 -- | Previous Page | Next Page | | Town of Amherst Page | Hampshire County | Western MA History & Genealogy | These pages are © Laurel O'Donnell, 2005, all rights reserved Copying these pages without written permission for the purpose of republishing in print or electronic format is strictly forbidden This page was last updated on 12 Sep 2005