ALBERT R. MANN 
 LIBRARY 
 
 AT 
 
 CORNELL UNIVERSITY 
 
CORNELL UNIVERSITY LIBRARY 
 
 924 052 338 088 
 
 
 DATE DUE 
 
 DEMCO 38-297 
 
<\ 
 
 '<^y 
 
 Cornell University 
 Library 
 
 The original of this book is in 
 the Cornell University Library. 
 
 There are no known copyright restrictions in 
 the United States on the use of the text. 
 
 http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924052338088 
 
To Dr. T, L. Lyon, the author wiahea to express his 
 appreciation for the kindness in directing the investi- 
 gation herein treated. 
 
 iUad to Dr. J. A. Bizzell, who made the chemical 
 analysis of the soil solution. 
 
THE CAUSE OP INJURY TO MAIZE BY WEEDS. 
 A MINOR THESIS 
 
 Presented to the 
 
 DEPARTMENT OP EXPERIMENTAL AGROHOMY CORNELL 
 UNIVERSITY 
 
 For the Degree of 
 
 MASTER OP SCIENCE IN AGRICULTURE 
 
 by 
 
 Clement Ellis Craig, B. S, 
 
 June, 1908. 
 
SB 
 fCff 
 
 (S.7^ 3 45 
 
CONTENTS 
 
 Page 
 
 INTRODUCTION 1 
 
 HISTORICAL 4-63 
 
 Effect of Weeds on Yield and Quality of Produce 4 
 
 Effect of Weeds on Soil Moisture 12 
 
 Composition of Weeds, Com, Millet smd Oowpeas 16 
 Effect of Weeds on Fertilizing constituents 
 
 of the Soil • 19 
 Effect of "Weeds" Growing in Com on the Total 
 
 Salts and NO3 Content of the Soil 27 
 
 Transpiration 30 
 The Relation of franspiration to Plant Pood 
 
 Transferred to the Plant 34 
 
 Capillarity 36 
 Influence of Texture of Soil upon Moisture 
 
 Content and its Relation to Yield of Com 41 
 Diffusion of Soil Nutrients 44 
 Drought Limit *9 
 Interruption of Water hy Plants 52 
 Effect of Weeds on Ligjit, Warmpth, and Protect- 
 ion from Air Currents 53 
 Effect of Weeds in Producing a Toxic Substance 55 
 
CONTENTS 
 
 Page 
 
 Effect of Weeds by Root Interference 56 
 
 Effect of Scraping on Soil Moisture 57 
 
 Effect of Scraping of Yield of Com 59 
 
 Effect of Mulching 62 
 
 EXPERIMENTAL 65 - 129 
 
 Purpose of Experiment 65 
 
 General Plan of Experiment ' 65 
 
 Detailed Outline of Eacperiment 66 
 
 Map of Plats 68 
 
 Description of Plats 69 
 
 Fertilizers Applied 69 
 
 Preparation of Land, Planting and Cultivation 70 
 
 Moisture Determination 72 
 
 Determination of Fertilizer Constituents in 
 
 the Soil 73 
 
 Weather Oondltions 74 
 
 Growth 75 
 
 Injuries Sustained 76 
 
 Harvesting 76 
 
 Effect of Stand on the Weight of the Stalks 77 
 
 Yield of Com Fodder by Rows 82 
 
CONTENTS . 
 
 Page 
 Determination of Dry Matter 90 
 
 Yield of Com, Milley, and Say Beans 93 
 
 Average Moisture Content of the Soil for 
 
 Different Periods 99 
 
 Differences in Moisture Content of the Soil 
 
 for Different Periods, between the Ends 
 
 of Plats and where Corn Grew; also the 
 
 Variation in Yields. 103 
 
 Average Fertilizer Content of the Soil for 
 
 Different Periods 107 
 
 Results secured from First Sowing of "Weeds", 
 
 Plat 5: 109 - 111 
 
 yield p. 109 j moisture in soil p. 110} 
 
 HO3 content of soil p. 110 j comparison 
 
 of the reduction of moisture and WOs p. 111. 
 Results secured from First Sowing of "Weeds", 
 
 Plat 9: 112 - 114 
 
 yield p. 112 j moisture p. 113; NO3 con- 
 tent of soil p. 113; comparison of the 
 
 reduction of moisture and NO5 p. 114. 
 Results secured from Second Sowing of "Weeds" 114 
 Results secured from fliird Sowing of "Weeds" 117 
 
CONTENTS . 
 
 lesults Secured from Mulching; 
 
 Comparison of moisture and HO3 con- 
 tent of the soil 
 
 Results secured from Scraping 
 
 Comparison of the moisture and HO3 
 content of the soil 
 
 Comparison of Mulched and Scraped Plats ♦ 
 
 Variations in Fertilizer Constituents 
 
 Yield of Nitrogen in Crops 
 
 Amount of NO 3 Remaining in Soil 
 
 Capillarity of Different Plats 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 Moisture and Fertilizer Content of the Soil, 
 
 in Detail (Table A) 130 - 145 
 
 Further Soil Studies 146 - 169 
 
 Poor Space and Specific Gravity 146 
 
 Poor Space, Suggestions for Determining 152 
 
 Rate of Evaporation and Loss from Drainage: 153 - 169 
 from platinum dishes p. 155; from cyl- 
 inders of soil p. 155; the "fairly uni- 
 form level" in cylinders of soil p. 163; 
 rapid fall at end of the "fairly uniform 
 level, p. 165. 
 
 Page 
 
 117 - 119 
 
 118 
 
 119 - 121 
 
 119 
 
 121 
 
 121 
 
 124 - 127 
 
 126 
 
 127 
 
INTROBTJCTION 
 
 That weeds cause injury to ©rops is a fact about which 
 ther* is no diff®r»nca of opinion. The exact cause of 
 this injury, however, is not so well underetood. Two 
 reasons are usually asBigaed, namely^ th« loss of moistura 
 and plant food. Soma axpariaaanterB amphasiK© the former, 
 while others lay greater strees on the latter. Som© seem 
 to consider the two cause© as equally injurj-ous. That 
 weeds lower the moisture content is the common experience 
 of faj^mere and there is also very conclusive experimental 
 data on this point. The belief that injury results from 
 loss of plant food seems to be based chiefly on reasoning 
 from general principles and from the chemical analysis of 
 weeds. Another cause assigned, based on experimental 
 data, is the lowering of the soil temperature. On© 
 asserts that the lowering of the temperature hinders the 
 efficiency of the roots and lessens the decay of organic 
 raatt^er. Shading of the crops is another cause assigned. 
 Again root interference is proposed ; and the possibility 
 of a toxic effect has betn suggested. 
 
 Thus it will be seen that there are many explanations 
 either singly or m combination, offered for the well-known 
 
phenoaanon, that w©«d» injure crops. Two of these causes, 
 however, in the opinions of experimentalifita etftad pre- 
 emiaeat j naaely, injuries due to lose of soil moisture, 
 and to loss of plant food. The chief attention was, ther* " 
 fore, directed to the'^e cause-a. 
 
 The thesis is divided as follows : 
 1. Historical 
 S. Experimental 
 3. Appendix. 
 
 In the historical part, the literature is reviewed 
 and discussed. • 
 
 In the experimental part, an account of the 
 experiment is given, together with discussions chiefly 
 in the light of the historical treatment. 
 
 In the Appendix, a limited study of the soil under 
 experiment is made. 
 
HISTORICAL 
 
4 
 
 Effect of Weeds on Yield and Quality of Produco. 
 
 Th« Minnesota Station (Bui, 68, 588) "in 1898 planted corn 
 
 in drills ia two plats in a similar manner, the plats being 
 
 run In duplicate. On one plat the corn was cultivated 
 
 thoroughly, no wetds being allowed to grow, and a loose 
 
 mulch of earth two or three inches deep was mainteined 
 
 throughout the early part of the summer. The other plat 
 
 received but slight cultivation, the waeds being allowed 
 
 to grow freely until July 21, when they were reaioved by hand 
 
 and the soil cultivated." The weeds grown were mostly 
 
 • 
 pigeon grass, and were mature whan harvested. The results 
 
 are shown in Table I. 
 
 Table I : Showing Effect of Weed* on Yield of Stover 
 and lar Cona, Rat© per Acre. 
 
 Com Weeds iar Com Stover Ear Corn Total 
 
 and Stover 
 Well euitivated 4824# a703# 12762# 12762# 
 
 Poorly euitivated 3540# 2592# 365^ 6089# 10529# 
 
 A yield of 3540 pounds of weeds reduced the yield 
 of com fodder (stover and ear eorn) 5773 pounds or 45 per 
 cent I the reduetlon in the yield of ear corn was 2232 
 pjmnds or 46 per cent. The percentage of ear corn was 
 nearly the same in both cases. The rate of reduction in 
 yield due to weeds was 1.69 pounds corn fodder for each 
 
pouad of w«i«di. Th9s& results refer to weights at harv»rt- 
 ing. Had dry matt-sr be-sn deterffiimsd doubtl«8s there 
 would have b©sn found a greater per cent of dry substance 
 in the pigeon grass than in the corn. But the yield of 
 corn fodder on the plats is comparable, and shows a marked 
 reduction. The Naw Hapshire Station (Bui, 71, 54) 
 compared two plats of eorn, both cultivated j but ia one 
 wi^ch grass was allowed to grow, while in the other the 
 grass was cut with a hoe. The results follow in Table II. 
 Table II : - Showing Effect of Witeh Grass on 
 Cultiveted Com - Results Kate per Acre. 
 Kind Culture Stover ShelieJf Com 
 
 lbs. bus> 
 Hoed 11843 81.6 
 
 Not Hoed 9188 61,4 
 
 The grass caused a reduction in yield of both stover 
 and shelled corn. The yield of stover in the plat not 
 hoed was 77,6 per cent of that whenehoed and the yield of 
 Shelled corn 75.2 per cent, thus showing a slightly 
 greater reduction percentagely of shelled com than of 
 stover. The same Station (Bui. 71, 50) compared corn 
 with no cultivation, weeds being permitted to grow, with 
 eom cultivated. The results follow in Table III, 
 
Table III : Showing Effect of Weeds on Yi«l<l of Cor^ 
 Kim4 of Culture Stover Shelled Corn 
 
 lbs. but. 
 
 No Culture, weeds gulwring 4420 17,1 
 
 Cultivation, frequent 12016 80.6 
 
 Cultivation, ordinary 11496 79.1 
 
 The weeds caused a great reduction In yield both of 
 stover and shelled corn. The yield of stover where weeds 
 grew was 38.4 per cent as much as where ordinary eultiva- 
 tioa was given, and of shelled corn 21.6 per cent. 
 Jj*anif©8tly the quality of shelled corn was iQwered. 
 
 The South Carolina Station (Bui. 61, 11) grew cow» 
 peae in corn for two years with the results shown in Table 
 IV. 
 
 Table IV s flowing Effect of Cowpeas on Yield of Ear 
 Com : 
 
 1898 1899 Average 
 bu. bu. bu. 
 Com, no cowpeas 58.0 66.8 6S.4 
 
 Com, cowpeas in drills between rows 60.0 69.0 84.9 
 Corn, cowpeas broadcast " " 64.0 73.2 68,6 
 
 The corn was planted in rows four feet apart, one 
 stalk to the foot in each case. Peas sown in drills 
 showed an increase over no peas both years and peas broad- 
 
cast 8hov«d a still greator increase. Whather the in- 
 crease ie due to peas being a Xaguminous crop or to some 
 other cause is a question. The results seem to suggest 
 the importance of distinguishing between "weeds" when 
 studying their effect on either the soil or the crop. 
 
 At the Cornell Station during the summer of 1905, 
 Gates conducted experiments to determine the effect of 
 "weeds" on corn. The "Weeds" were rye, millet, and 
 miscellaneous weeds. Tallevis adapted from Cornell 
 Bui. 247, 186, and shows the yield of both corn and weeds. 
 The table is arranged in jsnB& I, II, and III, and shows 
 the effects of rye, millet, and miSGeilaneous weeds 
 respectively. In each series, plats 1 and 4 are checks. 
 In the column "Productive Capacity, Com Fodder" is shown 
 what presuaably would have been the yield of corn fodder 
 had no "weeds" been grown on the plats. These figures 
 for plats 2 and 3 are calculfeted from Ihe checks 1 and 4 
 where no "weeds" grew. 
 
 •Plats 1 and 4 were cultivated throughout the whole 
 period of growth, viz., about once in ten days from June 
 14 to August 22. On June 14, pj.at 2 was cultivated when 
 Series I was sown to rye, series II to millet, and series III 
 allowed to grow to weeds without furthsir cultivation. 
 Plat 3 was cultivated June 14 and again June 27, when each 
 
Sdrl9» was treated as plat 2.** 
 
 T abie V ; Showing Yields per Piat of Corn and "Waeda" 
 
 Green Weight Field Cured 
 
 Series I Oora yith Rye ^^^ 
 
 Ho . Productive Com ISye l^otal InoreaBe (-f^ St over Bar ^ lar 
 plat Capacity ?odAer decrease («) Com Com 
 
 Com fodder to Podde 
 
 lbs. lbs. lbs. lbs. lbs. lbs. lbs. 
 
 1 oh 216,9 316.9 216.9 59 46.3 44 
 
 2 224.3 105.2 75 180.2 -44.1 38 21.5 36 
 
 3 231.7 131.1 78 209.1 -22.6 38 35.0 48 
 
 4 oh 239.0 239.0 239.0 63 48.0 43 
 
 Series II Com with Millet * 
 
 ITo. Productive Corn Millet iJotal iEncrease (^f) 
 Plat Capacity Podder Uecrease (~) 
 
 Cera fodder 
 
 lbs. lbs. lbs* lbs. lbs. 
 
 1 oh 122,5 122,5 38 33 46.5 
 
 2 125,1 49.1 100 149.1 -+24,0 30 3 9 
 
 3 127.7 73.4 48 121,4 - 6.3 33 13 £5;^ 
 
 4 oh 130.2 130.2 40 38 49 
 
 Series III Corn with Weeds 
 Ho. Productive Corn Weeds Total Inorease (•+•) 
 Plat Capacity Fodder Decrease (-) 
 
 Com fodder 
 
 lbs. lbs. lbs, lbs, lbs. 
 
 1 oh 103,8 103,8 103.8 33 35 51,5 
 
 2 126,6 53,9 42 95,9 -30,7 26 11 30 
 
 3 149,4 104,1 45 149,1 - ,5 42 32 43 
 
 4 oh 172,1 172,1 172.1 47 58 55 
 
S«ri»8 I, giving results with ry», shows a d»eid«d 
 aecr«a»s in total gr^i»n weight of produce. Series II with 
 millet shows an increase, and Series III with weeds shows 
 a decrease. Had dry matter been determined it is probable 
 that, if the results had been averaged for the three series, 
 the total produce where "weeds" were grown would have 
 oxceeded that of the checks. Allowing for the probable 
 difference in dry matter between corn fodder and mixlet, 
 the results in Series II show a very decided incrsaee in 
 total produce where millet was gro*Ti in the corn. The corn 
 fodder as indicated by the gresn weight - suffered a much 
 greater injury in this series than in s«>ries I and III. 
 
 Of field-cured stover where "weeds" grew the injury 
 is not nearly proportionate to that of total fodder. the 
 yi«ld of plat 3, Series II is practicaixy equal to that of 
 the checks. But the yield of ear corn is much reduced 
 in every case. The p&r cent of ear corn to field-cured 
 fodder is less in every case where "weeds" grew except in 
 plat 3, Series I. This reduction is most marked both in 
 weight and per cent of ear maize in Seri^:** II where millet 
 grew. There is less injury in ereTyciis© to ear com from 
 the later sowing of "weeds" (Plat 3) than from the first 
 sowing (Plat 2) : Manifestly, the lowering of the quality 
 further emphasises the injury. 
 
x@. 
 
 Whil« not directly applicable to corn, perhaps, some 
 results from German and Scaiidinaviaa sources with 
 aiscellansous crops wixl be helpful as indicating general 
 principles. Prom an abstract in Puhling's Landwlrthsch- 
 aftliche Zftj^tung, XLIV (1895), 355 is derived Table VI t 
 
 Table VI s Showing Effect of Weeds on Crops : 
 
 Kind past 
 
 No Weeds 
 
 With Weeds 
 
 Injury 
 
 
 gras. ^ whele 
 plant 
 
 grns. 
 
 % whole 
 plant 
 
 per cent 
 
 Grains 
 
 349 
 
 01.1 
 
 2S6 
 
 20.8 
 
 23.8 
 
 Peas 
 
 Straw 
 
 1301 
 
 
 loie 
 
 • 
 
 22.4 
 
 Grains 
 
 850 
 
 37.9 
 
 470 
 
 34.1 
 
 44.7 
 
 Field Beans 
 
 Straw 
 
 1390 
 
 
 910 
 
 
 34.6 
 
 Av. tuber 
 
 ' 57^ 
 
 
 35.8 
 
 
 
 Potatoes 
 
 All tubers 
 
 27776 
 
 
 12775 
 
 
 54.0 
 
 Hoots 
 
 1-3680 
 
 70.4 
 
 1810 
 
 64.4 
 
 89.1 
 
 Kohlrabi 
 
 Leaves 
 
 7000 
 
 
 1000 
 
 
 85.7 
 
 Roots 
 
 9000 
 
 79.4 
 
 338 
 
 50.7 
 
 96.3 
 
 Garden Beets 
 
 Leaves 
 
 2333 
 
 
 329 
 
 
 85.9 
 
 The number of potatoes where no weeds grew were 
 483 and with weeds were 367. 
 
 The injury in every case is marked being the roost 
 severe with the root crops. The percentage of injury was 
 uniformally greater with the grain and roots than with the 
 
11. 
 
 straw and leaves. 
 
 Proa a Scandinavia® source th© results in Table VII 
 ar® taken (E.G.R. 15, 683) 
 
 Table VII : Showing Effect of Wssda on Yield : 
 Results given in kilograms per Rreta*"'^, 
 
 Part No Weeds With W©<idB Crop and Weeds Total 
 
 Crop 
 
 Hay 
 
 Barley 
 
 Potatoes Tubers 22101 11330 
 
 
 
 Crop 
 kilo 
 
 Weeds 
 
 kilo 
 
 kilo 
 
 DecroaseC-) 
 kilo 
 
 
 6180 
 
 2890 
 
 1740 
 
 4630 
 
 -IdSO 
 
 Grains 
 
 2246 
 
 833 
 
 
 4976 
 
 -1066 
 
 Straw 
 
 3795 
 
 8407 
 
 1735 
 
 
 
 The decrease in yield of crops is marked in every 
 case, a yield of 1740 pounds lowering the hay yield 3S90 
 pounds. 1735 pounds of weeds lowered th© yield of barley 
 grain 1413 pounds, and of barley straw 1338, making a total 
 of 2801. The percentage of injury to the grain was much 
 greater than to that of straw. The decrease in total 
 yield was also marked. This Is especially Interesting 
 since it is usually supposed that both hay and barley have 
 relatively large water requirements, as well as W6>eds. 
 
 The foregoing data, while giving unmistakable indica- 
 tions, would have b€«©n more valuable, especially for the 
 purpose of a soil study, had dry matter been cteteraained. 
 
12 
 
 However, «xcepc where cowpeas w®r© .rrown in th# corn, th« 
 presence of "w®eda" in ©very cas€» lowered the yield of com 
 fodder ; and usually the percentage of ear corn to fodder 
 9&t much reduced. The data showing the total yl«ld if 
 taken as reported, also ueuftlly ehow a decided decrease. 
 But hacL dry aiatter be^an determined, the writer i© of th# 
 opinion that the results would be very ©oaflicting. 
 
 The effect of woeds on low-growing crops in Burepe is 
 more marked than on corn in this country. This may be due 
 partially at l^ast, to the greater shading. Where the 
 yield of weeds art* reported (p.//) in these European tests, 
 the total yield is much reduced. 
 
13. 
 
 ISffft^et of yr»fedg on Moietur». Bx|.«rifs®3nt»r8 «4r« 
 
 agr»«»d that on* of th« injurioufc «ff«!ct« of r«»cie on crops 
 ie th« robbery of soil moistur®, ffej^r^oa stttt^c 
 (PhyBic«i Prop«rti«8 of Soiis^ ig.5) th««t w«»«diit JAr-* tno«t 
 injurious in » dry ollmat*. It l« further e®«^2"'--i'iy 
 auppossd th«it w&sds r»iiulr® i3or« coxstur© foi:' the ?rodu<stioa 
 of a giv«fn *^i«mat of dry matter th«a <3o most sgrioul turai 
 piant»» nay« an4 Smith (saaa, 58, 888) in rafsrring to 
 pigeon grass (shich wae uai«d in t»;i «xp»3rim*nt to d^termin® 
 th'^ir »ff#ct on oor-n) »*#©» to voice th» gfin«rsi bsliaf 
 as to all w««a» by statins* t^J^^ it i» f-'it* |>rob*bi« th&t 
 th9»e w«6<2s ue« mor© water in producing «s pound ©f dry 
 matter than doss corn* 
 
 Tht ^innftsota Station (>lnn. ^8, 586) in thf* 
 «xp»rira«nt just rsif#rr^4 to ^AX«o sec. p» ^) founS that th® 
 moieturs in the corn plat "^'n^x^*^ no w<?^© £r*rw v6ri*cl fro® 
 36 to 20 per C4»nt C<Jata approBim^tect from ^ratpbic t«»bxe) 
 «fhii« wh<»r» w*eils wi»r« growing in tb^* corn tb# variation 
 was from 4%J,5 to '? 1^ a difference between the ainiraua of 
 13 % against w?i^7vw©«ds gr**??, Th«s«i variations occurred 
 bfttw-^t^n Jun«» 89 i».nd July 2S juet '=tft*jr ths w^a^ds w«re 
 puii*4« On August S tb«f moistur® in th# w©9d-fr©® po-wt 
 r*ach»d 17 %, which w^s ,th«> iow««t of th« evasion. 
 AsBUtting that this was about (^^ loKrvr.', t-'..',; .i.iurs; , .:;^c;. 
 
14. 
 
 th» cprn oouid extract th« raoifittir® from the soil, it 
 appears that 10 % more moiaturo was availabl's> for t,h^ w«^de 
 than for th® corn. ThQ rapidity with xhich tha T?e@ds 
 oonsumad th© moisture is ahown ag foxlows t 
 
 'oiatura (i) 
 
 Data 
 
 I^ainfail 
 
 July 7 
 
 1.44 in. 
 
 " 13 
 
 
 " 16 
 
 
 " 18 
 
 .55 
 
 " 19 
 
 
 " 26 
 
 1 
 
 •5* "f'r 
 
 49.5 
 32.5 
 
 13.0 
 
 14.5 
 
 7.0 
 
 (1) Per cent moisture approxim^t®6^ from graphic 
 
 etateaent, 
 
 Since the T?©@dls war® pulla€ July 21 th© lowest 
 moisture content waat probably reached on that dat$. Thaea 
 ^olstura dn? terminations v?ar© laad© by the alaetrical method. 
 
 King (T'u. Soils, 86, 44) det%*riTiin»d th© moisture 
 content on tha surface foot of two soils which w^ra in 
 weedy fallow. Th© raeult© wara averages frora thirtean 
 fialda in each cas©. Tns Seima silt loam contalaad 
 6,83 % and th® Goldsboro compact sandy loam, 3.64 % moisturt. 
 
 At tha Cornell Statioa (Bui. S47, 186) axpariraaata 
 were conductad with rye ^nd miilat, and waads in corn. 
 Tha d&ta gives the avaraga par cant of raoistura ta&en at 
 intervals between Juna 27 and August 15, Table VIII is 
 quotad : 
 
15. 
 
 Table VIII s Percentage of Moisture on Cultivated and 
 
 We^dl Plats : 
 
 Plat Treatment Series I Series II Series III 
 
 Maize with Maize with Maiae with 
 
 1 Cultivated 24.7 
 
 2 «Weeds" after June 14 22.0 
 
 3 "W^dds" aft^T June 27 23.6 
 
 4 Cultivated 26.3 
 
 These 1'*:' suite show a deereaee in &v&ry case where 
 "weeds" grew in corn. Had the season been dry and the 
 data given in detail doubtless a greater variation against 
 "we-rds" at. iome periods would b*? shown. 
 
 millet 
 
 weed 
 
 27,7 
 
 26, e 
 
 24.8 
 
 21.3 
 
 2i.e 
 
 22.3 
 
 28.3 
 
 24.6 
 
16 
 
 Composition of WeedB, Corn. I^Ullet. Soy B&ans. and 
 Cowpea B. 
 
 Cameron (Bu, Soils, 28, ) observes, that different 
 crops and evun the same crop under slightly varying condi- 
 tions remove not only widely different amounts, but widely 
 
 it 
 different proportions of tainerai constituents from the soil. 
 
 n 
 Snyder (Soils and Fertilizers, 194) states that, the 
 
 sdount of fertility removed in we^Jds is usually greater 
 
 than that in agricultural plants because the weeds ftave a 
 
 t) 
 greater pov.er of obtaining food from the soil. Again, 
 
 • 
 the same author (Minn. Bui. 101, 244) says that, "weeds 
 
 have large amounts of v/ater and proteids. There is more 
 
 protein in dry matter of purseiane, pig weed, lambs quarter, 
 
 cheese weed, i^nd catnip, then in either alfalfa or clover. 
 
 The drain on land by these weeds is because of the nitrogen 
 
 they contain. 
 
 The Florida, West Virginia, and Minnesota Stations 
 have made numerous analyses of weeds. Table IX > showing 
 data on the coapositioa of weeds as well as analysis, of some 
 agricultural plants for comparison, is ag follows j 
 
X7 
 
 Millet, and Soy B«aa» - 
 Authority I. F2O 
 
 
 5. P205 
 
 Veeds 49 Ayerage W. Va*19 X.62 .53 
 PoKe ¥ee^ 1 HaK.Cemp. " 3.38 .65 
 Broome Sedge 1 Min. " » •78 ,21 
 Tall Eagweed 1 •* 1.36 ,41 
 
 ¥ee{3s 15 
 IPlg Weed 
 
 Pleld S&uttle ma, H " 1.57 
 Lamb's Q;uarter Max. Ash 
 
 ATerage Minn ,101 2,61 
 
 344 
 Max, H " 4.25 
 
 , Com ?«ddery 
 3>ry Matter, 
 K2O Ash 
 
 2,51 
 
 8.00 
 
 .68 
 
 1,79 
 
 ie.51 
 
 Goldenrod 
 Pigeon Graas 
 
 Pursels;^e 
 Cottoa ' y/ead 
 
 Min " 
 
 2,60 
 Max, Oomp.Sla, 11 4.05 
 
 Cora fodder 35 
 Millet 
 
 Millet 
 Millet 
 
 Millet 
 
 (iGwpea 
 Soy Beans 
 Soy Beans 
 
 Min. 
 
 Jt&bjXb 
 
 « ,71 
 
 0,S,S,1 1.25 
 11 
 
 « 11, 
 partly filled 38 2.05 
 
 1 In bloom " « 1.41 
 
 1 Minn.Eept. 
 
 1894, /?>^ 1.18 
 
 12 Bry fodder O.S.B, 
 
 11, 14 1.30 
 
 8 • Eay * 2.98 
 
 6 Sreen fodder " 1.92 
 
 1 Cut Aug. 30 "76 2.42 
 
 18,34 
 
 5,89 
 
 12.77 
 
 26.02 
 
 5,66 
 4.7 
 
 8.6 
 5.8 
 
 10,17 
 
 6.50 
 8,50 
 9.50 
 
 P,50 
 
18 
 
 The table ehows a widd variability in the compoeitiom 
 of W6«&(3e. This Btronf^ly luggeet th» necessity of noting 
 the charactt risticfi of the particular w©ftd with which any 
 experiment is conducted to determine their effect on another 
 crop. Further, it suggests poesib*iiti^8 in soil studies 
 since by the proper selection of v;eedE to grow on the soil 
 uEfcful variations may be secured. 
 
 The nitrogen content of millet eeems to be slightly 
 higher than in corn fodder, and the ash cont-mt is d#cide41y 
 higher. Toubtl^ss the composition of aiiiet varies as 
 wieldly as doe-s that of corn. Soy beans ar*? d'^cidedly 
 higher in both nitrogen and ash than corn fodder and cowpeas. 
 
19 
 
 Sfftot of Fe^dg oa Fortiliging Congtltuents . 
 
 It has been not«4 above (p. /y) that many ^f^^de possess 
 a very high nitrogen and ush conts^at. It wou-u.d appear that 
 they might cause inju:'y by rmkovinr, either nitrogen or th« 
 mineral elements. On land wh»r© phosphoric acid or 
 potash or nitrogen is highly btfneficiai to crop<», it wouli 
 aesm reason abl« th&it a W6.%d with & high ash find nitrogen 
 content would c-^uk-s injury by removing the d^fici^nt ©lament 
 or tiemento whatever they might be. ?ut in the discussion 
 undsr thia haad, nitros'Sn will receive -the greatest share 
 of att'=»nt.ion, since nitrates cease to form after the soil 
 moisture reaches a certain low ximit, and since the nitrates 
 in the soil show a rjreater variability than the other 
 sssential elements, (©onsidsrable attention will be paid to 
 phosphoric acid, and but little will be givt^n to potash. 
 The potash requirement of soils is not so variable as either 
 phosphoric acid or nitrates, and data is not so available. 
 
 Snyder (Soils and Pertiliaers, 1x5) states, "Nitrifica- 
 tion cannot ta}ta place in a soil deficient in moisture. 
 As m aii ferraentation i)r-oces3«s, so with nitrification, 
 moisture is neesssarj' for the chemical changes to talte 
 place. In « very dry time nitrification is arrested for 
 the ipant of Tpc-ter.** 
 
 Warrenton (Physical properties of Soils, 95) refers 
 to experiments by Schloesing Jr. (Coiapt. rand. OXXV, 824) 
 
20. 
 
 upon the effect of amount of water on the nitrification 
 of Ajmoniuit sulphate. The ©xperiments wery made on 
 artlfici&l mixturt^s of sand and clay in various propor- 
 tions, including a smt^xi CiUi^ntity of ehaik. The same 
 percentage of i^atdr was added to each mixture for the main 
 line of the ©xperim«int. A furth^^r variation wt-B secured 
 by adding luore water to the more clayeyuixtures. The rate 
 of nitrification, where the same amount of water was added, 
 was nore rapid in. the sand than in the clay, "By increas- 
 ing th*=^ rercf.'ntag® of v/ater in the soils containing the 
 inost clay, the rate of nitrification was rai8««a to that 
 observed in the sandy soixs. He (Schioesing Jr.) con- 
 cludes that the different rate of nitrification In mainly 
 due to the different thickness and therefore availability 
 of the water film coating the pertlcl-s of thfe various 
 mixtures,'* 
 
 Where weeds or any other crop rapidly lower the moisture 
 in the soil, it would seem that there would be less nitrate 
 formed than where the aioietur^i condition is good. 
 
 King (Bu. SoilsB 26, 52 ) givss the variability of 
 water sclubla KO3 and HPO4 in the surface four feet in 
 eight states as foij.ows : 
 
 NO3 varies in the proportion of 1 to 8 
 
 TTPO4 " ft n t. " 1 « 4 
 
21 
 
 In each case 1 reprasants tha amallast amount of th© 
 raspactiv© eonstituant found. 
 
 In another tabla (p. ) is ^ive»n tha ran/i® found in 
 aight coil typ«sis, 
 
 NO3 varies in the proportion of 1 to 5.8 
 ?fP04 ** " " " " i '^ 2.8 
 
 K " " " " •• i w 2.4 
 Cameron and Bail (Bu. Soils 30, 67) state that 
 '''analyses oi & number of ©xtracts obtained from several typas 
 of soil of widely different origin and compoeition have 
 yiaidad «n average for potassium (K'^ of 27.3 j)arts, and for 
 phosphoric acid (PO4) 8.5 parts p&r ailiion aoiution. The 
 approximate uniformity of the individual r = suitB makti'S it 
 appear improbabla that a further accumulation of data would 
 change these averagf^ figures raat-sriaily. 
 
 In August and September (Eu. Soils 26, 49, 50,) thirty- 
 two determinations wifere mad© of th© watar soluble acid 
 radicles In the soil under corn. There was a wid'* varia- 
 tion of soil typ«s, studied in various stat«ijs. Th® data 
 is the sum of results for four feet i^nd is accordinsly 
 given in parts per four millions (x>p'/-m) dry soil. The 
 rang* of KO^, PP^ ^ was 3.17 to 334. 3S , 12 r^n below 
 10 pp.y m. . 37^ of the determinations showed lidss than 
 2.5 p. p.m. NO^ par foot. The rang© in HFO^ was 2.44 to 
 39.56 p.p.jfan. 
 
 Thasa show a wida variability for both N0« an4 HPO4. 
 
22 
 
 fhe aoi4 radicals were det«railn«<i f i in the soil under 
 
 tn 
 
 o©tton f^r the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4tli fe©t,^a Norfolk gar ly 
 ssoil (Bu. Srilfl 26, 39). th« reault« follow In Table >C. 
 faTt>X« X : Amount water Soluble WO3 aa4 IBPO4 In So lie 
 under Cotton in HorfoUc Sandy Soil, Goldstruo, Iff.C, 
 Sijtrfaoe :^oot 
 Month Hfeo HO3 HPO4 
 April 10.13 26.70 16.20 
 May 9.06 50.00 10.56 
 
 Jime 6.9S 3?. 56 ®.86 
 July 3.41 3.99 10.21 
 August 5.26 2,54 .72 
 
 Sept. 3.74 1.30 2.68 
 
 # rd foot 
 April 16.20 22.70 0.70 
 Hay 15.75 8.07 3.61 
 
 June 13.85 
 July 11.73 
 August 10.99 
 Sept. 12.61 
 
 6.51 6.70 
 
 7.66 6.94 
 
 4.60 .77 
 
 4.88 1.55 
 
 2nd 
 
 foot 
 
 
 //^O 
 
 /VJj 
 
 f-^fO^ 
 
 16.42 
 
 30,01 
 
 11.30 
 
 13.01 
 
 9.03 
 
 4.28 
 
 11.39 
 
 4.]?B 
 
 7*33 
 
 7.29 
 
 1.74 
 
 8.82 
 
 8.46 
 
 3.22 
 
 1,94 
 
 8.93 
 
 .96 
 4th yoot 
 
 2.24 
 
 19.19 
 
 38.40 
 
 9.30 
 
 16.55 
 
 14.93 
 
 3.23 
 
 15.61 
 
 10,72 
 
 4.82 
 
 14.90 
 
 12.88 
 
 S.98 
 
 14.16 
 
 12.30 
 
 .79 
 
 14,81 
 
 14.76 
 
 2.39 
 
23 
 
 These results show in a general way that the NO3 lowers 
 with, the moistur*?. The rtjsults in the surface foot in May 
 and June, however, show an increase, uxthough there is 
 a sli,"ht decrease in raoieture. But for this period there 
 iB a decidea. dscrsese in r.On in the second and third feet. 
 In July when the lo-wesr soil B^^iWQ to be unablt to pt^rmit 
 Any material amount of NO3 to be transferred to the surface 
 the fall in this radicle was fextreme. Tht» moietur© for 
 this period was vei-y low. In Au/;uet the noisture in ths 
 Burfiic-- h^^d increaeed considerably, but there wa» no 
 corresponding incr as© an NO3. In the fourth foot there 
 was considerable reduction of NO3, in May, and a alight 
 reduction in moisture. After this period the amount of 
 NO^ was fairly constant with a slight decrease in moisture 
 content. It is hardly probable that this was beneath the 
 action, ©f capillarity had th®r© beea sufficient moisture 
 In the surface. The roots of the cotton plant doubtless 
 penetrated somewhat into the third foot of soil, but did 
 not reach the fourth foot. The data shows a valuable 
 reserve in this soil beneath three feet, accumulated by 
 leaching from the surface which under the proper condition* 
 of capillarity would be of material advantage to the plant, 
 
 Th«- 1^0^ W4H6 considerably higher the first month than 
 later at each depth, and lowest in August. It has been 
 noted that th*» mols'ture content was increased durin«; thfe« 
 
24 
 
 month and presuiacibiy lh» NO should have been also, Was 
 
 3 
 
 th6r« an increan© in NO^ ^^.^ shown in th-^ table which 
 cauB&d 6 greater consumption of HPO^.? And HPO. being the 
 lusB diffusible, ie it improbable that for a short period 
 it wiiS the limiting factor rath'sr than N0„ ? In general 
 the ^IP04 decreases with th€i depth, but would not s-tjera to b© 
 a limiting fiactor except possibly in August. 
 
 The results (Pu. Soils 26, 47) On the PoccosaTz. soil 
 show a decided faxi in NO3 in the surfae-? four feet, not- 
 withstandm'? an increase in aoistur® as show^i in Tabl« Xl> 
 
 Table X/ : Moisture and NO3 Content in Poccosan Soil 
 
 Whdra Corn was Growing, 
 
 Date Moisture NOg WPO4 
 % pp 4 HJ pp. 4 in 
 
 May 30 1823 65.34 36.94 
 
 Aug. 27 2065 11. ^ 14.20 
 
 In a wood«^d tract of large trees on Goldsboro compact 
 sandy loam, thr NO- lowers vt»ry much mor^ rapidly than the 
 
 o 
 
 moisturw m ^ach of thfe surface four feet of soil (Eu. 
 Soils 26, 45). The fourth foot, just referred to above, 
 is drained as completely of its NO^ ^^ ^v,^ eurf^c© foot. 
 The difference to which the roots penetrate, perhapa at least 
 is a factor in causing tli* variation. The HPO4 is much 
 
25 
 
 jftor© abundant in th« surface foot than below. While the 
 
 minimum is not as low as in the Norfolk eandy soil, 
 
 diffueion would seem to be ieee effective, which gives 
 
 rise to the suspicion that HPO may have been equally as 
 
 4 
 difficult for the plant to seeure as was NO3, As in the 
 
 Norfolk sandy soil, the lowest proportion HPO4. in each of 
 
 the four feet occurs on one date, which in this case is 
 
 May 23. 
 
 The above series of data indieates the general 
 variability of NO3 and of H?04. ^he HPO_^, .while doubtless 
 deficient in some cases, does not generally seem to show 
 the variability which NO3 does. It would be expected, 
 therefore, that any plant growth which made large demands 
 on these substances, would make rapid and large changes 
 upon the soil content of these radicles. 
 
 The effect of weeds growing alone upon the acid 
 radicles as compared with those where crops were cultivated 
 is shown b|i King (Bu. Soils 26, 44). The results which 
 fellow are given for the surface four feet s 
 
26 
 
 N03 
 
 p.p. 4 ffi. 
 
 HPO4 
 p.p. 4 ffi. 
 
 i8.95 
 
 26.05 
 
 27.53 
 
 35.51 
 
 6.30 
 
 39.54 
 
 17.85 
 
 22.77 
 
 25.94 
 
 22.64 
 
 9.33 
 
 20.45 
 
 i7.54 
 
 23.23 
 
 Soil from 
 Single field, b-sst cart 
 20 fields, 1<I8S care, &v«r&g« 
 13 fields, weedy fellow, » 
 
 Goldsboro compact, sandy loam s 
 Single field, beet care 
 20 fields, Xees care, average 
 13 fields, weedy fallow, " 
 Wooded tract 
 
 While there may be a question about the results being 
 strictly comparable, th* poverty of NOg is very striking, 
 and especially so if it remembered that these results are 
 in parts per four million (pp 4a.). The HPO4 shows a 
 dewided increase when weeds are growing in one case, and a 
 very slight decrease in the other instance. It would 
 seem clear that the NO3 is entirely toa low for proper 
 plant growth. 
 
 The Cornell Station (247, 187) gives the total 
 »oiuble salts and !fO„ recovered where rye grew in eorn and 
 RO3 when millet was likewise grown. The following table 
 ahows the adapted results s 
 
27 
 
 329 
 
 160.0 
 
 23.0 
 
 ISO 
 
 15.0 
 
 7.3 
 
 226 
 
 29.0 
 
 • 
 
 7.4 
 
 329 
 
 165.0 
 
 71.5 
 
 Table Xll: Effect of "wetdB" Growing in Corn on the 
 
 Total salts and HOg Content of th® Soil. 
 
 Series I, Corn with Rye Series II 
 
 Corn with 
 
 ?v:illet 
 
 No. Treatment Total salts Total salts NOg ppm NOo ppjs 
 Plat ppm June 27 ppm Aug, 25 Aug? 26 Aug. 8 
 
 1 Cultivated, 
 
 no "weeds" 600 
 
 2 ^) "Weeds" sown 
 
 June 14 644 
 
 3 ''^^Weeds" sown 
 
 June 27 55/ 
 
 4 Cultivated, 
 
 no "weeds" 519 
 
 (h) "Weeds" refer to rye and millet respectively. 
 The total gaits show a decrease on Aug. 25 as eoiapared 
 with June 27. in plats 9L and 3 whe/tewseds grew the reduc- 
 tion was much aore marked than on the checks, and of these 
 more marked where the weeds were sown earlier in the season. 
 Whether the essential eiteiaentfi varied to correspond with the 
 total salts is a matter of conjecture. But the variation 
 of the HOg due to "weeds" was very marked. The variation 
 between the check plats is also great, due doubtless in a 
 large measure to being taken at different dates. There 
 •as further a great difference in the NOg in the check 
 plats, Aug. 8. 
 
28 
 
 HocforNa, und«r Professor Hunt's direction f Cornell 
 247, 1&0-192), approached the probitira in a different manner. 
 Sodium nitrate was applied to the end of a plat (468) 
 Table XII, where millet was growing in corn. This part of 
 the plat is deeignated as 462 N, aft*&r the fertilieer was 
 applied. The growth on the whole plat was ssrlouely 
 cheeked as compared with the check plate where corn was 
 growing alone and receiving cultivation. When the aodium 
 nitrate was applied, the moisture in this plat, fudging from 
 the averages of soil moisture, was not low enough to cause the 
 laek of growth, but the N0_ in the soil was running very 
 low. "Twice the amount of nitrate of soda necessary to 
 supply 86 parte per mixlion of dry soil to 2,000,000 of soil 
 or to a depth of 8 inches was applied to 35 hills of the 
 maiae plat, known as 402 N.on July 6, 14, 21, and 27, or 
 four applications in all. At the end of the first week or 
 on July 14, both the maise and the millet were much greener 
 than the rel|^ of the plat (462) not so treated, but it 
 could not be s&id with certainty that the growth was greater 
 although it seemed a shade longer j on July 18, however, 
 the hills were distinetly larger than the other hills of 
 the millet plat, and as green as the plants on the eulti- 
 vated plat." 
 
 The water soluble nitrogen is shown in table XIII, 
 
29 
 
 Tabie XIIIj Variation* in Wat©r*«olubld Nitrogen. 
 
 Date 
 
 461 CultiT«t«« 462 Millet 
 
 
 plat 
 
 in maize 
 
 
 PP B 
 
 PP m 
 
 May 31 
 
 56.4 
 
 40.0 
 
 June 11 
 
 80,0 
 
 80.0 
 
 June 22 
 
 73.9 
 
 60.0 
 
 July 2 
 
 96.0 
 
 10.0 
 
 July 8 
 
 68.5 
 
 11.5 
 
 July 19 
 
 52.7 
 
 7.6 
 
 July 30 
 
 12.3 
 
 3.8 
 
 Aug. 16 
 
 26.0 
 
 7.3 
 
 Aug. 21 
 
 10.6 
 
 fi.6 
 
 Aug. 29 
 
 0.2 
 
 2.8 
 
 462 N End of 462 
 whieh was fertiH«efl, 
 PP m 
 
 21.8 
 48.0 
 180.0 
 320.0 
 218.2 
 282.5 
 
 There can be little doubt that the Inereased size and 
 vigor of the plants in plat 262 N was due to the increase 
 of NO3 in the soil. 
 
 laeidentaily, it may be noted that the NO in eheelt 
 plat 481 probably ran too low for good plant growth on 
 Aug, 21 and 29. 
 
30 
 
 TRANSPIRATION 
 
 The loss of water from the soil when plants completely 
 cover the ground is chiefly through the plants. Generally, 
 weeds lower the moiuture more rapidly and to a lower limit 
 than coi*n (see discussion above). Plants also vary in the 
 amount of water required to produce a pound of dry matter. 
 Warrenton (Physieai Properties of Soils, 53) has colleeted 
 data which follows in Table XIV : 
 
 Table XIV : Water Evaporated by Growing Plants for 
 One Part Dry Matter Produeed i 
 Results obtained by 
 Lawes and Gilbert Hellriegel King 
 Beans 214 Beans 262 Maize 
 
 Peas 292 Barley 
 Barley 310 Potatoes 
 
 ^eat 225 
 Peas 235 
 Red Clover 249 
 Barley 262 
 
 272 Maize 
 
 233 
 
 393 Millet 
 
 416 
 
 423 Peas 
 
 477 
 
 Red Clover 330 Red Clover 453 Sunflowers 490 
 
 Wheat 359 Peas 
 
 Buckwheat 371 Oats 
 
 Lupine 373 
 
 Rye 377 
 
 Oats 402 
 
 477 Buckwheat 646 
 
 557 Oats 665 
 
 Barley 774 
 
 Mustard 843 
 
 912 
 
31 
 
 Wid© variations occur in th« amount of water required 
 to produce a given weight of «py matter in different plants. 
 In the two columns where corn oceurs, less water is required 
 than for any other plants given. Millet occurs only in 
 Wollny's results, and requires 74.25 % more water than corn. 
 Peas, on which data is given in the table, shows 235, 292, 
 477, and 477 parts, respectively for one part dry matfeer. 
 The figures given by Lawes and Gilbert show a greater 
 economy of water than the others. Is this eeonoay due to 
 the moist climate of England, to the manner ef conducting 
 the experiment, or to some other cause ? The results from 
 the German investigators dif'fer widely. 
 
 King (2u. Soils, 26) conducted experiments on trans- 
 piration from the corn plant on four different soils. The 
 soil was placed in barrels and a constant supply of water 
 maintained one foot from the surface. Evaporation from 
 the soil surface was included in the transpiration results. 
 When the eorn made a very poor growth, the proportion of 
 water required was about three times as great as whea the 
 growth was good. Manifestly, where the evaporation is 
 included in the results, the data is untrustworthy as showing 
 the transpiration. Yet the data hag practical value and 
 supports King's general observation, that where the trans- 
 
32 
 
 piration (ineXuding evaporation} is large, there is a larger 
 proportion of dry matter produced than when the trttnspiration 
 ie email. Th@ inclusion of evaporation from the surface 
 with the transpiration by some experimenters, and its 
 exclusion by others, together with different rat^a of 
 growth would be euffioient without other varying factors to 
 cause the difference observed by the investigators quoted. 
 
 King (Wis. 8 K;ept, 126) calculated the amount of water 
 required to produce a pound of dry matter under field con- 
 ditions. Barley re^uAred 402, oats 501, a?i« corn 301 pounds 
 of water. Variations due to evaporation and capillarity 
 were included in the data. Hays (hmn, 68) calculated 
 that wheat under field conditions required 261 pounds to 
 produce a pound of dry matter. 
 
 Warrenton (Physical Properties of Soils, 52) observes 
 that, the relation in question (between transpiration and 
 dry matter produced) appears to be fairly definite so long 
 as certain conditions remain constant, but to vary under 
 a wide range of circumstances. Further (p. 53) : "Two 
 circumstances seem especially to influence the relation of 
 water supply to produce : 
 
 1. Til© amount of water supplied 
 
 2. Its rie'oness or poverty in plant food. 
 
33 
 
 These two oirciuastanees art relatively connected. When the 
 soil eontains little water* the solution in the soil is com- 
 paratively eoncentratea in oharaoter. Fhen much rain haa 
 fallen, the supply of watwr in the soil siay b« ample, but 
 It eontains v®ry little plant Too4l, "The presence of 
 mueh soluble saline matter in the soil is probably a check 
 to a rapid transpiration of water by plants." 
 
34 
 
 TH« RELATION OP TRANSPIRATION TO PLAKT F00I5 
 TRANSFERRED TO THE PLANT. 
 
 There seens to be two means of transferring plant food 
 to th« plant, viz., diffueion, and th© mechanical transfer 
 in the stream of water. The older plant phyeioiogiste 
 seem to lay e gr-^ater stress relatively on the form^rthan 
 do later investigator©. Storer, conforming to the views 
 of the older iscvestigators, cites the T^ardiaji ©aee, and 
 plants growing In the greenhouse where the air is moist, 
 as showing the importance of diffusion. Re assumes that 
 transpiration is not sufficient to cause the required trans- 
 fer of plant food. May not the passage of water through 
 the plant due to root pressure be greater than is assuHied ? 
 And may not the plant food in the artificial soils usually 
 employed under such e^ircxuastanees be more abundant, thus, 
 perhaps, re<iuiring less water to produce a givin amount of 
 dry matter ? Referring to the laeehanieal transfer of plant 
 food, Losw (Bu. Plant Industry 45, 11), states that, the 
 surplus of mineral matter found in plants, nutrient as well 
 as Indifferent compounds,- depends to a great extent uion 
 the intensity of the current of transpiration, which explains 
 
35 
 
 Why herbaceous plants show a higher percentage of ash for the 
 dry matter than do the leaves of woody plants. ?^arrenton 
 (Physical Properties of Soils, 51) states, "The greater the 
 evaporation f transpiration) , the greater the transferrence 
 of plant food from the soil to the plant," 
 
36 
 
 CAPILLARITY 
 
 The writer under Professor Pippin's direction deter- 
 mined the capillary rU-e of water in four air &ry soils of 
 different textures. Soil 1 was secured by separating a 
 coarae, sandy soil with a half ra.m. sieve, that which failed 
 to pass through being retained. Soil 2 w&a secured from 
 that which was eliminated in securing Soil 1, and which 
 failed to pass throu.^h a tenth w.m. sieve. Soil 3 was a 
 silt loam, and was not passed through a sieve. Roil 4 was 
 a caked clay loana, which wee broken down with a r^ler and. 
 passed through a half m.ia, sieve. Glass cylinders 40 cm. 
 internal diameter wer« prepared by firmly tym^ a dam of 
 folded ch«eseclotatt over one end. The soil was carefully 
 placed in the tubes, avoiding the formation of air spaces. 
 The cylinders were set in pans in which wiiit*?r was maintained 
 at a depth of about two inches. The results s>n Table XV 
 refer to rise above the water level. 
 
 Table XV : Capillary Rise in Soils of Different 
 Texture: - in Inches. 
 
37 
 
 1 
 
 7 8.5 
 
 2 
 
 8.5 10.7 
 
 3 
 
 3.5 7,1 
 
 4 
 
 1.7 
 
 Capillary Rise at Different Periods 
 
 No 10 ma. 1 hr. 2 das. 7 das. 13 das. 27 das. 48 das. 
 Soil 
 
 11.0 12.3 13.3 14.7 16.2 
 13.2 *14. 8 15.7 17.2 19.0 
 36.8 55.5 65.0 72.0 or top 
 
 10.1 18.1 22.5 28.7 35.7 
 The coarse soils 1 and 2 show #the most rapid rice 
 
 in the beginning, but fail far behind toward the end of 
 the experiment. Soil of medium t>»xture permits the water 
 to rise rapidly, diminishing toward the iact,«when it reached 
 the top of the cylinder. r^oubtlese in time the rie© would 
 have be©n eonsiderabiy higher had the column bsen longer. 
 Soil 4 showed a slow rise, and judging from the results 
 in capillar^ tests by the California Station, it is probable 
 that it would never have reached above 48 inches. Had it 
 been convenient to determine the rise in ffioi8ten*!id soil, 
 the capillary rise would have been greater and perhaps 
 the comparative results would have been eomewhiat different. 
 These differences, however, indicate the gr^at variations 
 in the capillary power of soils - differences which should 
 be eliminated as far as possible in experimental work. 
 When th-ii 4l^^ ^® P"^ under speeial stress, such as gro'iring 
 "weeds" in corn, the variations due to this cause might 
 
38 
 
 reacoaably be expeeted to very ssriousiy modify r^isuitB. 
 
 Wa3-r«nton (Physical Propertiss of Soils, iOl), quot©» 
 ©xperimentB on capillarity made by King (Wisconsin Station) 
 when the water ws» m&intained at different depths beneath 
 the surface. The results follow in Table XVI. 
 
 Table XVI t Rate of Capillarity, where '"ater was 
 
 Maintained at Different 'Depthe from the Surface. 
 Pounds per Square-foot Surface. 
 Soil rii stance Wat-r^r Level beneath Surface 
 1 ft. 2 ft. 3 ft. 4 ft, 
 
 » 
 
 Fine Sand 2.37 lbs, 8.07 1.23 .91 
 Clay Loam 2.05 1.62 1.00 .90 
 
 The evaporation or amount transferred to the surface by 
 capillarity was sufficient where the water was four feet 
 beneath the surface "for the most luxuriant growth." 
 
 These results, however, are not eecured in the field 
 since crops suffered with the water table within five feet 
 of the surfaee. The roots would easily penetrate to 
 within four feet of the water table. Warrenton assigns as 
 a reason for this that in the laboratory the soils are 
 usually screened so thstt the particles are of a fairly 
 uniforai size, while in the field there is a greater varia- 
 tion J and that the water level in the field does not tf^^Jl^y 
 
39 
 
 aolstur* as readily as artificial flupplies in the laboratory. 
 The objection that the soiie used in the laboratory are 
 different from the field ^soils, however, does not apply to 
 the Wisconsin results. The same author (p. 105) fur||hep 
 states ; "The praetical effect of capillary action in raising 
 water to the surface of the soil to the level oecupied by 
 plant roots, has apparently been very much exagerated ; its 
 influence on the distribution of water in the soil is never- 
 theless very large." 
 
 Some Florida trucking soils (Bu. Soils 13, 8, 9,) 
 however, seem to possess a remarkable power of maintaining 
 a sufficient, although very low, percentage of moisture. 
 •'The soilv is a coarse white or yellow sand underlaid by a 
 coarse sandy subsoil. It looks like a barren sea sand or a 
 coarse sharp building sand, but that it is vsjry productive 
 is shown by the xarge and vigorous growth of pines, the 
 luxuriant growth of grass, the great quantity of truck 
 crops which can be produced during th-:* season, and the 
 enormous growth of beggar weeds which take possession of the 
 land after the crop is removed.** The surface is rolling, 
 varying from 25 to 50 ft. Standing water is 15 to 20 
 f«et beneath the surface. After a rain the sixrface inch or 
 two is soon as dry as dust, but the moisture 3 to 6 inehes 
 beneath the surface nav^r falls b«low 3 % and perhaps 4 % 
 
40 
 
 to 5 ^ i« optimum. At 6 % the soil is quit© wet. N© 
 shoratge of soil moisture occurred during the period of 
 observation, although there were periods of 15 to 00 day* 
 without rainfall. Mschenical analysis shows 94.87 % mediua 
 and fine sand in the surface soil, and 95.28 fy in the subsoil, 
 ^most of the remainder was coarse sand. There is thus an 
 unusual uniformity in the siae of the soil particles, a 
 condition which Warrsnton suggests is favorable to capillarity 
 Yet this author thinks possibly the remarkable results 
 in this soil may be due %X) condensation, the fact that 
 it is situated in a peainsula, together with the depth of 
 the water table, wouxd give credence to this supposition. 
 But Whitney, in support of the theory that the result is 
 due to capillarity, cites soils in dry climates of Southern 
 Califoraia and Texas, where it is not unusual for crops to 
 thrive for a period of five or six months without either 
 rainfall or irrigation. 
 
 This difference in eapiilary power suggests an explana- 
 tion for Hosford's results (Cornell 247, 189) where the 
 largest yields of corn fodder were secured where the soil 
 moisture was the lowest. The results are given in Table 
 XVII, which is quoted as it occurs in the bulletin. 
 
41 
 
 Tai5l« ICVII : Influenc® of Texture of Soil upon 
 
 Moisture Content and its Relation to Yield of Maize. 
 South Series Kcrth Series 
 
 Water per eent Mai^ie Podfier lb. Water p^r cent Mai»e Fodder 
 17.® 762 14.7 903 
 
 16.9 731 13.8 904 
 
 16.1 778 11.9 859 
 
 14.6 972 10.6 1001 
 
 Hunt, in (Jiseussing the results (p. 189) ob6erv-*8 1 
 "The differenees in th© psreent&ge of moistift'e in these 
 plats are due to the eharaeter and perhaps the topography 
 of the soil, the lower percentages being on t,he aandier and 
 higher ground. In general the lower th© pere^nt^St ©^ 
 moisture, the larger the yield of maize. It is extrsiaely 
 unfortumete that the proportion of water soluble nitrogen 
 was not determined by these po-ats." While the aaount of 
 soluble nitrogen is suggested as an explanation of the 
 difference in yield, the relative coarseness of the soil of 
 plats producing the best yields, woiild in the light of 
 results obtained in the laboratory, and observed in the 
 Florida soils, indicate a higher c&piliary power. 
 
 The siae of soil particles whieh havo the greatest 
 capillary power appears to be larger than is usually supposed. 
 
42 
 
 RELATION 0? CAPILLARITY TO TRANSFER OF FERTILIZING 
 CONSTITUENTS. 
 
 King at th© Wisconsin Station (see p.3X^), found that 
 aft^r evaporation experiment e had run for some tim«, salts 
 aG6uiauiat®4l on the surface in eufficient amounts to hinder 
 the lose oS water. The same investigator, when discussing 
 the high salt content in the upper four feet of some soils, 
 obcervas j "It is tha writer's judgment that the relatively 
 high salt content for the soils of Georgia ind South 
 Carolina ar«. to & eoueiderable extant due to a protracted 
 drought, which had prevailed in the regions where the 
 samples were taken, and which, through capillary rise and 
 long and strong evaporation had concentrated the salts in 
 the zone sampled." 
 
 Warrenton (Physieal Properties of Soils, 191) states 
 that, salts may be concentrated in a solid form or ts a 
 strong solution at the surface ; this is especially the case 
 after active nitrification, after drought, or especially 
 and to the greatest extent after the application of a 
 dressing of saline manure. Opposed to this tendency to 
 accumulation at the surface we have the action of rain which 
 tends to carry all soluble salts into the subsoil. 
 
43 
 
 The aXtemat© iaov®iB©nt of the water urpward ana doiraward 
 perhaps explains the sudden increase of soluble nitrogen 
 noted at times iate in the season. Where rain occurs after 
 an accumulation on the surface of nitrates derived either 
 from the soix or from an artificial application, the nitrates 
 bi^ntpath th© surface wixl increasa. Probably if the soil 
 siflmple includ^i-s the surface eoil, ruoh sti<^</eya, fluctuations 
 would not occur. There lis, however, another possibility 
 in a high rate of nitrification du© to a good moisture and 
 te^erature condition. If the plants should cease to use 
 soluble nitrogen sone time previous to taking the soil eample, 
 there would b© an additional cause for an increase of this 
 constituent. 
 
44 
 
 DIFFUSION OF SOIL NUTRIENTS . 
 
 warren ton g;iv©t th» relative diffusion of salts as 
 detdrmln€'d by Marignae, as shown in T^ble XVIII. 
 
 Tabl« XVIII J Selativa riffueion Co6»ffieient8 of Salts. 
 
 Raittiv© riffueibility 
 of AeidB 
 Potaeaium S&ite 
 Chloride 114 Potassiiaa 
 100 Ammonia 
 60 Soda 
 60 Caleium 
 Magnesiuia 
 
 Reiativ© Ciffusibiiity 
 of Easio 
 Chlorides Sulphate* Nitrates 
 
 Nitrate 
 
 Sulphate 
 
 Carbonate 
 
 1.56 
 
 1.25 
 
 1.00 
 
 .65 
 
 ,55 
 
 1.46 
 
 1.00 
 
 .51 
 
 1.55 
 
 1.00 
 .66 
 .64 
 
 There seens to be a discrepancy in the results in the 
 relative diffusibiiity of the chloride and nitrate of po- 
 tassium b«ving in ont< case 1.14 and 1.00 respectively, and 
 in the other 1.56 and i.55. Th=& table, however, shows that 
 salts containing the bases potasaiura and aiiuaonie a^ the 
 acids chlorine and nitrogen are relatively highly 
 diffusible. 
 
 fhen the saiis ars diffusing together, the rat» is 
 slightly different from that where diffusing separately. 
 "The rat© of diffusion of the nore diffusiblo salts is 
 generally very nearly what it would be if diffused alone, 
 
45 
 
 whils th© rate of diffusion o« the less diffusible saj.t is 
 di«tinetly diminished. The relative diffuaibiiity is axso 
 sometimes affected by the strength of th» eolutxon employed."} 
 
 While phosphoric acid is not shown in th«» tabJla, it 
 probably has a low rat© of diffUEibixity. 
 
 Tho abundance of the wat€»r greatly aff(»tt8 diffuelon. 
 In water cultures, proportions of piant food nutriante 
 occur far below the amounts required, if they were only 
 taken up by the plant in the proportions occurring in the 
 solution. In sandy soils, therefore, the ^.iffusioa is 
 better than in clayey soils on account of the greater 
 thickness of the water film. The hindering effect of 
 adhesion would also be relatively less in sandy soils. 
 But it is found th&t in heavy sOils, evan, the nitrates are 
 nearly completely takcfn up. Kins (The Soil, 117) states 
 that at the time the erops are growing, the roots remove the 
 nitrates, whetl€ th'ss© roots are found, so thoroughly that 
 the measured amounts at any on© place is small, the plants 
 tending to pick it up as rapidly as it may be forMg«'< In 
 the results of the same author (Bu, Soij.s 26), previously 
 quoted, where weeds were growing on two types of soil the 
 nitrates were almost eompietely removed. There is eon- 
 siderable water retained in field soils in all cases, hence. 
 
46 
 
 by diffusion only, can th© nearly coraplate removal of 
 nitrates b© accounted for. Usually the phosphoric acid 
 doee not fall relatively so low in soil as nitrates. Thl8 
 may be <^ue to the slower diffusion, or to the continuous 
 solubility either in th© field or in the laboratory, or to 
 all combined. 
 
 ^ile the* movement of soil nutrients for any consider- 
 able diBtance in a reaeonabi© length of time is due to the 
 mechanic al transfer by the v.ater of capillarity or pei*®©- 
 lation, the transfer to the rootlets after t#i© root zone is 
 reached is probably chiefly due to diffusion- Capillary 
 water passing to th© surface may hp, this r.eans be largely 
 or nearly wholly divested of the salts which the i>iants 
 require. Under such cireuia stances the analysis of the 
 surface soil for soluble plant food would giv^ little 
 indication of the nutrients used by the plants 
 
 Ta^ amount of plant food nutrients in '<=^ soil sample 
 aay not even approximately represent th© amount used by 
 the plant, FTowaver, th© amount of excess would probably 
 in Eost cases be some indication. V^ner© the amount was 
 abundant, the plant would be well supplied, but the 
 amou&t might run down to a certs^in fairly or equally low 
 limit, and the plant be nearly or equally as well supplied. 
 
47 
 
 The rearults of nitrogen determinations in drainage 
 water (Bu. Soils 26 j Rothamstead Tv'emoirB, V. 91) from 
 plats of wheat variously fertiliaftd ar© int«:*rfecting in this 
 connection. This land responds abundantly to nitrogenous 
 fertiliz-^r. fh» NO^ ae nitric acid found in ths drainage 
 water and the yields a?'t. shown in Table XiX. 
 
 Table XIX : NOg as Nitric Acid in Drainage Water, 
 
 and Yield of Wheat at The Rothanstead Station. 
 
 The Amount HOg p. p.m. Arranged in Ascending Orde-r, 
 
 NO3 Yield • 
 
 rheat 
 p. p. ill, lb8. 
 
 3.9 1726 
 
 5.1 1988 
 
 8.5 3348 
 
 13,9 3f387 
 
 14.0 5013 
 
 15.1 4480 
 
 15.3 3716 
 
 16.1 5304 
 
 17.4 4967 
 18. 4 ^920 
 
 19.2 4716 
 
 The increase in yield is correliated with the increase 
 of NO3 in the drainage water till 15.1 p. p. a. IO3 is reached. 
 
48 
 
 after which the results vE-.ry although th© average ia above 
 that reached where th*^r« was 14.0 p,T>.nu NO3. (Tliio 
 Bt£t©in@nt is not strictly eorr&ct sines the r-isults W6»r© 
 obtained from 'irainsge water which passed through th© sub- 
 soil Bone distance before entering the drain. doubtless 
 t^-9 amount of NO., given is smaller th^^n wouid have bt-sn 
 
 v> 
 
 secured had tha dr termini ti one been nads where ths roots 
 wsr® feeding ; but the €«aapi-rative r-ssults ^ov.^d probably 
 have not been far dirffxent.) Th© difficulty in securing 
 soluble nitrogon when the amount of NO3 in this soil is 
 below 14.0 p.'.n-i. ie indicated. vany facfors wou^-d affect 
 the limit b%lov; which plants would suffer for lack of 
 soluble nitrogen, one of which would be th@ cloeeness of 
 the roots of the pj.ants. It is probably, the limit for 
 corn would ':e higher than for wheat if th© soil moisture, 
 temperature, a,>d other conditions w«»re the same, 
 
 ^'Tien any crop with a close root systera is growing with 
 corn, IS not the corn at an increasing disadvar>t*ir;» as th© 
 limiting f€«rciliz«ng constituent was lowered in the soil ? 
 
49 
 
 rROUGHT LIKIT . 
 
 The drought iiait, or the per cent of n-ioistup^ in 
 th^ soil, whep pi«intt8 cease to secure sufficient Eoicture 
 for ^rovith, varies widely with the soil and to a i^^es d«jo;r«e 
 •Aith thtt plants, 
 
 Th^ Euroau of Soils aonducted evaporfocion experiments 
 und9J- unifoi-n conditions upon different typee of soil. 
 The soils were artificiaiiy s«turat«>d and smail amounts were 
 u?ed. Ths ior.s m weignt was about uniform till the optirauja 
 ]r.oi£iur* WttS r-sached, wfter which there wi*s a progressive 
 de-crease in loss till the h3''groBcopic moisture was reached. 
 There a^-peisred to be no definite point at which the rat** of 
 ~vfiporation ehanged till the soil became axr dry. The 
 drought j-init, therefore, aprears to bfc '.'je rexation between 
 the neede of the plant and th*- progressively decreaaing 
 ability of the soil to supply raoisture, r£*th©r than any 
 definit* point at which the soil falls to .-^ive up reioisture. 
 
 Nurs'irous determinations by King, Whitin^y^and others 
 show thy wide variation m the eapaeity of soils in the 
 fiyld to give up moistur« to plants, 
 
 H^wa^rich (Physical Properties of Soiie 63, 64) deter- 
 ained the wilting point of plants in dlffer<^-nt BOils, 
 The plants wi^rfe grown in very small boxes till fully develop- 
 ed, and then piaeed under conditions of very little ©vapora- 
 
50 
 
 tion till they b9,ein to wilt. The soil was then mixe^l 
 
 and th* water dr^teraiinod. The air-dry »oil was also 
 
 placed in a saturated atuiosphere to det^rniin*? tlir* hy,'!;ro8- 
 
 copic raoieture. The results follow in the adapted table XX. 
 
 Table XX : Wilting Point of Plants and Hygroscopie 
 
 ^'iolSture in Different Soiu.s Employed. 
 
 M oisture y^r 100 Dry Soil %'^ x 1 1 i ng 
 V^en Plants Hygros. T>oint above 
 
 Soil wilted S/iOistur© nygros, kcxsture. 
 
 Coarse eandy coil 1.5 1.15 30.4 
 
 S&ndy garden eoil 4.6 3.00 . 53.3 
 
 Fine huffius seta 6.2 3.98 55.8 
 
 Sandy loam 7.S 5.74 37.6 
 
 Peat 49.7 42,30 12.8 
 
 Th* wide variability of soils xn their capaeity to give 
 up water to plants is shown, but the wilting pcmt is much 
 below ths t found by ''■'hitney, Kxn/^, and others under field 
 conditions. The p^ant employed xn the experinsnt' 
 would affect the results. There is a Buspxcion th'^^t the 
 iiioitture content shon-n in thPR«? r-^-iits is too low, due to 
 cne B.Tsiail containing boxes used, ^<n6. to r,,ixinr the soil 
 Taef ore determining the moistu/w. The soix above where the 
 roots v;ere feedins possibly approaoi^.ed the hygroscopic 
 wunditiOH. "'"'he wilting point is inuch nT^^rer the hygros- 
 
51 
 
 eopic moisture than th« results obtained by the California 
 Station, 
 
 The drou«;ht limits for weeds is lower than for corn, 
 
 (Sae uiscussion undsr Effect of Weeds on >:Oisture) 
 
52 
 
 INTERRUPTION OF wateR EY PLANTS 
 
 Weber (Phj'Sical Propertie»s of Soils, 119) ©stlaatea 
 
 that m th© forests of Switzsrxand, Prussia, and '^wvaria 
 
 trees interrupted the fallin/r moisture ^b fellows : 
 
 L&rch 15 per cent 
 
 Elrch 19 " " 
 
 Spruce Fir 24 " " 
 hootch Pine 30 " •• 
 
 When weeds eover the surface, and the rainfall is ia 
 Sffaalj. aiBOuiits, tht loss from thu? fisoi.rc® may at tiaies b® 
 yri^rY oi'-tirial. Even v.'hen the rainfall is considerable 
 th« amount intercepted ipay ov'sr^-alance the protection 
 against evaporation. 
 
53 
 
 Effeet of Veefla on LiFJa%. wanath: and Proteetion fr om 
 Alt Currents* 
 
 In a German experiment (E. S. R. 16, 883 ; Fuhling's 
 Landv. Ztg. 53) weeds graving in potato^js, beans, and maize 
 lowered th© t*»mpdratur© 2° to 4° C. through "shading and 
 transpiration, " 
 
 The results of an experiment at the lUnnssota Btation 
 (Bui. 68, 585), where th© tomperature of th© soil -where no 
 vegetation was -^^ro-^ing vas compared with that wteia.^-6 wheat 
 was groining thou,'^h not strictly comparable with weeds growing 
 in crops, v/ould nevertheless be of some value for this 
 purpose. V'hsre the wheat was growing the t*»nip->-r'fetture was 
 about 5° lower than where the ground was bare. 
 
 Manifestly where w^j^ds 2:rowing m corn exelud© the 
 light from the lower leaves, the efficiency of this part 
 would be lessened. Since soil bact*:>ria require abeen- e of 
 light, ij i"^ possible that nitrification wUl occur el.ee^^r 
 to the surface than where weeds are not growing xn corn, 
 proviuing the raoisture ©ontent remains the fif^rae ? 
 
 Suppose a f!:'W siaall weeds were growing in corn, but 
 having a large shading capaoity for the plant food and water 
 coneumed ; wouxd the surface soil feave a better moisture 
 condition for nitrification ? In ordinary field conditions 
 the scant moifiture for aueh of the growing season hinders 
 
54 
 
 Bitrification on the inuaediats aurfaca. 
 
 If a Xiraitvd aa-oimt of Bfaall woeda under the same 
 eondltionB ehouid caus« an iner»»ag© in nitt'4ti,*ja, will 
 there be a suf fieient increases to mors than baiancr; t-he 
 amount of nitrat<9S consumed by them ? There vouid ba 
 probably left; temporary loss of food constituents by 
 aceusulation on t'le eurfac©. 
 
 It would seem, on the ether hand, that thi* lt»s£'^ning 
 of th6 tsmp'i.rfeitvre of the. soil rr.i.Tht be aetrinental, but 
 this sSttEDS to be uncertain. If detrimental in & northern 
 
 » 
 
 latitude, will it nvcessarily b^ true farther south ? 
 
 ^ad© by lowering th® tc»rop-%r&turd lessens feT'aporation 
 from the surface of the soil. Corn while lesKsning evapora- 
 tion does not aGcomplieh thie r-sBult '*8 well as when Vv<?eds 
 are growing with it. y^B'fds iike?;i3fc ascist the rem in 
 hindering the mov6imt.nt of the air ov-r th^ eiuTac©. tht»reby 
 lessening ^■vB.rorSitxon from the surface, Kmrr, fri», Rpt, 
 11, 309) found that ^ass ratter was ev«poratf?d froio. «* pan 
 when placa-rl to the inteward of an oak grov=i, hedge, and 
 elOY-ir field, Thie was probably due both to th* lessening 
 of the vsloeity of th® wind, and to th^ atiaosphe^P;^^' Acquir- 
 ing fiome moi«tur«> from the windbreaks. 
 
55 
 
 Effect of We.ed8 In rroduciriK a Toxic Substance. 
 Aecordmc to an old theory recently revived, 
 plants produfi in soils a subetanc© which is injurious to 
 plant growth. The work by the Bureau of Solxs sSTinis to 
 etrongly indicete the correctness of the theory. It ie 
 claimed that plants vary greatly in the toxicity produced 
 and that soils have different eapaelties in overeoming this 
 linfavortihle condition. If the theory be true, is it not 
 reasonable thttt some webde would cause toxicity for a 
 cultivat'-d plant "> • 
 
 Clark and collaborator© (Cornell Sul. 247, 198) 
 found that soils denominated "poor spots" on -ccount of th» 
 poor crops produced, contained a high content of nitrates. 
 ThiS r>oil When transferrec t,o the cr-dsnhouS'& t-'no puiv^riz^dt, 
 produced "oetter plant /growth than that asnominat,i,cl "good 
 soil". "Good soil" refers to tht^ i;oii '.vhxch iroduced good 
 crops unc't^r field conditions. V'ae Iht* poor production 
 in the fi&id due to a toxie substance v.hich was eliminated 
 by deration or ^owi othar ag©ncy wh-e-n transfsrred to the 
 grv^nhousi- ? Was thery 4tny relation between th« conditions 
 producing high nitrogen content and th* injurious mflusne© ? 
 
56 
 
 Bffeet of Weeds by Root Interference . 
 
 Paunnel (E.C.P. X, 1048 ; la. 39, 52) atates 
 
 V/ 
 thttt BoiB© weeds are injurious because th9 network of roots 
 
 prevent? th«» fuii dfv^ioi'niint of th^ roots of th& grain 
 
 crop. Other observers have aasuiaed such injurious 
 
 effects, but so far r^s the writ'sr is ai'-are- no conclusive 
 
 experisientE have bsen conducted. 
 
57 
 
 Effijct of Serapin/3; on Soil .VSoigture . 
 
 Warrenton (Physical Properties of Soils, 103) states 
 that during six winter months, fOctob-jr to f/arch) the 
 evaporation from & wat6>r aurfac© n«iir Lj.idon 'a-^s 4,8 inches, 
 and from a bar© field at Rothamstead was 4.8 to 5.2 inches, 
 Turing the* six suruner months the ©vaporation v.&sj 15.9 inches 
 fropi Vne former and 11. 1 to 11.5 inches fron r.hR matter. 
 
 At the r,^isconsin Station fliept. 8, 105) '.he* diffsr^inee 
 in ffloisturft was dfetterruned bet\\e^n rolled and ciutivated 
 plats. Tii6 land was pxov.ed in th*-' ej rmf; and th© plats 
 ait-irnated. The results follow in Table J'XI . 
 
 Table XXI : Comparison in Moisture Content between 
 
 Iioll'sd and Cultivat-E^d Land ; First Foot. 
 
 Date Rolled Cultivated 
 
 /-■ /" 
 
 May 29 ±5.4 17.2 
 
 June 9 13.6 16.9 
 
 June 17 ±2.0 ' '^^ xQ.O 
 
 June 20 15.0 ly.O 
 
 July 17 11.6 14.1 
 
 The s-seond and third feet showed a difference in favor 
 of the eultiva'ced piats but was less worked than in the first 
 foot. 
 
58 
 
 c;ny('er ("^oiis arjd Fertiliaers) determined the 
 difference m Soil naoisturo m corn where given shallow 
 cultivation and wh-re not cultivat'^'i. The riaauits follow 
 in Tubl© XXII. 
 
 Tabiw A>ril ; ^'oistur9 in Corn Fiold : 
 
 With shallow No cultivation 
 surfac^j cultivation 
 Soii, depth 3 to 9 xn, 14, Z f 8.2 ^ 
 
 " " J " 15 " 17.8 r 12.38 ;^ 
 
 Th* dirrT«r-snc^ in favor of cultivation is narked. 
 
59 
 
 Effect of ^cranj,^/^ on Yzsld of Corn. 
 
 The routh Cafoiina Station (Bui. 44,2 ) Gompar»;*d 
 
 corn cuitivatsd with c Tn not cultivated. AI-l plats w^^n?' 
 
 planted oa tha Is-V'?!. Th:-.- results are shown in T'-^ble XXIII. 
 
 Table XXTTI : Comparison of Yxeld Ear Corn Cultivated 
 
 and Not Cultivated. 
 
 Treatjueit Sound Corn bu. Total bu. 
 
 CultiV'>i:.t><5, li.\<cl i'^.nd. shallow 51.1 58, n 
 
 Cut _r: rxcgca throughout 5k:. 7 60,0 
 
 Kot ci'l tiv^i.trd, w-'-n and grass, 49,7 56,5 
 
 cut wi ^h hot* 
 
 There ie: hut a cxight dscr-iase in yi^j^c where t^w plat 
 
 was scrapwQ, T-i^ pc-rc^nty/^e of sound corn is about tha 
 
 The Illinois station (Eul 13, 419) eonr-ared ths affects 
 of scraping v.ith cul ^.xVC-tion lor ol^r^r succesaivs y^tira. 
 The land ^■:'-s bxack prairie loam twenty inch-ss dc-ip, under- 
 laid with yellow eiay. In 1887 (the .y-^ar before tht- 
 expsriraent beg-^-ri) crimson clov-^r w-^;-: grown on the land. 
 The Burfae© was scraped at th« usual time for cultivation 
 as follows : First y*>ar fiv»i ti^'ies ; eeeond year three 
 tiffidS ; and the third year four tines. Ths last scraping 
 was given on July 24, July 16, and .^une 25 and 26 for the 
 ryspeetive years. Car© tas taken to disturb th« soil as 
 little as possible when roEOving th© weeds. The results 
 
60 
 
 foiiow in TabXd XXIV. 
 
 Table XXIV : Effect of Scraping on Yi^ld of Corn : 
 
 No. Kind of cultivation Yi<,id per acr® Average 
 
 Pie-t 
 
 i Hoed, ordinary 
 
 2 r^one, we-rds scrap-nd from 
 
 surface 
 
 3 Shaxiow, oncv after tasselinfl 9 4.i 
 
 1388 
 
 i88y 
 
 ioOO 
 
 bu. 
 
 bu. 
 
 bu. 
 
 bu. 
 
 
 96 
 
 72.8 
 
 69. 4 
 
 Sl.i 
 
 90 
 
 ?2.1 
 
 69.1 
 
 78.7 
 
 94.1 
 
 83. e 
 
 65.4 
 
 81.4 
 
 65.2 
 
 79.3 
 
 69.3 
 
 74.9 
 
 Q5.8 
 
 S4.6 
 
 • 
 
 66.8 
 
 81.7 
 
 84.9 
 
 7^.2 
 
 60.8 
 
 73.3 
 
 94.6 
 
 80.9 
 
 71.1 
 
 82.2 
 
 84.5 
 
 68.8 
 
 69.4 
 
 74. S 
 
 4 Pssp, " " " 
 
 5 Fibaxxow, ordinary 
 ■3 i;aipp, " 
 
 7 Shallow, freque.'it 
 
 8 D«*?p, " 
 
 i^or a continuation of these exnerim-nts, s-o El:1. 
 25 aii'i 31) 
 
 Th<s> i'v-sultij ar& consist«»nt for plat ©xp&rmenta. Thts 
 zcrc..jii6 pxat riio'ws but a sii.^^htly less yield than ths 
 best pl5.ts. doubtless sora'9 ws»eds gr>jw in tli-s int-- rvals 
 betw-j'^n zcrayinQ a)\d after "laying by". Should w^ assume 
 that soH'^.. vv-eds 5r«w and that a small arcount of rocds are 
 dwtriiflt>nt'^I ttccorOin,.?: to '.he^r quantity, it would he fe4»sy 
 to cmc^ude that i-his injury wouxd be suffieifeut to cause 
 the sli^lit drcr-^^t;'? in yield when compared ©v*»n with the 
 best yield^r.^ pl&cs. If the soil moisture was lowered in 
 
61 
 
 thiF piat to correspond with thf^t on baro land and m eorn 
 
 above not?!, it would se^m that tha yibid ie not corr«alated 
 with th» .aoiPt-;rs. xn the BOil ivi-isr? plats fc.re scrap-:d. 
 It 'A-.;>Uid fart-i-i-r s^-im to'indicats some C0(rir'c.:i!^^ating factor 
 or factors. 
 
 It IB usually surposwd that cultivation favors nitri- 
 fication, ^^nyd^r, ('^'oiis ^nd F'^^rtilizers} , 114) states 
 that CL-itxvation, particular! ;v yf c^ay sdiIe favors nitri- 
 ficii^:jLon iiiQC'^asin-'^ the supply of oxygen in th«& aoil. 
 If this ba tra&, v,-iv^ ch© Illinois and '^.onth , Carolina soils 
 suri'f iciwntiy rich in nitrattsia under ths supposedly un- 
 favorable conditions far the nitr-^tes not to be a limiting 
 factor ? 
 
62 
 
 Effect of Mulching . 
 
 Th« Geneva Station (7 Kept. 180) compared molEtur© a 
 in duplieat© plate not growing pi&nts d--- folio^/s : We^-ds 
 pulled, cultivated different e.epths^and mulched. The 
 results follow in 7av>l© XXV, 
 
 Table XXV : Effect of Fui^xrir ^'f-^ds, Cultivation and 
 
 MalGhing on Soil Moistur© ■.'vlio/'-) no Plcntr Crow. 
 
 Un^ouched Cultivafjd Muleh 
 
 "'-i'Sds pul^=dl/2" 2" 4" i in. short 
 
 oat straw; 
 
 'f' /^ ir> c/ or ?. 
 
 Av^rar.- 7 ay 5-0 ct 3 lo.l9 17.10 17.^i-l 18.00 19.37 
 
 Aug. 8 14.8 15.1 IG.l x6.L 19.0 
 
 T/irt raulchad plats shov; an exceea of moieturs over the 
 cultivated pxata, which in turn show an excess ov-^r tha 
 untouch'^d pi^ts. Th<e diff^ia'tpnce is jaor© marked during 
 the dry v;sathc!r, 
 
 FD'e"iineyt»r (Physical PropertitJS of Suiia.lll) found 
 th.'^i ti-iS evaporation from artificially saturated soil 
 within the for-st covered by I3tt6fp vras durj.n/r the six 
 si^KHit-.r months only 46 per cent a? ;nucn '^s wh«?-'e no litter 
 was empioy^ijd. It xa poi::sibls> tht't un'"''^i- cyftain cireum- 
 stanees? th*r' fr.ulch api)lie-1 about crops by tt'naip.g to prevent 
 the soil moisture reachin,'^ Buch '^ low etttus may maintain 
 a condition by which capillarity may be rcort- active. After 
 the moiBture reaches below a e<irtain lirait there may not only 
 
63 
 
 ■be a iaek of upward capiiifetrity but ioas may oceur fron 
 percolation. 
 
 On th© other hand a muich intercepts rnoidturw and 
 ehouid therefor© not b© too thiclt. This wouid apply with 
 especial force if the rainfall is m eraaii amounts. 
 
— EXPERIMENTAL ~ 
 
65 - 
 
 PURPOSE OF EXPERIMEKT 
 
 In the experiment herein treated it was not proposed 
 to study all the possible causes of injury which weeds produce 
 when growing in corn. The chief efforts were confined to the 
 effects of weeds on the soil moisture and the fertilizer con- 
 tents of the soil . Fxirther variations were produced in the 
 experiment by scraping and mulching the siorf ace of the soil . 
 As the experiment progressed other variations than those inclu- 
 ded in the plan developed. Although a consideration of some of 
 these other factors may not be strictly in line with the pur- 
 pose of the experiment, their inclusion is neverthSless believed 
 to be warrented. 
 
 GENERAL PLAN OF Tj^ EXPERIMENT 
 The plan of the experiment included the following 
 comparisons: 
 
 Fertilization vs No fertilization 
 "Weeds" " No "Weeds" 
 
 Small growth of "Weeds"" Larger growth of "Weeds" 
 Cultivation " Mulch 
 
 Cultivation " Scraping of surface 
 
 Nitrate of soda, acid phosphate, and sulphate of pot- 
 ash were applied to plats singly. For weeds millet was used in 
 the main line of the experiment. Soy beans were used as a var- 
 iation. One plat was mulched and one merely had the weeds cut 
 at the surface of the ground, taking care to leavfer - no mulch. 
 
66 
 
 The moisture and fertilizer contents of the soil 
 were determined weekly on the ends of the plats where no corn 
 grew, and, at longer intervals, within the corn. 
 
 No. -i^BETAILED OUTLIKE OP EXPERIMENT— 
 Plat 
 
 (1) Gorn^ cultivated all season; check. 
 
 (2) Com, plat scraped. 
 
 (3) Com, plat mulched. 
 
 (4) Corn cultivated all season j check. 
 
 (5) Corn J millet sown at first cultivation. 
 
 (6) Corn; Millet sown when com was two feet. high. 
 
 (7) Corn, cultivated all season; check. 
 
 (8) Corn; millet sown when corn four feet high. 
 
 (9) Corn; soy "beans sown at first cultivation. 
 
 (10) Corn, cultivated §,11 season; check. 
 
 (11) Corn; soy beans sown when corn was two feet high. 
 
 (12) Corn; soy beans sown when corn four feet high. 
 
 (13) Corn, cultivated all season; check 
 
 (14) Corn fertilized with Na N03i cultivated all season, check. 
 
 (15) Corn. " « « ^ millet sown after corn 
 two feet high. 
 
 (16) Corn, no fertilizer, cultivated all season; check. 
 
 (17) Corn. fertilized with NaNOs; millet sown when corn 
 four feet high. 
 
 (18) Corn, fertilized with acid phosphate, cultivated all 
 season. 
 
67 
 
 (19) Corn, cultivated all season; check. 
 
 (20) Corn^fertilized with acid phosphate; millet sown 
 when corn two feet high. 
 
 (21) Cornjfertilized with acid phosphate; millet sown af- 
 ter corn four feet high. 
 
 (22) Corn ^cultivated all season,' check, 
 
 (23) Corn^ fertilized with potassium sulphate, cultivated 
 all season. 
 
 (24) Cornj fertilized with potassiiam sulphate,' millet sown 
 after corn two feet high, 
 
 (25) Oorn^ cultivated all season,' check, 
 
 (26) Corn, fertilized with potassium sulphate; check; mil- 
 let sown after corn four feet high. 
 
— MAP OF PLATS — 
 Scale— 1"=27' 
 
 // 
 
 > 
 
 
 14 
 
 
 15 
 
 
 16 
 
 
 17 
 
 
 18 
 
 
 19 
 
 
 20 
 
 
 21 
 
 
 22 
 
 
 23 
 
 
 24 
 
 
 25 
 
 \ 
 
 26 
 
 4 
 
 6 
 
 8 
 
 9 
 
 10 
 
 11 
 
 12 
 
 13 
 
69 
 
 — DESCRIPTION OP PLATS ~ 
 
 The land selected for the experiment had been in corn 
 two or three years previously. It was gently rolling, ^ap- 
 peared to be fairly imiform. Slight variations, where oc- 
 curring appeared to be gradual changes. The highest point 
 was on the northeast part, from which it fell gently away 
 to the southwest. There was a slight depressinn in the 
 southeast portion. The northwest edge bordered grass land 
 which fell away more abruptly. The extreme difference in el- 
 evation of the, experimental ground was perhaps fifteen feet. 
 
 The plats extended from north to south in two series . 
 The north series included plats 1 feo IS, and the south series 
 plats 14 to 26. The plats were 18' by 75'. 45* in the middle 
 was occupied by corn, 15' din each end bare or occupied by 
 millet or soy beans. A strip of 15' was left between the series 
 extending the whole length of the experimental ground from 
 east to west. The corn was planted in hills three feet apart, 
 five kernals to the hill to the better secure a uniform stand 
 of three stalks. Thus each plat contained six rows of 16 hills 
 each. The spaces were left at both ends rather than at one end 
 only. to the better secure com.posite samples which would be com- 
 parable to the soil in the corn. 
 
 Every third plat was reserved as a check. 
 
 FERTILIZERS APPLIED — 
 
 The fertilizers were applied to the whole plat as fol- 
 
70 
 
 lows: Nitrate of soda at the rate of 775 pounds per acre 
 to plats 14, 15, & 17; acid phosphate at the rate of 775 
 pounds to plats 18, 20 and 21; and sulphate of potassium at 
 the rate of 388 pounds to plats 23, 24, and 26, The essential 
 ingredients applied were thus approximately of nitrogen and 
 phosphoric acid (P2O5) 125 pounds, and of potash (KgO) 174 
 pounds . Calculated in the terms in which the statement of 
 fertilizer constituents are made (Tahle "A", Appendix) 
 The nitKgen equals 554 pounds NO3 
 
 PgOs Phosphoric Acid = 167 " PO4 
 
 KgO Potash =145 " K 
 
 » It was intended to apply 640 pounds each of nitrate of 
 soda and acid phosphate, and 320 pounds of sulphate of potash, 
 but because of a change in the length of the plats an error 
 was made . 
 
 — PREPARATION OF LAND PLANTING AND CULTIVATION 
 
 The land had been plowed in the early spring seven to 
 eight inches deep thoroughly turning under the corn stubble. 
 On May 17th., tifter three days of moderate temperature, the 
 land was in fair condition for working, although rather moist. 
 It was prepared^fertilized^and planted according to the plan. 
 The continued cold weather succeeding planting and a washing 
 rain June 18th. made replanting necessary June 22nd. It was 
 not necessary, however, to replant a large per cent of the com 
 
-71- 
 
 Crowe took up some of the corn on plats 10, 11, 12 and 13, 
 which made it necessary to again replant these plats, Qa June 
 18^ iSoy beans were sown on plat 9 at the rate of one and one 
 half bushels per acre. The stand fe not being good the plat 
 was replanted with a hand planter at the same rate July 3rd. 
 
 June 18th. millet was sown at the rate of one bushel 
 per acre on plat 5. A washing rain occurring before they 
 were cultivated in, the sowlngwas repeated June 22nd. 
 
 July 24th. soy beans were sown in plat 11, and millet 
 on plats 6, 15, and 20. 
 
 August 6th. soy beans were sown on plat J.2, and millet 
 on 17, 21 and 26. In all cases soy beans were sown at the 
 rate of one and one half bushels per acre and millet one bush- 
 el per acre. Where millet and soy beans were sown, the ends 
 of the plats as well as the part in corn were occupied. 
 
 The plats were given shallow cultivation June 22nd, 
 July 5th. and July 30th. As it was dry after this and the 
 mulch seemed efficient it was not deemed advisable to again 
 disturb the soil. The cultivation could only be given in one 
 direction. The ridges between the hills in the row were cut 
 down as needed and the plats where corn only grew were kept 
 free from weeds. Plat 2 was frequently scraped on the surface 
 only, taking care to leave no mulch, and plat three had about 
 a two inch mulch of straw after becoming compacted. The plats 
 on which Veed^ were grown were cultivated until the millet 
 and soy beans were sown. 
 
-7^ 
 
 — MOISTURE DETERMINATION — 
 
 All samples for moisture and fertilizer determination 
 were a composite of six borings taken to the depth of 7 in- 
 ches till July 30th. After this date the suiftice two inches 
 was discarded. The soil augur wastiBed in sampling, serving 
 the purpose well except when the soil became extremely dry in 
 the weedy"plats 5 and 9, where it was difficult to get good 
 samples. This difficulty, however, would seem not to affect 
 the value of the results, since if there were any variation 
 from the proper results it would be on the side of conservatism 
 There would be a tendency to secure a higher moiature and per- 
 haps also of nitrogen content on these plats than the actual 
 amount . 
 
 Regularity was observed in the locations at which bor- 
 ings were made , The samples in the corn were taken in the 
 center of the square between the hills in the first^ third, and 
 fifth middles , The first borings were made in the second cross 
 middle from each end, the second from the third, etc. At the 
 ends the first blbring was made three feet from the corn, the 
 second four feet, etc. Care was taken not to walk on the part, 
 where the future borings were to be made. Where slight ridges 
 occurred the boring was made between the furrow and ridge. 
 
 The samples were taken to the laboratory where the 
 moisture was determined and estimated on the basis of dry soil. 
 
-73- 
 
 — FERTILIZER ANALYSIS — 
 
 (All chemical analyses of the soil solution given in) 
 (this thesis were made by J. A. Bizzell, Ph.D. ) 
 
 The fertilizer constituent was determined from the 
 samples used for moisture estimation. Nitrogen (NOg) was de- 
 termined for plats 1 to 17; phosphoric acid (PO^) for plats 
 17 to 22; and potassium (K) for plats 22 to 26 inclusive. 
 These were estimated in parts per million (p. p.m.) dry soil. 
 
 ** Plat 22 heing a check served for comparison for both P04 
 and K? content. 
 
- 74 - 
 
 — WEATHER CONDITIONS — j 
 
 Rainfall from May let, to September SOth., 1907. 
 Date Inches Date Inches Date Inches 
 
 May 3rd. 
 
 .02 
 
 " 4th. 
 
 .15 
 
 " 6 
 
 .08 
 
 w 7 
 
 .39 
 
 " 9 
 
 .46 
 
 " 10 
 
 .20 
 
 « 11 
 
 .11 
 
 " 15 
 
 .01 
 
 " 16 
 
 .33 
 
 " 18 
 
 .02 
 
 - 19 
 
 .10 
 
 « 26 
 
 .53 
 
 " 27 
 
 .11 
 
 
 2.8S 
 
 June 2 
 
 .05 
 
 " 4 
 
 .05 
 
 " 5 
 
 .35 
 
 " 6 
 
 .29 
 
 « 7 
 
 .02 
 
 " IS 
 
 .11 
 
 " 18 
 
 2.44 
 
 " 19 
 
 .15 
 
 " 20 
 
 .22 
 
 June 
 
 23 
 
 .05 
 
 
 It 
 
 24 
 
 .33 
 
 
 tt 
 
 25 
 
 .15 
 
 
 n 
 
 26 
 
 .10 
 
 
 M 
 
 29 
 
 .10 
 
 
 M 
 
 30 
 
 .74 
 5.15 
 
 
 July 
 
 1st. 
 
 .32 
 
 
 n 
 
 2 
 
 .02 
 
 
 n 
 
 7 
 11 
 
 .04 
 .90 
 
 
 n 
 
 
 n 
 
 12 
 19 
 
 .30^ 
 .01 
 
 '/.iS.0 
 
 II 
 
 20 
 
 .18 
 
 
 It 
 
 26 
 
 •17 
 
 ./7 
 
 It 
 
 31 
 
 .01 
 1.95 
 
 
 Aug. 
 tt 
 
 1st. 
 5 
 
 .91 
 .21 
 
 '.-2./ 
 
 n 
 
 16 
 
 .01 
 
 :6Y 
 
 M 
 
 20 
 
 .02 
 
 • 
 
 tt 
 
 21 
 
 .36 
 
 
 It 
 
 23 
 
 .01 
 
 .3 
 
 tt 
 
 27 
 
 .12 
 
 ^ 
 
 Sept 
 tt 
 
 . 1 
 2 
 
 .10 
 .12 
 
 It 
 
 3 
 
 .33 
 
 It 
 
 4 
 
 .14 
 
 n 
 
 5 
 
 .39 
 
 tt 
 
 6 
 
 .02 
 
 n 
 
 8 
 
 .11 
 
 . « 
 
 9 
 
 1.06 
 
 tt 
 
 10 
 
 .04 
 
 It 
 
 11 
 
 .22 
 
 tt 
 
 18 
 
 .o/'- 
 
 It 
 
 19 
 
 .01 
 
 M 
 
 20 
 
 .02 
 
 tt 
 
 21 
 
 .06 
 
 n 
 
 23 
 
 .36 
 
 It 
 
 24 
 
 .03 
 
 n 
 
 27 
 
 .02 
 
 It 
 
 28 
 
 .06 
 
 tt 
 
 29 
 
 .70 
 
 It 
 
 30 
 
 .10 
 
 3.96 
 
 1.64 
 
175 - 
 
 - TEMPERATURE MAY 1ST . TO SEPTEMBER 30th . - 
 
 May 
 
 Mean 
 50. S** P. 
 
 Departure 
 
 nox'mal 
 
 -6.7'* P 
 
 from 
 
 highest 
 85"' P 
 
 lowest 
 27" : 
 
 June 
 
 62.9 
 
 -3.3 
 
 
 93 
 
 41 
 
 July 
 
 69.7 
 
 -0.9 
 
 
 89 
 
 43 
 
 August 
 
 66,6 
 
 -0.6 
 
 
 93 
 
 44 
 
 September 
 
 63.2 
 
 46.6 
 
 
 86 
 
 42 
 
 The rainfall from May 17th. when the corn was planted 
 till September 20th. was 12,11 inches. The latter part of 
 May ajid the first half of June were dry- Rain was abundant 
 the latter half of June and fair through the first half of 
 July. From July Iftth. till in the first part of September, 
 when numerous showers occurred, there was only one rain of 
 consequence, that being August 1st. when .91 inches fell. 
 The rainfall was good through September. 
 
 The temperature through May and June was considerably 
 below normal; the remainder of the season was about normal. 
 
 —GROWTH— 
 
 The dryness during the early crop period pevented 
 rotting of the planted corn while the low temperature serious- 
 ly retarded germination and growth. Through July growth was 
 fair. In August a severe drought occurred but fair growth 
 was made through September. 
 
 After the second sowing of millet and soy beans was 
 
~ 76 ~ 
 
 made, July 24 th., dry weather occiirred which so hindered the 
 growtn^that the experiment was seriously impaired. There 
 was a poor stand of soy beans in all cases although they were 
 covered a fair depth and showed good viability in the labor- 
 atory. 
 
 — INJURIES SUSTAINED — 
 
 Besides the unfavorable season curtailing growth and 
 injuring the stand, a severe wind -storm broke off some plants 
 and cattle injured the plats as follows; 12 and 13 were so 
 severely injured as to throw them out of the experiment; 
 26 was nearly as badly injured; L5, 14 and 25 were injured 
 less than 26; some others were sliglitly injured. 
 
 — HARVESTING — 
 
 The injuries above noted made the harvesting a much 
 more tedious process than usual in order to secure dependable 
 results. All hills In which there was an injured stalk, and 
 all that were clearly replant, were discarded. Record was made 
 by rows of the number of hills harvested with 3 stalks, 2 
 stalks, and one stalk respectively. The rows were weighed se- 
 parately. The "weeds" in the corn and at the ends of the plats 
 were harvested separately. In the corners two representative 
 middles at each end of the plats were harvested. At the ends 
 the edges were discarded and the surface harvested carefully 
 
 measured. 
 
 The harvesting was done September 20th. to 24th, The 
 
- 77 - 
 
 variation in time resulted from the tediousnesa of the task, 
 the lack of a fully matured plan, and unfavorable weather. 
 
 — EFFECT OF STAND ON THE WEIGHT OF THE STALKS — 
 Since there were about eight per cent of the hills 
 which contained but two stalks, an attempt was made to deter- 
 mine whether estimating yield on the basis of the number of 
 stalks was justified. Accordingly the stalks growing two ^ 
 a hill where three or more such hills were in a row were care- 
 fully weighed. These were compared with the stalks in the 
 same row growing three in a hill. The results follow in 
 Table XXVI. 
 
- 78 - 
 
 TABLE XXVI SHOWING COMPARATIVE WEIGHTS WHERE TWO AND 
 THREE STALKS GREW JN THE HILL 
 
 No. Plat 
 
 Ho. Row 
 
 Two Stalks 
 No. Hillsl Wt. perl 
 i stalk i 
 
 Three Stalks 
 No. Hillsf Wt. per 
 stalk. 
 
 2 
 
 3 
 
 7 
 
 8 
 
 10 
 
 11 
 14 
 
 17 
 
 18 
 
 19 
 
 20 
 
 1 i 
 
 3 
 
 4 
 
 3 
 
 4 
 
 5 
 
 5 
 
 4 
 
 6 
 
 S 
 
 1 
 
 6 
 
 4 
 
 3 
 
 5 
 
 3 
 
 S 
 
 3 
 
 1 
 
 3 
 
 5 
 
 4 
 
 4 
 
 4 
 
 6 
 
 3 
 
 1 
 
 ! 3 
 
 
 
 4 
 5 
 
 4 
 
 ^ 5 
 
 6 
 
 i 3 
 
 1 
 
 I 3 
 
 2 
 
 3 
 
 5 
 
 4 
 
 6 
 
 5 
 
 2 
 
 3 
 
 3 
 
 8 
 
 5 
 
 10 
 
 8 
 
 8 
 
 9 
 
 4 
 
 6 
 
 2 
 
 10 
 
 12 
 
 13 
 
 11 
 
 12 
 
 10 
 
 13 
 
 IS 
 
 13 
 
 11 
 
 11 
 
 11 
 
 •i 
 
 Lbs . 
 1.03 
 
 1.07 
 
 1.05 
 
 1.58 
 
 1.75 
 
 1.53 
 
 1.49 
 
 1.62 
 
 1.04 
 
 1.25 
 
 1.35 
 
 1.28 
 
 1.14 
 
 1.13 
 
 .71 
 
 .74 
 
 .81 
 
 .68 
 
 .71 
 
 .79 
 
 .97 
 
 1.0^ 
 
- 79 
 
 (TABLE CONTINUED) (XXVI ) 
 
 No. plat! No. Row 
 
 21 
 22 
 
 24 
 
 25 
 
 26 
 
 Two stalks Three stalks i 
 
 No. Hills I Wt. peri No Hills * Wt . per j 
 
 stalk 
 
 4 
 5 
 3 
 1 
 2 
 4 
 5 
 6 
 1 
 S 
 5 
 3 
 4 
 6 
 
 4 
 3 
 3 
 5 
 7 
 3 
 5 
 3 
 3 
 7 
 3 
 3 
 3 
 3 
 
 iHHwa i ww 'gnt»aigt t w wn w" i 
 
 .83 
 
 .96 
 
 1.08 
 
 .85 
 
 .73 
 
 .87 
 
 .75 
 
 1.08 
 
 1.42 
 
 1.75 
 
 2.12 
 
 1.42 
 
 1.37 
 
 1.17 
 
 12 
 
 10 
 
 11 
 
 8 
 
 6 
 
 8 
 
 5 
 
 12 
 
 10 
 
 8 
 
 8 
 
 6 
 
 3 
 
 2 
 
 stalk 
 
 .86 
 1.07 
 1.05 
 
 .90 
 
 .87 
 1.01 
 1.03 
 
 .99 
 1.66 
 1.63 
 1.55 
 1.44 
 2.14 
 1.58 
 
 ««»ii7i.-ij«tti*»e*;«iB,ii.w?i'a:*>^*-f/urovir:w-Ki(ri"»» tv^'vx.uki 
 
 :i-*,-.«i.i -wvi ■•«" Wv:i'N«'';«ii.'a7,«aa,>»y»jii'1 
 
-80- 
 
 Those plats showing a larger weight per stalk where 
 only two stalks grew were 1, 8, 11, 17, 18, and 19; those 
 showing about the same or varying comparative weights were 
 2, 3, 7, 10, 14, 20, 21, 24, and 25; those showing a smaller 
 weight where two grew in the hill were 22 and 26. Plat #22 
 the north end of which was markedly the poorest part of the 
 whole groxmd contained five rows with three or more hills 
 with two stalks in a hill. In four of these rows the 
 stalks were heavier where three grew in the hill and in 
 the other row there was hut litttle difference. 20 and 21 
 showed about the same weights for stalks growing under the 
 different conditions, while 18 auad 19 clearly showed an 
 adveuitage, where only two stalks grew in the hill. The 
 comparative uniformity of results in plat 22, together with 
 the gradual change in comparative weights as the plat is 
 approached from the west would seem to indicate a corre- 
 lation. But a glance at 26, where two rows were weighed 
 and where the growth was good shows a much more marked 
 difference in weights in the other direction. Conclusions 
 are, therefore, not warranted. 
 
 The weight per stalk where two grew in a hill averaged 
 3.64 per cent more than where three greijr in a hill. There 
 was considerable variation. A comparatively few hills 
 had but one stalk. These showed a great variation in 
 
-81- 
 
 weight. But sinoQ the average per stalk where two grew 
 in a hill was not far different from where three grew, and 
 since the nxunber where two grew were not a large per cent 
 of the whole, it seemed hardly worth the trouble to correct 
 for this error. Suppose ten per cent of the hills had two 
 stalks, weighing ten per cent more per stalk than where 
 three grew, the error would be but one per cent. 4his 
 would fall far below the range of experimental error. 
 Under same conditions doubtless correction should be made 
 where the number of hills with a smaller number of stalks 
 are any considerable per cent of the whole. The writer is 
 informed that at one station it is estimated that a hill 
 with two stalks is calculated to yield SOfo, and one with 
 one stalk 42 per cent as much as where three occur. 
 
82 - 
 
 TABLE XXVII— YIELD OF 
 
 CORN FODDER BY ROWS-— GREEN WEIGHT 
 «RATE PER 100 STALKS 
 
 
 No. 
 Plat 
 
 No. 
 Row 
 
 No. Stalks 
 Harvested 
 
 Wt, rate per 
 100 Stalks 
 
 Average 
 Wt. rate 
 per 100 
 stalks 
 
 Extreme 
 variations 
 from 
 average 
 
 Extreme 
 varia- 
 tionis . 
 
 1 
 
 1 
 
 15 
 
 115.0 lbs. 
 
 lbs. 
 
 1^ 
 
 % 
 
 
 2 
 
 17 
 
 114.7 
 
 
 
 
 
 3 
 
 27 
 
 101.0 
 
 
 -10.6 
 
 
 
 4 
 
 30 
 
 110.0 
 
 
 
 
 
 5 
 
 27 
 
 113.0 ' 
 
 
 
 
 
 6 
 
 35 
 
 124.3 
 
 113.0 
 
 -flO.O 
 
 20.6 
 
 2 
 
 1 
 
 32 
 
 114.1 i 
 
 ■1 
 
 • 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 30 
 
 138.3 
 
 
 -^^8.3 
 
 
 
 3 
 
 35 
 
 117.1 
 
 
 
 
 
 4 
 
 25 
 
 104.8 
 
 
 -10.4 
 
 
 
 5 
 
 33 
 
 117,4 
 
 116.9 
 
 
 
 
 6 
 
 36 
 
 109.7 
 
 
 
 28.7 
 
 3 
 
 1 
 
 38 
 
 144.8 
 
 
 -8.8 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 27 
 
 170.4 
 
 
 f7.3 
 
 
 
 3 
 
 2fi 
 
 170.4 
 
 
 
 
 
 4 
 
 29 
 
 147.4 
 
 
 
 
 
 5 
 
 38 
 
 157.2 
 
 
 
 
 
 6 
 
 35 
 
 162.9 
 
 158.8 
 
 '-"'«''-™™""-""---" ■ 
 
 16.1 
 
 — — H 
 
 It 
 
 Thfi wf 
 
 ii prhts of es 
 
 ich row are nol 
 
 i here gi^ 
 
 /■en but the : 
 
 'ates 
 
 shown are the rates per 100 stalks. The normal number of stalks 
 is the same in each row. This method affords an easy method of 
 
 comparison. ^ _ .., ._ 
 
 ** Column shows number of stalks harvested, out of^possible 48 
 »«» Per cent oalculatBfld on basis of average. 
 
"■"83" ^». 
 
 
 TABLE XXVII 
 
 CONTINUED 
 
 
 ■sn-^ar- 
 
 No. 
 Plat 
 
 No. 
 Row 
 
 No. Stalks 
 harvested 
 
 Wt . Rate per 
 100 stalks 
 
 Average Wt. 
 rate per 
 100 stalks 
 
 Extreme 
 variations 
 from av- 
 
 Extreme 
 varla 
 tions . 
 
 J 
 
 
 
 
 
 erage . 
 
 
 4 
 
 1 
 2 
 
 29 
 23 
 
 Lbs , 
 148.3 
 
 158.7 
 
 Lbs. 
 
 7o 
 <-10.1 
 
 o^c, 
 
 ,! 
 
 3 
 
 29 
 
 124,1 
 
 
 -13.9 
 
 } 
 
 1 
 
 4 
 
 32 
 
 154.7 
 
 
 
 : 
 
 ■ 
 
 i 
 r 
 
 5 
 
 38 
 
 145.4 
 
 
 
 I 
 
 < 
 
 ! 
 
 6 
 
 38 
 
 133.8 
 
 144.2 
 
 
 i 
 24.0: 
 
 r5« 
 
 1 
 
 23 3 
 
 76.1 
 
 
 • 
 
 * 
 
 
 2 
 
 24 
 
 55.2 
 
 
 
 ' 
 
 
 3 
 
 18 
 
 38.9 
 
 
 -34.8 
 
 
 
 4 
 
 19 
 
 39.5 
 
 
 
 
 
 5 
 
 17 
 
 42.6 
 
 
 
 
 
 6 
 
 22 
 
 105.7 
 
 59.7 
 
 +77.1 
 
 111.9 
 
 6 
 
 1 
 
 37 
 
 144,6 
 
 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 45 
 
 144.4 
 
 
 
 
 
 3 
 
 47 
 
 142.5 
 
 
 -4.4 
 
 
 
 4 
 
 39 
 
 157.7 
 
 
 
 
 
 5 
 
 48 
 
 146.9 
 
 
 
 
 
 6 
 
 33 
 
 158.3 
 
 149.1 
 
 f6.2 
 
 10.6 
 
 7 
 
 1 
 
 33 
 
 151.6 
 
 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 31 
 
 151.6 
 
 
 
 
 S 
 
 3 
 
 37 
 
 138.5 
 
 
 -11.9 
 
 
 2 North End. 
 
 3 Number of stalks out of a possible 24. 
 
- 84 - 
 
 
 
 
 TABLE XXVII 
 
 CONTINUED 
 
 
 
 No. 
 Plat 
 
 No. 
 Row 
 
 No. Stalks 
 Harvested 
 
 Wt . Rate per 
 100 stalks 
 
 Average Wt , 
 rate per 
 100 stalks 
 
 Extreme 
 Variations 
 from av- 
 
 Extreme 
 Varia- 
 tions . 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 erage 
 
 
 7 
 
 4 
 
 5 
 
 35 
 32 
 
 
 166.4 
 162.8 
 
 ^U 
 
 r» 
 
 7^ 
 
 
 6 
 
 30 
 
 
 172.5 
 
 157.2 
 
 +9.7 
 
 21.6 
 
 8 
 
 1 
 
 36 
 
 
 175.7 
 
 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 40 
 
 
 163.7 
 
 
 
 
 
 3 
 
 45 
 
 
 176.7 
 
 
 
 
 
 4 
 
 34 
 
 
 156.6 
 
 
 
 
 
 5 
 
 37 
 
 
 199.3 
 
 
 +24.6 
 
 
 
 6 
 
 34 
 
 
 88.2 
 
 160.0 
 
 -44.9 
 
 69.5 
 
 «9 
 
 1 
 
 *»25 
 
 
 80.4 
 
 
 f32.9 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 23 
 
 
 78.3 
 
 
 
 
 
 3 
 
 23 
 
 
 62.0 
 
 
 
 
 
 4 
 
 24 
 
 
 47.9 
 
 
 
 
 
 5 
 
 24 
 
 
 52.1 
 
 
 
 • 
 
 
 6 
 
 19 
 
 
 42.1 
 
 60.5 
 
 -30.4 
 
 63.3 
 
 10 
 
 1 
 
 32 
 
 
 143.8 
 
 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 42 
 
 
 141.1 
 
 
 
 
 
 S 
 
 36 
 
 
 128.3 
 
 
 -11.9 
 
 
 "%7 
 
 4 33 150.8 
 
 5 18 151.4 I 
 
 6 26 158.7 145.7 f8.9 20. 8[ 
 
 •OnlyViiiddle four rows of the north part taken 
 **Stalks harvested out af a possihle 24. 
 
- 85 - 
 
 TABLE XXVII 
 
 CONTINUED 
 
 MVWil«n>-|WMMt!U!WM>UVI»t*^ 
 
 .»p«»,V-J*>>ll'ilM#»^M!ntOH|»U'-faiW 
 
 i>.iJ>.*j,.Brv. ; /- jitjt» * Wi.f )■ 
 
 I No. No. No. Stalks Wt. Rate per 
 Plat Row Harvested 100 Stalks 
 
 11 
 
 14 
 
 15 
 
 16 
 
 HkAMMMMMoji^K:; nKfrc-w— i^^-tr^ . a 
 
 1 
 
 29 
 
 2 
 
 30 
 
 3 
 
 24 
 
 4 
 
 34 
 
 5 
 
 31 
 
 6 
 
 16 
 
 1 
 
 12 
 
 2 
 
 32 
 
 3 
 
 31 
 
 4 
 
 33 
 
 5 
 
 34 
 
 6 
 
 42 
 
 1 
 
 46 
 
 2 
 
 48 
 
 3 
 
 46 
 
 4 
 
 48 
 
 5 
 
 41 
 
 6 
 
 47 
 
 1 
 
 43 
 
 2 
 
 44 
 
 3 
 
 41 
 
 128.4 
 107.5 
 111.5 
 119.9 
 112.9 
 93.7 
 131.2 
 116.4 
 125.0 
 132.6 
 132.2 
 133.3 
 137.0 
 134.4 
 141.3 
 139.6 
 134.1 
 130.9 
 129.1 
 123.9 
 117.7 
 
 Average Wt. Extreme Extremfe 
 rate per variations Varia-I 
 100 stalks from av- tions 1 
 
 U^ 
 
 - *^/,*,'«WM«'>(I'!>J'lVM 
 
 112.3 
 
 128.4 
 
 erage 
 
 fl4.3 
 
 -16.6 
 
 -9.3 
 
 f5.8 
 
 f2.5 
 
 136.2 -3.9 
 •fll.7 
 
 30.9 
 
 13.1 
 
 6.4 
 
 '*.i^t;v,7-i-.'v=;i*'^'^;j'i-''-^r*'"J'"-"'^''*-"'*^''^'-''-*'"''-' 
 
- 86 - 
 TABLE XXVII CONTIHUED 
 
 No. No. No. Stalks Wt. Rate per Average Wt. Extreme Extreme 
 Plat Row harvested 100 stalks rate per varia- varla 
 
 
 
 
 iU 
 
 16 
 
 4 
 
 34 
 
 130.1 
 
 
 5 
 
 41 
 
 100.6 
 
 
 6 
 
 44 
 
 92,0 
 
 17 
 
 1 
 
 43 
 
 93.0 
 
 
 2 
 
 46 
 
 148.1 
 
 
 3 
 
 46 
 
 129.9 
 
 
 4 
 
 44 
 
 131.2 
 
 
 5 
 
 47 
 
 125.5 
 
 
 6 
 
 45 
 
 115.0 
 
 18 
 
 1 
 
 39 
 
 119.2 
 
 
 2 
 
 48 
 
 91.7 
 
 
 3 
 
 44 
 
 90.9 
 
 
 4 
 
 44 
 
 75.0 
 
 
 5 
 
 40 
 
 76.2 
 
 
 6 
 
 45 
 
 83.3 
 
 19 
 
 1 
 
 45 
 
 72.8 
 
 
 2 
 
 45 
 
 67.8 
 
 
 3 
 
 35 
 
 92.9 
 
 
 4 
 
 40 
 
 97.5 
 
 
 5 
 
 41 
 
 86.0 
 
 
 6 
 
 43 
 
 99.4 
 
 100 stalks tione from ticns 
 average 
 
 U^ 
 
 1' ic> 
 
 115.6 -20.4 32.1 I 
 -24,9 ^ 
 tl9.6 
 
 123.8 44.5 
 
 +33.3 
 
 -16.1 
 
 89.4 39.4 
 
 -21.2 
 
 86. ir; +15.4 36.6 
 
-87- 
 
 TABLE XXVII CONTINUED 
 
 No . No . No • Stalks Wt , Rate per Average Wt . Extreme Extreme 
 Plat Row harvested 100 stalks rate per Variations varia- 
 
 100 stalks from av- tions 
 erage 
 
 20 
 
 -17.4 
 
 103.2 •t-27.1 44.5 
 21 1 3S 114.4 +9.9 
 
 22 
 
 23 
 
 1 
 
 46 
 
 90.8 
 
 2 
 
 39 
 
 101.9 
 
 3 
 
 43 
 
 107.0 
 
 4 
 
 42 
 
 85.7 
 
 5 
 
 36 
 
 104.9 
 
 6 
 
 37 
 
 131.8 
 
 1 
 
 33 
 
 114.4 
 
 2 
 
 26 
 
 114.4 
 
 3 
 
 39 
 
 105.8 
 
 4 
 
 39 
 
 94.2 
 
 5 
 
 40 
 
 103.7 
 
 6 
 
 41 
 
 92.1 
 
 1 
 
 34 
 
 88.2 
 
 2 
 
 32 
 
 81.2 
 
 3 
 
 34 
 
 77.9 
 
 4 
 
 30 
 
 98.3 
 
 5 
 
 25 
 
 92.0 
 
 6 
 
 42 
 
 100.0 
 
 1 
 
 44 
 
 119.3 
 
 2 
 
 29 
 
 144.8 
 
 3 
 
 24 
 
 141.7 
 
 H4^ 1^6 o^6 
 
 89.6 
 
 104.1 -11.5 21.4 
 
 -15.1 
 
 fll.6 ^V:7 
 
 f9.4 
 
- 88 - 
 
 TABLE XXVII CONTINUED 
 
 No. No. No stalks Wt. rate per Average Wt. Extreme Extreme 
 
 Plat Row harvested 100 stalks rate per variations varia- 
 
 100 stalks from av- tions 
 erage 
 
 ^ 
 
 
 
 
 S3 
 
 4 
 
 26 
 
 137.5 
 
 ' 
 
 6 
 
 32 
 
 109.4 
 
 
 6 
 
 36 
 
 141.0 
 
 24 
 
 1 
 
 36 
 
 161.8 
 
 
 2 
 
 37 
 
 171.6 
 
 
 3 
 
 38 
 
 167,3 
 
 
 4 
 
 33 
 
 162.1 
 
 
 5 
 
 30 
 
 166.6 
 
 I 
 
 6 
 
 33 
 
 167-4 
 
 ! 25 
 
 1 
 
 23 
 
 176.1 
 
 
 2 
 
 26 
 
 121.2 
 
 
 3 
 
 24 
 
 143.7 
 
 
 4 
 
 28 
 
 142.9 
 
 
 5 
 
 25 
 
 114.0 
 
 
 6 
 
 23 
 
 108.7 
 
 26 
 
 1 
 
 15 
 
 135.0 
 
 
 2 
 
 28 
 
 126.8 
 
 
 • 3 
 
 19 
 
 145.0 
 
 
 4 
 
 15 
 
 116.6 
 
 
 5 
 
 14 
 
 144.6 
 
 i 
 
 1 
 
 6 
 
 12 
 
 137.5 
 
 -17.3 
 132.3 26.7 
 
 -2.6 
 ^3.8 
 
 166.1 5.9 
 
 f3l.O 
 
 134.4 -19.2 50.2 
 
 f8.0 
 -13.1 
 
 134.2 21.1 
 
- 89 
 
 After eliminating the first and sixth rows from 
 the north ends of plats 5 and 9, the north ends only were 
 taken, since the data from the south ends were not depend- 
 able due to injuries sustained:. The variation was as fol- 
 lows: For plat 5, Minimum 11.6JS, maximum 25^, and extreme 
 variation Z6,6f=; for plat 9, minimum SO.S^S, maximum 30^, 
 and extreme variation 50.3J5. 
 
 The table shows an extreme variation in green 
 weight of stalks between the rows of the same plat from 
 5.9 per cent in plat 24, to 111,9 per cent in plat 5. E- 
 liminating plats 5 and 9, the maximum extreme is, 65.9^, oc- 
 curring in plat 8, and the average variation is about 28 
 per cent . The number of stalks harvested in the row seems 
 to have little influrnce in the variation. 
 
 Rows 1 and 6 of plat 5 being on the edges of the 
 plats, where conditions for growth were better, should 
 clearly n6t be coxinted in final yields . To secure com- 
 parable results rows 1 and 6 of plat 9 were also eliminatdd. 
 Row 6, plat 8, being next to plat 9, is clearly not repre- 
 sentative. Rows 5 and 6, plat 16, and row 1 plat 17 were 
 markedly poorj but row 4 plat 16 and row 2 plat 17 were 
 markedly good. The yields^ indicate that the south series 
 beginning with plat 14 improved in productiveness to about 
 the middle of plat 15, from whence a gradual reduction is 
 shown till the border between plats 16 and 17 is reached. 
 A few rows beyond this show an increase, after which there 
 
- 90 - 
 
 is a decided fall. No part, however, was eliminated in 
 calculating jrields except in plats 5 and 9, as above stated. 
 
 The variability noted throughout the table, and 
 especially in this apparently uniform land from plats 14 
 to 20 inclusive, where we believe no one not seeing the go ow- 
 ing crop would suspect the lack of uniformity, indicates 
 the extreme caution which should be exercised in conduct- 
 ing plat experiments . 
 
 —DETERMINATION OF DRY MATTER— 
 For the determlnationjbf dry matter representative 
 samples were taken.Of the corn, two hills of three stalks 
 each were ^ from plats 2,3,5, and 10. Of millet and soy beahs 
 composite samples were taken; millet from plats 5 and 6, and 
 soy beans from plats 9 and 11. The samples, while rather 
 small for the purpose are believed to give fairly approxi- 
 mate results. 
 
- 91 - 
 
 
 TABLE 
 ^lat 
 
 XXVIII SHOWING DRY 
 
 MATTER 
 
 
 No . J 
 
 Kind of Crop 
 
 Dry Matter 
 
 
 2 
 
 
 Corn 
 
 21,42 
 
 i> 
 
 3 
 
 
 n 
 
 21.58 
 
 
 5 
 
 
 n 
 
 24.69 
 
 
 5 
 
 
 Millet 
 
 35.71 
 
 
 6 
 9 
 
 
 n 
 
 Soy beans 
 Weeds & Grass 
 
 17.50 
 25.59 
 
 ! 
 
 10 
 
 
 Corn 
 
 19.99 
 
 
 11 
 
 
 Soy Beans 
 
 21.02 
 
 r 
 
 In Table XXIX, which follows, the weights in dry 
 matter are given. For the plats where dry matter was deter- 
 mined, the per cents shown in the above table were used in 
 correcting from green weight. For the remaining corn plats 
 except plats 9 and 11, the average of plats 2, 3, and 10 
 were taken. Plat 9 was calculated the same as plat 5, and 
 plat 11, the same as plat 10. The remaining millet was cal- 
 culated the same as the millet in plat 6. 
 
 In the column, "Production capacity of corn" the 
 weights for the check plats are the actual yields. The in- 
 termediate figures given refer to what the corresponding plat 
 presumably would have yielded had it been treated as a check. 
 It is assiomed that the change in productive capacity of the 
 
- 92 - 
 
 soil was gradual between the check plats. The calcu- 
 lation is made by taking one third of the difference be- 
 tween the consecutive check plats and adding or subtracting 
 according to the trend of the variation. The productive 
 capacity for plat 11 was calculated on the ass-umptlon that 
 the same variationjoccurring between check plats 7 and 10 
 continued through plat 11; and plat 15 was similarly calcu- 
 lated from check plats 16 and 19. This method would appear 
 less reliable than where a check plat is in each side of the 
 plat for which the correction is made. 
 
93 - 
 
 TABLE XXIX 
 
 : YIELD -CORN, 
 
 MILLET AND 
 
 SOY BEANS.-— 
 
 No. Plat 
 
 Per cent 
 Stand corn 
 harvested 
 
 Variation 
 between 
 rows 
 
 Production 
 
 Capacity 
 of corn 
 
 
 
 20.6 
 
 tu. 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 52.43 
 
 3522 
 
 2 
 
 66.32 
 
 28.7 
 
 3800 
 
 3 
 
 68.06 
 
 16.1 
 
 4079.^ 
 
 4 
 
 65.97 
 
 24.0 
 
 4357 
 
 »5 . 
 
 85.42 
 
 36.6 
 
 4497 
 
 6 
 
 86.46 
 
 10.6 
 
 4637 
 
 7 
 
 69.44 
 
 21.6 
 
 4776 
 
 8 
 
 78.82 
 
 69.5 
 
 4581 
 
 «9 
 
 94.44 
 
 50.3 
 
 4386 
 
 10 
 
 65.97 
 
 20*8 
 
 4190 
 
 11 
 
 56.94 
 
 30.9 
 
 3995 
 
 12 
 
 
 
 
 13 
 
 
 
 
 14 
 
 65.28 
 
 13.1 
 
 
 15 
 
 96.18 
 
 6.4 
 
 3828 
 
 16 
 
 86.81 
 
 32.1 
 
 3522 
 
 17 
 
 94.10 
 
 44,5 
 
 3216 
 
 18 
 
 90.63 
 
 39.4 
 
 291Q 
 
 19 
 
 86.46 
 
 36.6 
 
 2605 
 
 20 
 
 84.72 
 
 44.5 
 
 2671 
 
 21 
 
 76.74 
 
 21.4 
 
 2737 
 
 22 
 
 70.83 
 
 24.7 
 
 2803 
 
 23 
 
 66.32 
 
 26.7 
 
 3233 
 
- 94 - 
 
 
 TABLE XXIX 
 
 : YIELD -- 
 Per cent 
 
 CORN, MILLET 
 
 and SOY BEANS 
 
 
 
 Variation 
 
 Production 
 
 
 No. Plat 
 
 Stand corn 
 
 between 
 
 capacity 
 
 
 
 harvested 
 
 rows 
 
 of corn 
 
 - — 
 
 ._--«-*-.*««.-«.«*- : ...- ^— - .. .. 
 
 
 /. 
 
 U^. 
 
 
 24 
 
 72.22 
 
 5.9 
 
 3663 
 
 
 25 
 
 51.74 
 
 50.2 
 
 4093 
 
 
 26 
 
 36.11 
 
 21.1 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 » The fovir middle rows of the north half only taken, as 
 South end was damaged by cattle. 
 
- 95 - 
 
 TABLE XXIX : YIELD — CORK, MILLET AND SOY BEANS 
 
 -t""" 
 
 •- Yield , Rate per acre — 
 
 ! 
 
 1 
 
 No. Plat 
 
 Oorr 
 
 ! 
 
 •UriL. 
 
 1 
 
 3522 
 
 2 
 
 3643 
 
 3 
 
 4952 
 
 
 4 
 
 4357 
 
 
 5 
 
 1609 
 
 
 6 
 
 4528 
 
 
 7 
 
 4776 
 
 
 8 
 
 4913 
 
 
 9 
 
 2145 
 
 10 
 
 4190 
 
 11 
 
 3310 
 
 ) 12 
 
 
 13 
 
 
 14 
 
 3922 
 
 15 
 
 4155 
 
 16 
 
 3522 
 
 17 
 
 3735 
 
 18 
 
 2722 
 
 'l9 
 
 2605 
 
 20 
 
 3143 
 
 Millet 
 In Corn Ends 
 
 Soy Beans 
 In Corn Ends 
 
 HJ^ 
 
 tu 
 
 U, 
 
 %4-^ _ 
 
 3932 
 rl80 
 
 191 
 
 4999 
 2026 
 
 772 
 
 2090 
 
 534 
 
 3700 
 
 894 
 
 222 
 
 2182 
 
 negligible 369 
 
 219 
 
 1610 
 
- 96 - 
 
 TABLE XXIX : YIELD — CORN, MILLET AND SOY BEANS 
 
 f 
 
 No. Plat 
 
 21 
 22 
 23 
 24 
 25 
 26 
 
 - Yield, 
 
 Rate per acre — 
 
 Corn 
 
 3163 
 2803 
 3991 
 5069 
 4093 
 4075 
 
 Milled 
 In Corn Ends 
 
 Negllglble 
 
 201 
 
 740 
 
 310 
 2665 
 
 Negligible 1156 
 
 Soy Beans 
 In corn Ends 
 
 J 
 
- 97 - 
 
 
 TABLE XXIX: YIELD 
 
 — CORN, 
 
 MILLET AND SOY ] 
 
 Plat 
 No. 
 
 Total exclud- 
 ing ends. 
 
 Increase 
 
 or 
 Decrease 
 of total 
 
 •1- Increase f 
 or 
 Deceease - 
 of corn 
 
 1 
 
 3522 
 
 check 
 
 check 
 
 2 
 
 3643 
 
 
 -157 
 
 3 
 
 4952 
 
 
 1-873 
 
 4 
 
 4357 
 
 check 
 
 check 
 
 5 
 
 5321 
 
 >1044 
 
 -2888 
 
 6 
 
 4708 
 
 * 71 
 
 - 109 
 
 7 
 
 4776 
 
 check 
 
 checfc 
 
 8 
 
 5104 
 
 +523 
 
 f332 
 
 9 
 
 4235 
 
 -151 
 
 - -2241 
 
 10 
 
 4190 
 
 check 
 
 check 
 
 11 
 
 3844 
 
 -151 
 
 -685 
 
 12 
 
 
 
 
 13 
 
 
 
 
 i ^^ 
 
 3922 
 
 
 f-286 
 
 15 
 
 4377 
 
 f549 
 
 f327 
 
 16 
 
 3522 
 
 check 
 
 check 
 
 17 
 
 3735 
 
 
 ^519 
 
 18 
 
 2722 
 
 
 -188 
 
 19 
 
 2605 
 
 check 
 
 cheojto 
 
 '20 
 
 3362 
 
 -^691 
 
 M72 
 
 21 
 
 3163 
 
 
 +426 
 
 •22 
 
 2803 
 
 check 
 
 check 
 
 
 ««-««^--- ■'- 
 
 ,.,. . ^.- — .. 
 
 ..._.-..,.„. — _ — - — 
 
- 98 - 
 
 r 
 
 Plaf 
 No. 
 
 23 
 24 
 25 
 26 
 
 TABLE XXIX: YIELD ~ CORN, MILLET AND SOY BEANS 
 
 Total exclud- 
 ing ends 
 
 3991 
 5270 
 4093 
 40^5 
 
 Increase + 
 
 or 
 Decrease - 
 of total 
 
 fl607 
 check 
 
 Increase f 
 
 or 
 Decrease - 
 of corn 
 
 +758 
 -M406 
 check 
 
 
~ 99 
 
 TABLE XXX SHOWING AVERAGE MOISTURE GONTENTTPOR DIFFERENT >. 
 PERIODS. PER CENT DRY SOIL (DEDUCED PROM TABLE "A" APPENDIX) | 
 
 6 
 
 8 
 
 20 
 
 No. July 9th., 16th, Aug. 5th, 19th,26tb,&Sept.l6 
 
 Plat 24th. & 30th, Bjias. . In Corh. 
 
 4 ,__„,.„_,__™™„ „„ Ends _ i 
 
 1 22.6 21.1 18.0 
 \ 
 
 \ 2 21.3 18.2 15.0 
 f 
 
 \ 3 26.0 25.0 17.9 
 
 4 20,1 18.2 15.7 
 
 5 17.9 9.8 9.7 
 
 20.4 17.0 13.1 
 
 7 18.5 17.7 • 14.1 
 
 19.4 17.4 14.7 
 
 11 
 12 
 13 
 14 
 15 
 16 23. 
 
 14.4 13.0 14.1 
 
 15.9 14.7 13.7 
 
 24.6 23.1 19.0 
 
 24.4 21.3 16.9 
 
 17 22.5 
 
 18 
 19 
 
 22.5 17.5 
 
 21.5 15.4 
 
 20.4 15.3 
 
 19.9 16.7 
 
 i 
 
 f 9 14.8 10.0 9.3 1 
 
 I 10 16.5 15.2 12.3 
 
 15.7 13.0 11.5 
 
 21.1 
 20.7 
 20.0 1'7.« 14.6 j 
 
 J 
 
- 100 - 
 TABLE XXX SHOWING AVERAGE MOISTURE CONTENT FOR DIFFERENT 
 
 j PERIODS, PER CENT DRY SOIL (DEDUCED FROM TABLE "A" APPENDIX) 
 
 No. July 9th. 16th. Aug. 5th,I9th, "SGth & Sept. V 
 
 Plat 24th. & S9th. Ends - In oern. 
 
 ' 21 20.9 19.6 14.5 
 
 22 19.6 17.9 14.6 
 
 23 21.0 19.5 14.6 
 
 24 20.3 16.0 12.9 
 
 25 19.3 17.5 13.2 
 
 26 19.1 16.3 12.7 
 
- 101 - 
 
 TABLE XXX SHOWING AVERAGE MOISTURE CONTENT FOR DIFFERENT 
 PERIODS, PER CENT DRY SOIL (DEDUCED FROM TABLE "A" APPENDIX) 
 
 August 19th and S6th 
 
 No. Difference 
 Plat ^ 
 
 1 3.1 
 
 2 3.2 
 
 3 7.1 
 
 4 4.5 
 
 5 0.1 
 
 6 3.9 
 
 7 3.6 
 
 8 2.7 
 
 9 0.7 
 
 10 2.9 
 
 11 1.5 
 
 12 1.1 
 
 13 1.0 
 
 14 4.1 
 
 15 4.4 
 
 16 5.0 
 
 17 6.1 
 
 18 5.1 
 
 19 3.2 
 
 20 2.8 
 
 Endg JO 
 
 u^'r_ 
 
 In Corn 
 
 Dlff. 
 
 19.8 
 
 14.9 
 
 4.9 
 
 16.1 
 
 11.8 
 
 4.3 
 
 24.2 
 
 13.8 
 
 10.4 
 
 16.9 
 
 10.3 
 
 6.6 
 
 5.9 
 
 5.7 
 
 0.2 
 
 15.1 
 
 9.7 
 
 5.4 \ 
 
 16.3 
 
 11.2 • 
 
 5.1 
 
 16.6 
 
 12.0 
 
 4.6 
 
 7.1 
 
 6.2 
 
 0.9 I 
 
 14.6 
 
 10.5 
 
 4.1 
 
 12.4 
 
 9.7 
 
 2.7 
 
 12.5 
 
 13.4 
 
 -0.9 
 
 14.3 
 
 13.2 
 
 1.1 
 
 21.3 
 
 15.8 
 
 5.5 
 
 18.0 
 
 13.3 
 
 4.7 1 
 
 J, 
 
 21.0 
 
 13.9 
 
 7.1 i 
 
 19.6 
 
 12.1 
 
 7.5 
 
 18.7 
 
 11.5 
 
 7.2 \ 
 
 18.3 
 
 13.7 
 
 4.6 ^ 
 
 14.4 
 
 11.5 
 
 2.9 
 
102 - 
 
 TABLE XXK SHOWING AVERAVE MOISTURE CONTENT FOR DIFFERENT 
 PERIODS, PER CENT DRY SOIL (DEDUCED PROM TABLE "A" APPENDIX) 
 
 
 No. 
 Plat 
 
 Difference 
 
 August 
 
 19th and 26th 
 
 In Corn Diff . 
 
 
 21 
 
 5.1 
 
 18.3 
 
 11.0 7.3 
 
 
 22 
 
 3.3 
 
 16.5 
 
 11.6 4.9 
 
 I 
 
 i 
 
 23 
 
 4.9 
 
 18.3 
 
 11.2 7.1 
 
 
 24 
 
 3.1 
 
 12.5 
 
 9.0 3.5 
 
 ; 
 1 
 
 25 
 
 4.3 
 
 16.3 
 
 10.5 5.8 
 
 
 26 
 
 3.6 
 
 15.6 
 
 9.5 6.1 
 
 
 
 
 
 ~" — - —-—-—■ 
 
- 103 - 
 
 TABLE 
 
 XXXI SHOWING 
 
 DIFFERENCES IN MOISTURE 
 
 CONTENT OP SOIL i 
 
 FOR DIFFERENT PERIODS, 
 
 BETWEEN 
 
 THE ENDS, ANE 
 
 WHEN 
 
 CORN GREW 1 
 
 
 ALSO 
 
 THE VARIATIONS IN YIELDS 
 
 19, 26 August 19 
 :. 16 and 26th. 
 
 
 .„„ ..1 
 
 No. 
 Plat 
 
 August 5, 
 and Sepi 
 
 Increasef 
 or 
 
 CalGulated 
 
 
 
 Calculated 
 
 
 Deoreaee - 
 
 
 from cheoks 
 
 
 Found 
 
 from ohecks 
 
 Found 
 
 
 1 
 
 % 
 
 
 3.1 
 
 fo 
 
 4.9 
 
 ^ 
 
 2 
 
 3.6 
 
 
 3.2 
 
 5.5 
 
 4.3 
 
 -1,2 
 
 3 
 
 4.1 
 
 
 7.1 
 
 ,6.1 
 
 10.4 
 
 f4.3 
 
 4 
 
 
 
 4.5 
 
 
 6.6 
 
 
 5 
 
 4.2 
 
 
 0.1 
 
 6.1 
 
 0.2 
 
 -5.9 
 
 6 
 
 3.9 
 
 
 3.9 
 
 5.6 
 
 5.4 
 
 • 
 
 - .2 
 
 7 
 
 
 
 3.6 
 
 
 5.1 
 
 
 1 8 
 
 3.4 
 
 
 ■ 2.7 
 
 4.8 
 
 4.6 
 
 - .2 j 
 
 i 
 
 i 9 
 
 3.2 
 
 
 0.7 
 
 4.5 
 
 0.9 
 
 -3.6 \ 
 
 I- 10 
 
 
 
 2.9 
 
 
 4.1 
 
 
 1 
 ' 11 
 
 2.3 
 
 
 1.5 
 
 3.1 
 
 2.7 
 
 - .4 
 
 12 
 
 1.7 
 
 
 -1.1 
 
 2.1 
 
 -0.9 
 
 -3.0 ! 
 
 13 
 
 ' 
 
 
 1.0 
 
 
 1.1 
 
 
 14 
 
 
 
 4.1 
 
 
 5.5 
 
 
 1 
 
 i ^^ 
 
 
 
 4.4 
 
 
 4.7 
 
 
 I 16 
 
 
 
 5.0 
 
 
 7.1 
 
 
 17 
 
 4.4 
 
 
 6.1 
 
 8.3 
 
 7.5 
 
 + 1.2 
 
 18 
 
 3.8 
 
 
 5.1 
 
 5.5 
 
 7.2 
 
 + 1.7 
 
 i 19 
 
 
 
 3.2 
 
 
 4.6 
 
 
 j 20 
 
 3.2 
 
 
 2.8 
 
 4.7 
 
 2.9 
 
 -1.8 
 
- 104 - 
 
 r TABLE XXXI SHOWING DIFFERENCES IN MOISTURE CONTENT OP SOIL 
 : FOR DIFFERENT PERIODS, BETWEEN THE ENDS, AND WHEN CORN GREW 
 
 ALSO THE VARIATIONS IN YIELDS 
 
 I, - 
 
 No. 
 Plat 
 
 * Ca 
 
 fr 
 
 August 5, 
 and S€ 
 
 15 
 >pt 
 
 ?, 26 
 . 16 
 
 August 19 
 and 26th 
 
 • 
 
 Increase 
 or 
 
 
 Iculated 
 
 cm checks 
 
 
 Pound 
 
 Calculated 
 from checks 
 
 Pound 
 
 Decrease 
 
 21 
 
 M 
 
 3.2 
 
 
 5.1 
 
 4.8 
 
 7.3 
 
 -2.5 
 
 22 
 
 
 
 
 3.3 
 
 
 4.9 
 
 
 23 
 
 
 3.6 
 
 
 4.9 
 
 5.2 
 
 7.1 
 
 tl.9 
 
 24 
 
 
 3.9 
 
 
 3.1 
 
 5.5 
 
 3.5 
 
 -2.0 
 
 25 
 
 
 
 
 4.3 
 
 
 5.8 
 
 » 
 
 26 
 
 
 
 
 3.6 
 
 
 6.1 
 
 
 « In this calculation it ia assumed that changes occur 
 gradually between the checks. To illustrate the method 
 take plat #2. One third the difference between checks 1 
 and 4 added to h 1 gives 3.6, which is supposed to be the dlf 
 ference between the moisture between the ends and in corn had 
 ^ be<?|ireated as a check. 
 
- 105 
 
 ! TABLE XXXI SHOWING DIPPERENCES III MOISTURE CONTENT OF SOIL 
 
 FOR DIFFERENT PERIODS, BETWEEN THE ENDS, AND WHEN CORN GREW 
 
 ALSO THE VARIATIONS IN YIELDS 
 
 No. 
 Plat 
 
 Per Cent 
 
 Stand 
 «3 
 
 Dry 
 Increase 
 Corn 
 
 check 
 
 Matter 
 f or d( 
 
 1 
 
 i 
 
 acreaee - 
 Tatal 
 
 1 
 
 fa. 
 
 
 2 
 
 66. 
 
 32 
 
 -157 
 
 
 
 
 3 
 
 68. 
 
 06 
 
 +873 
 
 
 
 
 4 
 
 65. 
 
 97 
 
 check 
 
 
 
 
 5 
 
 85, 
 
 42 
 
 -2888 
 
 
 V 
 
 fl044 
 
 6 
 
 86. 
 
 ,46 
 
 - 109 
 
 
 **71 
 
 7 
 
 69. 
 
 .44 
 
 check 
 
 
 
 
 8 
 
 78 
 
 .82 
 
 f 332 
 
 
 
 f 523 
 
 9 
 
 94. 
 
 44 
 
 -2241 
 
 
 
 - 151 
 
 10 
 
 65 
 
 .97 
 
 check 
 
 
 
 
 11 
 
 56 
 
 .94 
 
 - 685 
 
 
 
 -151 
 
 12 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 13 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 14 
 
 65 
 
 .28 
 
 
 
 
 
 15 
 
 96 
 
 .18 
 
 t 32? 
 
 
 
 f 549 
 
 16 
 
 86 
 
 .81 
 
 check 
 
 
 
 
 17 
 
 94 
 
 .10 
 
 -j-519 
 
 
 
 
 18 
 
 90 
 
 .63 
 
 - 188 
 
 
 
 
 19 
 
 86 
 
 .46 
 
 check 
 
 
 
 
 20 
 
 84 
 
 .72 
 
 t472 
 
 
 
 f 691 
 
106 
 
 TABLE XXXI SHOWING DIFFERENCES IN MOISTURE CONTENT OP SOIL 
 FOR DIFFERENT PERIODS, BETWEEN THE ENDS, AND WHEN CORN GREW 
 
 ALSO THE VARIATIONS IN YIELDS 
 
 No. 
 Plat 
 
 21 
 22 
 23 
 24 
 25 
 26 
 
 Per Cent Stand 
 
 76.74 
 70.83 
 66.32 
 7S.22 
 51.74 
 36.11 
 
 Dry Matter 
 Increase f or decrease 
 Corn Total 
 
 f426 
 check 
 ^■758 
 fl406 
 check 
 
 
 +1607 
 
- 107 - 
 
 i TABLE XXXII SHOWING AVERAVE FERTILIZER CONTENT FOR DIFFER- 
 j ENT PERIODS— PARTS PER MILLION OP DRY SOIL (DEDUCED FROM 
 i TABLE "A" APPENEIX) 
 
 *" No. 
 ': Plat 
 
 July 9, 
 16,24,30. 
 Enda 
 
 Aug 
 5, 9,26, 
 Ends 
 
 • 
 
 & Sep. 16. 
 In Corn 
 
 19 
 Ends 
 
 Aug. 
 & 26 
 
 In Corn 
 
 1 
 
 NO3 
 80.1 
 
 90.4 
 
 NO3 
 53.0 
 
 NO3 
 70.8 
 
 NO3 
 16.7 
 
 2 
 
 97.1 
 
 90.6 
 
 71.5 
 
 52.8 
 
 52.5 
 
 3 
 
 68.2 
 
 85.7 
 
 29.5 
 
 97.5 
 
 25.3 
 
 4 
 
 97.0 
 
 123.7 
 
 24.3 
 
 87.9 
 
 16.5 ': 
 
 i 
 
 5 
 
 : 6 
 
 48.5 
 86.0 
 
 2.0 
 60.5 
 
 3.6 
 17.1 
 
 1.7 
 50.6 
 
 2.2 1 
 . 10.7 
 
 7 
 
 81.8 
 
 93.2 
 
 29.6 
 
 66.9 
 
 9.6 1 
 
 8 
 
 85.7 
 
 89.4 
 
 33.7 
 
 88.8 
 
 24.8 
 
 ! 
 
 9 
 
 63.4 
 
 5.9 
 
 5.8 
 
 2.5 
 
 5.0 
 
 10 
 
 56.0 
 
 89.5 
 
 24.8 
 
 59.9 
 
 22.3 
 
 11 
 
 51.8 
 
 77.9 
 
 26.2 
 
 55.0 
 
 27.2 
 
 1 
 
 \ 12 
 
 52.4 
 
 58.4 
 
 55.4 
 
 61.8 
 
 62.1 
 
 ■ 
 
 ! 13 
 
 i 
 
 57.3 
 
 96.8 
 
 36.1 
 
 75.9 
 
 55.6 
 
 i 14 
 
 200.1 
 
 77.1 
 
 205.6 
 
 157.8 
 
 143.7 
 
 i 
 
 15 
 
 240.6 
 
 229.8 
 
 166.7 
 
 150.9 
 
 148.5 
 
 16 
 
 140.2 
 
 160.4 
 
 110.7 
 
 lk:7.5 
 
 80.1 
 
 17 
 
 208.0 
 
 254.8 
 
 181.2 
 
 174.3 
 
 166.3 
 
 
 PO4 
 8.9 
 
 PO4 
 9.3 
 
 PO4 
 8.5 
 
 PO4 
 
 PO4 
 
 18 
 
 10.2 
 
 8.6 
 
 ! 19 
 
 8.2 
 
 8.4 
 
 •8.5 
 
 9.3 
 
 8,5 ', 
 
 • '-*'»flv.<»rAa:.-*/. ,— ff«Ba«rBni»l'V *' r^ ■ ■■«-»'^- t.iMimmiP€**ri:ier.v 
 
- 108 
 
 TABLE XXXII SHOWING AVERAGE FERTILIZER CONTENT FOR DIFFER- 
 ENT PERIODS—PARTS PER MILLION OP DRY SOIL (DEDUCED FROM 
 
 TABLE "A" APPENDIX ) 
 
 No. 
 Plat 
 
 go 
 
 |, 21 
 22 
 
 22 
 : 23 
 
 L 24 
 25 
 26 
 
 July 9 Aug. 
 16, 24, 30 5, 9,26, & Sep. 16 
 Ends Ends In Corn 
 
 Aug. 
 19 & 26 
 Ends In Com 
 
 PO. 
 
 PO. 
 
 8.6 
 
 8.4 
 
 7.9 
 
 8.9 
 
 7.3 
 
 8.8 
 
 K 
 
 K 
 
 9.1 
 
 6.8 
 
 8.5 
 
 10.4 
 
 8.7 
 
 7.6 
 
 10.6 
 
 8.4 
 
 12.9 
 
 9.8 
 
 PO, 
 
 8.2 
 
 8.-^ 
 
 7.7 
 
 K 
 
 5.7 
 7.8 
 7.2 
 5.7 
 10.7 
 
 PO 
 
 4 
 
 P^ 
 
 8.2 
 
 8.1 
 
 8.1 
 
 7.6 
 
 9.6 
 
 7.0 
 
 K 
 
 K 
 
 5.1 
 
 .3.9 
 
 9.6 
 
 5.7 
 
 6.0 
 
 5.5 
 
 6.3 
 
 4.7 
 
 10.9 
 
 10.9 
 
 
 
 RO«:^».>r-*T.i« '~J.~ 
 
- 109 - 
 
 DISCUSSION OF RESULTS 
 ^irst aowlnp; of "Weeds" 
 Plat 5 Yield 
 
 On Plat #5 millet was sown at the first cul- 
 tivation June 18th, 
 
 TABLE XXXIII THE RATE OP YIELD PER ACRE OP BOTH CORK FODDER™ 
 
 AND MILLET 
 
 Corn 
 
 Green 
 Wt. 
 
 Normal 
 Productive 21413 
 Capacity 
 
 Yield 
 
 Increase t- 
 
 or 
 Decrease - 
 
 6515 
 
 Dry 
 Wt. 
 
 4497 
 1609 
 
 "Weeds" 
 
 End . 
 
 Green 
 
 Wt. 
 
 Dry 
 
 Wt. 
 
 Corn & "Weeds" 
 In Cfern In Corn 
 Green Dry. Green Dry 
 
 Wt. Wt. 'Wt. wt, 
 
 u^ 
 
 ^^ X,^"'"'" '^LL^. 
 
 14829 4999 
 
 14829 4999 11011 3932 17526 5541 
 
 -3887-f-1044 
 
 
 Calculated on the basis of green weight the 
 total yield of corn fodder and millet was 3887 pounds 
 less than the productive capacity of the green corn fodder; 
 but calculated on the basis of dry matter the yield was 
 1044 pounds greater . The percentage of dry matter in the 
 corn was 21^ while in the millet^ was 35.71%. 
 
110 - 
 
 TABLE XXXIV 
 
 MOISTURE, CALCULATED ON THE BASIS OP DRY SOIL 
 PLAT 5 
 
 Ends 
 
 In Corn 
 
 ..-,.. July 9,16,24 Aug. 5,19,26 Aug. 19 Aug. 5,19, Aug. 
 
 Calculated 30. & Sep. 16 & 26 26 &Sep 16 19 & 
 
 from % ^ f„ ^ *^ ' «j 
 
 oheckB 19.6 18.0 16.7 
 
 13.8 
 
 10.6 
 
 Actual 
 
 17.9 
 
 9.8 
 
 5.9 
 
 9.7 
 
 5.7 
 
 The decrease in the moisture content ife marked. 
 The millet grew rapidly during the early period of growth. 
 When it is remembered that the moisture in the checks was 
 too low much of the time for best results, the poverty of 
 moisture in plat 5 is emphasized. 
 
 TABLE XXXV NITROGEN (NO3) PARTS PER MILLION (P. P.M.) 
 DRY SOIL (AVERAGE FOR DATES GIVEN) PLAT 5 
 
 Ends 
 
 \i 
 
 iln Corn 
 
 July 9, 16, Aug. 5, 19,26 Aug. 19 Aug. 5,19 
 24, & 30 & Sept. 16 & 26 26 &Sepl6 
 
 Calculated 
 from 
 checks 
 
 p .p .m. 
 92.0 
 
 p .p .m . 
 113.5 
 
 p .p .m. 
 80.9 
 
 p. p.m. 
 26.1 
 
 Aug. 9 
 & 26 
 
 p.p.m 
 14.2 
 
 Actual 
 
 48.5 
 
 2.0 
 
 1.7 
 
 5.6 
 
- Ill - 
 
 There is shown a speedy reduction of nitrogen 
 both on the ends and in the corn to a point which would 
 seeir to seriously limit if not prohibit plant growth. 
 
 XXXVI COMPARISON OF THE REDUCTION OP MOISTURE AND NOg.PLAT 
 
 In Corn 
 
 3, PLAT 5 
 
 Ends 
 
 // 
 
 f;o;-o"SeokB ''•' ''•" ^«-^ ^'-S 10.6 
 Actual Amt. 17.9 9.8 5.9 9.7 5.7 
 
 "o™:fLt. ''•^■^- ^■^■'- ^■^■^- p-"- p-p- 
 
 calculated 92.0 113.5 80.9 26'. 1 14 p 
 from checks 
 
 ^"il^^^d^ ^^f-o^'^^'5^ Aug":i9"Aug.5,l9 Aug. 
 ^'^.J S0__, A Sep. 16__& 26 26 &Sepa6 19 &26 
 
 Moisture 
 Normal cal- 
 culated 19.6 18.0 16.7 13.8 
 
 Actual Amt. 48.5 2.0 1.7 3.6 
 
 2.2 
 
 The suimnarized comparison shows a much more spee4- 
 y dim.inuition of the nitrogen than of the moisture. The 
 nitrogen contents lowers with the moidture not only in 
 this plat, but holds true on the part of all plats where 
 crops were grown. (See Table "A" Appendix) But the ni- 
 trogen lowers relatively much more rapidly when a large 
 crop pf "weeds" were grown. It is interesting to note that 
 the nitrogen content of the corn grown mn this plat was only 
 
.84 per cent , ^!^ 
 
 - 112 - 
 
 PLAT #9 YIELD 
 On Plat #9 soy beans were sown at the first culti- 
 vatlon June 18th. and^ later replanted July 5th. The stand 
 was not sufficient to prevent the growth of weeds and 
 grass. The soy beans, perhaps, constituted half of the 
 weeds harvested. No nodules were found on the roots. 
 
 TABLE XXXVII THE RATE OP YIELD PER ACRE OF BOTH CORN FODDER 
 
 AND "WEEDS" 
 
 Corn "Weeds" Corn & "VJeeds** 
 
 - - -■■■- --n 
 
 End. In Corn Corn & "Weeds" 
 
 Green Dry Green Dry Green Dry Green Dry 
 Wt. Wt. Wt. Wt. Wt. Wt. Wt. Wt. 
 
 Capacitr^^^^^^ ^^®^ '^-^^^ ^''^^ 
 Actual 
 
 8689 2145 14461 5700 8167 2090 16856 4235 
 
 Inorease+- 
 
 or -4030 -151 
 
 Decrease- 
 
 Calculated on the basis of green weight the total 
 yield of corn fodder and "weeds" was 4030 pounds less 
 than the productive capacity of green corn fodder. On 
 The basis of dry matter the yield was 151 pounds less, 
 or, to state it differently, the production of 2090 pounds of 
 dry matter in "weeds" reduced this yield of dry matter 
 
- 113 - 
 
 in corn fodder 2241 pounds. Here as in plat 5 the state- 
 ment of results^ green weight would have been entirely 
 misleading. 
 
 TABLE XXXVIII MOISTURE CALCULATED ON THE BASIS OP DRY SOIL, 
 
 PLAT 9 
 
 
 
 
 E 
 
 n d s 
 
 
 
 
 ^i In Corn 
 
 July 
 & 
 
 9,16, 
 
 50 
 
 24 
 
 Aug. 5,19 
 & Sep. 
 
 ,26 
 16 
 
 Aug. 
 & 26 
 
 19 
 
 %ug. 5,19, 
 26, &Sep.l6 
 
 Aug. 
 19&26 
 
 Calculated from 
 checks 
 
 17.2 
 
 
 
 16.0 
 
 - 
 
 1o 
 
 15.2 
 
 
 12.9 
 
 10.8 
 
 Actual 
 
 14.8 
 
 
 
 10.0 
 
 
 7.1 
 
 
 9«3 
 
 6.2 
 
 The reduction in the soil moisture as compared 
 with the checks whene corn only grew was very marked 
 even early in the season. It was evident during the 
 greater part of the season that the moisture content was 
 too low for normal growth. 
 
 TABLE XXXIX NITROGEN ONOsfcALOULATED PARTS PE^^^ (P. P.M.) 
 DRY SOIL (A\^RAGE FOR DATES GIVEN), PLAT 9 
 
 Calculated 
 from checks 
 
 Actual 
 
 
 
 Ends 
 
 
 In 
 
 Conn 
 
 July 9,16 
 24, & 30 
 
 Aug 
 & 
 
 ;. 5,19,26 
 Sep. 16 
 
 Aug. 19 
 & 26 
 
 Aug. 5,1£ 
 26 & Sep. 
 
 ,16 
 
 Aug. 19 
 & 26 
 
 p. p.m. 
 
 
 p. p.m. 
 
 p. p.m. 
 
 p. p.m. 
 
 
 p.p .m. 
 
 64.6 
 
 
 90.7 
 
 62.2 
 
 26.4 
 
 
 18.1 
 
 63.4 
 
 
 5.9 
 
 2.5 
 
 5.8 
 
 
 5.0 
 
- 114 - 
 
 Here, as in plat 5 Is shown a much more rapid 
 diminuition of nitrates than occurB in the checks. 
 
 TABLE XXXX COMPARISON OP TflE REDUCTION OF MOISTURE AND 
 NITROGEN PLAT 9 
 
 Ends In Oorn 
 
 July 9,16 Aug. 5,19,26 Aug. 19 Aug. 5,19 Aug. 19 
 
 & 26 26 & Sepie &26 
 
 Moisture 
 Calculated 
 from checks 
 
 Actual 
 
 Nitrates NO, 
 Calculated 
 from checks 
 
 24 & 30 & Sep. 16 
 17.2 16.0 
 
 Actual 
 
 14.8 
 
 64.6 
 63.4 
 
 10.0 
 
 90.7 
 5.9 
 
 i 
 
 15.2 
 7.1 
 
 62.2 
 2.5 
 
 12.9 
 9.3 
 
 » 
 
 26.4 
 5.8 
 
 10.8 
 6.2 
 
 18.1 
 5.0 
 
 Here as in Plat 5 a much more rapid reduction 
 of nitrates occurs than of moisture. 
 
 SECOND SOWING OF ^'WEEDS'' 
 A drought succeeded the sowing of the second 
 crop of "weeds" July 24th., 'ffhich seriously injured this 
 part of the experiment. Millet was sown on plats 6,15, 
 20 and S4, and soy beans on Plat 11. The soy beans in 
 the corn grew as tall or taller than at the ends of the 
 plats , 
 
- 115 - 
 
 TABLE XXXXI SHOWING RESULTS OF SECOND SOWING OF "WEEDS 
 PRODUCTIVE CAPACITY CALCULATED PROM CHECKS. RESULTS IN 
 
 DRY MATTERS 
 
 No. Productive Yield in Corn 
 Plat Capacity Corn Millet Soy Beans 
 Corn 
 lbs . lbs . lbs . lbs . 
 
 Increasefif^DeoreaBe{- 
 Corn Total 
 
 lbs. 
 
 lbs. 
 
 6 
 
 4637 
 
 4528 
 
 180 
 
 15 
 
 3828 
 
 4155 
 
 222 
 
 80 
 
 2671 
 
 3143 
 
 219 
 
 24 
 
 3663 
 
 5069 
 
 201 
 
 11 
 
 3995 
 
 3310 
 
 
 534 
 
 -109 
 
 +71 
 
 ■1-327 
 
 +549 
 
 +472 
 
 +691 
 
 + 1416 
 
 + 1607 
 
 -685 
 
 -151 
 
 TABLE XXXXII SHOWING RESULTS OF SECOND SOWING OF WEEDS. THE 
 PRODUCTIVE CAPACITY CALCULATED PROM CHECKS, CORRECTED FOR EFFECT 
 
 OP FERTILIZER. 
 
 No. 
 Plat 
 
 Productive 
 
 Capacity 
 
 Corn 
 
 1 
 Corn 
 
 rield 
 
 Mil 
 
 
 lbs. 
 
 lbs. 
 
 lbs 
 
 6 
 
 4637 
 
 4528 
 
 180 
 
 15 
 
 3922 
 
 4155 
 
 222 
 
 20 
 
 2483 
 
 3143 
 
 219 
 
 24 
 
 4421 
 
 5069 
 
 201 
 
 11 
 
 3995 
 
 3310 
 
 
 RESULTS GIVEN IN DRY MATTER. 
 
 Increase (+i'^Decrease (- 
 Millet Soy beans Corn Total 
 
 lbs 
 
 534 
 
 lbs. 
 -109 
 +233 
 +660 
 +648 
 -685 
 
 lbs. 
 
 +71 
 +455 
 +879 
 +849 
 -151 
 
- 116 - 
 
 In Table XXXXI, the comparison is made with the 
 productive aapacity calculated from the checks. The 
 method, however. Is not logically correct fbr plats 
 15, 20, and 24 since these were fertilized with sodium 
 nitrate, acid phosphate and potassium sulphate respective- 
 ly. Plats 14, 18, and 23, were fertilized to correspond 
 with the above plats in the order named to dertermine the 
 effect of fertilizers. An attempt was made to correct 
 the calculated productive capacity from the checks by 
 correcting for the effect of fertilizer. (TABLE XXXXII ) 
 The actual yield of 14 was taken for comparison with plat 
 15. 
 
 The number for comparison with plat 20 is secured 
 by subtracting 188 pounds , which is the loss apparently 
 due to the acid phosphate in plat 18, from the normal 
 productive cai)acity (2671# - 188# = 2443#) . 
 
 The number for comparison with plat 24 is se- 
 cured by adding 758 pounds which is the gain apparently 
 due to the potassium sulphate in Plat 23, to the normal 
 productive capacity (3663# -V 758# = 4421#) 
 
 The results from the two methods are about the 
 same except by the latter method (Table Xax77) the increase 
 in plat 24 is less marked. 
 
 When millet was sown in plats 15, 20 and 24, 
 there was an increase in corn fodder. Plat 6 showed a 
 
117 - 
 
 decrease in corn but an increase in the total weight. 
 Where soy beans were sown on plat 11 , the total showed 
 a decrease. 
 
 It should be remembered that while the yield of 
 weeds was small, young plants have a relatively large 
 proportion of roots, and a smaller proportion of that 
 above ground can be harvested. If this is considered 
 probably every plat showed an increase in total yield. 
 
 But was the increase due to any ;^b»€!^4^*9«*-^ 
 effect from the light growth of "weeds'*,^ to the aalculated 
 productive capacity being too small. ** It will bg very 
 diffioitlt to determine the effect of a light growth of 
 weeds in plat experiments since the weight of a light 
 growth may easily come within the range of experimental 
 error . 
 
 THIRD SOWING OF "WEEDS" 
 
 The third sowing of "weeds" made August 6th. 
 failed to grow sufficiently for harvesting except J>lat 8. 
 The millet gave a yield of 191 pounds dry weight (Table 
 XXIX). Compared with the productive capacity the corn 
 gave an increase of 352 pounds of corn alone, making a 
 total increase of 523 pounds. Thisie in line with the re- 
 sults obtained from the second sowing of "weeds". 
 
 EFFECT OF MULCHING 
 
 Plat #3 was mulched both in the corn and in the 
 
118 - 
 
 ends, weeds were not permitted to grow. The increase 
 m dry matter over the normal productive capacity cal- 
 culated from the checks was 87" pounds. 
 
 TABLE XXXXIII COMPARING THE rOISTURE AND NO;, CONTENT 
 
 Moisture 
 Normal 
 Calculated 
 from checks 
 
 Actual 
 
 NO 5 
 
 Normal 
 Calculated 
 from checkS* 
 
 Actual 
 
 Ends 
 
 July 9,16, Aug. 5,19, 
 24 & 30 86, & Sep. 16 
 
 20.9 
 
 26.0 
 pi.p .m 
 85.7 
 
 68.2 
 
 19.2 
 25.0 
 
 101.5 
 85.7 
 
 In Oom 
 
 Aug. 19 Aug. 5,19, Aug.] 
 & 26 26, Sep. 16 & gg 
 
 f 
 
 17.9 
 
 24.2 
 
 p.p.m 
 
 76.5 
 
 97.5 
 
 1^.1 
 
 17.9 
 
 11.8 
 
 15.8 
 
 p.p.m . p.p.m 
 33.9 16.5 
 
 29.6 
 
 25 . S 
 
 On the ends of the mulched plat the moisture ran 
 considerably higher than on the checks . In the corn during 
 the dry v/eather, the moisture content ran nearly as low as 
 the calculated normal. There was thus considerably more 
 water used by the plants, which was reflected in the lar- 
 ger yield, Dxoring the most trying period of the drought 
 the corn on this plat seemed to suffer nearly as severely 
 as on any of the plats. The nitrogen content was greatly 
 lowered, as well as the moisture. 
 
- 119 - 
 
 It was noted in the early season during a wet 
 and rather cool period that the plants on this plat 
 were growing more ri^y^r>-*^^Jy than^ the cultivated plats 
 near it. Presiomably the soil ixnder the mulch was cooler 
 and contained less air than where tl^ere was no covering. 
 
 EFFECT OF S CRAP III G 
 Plat 2 was not cultivated after planting but 
 the weeds were prevented from growing by cutting them 
 off at the surface of the ground, taking care to leave 
 no mulch. The yield of corn fodder, dry matter, was 157 
 pounds less than normal as calculated from checks. 
 
 TABLE XXXXIV SHOWING THE MOISTURE AND NO3 CONTENT OP PLAT 2 
 
 Bnds In Oom 
 
 July 9,16,24 Aug. 5,19,26 Aug. 19 Aug. 5, 19 Aug. 19 
 & 30 & Sep. 16 & 26 26 & Sepl6 & 26 
 
 Moisture 
 
 Normal 21.8 20.1 18.8 16.6 13.4 
 
 Calculated 
 from checks 
 
 Actual 21.3 18.2 16.1 15.0 11.8 
 
 w ^ -, p. p.m . p. p.m . P. p.m . P.P.m . p. p .m. 
 
 Calculated 91-4 101.5 76.5 43.4 16.6 
 
 from checks 
 
 Actual 97.1 '30,6 52.8 71.5 52.5 
 
- 120 
 
 The moisture was eomewhat lower than the checks. 
 The nitrogen on the ends was not materially different 
 except during the drought (Column Aug. 19 & 26) when it 
 materially lov/ered. The nitrogen where the corn grew was 
 much higher than in the checks. Since this can not be 
 accounted for by a sufficiently decreased yield, what is 
 the explanation? It is usually supposed that cultivation 
 favors nitrification. Was nitrification more rapid in 
 this plat than In the checks, or were more nitrates brought 
 up from an accumulated reserve below? The nit»ogen con- 
 tent of the soil, Sept. 16, when considerable rain had 
 fallen gives some indication that this latter view may at 
 least partially accoiont for the phenomenon. 
 
 (See Table A, Appendix) 
 
 In the early part of the season the growth on 
 the scraped plat appeared to be considerably poorer than 
 on the checks, yet the final yield was but 157 pounds , or 
 4.1^ less than the calculated normal yield. It isjprobable 
 that the calculated normal yield is slightly low, but even 
 then there is not the diminuition in final yield that was 
 indicated by the early growth. It would thus seem pospible 
 that on the scraped plat the moisture available was made 
 more efficient by an abundance of available nitrogen in 
 the soil. 
 
- 121 - 
 
 — COMPARISON OP MULCHED AND SCRAPED PLATS — 
 
 TABLE XXXXV SHOWING DEPARTURE PROM NORi:AL AS CALCULATED FROM 
 CHECKS, IN YIELD, AND MOISTURE, AND NITROGEN (NO3) content in 
 
 SOIL 
 
 Ends In Corn 
 
 No. Treat- Moisture Jul. 9, 16 Aug. 5,19 Aug. 19 Aug. 5, 19 Aup-.19 
 Plat ment & Nitre- 24 & 50 26, Sep. 16 & 26 26,Sepl6 & 26 Yield 
 gen 
 
 3 l.:ulched 
 
 2 Scraped 
 
 3 Mulched 
 
 % 
 
 f 
 
 io 
 
 i f #lLbs 
 
 sture - 0.5 
 
 - 1.9 
 
 -2.7 
 
 -1.6 -1.6 -157 
 
 " +5.1 
 
 p. p. HI. 
 Og - 0.3 
 
 + 5.8 
 p .p .m . 
 -10.9 
 
 f6.3 
 
 P,p.m. 
 -23.7 
 
 +2.8 +2.0 +873 
 p. p.m. p. p.m. 
 +28.9 f35.9 
 
 " -17.5 
 
 -15.8 
 
 +•21.0 
 
 -4.4 +6.8 
 
 There was a greater difference between the moisture 
 of the ends and in the corn in the mulched than in the 
 scraped plats. There are many varying factors, among which 
 are evaporation and capillarity. 
 
 The NO 2 where corn was growing, is much more abun- 
 dant in the scraped than in the mulched plat. Was this 
 due to the moisture in the soil not being sufficient to per- 
 mit sufficient growth to use the available nitrogen? 
 — VARIATIONS IN FERTILIZER CONSTITUENTS — 
 
 (See Table XXX77 ) 
 The nitrates varied greatly. In general they 
 lowered with the moisture- This was very marked in plats 
 5 and 9 where the first sowing of "weeds" was made. In these 
 
- 122 - 
 
 plats the soluble nitrogen lowered much more rapi^dly 
 than did the moisture. While the moisture soon ran so 
 low in these plats as to limit plant growth it is a ques- 
 tion whether the poverty in nitrogen was not equally, 
 or even more, the limiting factor. Can the plant, by 
 lowering its content of this constituent continue growth 
 if moisture is available? That this can be done is 
 indicated by the nitrogen of the corn fodder on plat 5 
 being only .84^, while this constituent in the corn fod- 
 der of three other plats determined v/as nearly double 
 this amovint . Had the moisture and nitrates of the soil 
 been equally limiting factors we would expect the content 
 of this constituent to be about the same as in the other 
 
 piats . 
 
 In the other plats of the north series during 
 the drought (see column Aug. 19 & 26) a great variation 
 was noted even |n the checks (plats 1, 4, 7, 10, & 15). 
 Plat 7 is notably low. Plat 1 has a moderate amoimt . 
 This is the heaviest soil of this eeries. Diffusion be- 
 ing hindered in consequence, what is the limiting 8.mount 
 for growth of corn or for checking the accia^ulation of 
 nitrogen by the plant? Plat 2 (scraped) is high in 
 nitrates. Plat 16, which is a check in the ^J^^^^^^ _, 
 is the highest in nitrate content of any unfertilized plat^. 
 
 Plats 14, 15, and 17 fertilized with a heavy 
 application of sodium nitrate, failed, at least, to give 
 
- 123 - 
 
 any material increase in the crop. Evidently the 
 lack of nitrates in these plats can not account for the 
 low yields. But the moisture ran low, which was doubtless 
 one of the causes, ot the cause, for the low yields. 
 It appears, therefore, that the lack of nitrates in the 
 soil was probably a limiting factor, at least, in the 
 amount of nitrogen accumulated by the plants in some 
 cases while in others no such effect occurred from this 
 cause . 
 
 A very interesting feature of the tabl^ (XXXII ) 
 is the variation of NO3 in the checks. Is ife improbable 
 that plat 7, for instance, is too low to supply the opti- 
 mum amount of nitrates to the plant if the moisture and 
 other conditions were favorable? V.Tiat effect would this 
 have on the composition of the planfe? Sodium nitrate 
 applied to timothy on the Mitchel Farm gave a decided 
 increase in Yield (Cornell Bui. 241, 7) 
 
 The ^^^4 content in the soil was about the same 
 throughout the season, and is but slightly lower in the 
 corn than at the ends. There was but little effect on the 
 yields. This corresponds with the fact that acid phos- 
 phate gives but slightly increased yields on the Mitchel 
 
 Farm . T 
 
 The Potassium (K ) in the soil seems to show 
 
 a slight tendency to lower on the ends with the moisture. 
 
while in the corn there is, peroentagely, considerable de* 
 crease. Where potassiim sulphate was applied it seemed 
 to be somewhat reflected in the yields. This corres- 
 ponds with the increase in yield when applied to timothy, 
 to which reference is made above . 
 
 — YIELD OF NTTROGEF IN CROPS — 
 
 A chemical analysis was made of corn fodder 
 from plats 2, 3, 5, and 10, of millet from plats 5 and 6, 
 and of soy beans, weeds, and grass from plat 9, and soy 
 beans from plat 11. Care was taken to select what appeared 
 to be representative samples. Two hills of corn v/ith 
 three stalks each and small composite samples of millet 
 and soy beans were taken. In each case the sample of 
 millet and soy beans consisted of about equal parts taken 
 from the ends and in the corn. It will be noted that the 
 samples were rather small for the purpose . The calculated 
 results for the above plats, together with other plats 
 taken for comparison, are given in Table XXXXVI . 
 
- 125 - 
 
 TABLE XXXXVI SHOWING NITROGEN REMOVED BY THE CROPS ON SOME PLATS . 
 AND THE NITROGEN IN THE SOIL 2-7 INCHES SEPT. 16. YIELD AND 
 NITROGEN CONTENT OP CROPS GIVEN IN DRY MATTER 
 
 Plat 
 
 Crop 
 In Corn Ends 
 
 Yield 
 Rate per acre 
 Lbs , 
 
 Nitrogen 
 
 2 
 
 Corn fodder 
 
 3643 
 
 1.49 
 
 3 
 
 w n 
 
 4952 
 
 1.39 
 
 4 
 
 n « 
 
 4357 
 
 •::.1.38 
 
 5 
 
 5 
 5 
 
 fl M 
 
 IJillet 
 
 !"^' t Millet 
 
 1609 
 3932 
 4999 
 
 .84 
 1.16 
 1.16 
 
 6 
 
 Corn fodder 
 
 4528 
 
 Hrl .38 
 
 6 
 
 IJillet 
 
 180 
 
 3.04 
 
 7 
 
 Corn fodder 
 
 4776 
 
 «-l . 38 
 
 8 
 
 n M 
 
 4913 
 
 *1 . 38 
 
 8 
 
 Millet 
 
 191 
 
 «-»3 . 04 
 
 9 
 
 Corn fodder 
 
 2145 
 
 «■»* . 8^ 
 
 9 i 
 
 i;-»*%Soy beans 
 
 2090 
 
 1.49 
 
 9 
 
 Soy beans 
 
 3700 
 
 1.49 
 
 10 
 
 Corn fodder 
 
 4190 
 
 1.37 
 
 11 
 
 « « 
 
 3310 
 
 ^fl.38 
 
 11 
 
 Soy beans 
 
 534 
 
 3.43 
 
 ^Average per cent nitrogen content of plats 3 f^^ 10 taken. 
 **The Lme per cent nitrogen employed as for millet in plat 6. 
 
 M II M ft II OvJX A J. *^ • 
 
 *** , j.-4.,, + /^rq Q-hr>nt 50^ v/eeds aaad grass constitut- 
 
 iJ^-'-j-ifSoy beans constituted about, ou/., wwwua e 
 
 Ing the remainder . 
 
- 126 - 
 
 TABLE XXXXVI SHOWING NITROGEN REMOVED BY THE CROPS ON SOME PLATS 
 AND THE NITROGEN IN THE SOIL 2-7 INCHES SEPT. 16. YIELD AND 
 NITROGEN CONTFJTT OF CROPS GIVEN IN DRY MATTER. ( Continued ) 
 
 No, Nitrogen removed Total Nitrogen Nitrogen in 
 Plat by crop. Rate per acre removed by crop Soil 2 - 7" 
 
 rate per acre Sept, 16. 
 
 Lbs . 
 2 54 . 28 
 
 5 68.84 
 
 4 60.13 
 
 5 IS. 52 
 5 45.61 
 
 5 58.00 
 
 6 62.49 
 
 6 5.47 
 
 7 65.91 
 
 8 67.80 
 
 8 
 
 9 17.16 
 
 9 
 
 11 45.67 
 
 11 18.32 
 
 Lbs. 
 
 Lbs 
 
 54.28 
 
 41,6 
 
 68.84 
 
 10.8 
 
 60.13 
 
 4.2 
 
 59.13 
 
 • 
 
 1.8 
 
 58.00 
 
 .6 
 
 62.49 
 
 
 67.96 
 
 2.4 
 
 65.91 
 
 10,0 
 
 5.80 73.60 5.0 
 
 31.14 48.30 1.7 
 
 9 55.13 55.13 2.8 
 
 10 57.40 57.40 8.5 
 
 64.01 4.9 
 
127 - 
 
 The manner of securing the results are clearly 
 open to objection, but they may show some indications. 
 Plats 5 and 9, when compared with the whole, show a de- 
 crease in nitrogen in the crop, but when compared with plats 
 4 and 10 respectively, the decrease is but slight except 
 where corn grew in Plat 9. The corn in this plat is cal- 
 culated the same as in Plat 5, which is probably too low 
 since the corn yield was 33^ greater in Plat 5. Allowing 
 for this probable error, there appears to be about the 
 same yield of nitrogen in the ends as in the cor:% on these 
 two plats . 
 
 The nitrogen in 2 to 7 inches of soil is lower 
 in these plats than any of the others. Plat 2, which 
 was scraped, shows the highest amount of nitrogen in the 
 soil of any of the plats, but the total nitrogen in the crop 
 
 was low . 
 
 — CAPILLARITY — 
 For the study of the differences in the capillary 
 power of the soil the results from plats 1 to 13 were used, 
 since the greatest variations in texture oocxirred in these 
 plats. The variations from the approximate normal for the 
 different plats, and between the ends and in corn is shown 
 in Table XXXXVII . 
 
- 128 
 
 TABLE XXXXVII PP]R CENT AVERAGE MOISTURE, NORTH SERIES , (PLATS 
 1 TO 13) CALCULATED ON THE BASIS OF AVERAGE MOISTURE CONTENT 
 
 ENDS OP PLATS JULY 9TH . & 16TH . 
 
 No. 
 Plat 
 
 July 9 
 & 16 
 Ends 
 
 1 
 
 23.95 
 
 g 
 
 22.55 
 
 3 
 
 26.3 
 
 4 
 
 21.4 
 
 5 
 
 20.8 
 
 6 
 
 21.3 
 
 7 
 
 20.05 
 
 8 
 
 20.45 
 
 9 
 
 16.65 
 
 10 
 
 17.1 
 
 11 
 
 16.35 
 
 12 
 
 14.9 
 
 13 
 
 16.3 
 
 Aug. 5, 19, 26, & Sep. 16. Aug. 19 & 26. 
 Ends In Corn Ends In Corn 
 
 % 10 i 
 
 to Vo 
 
 88.2 75.4 82.9 62. 
 
 81.0 66.6 71.50 52.7 
 
 95.2 68.0 92.1 52.5 
 
 85.2 64.1 79.3 48.2 
 
 47.3 46.5 28.3 27.4 
 80.0 61.8 71. a . 45.6 
 88.0 70.8 81,4 58.0 
 85.0 71.8 81.4 88.9 
 
 60.2 56.2 42.9 37.2 
 88.9 71.6 83.7 61.8 
 79,6 70.4 76.2 59.6 
 
 87.3 94.7 84.0 90.0 
 
 90.4 84.0 88.0 81.4 
 
 For the basis of calculation the average moisture 
 contBnt of the ends for July 9 and 16 when the moisture 
 was presumably not far from the optimum was taken. This 
 was some too low for plats 5 and 9, but the error due 
 to this cause is not material. 
 
- 129 - 
 
 The most interesting features of this tab^le are 
 the results from plat 12, where there was only a very light 
 growth of soy beans in the corn. Kot only was the percen- 
 tage of the optimum moisture higher than on any of the 
 other plats, but was higher in the corn than in the ends. 
 These averages can not be due to any aberrent determinations 
 for an examination of the detailed data (Table "A" Appendix) 
 shows that for each determination the same differences 
 are shown. Some of these determinations were made before 
 any soy beans were above ground. This is the more inter- 
 esting on account of this being the highest plat o? the 
 whole experimental area. Had this been a heavier soil 
 there would be a possibility of a water coming to the sur- 
 face where the gorh was growing from higher ground, but 
 even under this circumstance the very slight difference 
 between the elevation of this plat and the level of the 
 land above would make such an explanation improbable. It 
 appears, therefore, to b^due to strong capillary action. 
 The protection against evaporation by the corn appears to 
 conserve more moisture than is transpired by the plants. 
 
ISO - 
 
 Table A: Showing Moisture and Witrogen, (MOg) 8n Soil. 
 
 Plats, 1-lS. Com Planted May 17,1907. 
 
 ENDS, July 9 
 
 No. Moisture NO3 ppm.* N03ppin. 
 
 Plat, Treatment, % dry soil, dry soil, moisture, 
 
 1 Cultivated all season, 24.5 79.6 325 
 
 2 Scraped, 21.7 116.6 537 
 
 3 Mulched, 25.7 73.9 288 
 
 4 Cultivated all season, 22.1 98.0 443 
 
 5 Millet sown June 18, 20.6 84.8 412 
 . 6 Millet sown July 24, 21.2 79.0 373 
 
 7 Cultivated all season, 19.9 99.1 * 498 
 
 8- Mill&t sown Aug. 6, 20.7 100.0 483 
 
 9 Soy Beans sown June 18. 16,2 98.6 609 
 
 10 Cultivated all season, 17.4 54.4 313 
 
 11 Soy Beans sown July 24. 16.5 53.0 321 
 
 12 Soy Beans sown Aug. 6 14.9 54.8 367 
 
 13 Cultivated all season, 16.5 57.5 349 
 *ppm,is the abbreviation for parts per million. 
 
- x31 
 
 TalDle A(Cont.): Showing Moisture and Nitrogen, (NO3) in Soil 
 
 Plats, 1-13. Com Planted May 17,1907. 
 
 No. ENDS, July 16. EIIB8. July 23. 
 
 Plat, H2O % HO3 ppm. NO3 ppm. H^O % NOsppm. NO;^ ^^m. 
 d.soil, d. soil, H2O. d. soil, d. soil, HgO. 
 
 1 
 
 23.4 
 
 84.5 
 
 361 
 
 2 
 
 23.4 
 
 91.0 
 
 389 
 
 3 
 
 26.9 
 
 39.0 
 
 145 
 
 4 
 
 20.7 
 
 88.4 
 
 427 
 
 5 
 
 21.0 
 
 72.f 
 
 347 
 
 6 
 
 21.4 
 
 78.0 
 
 365 
 
 % 
 
 20.2 
 
 81.^ 
 
 405 
 
 8 
 
 20.2 
 
 61,7 
 
 305 
 
 9 
 
 17.1 
 
 60.3 
 
 353 
 
 10 
 
 16.8 
 
 33.6 
 
 200 
 
 11 
 
 16.2 
 
 26.4 
 
 163 
 
 12 
 
 14.9 
 
 34.2 
 
 230 
 
 13 
 
 16.1 
 
 30.0 
 
 186 
 
 a. SOI 
 
 x,a.soix. 
 
 ngu. 
 
 21.3 
 
 78.0 
 
 366 
 
 21.6 
 
 97.0 
 
 449 
 
 26.7 
 
 84.0 
 
 315 
 
 19.8 
 
 110.0 
 
 555 
 
 17.8 
 
 > 
 
 29.9 
 
 168 
 
 19.9 
 
 113.7 
 
 4 
 
 571 
 
 18.7 
 
 78.4* 
 
 419 
 
 19.1 
 
 > 
 
 101.4 
 
 531 
 
 15.0 
 
 75.6 
 
 504 
 
 16.2 
 
 84.0 
 
 519 
 
 15.5 
 
 73.8 
 
 4*^6 
 
 14.0 
 
 75.6 
 
 540 
 
 15.7 
 
 81.6 
 
 520 
 
- 132 - 
 
 Table A(cont.): Showing Moisture and Nitrogen, (NO3) in Soil 
 Plats, 1-13. Corn Planted May 17,1907. 
 
 ENDS, July 30. 
 Ho. H2O % HO3 ppm. H03ppm. 
 Plat, d. soil, d»soil, HgO. 
 
 1 
 
 21.2 
 
 78.4 
 
 370 
 
 2 
 
 18.7 
 
 84.0 
 
 449 
 
 3 
 
 24.7 
 
 76.0 
 
 308 
 
 4 
 
 17.9 
 
 91.8 
 
 513 
 
 5 
 
 12.1 
 
 6.6 
 
 55 
 
 6 
 
 19.3 
 
 73.4 
 
 > 
 
 380 
 
 7 
 
 15.3 
 
 67.8 
 
 443 
 
 8 
 
 17.6 
 
 79.8 
 
 453 
 
 9 
 
 n.i 
 
 19.2 
 
 173 
 
 10 
 
 15.5 
 
 52.2 
 
 337 
 
 11 
 
 14.5 
 
 54.0 
 
 373 
 
 12 
 
 13.9 
 
 45.1 
 
 325 
 
 13 
 
 15.2 
 
 60.0 
 
 395 
 
 ENDS, Aug. S 
 H2O % NO 5 ppm. HO 3 ppm. 
 
 .soil, 
 
 d.soil, 
 
 HgO. 
 
 21.1 
 
 90.0 
 
 427 
 
 18.3 
 
 84.0 
 
 458 
 
 25.8 
 
 61.7 
 
 240 
 
 18.1 
 
 111.0 
 
 612 
 
 12.8 
 
 2.2 
 
 > 
 
 17 
 
 19, « 
 
 135.0 
 
 701 
 
 18.0 
 
 96.0 
 
 533 
 
 17.3 
 
 135.0 
 
 780 
 
 11.6 
 
 8.8 
 
 76 
 
 15.6 
 
 73.1 
 
 468 
 
 13.6 
 
 56#6 
 
 416 
 
 12.8 
 
 66.0 
 
 515 
 
 14,4 
 
 56.1 
 
 390 
 
- 133 - 
 Tatle A(conJs. ): Showing Moisture and Nitrogen/NOs) in Soil. 
 
 Plats, 1-13. Com Planted May 17,1907. 
 
 In Com, Aug. 5 ENDS. Aug. (12. 
 
 Ho. H«0 % NO3 ppm. HO.r J>pm. HpO.jS NO3 ppm. NO ppm. 
 Plat,d7soll, d. soil, h|o. ^^J--.. - — .-. «o^ 
 
 1 
 
 19.6 
 
 51.9 
 
 362 
 
 2 
 
 16.7 
 
 3^.2 
 
 223 
 
 3 
 
 21.8 
 
 32.4 
 
 149 
 
 4 
 
 16.5 
 
 49.2 
 
 298 
 
 5 
 
 12.8 
 
 3.$ 
 
 26 
 
 6 
 
 17.3 
 
 58.2 
 
 337 
 
 7 
 
 16.6 
 
 63.0 
 
 386 
 
 8 
 
 17.9 
 
 67.2 
 
 375 
 
 9 
 
 11.6 
 
 6,6 
 
 57 
 
 10 
 
 13.4 
 
 23.6 
 
 176 
 
 11 
 
 14.1 
 
 35.0 
 
 234 
 
 12 
 
 14.7 
 
 28.6 
 
 194 
 
 13 
 
 13.6 
 
 18.1 
 
 13S 
 
 .soil. 
 
 d.soil. 
 
 HgO. 
 
 20.6 
 
 90.0 
 
 436 
 
 17.1 
 
 75.6 
 
 442 
 
 24,5 
 
 101.4 
 
 416 
 
 17.5 
 
 96.0 
 
 548 
 
 8.2 
 
 6.5 
 
 79 
 
 16.6 
 
 81.6 
 
 491 
 
 17.1 
 
 84.0 
 
 490 
 
 17.2 
 
 111.0 
 
 646 
 
 8.4 
 
 4.0 
 
 47 
 
 14.9 
 
 62.1 
 
 418 
 
 16.5 
 
 75.0 
 
 454 
 
 12.5 
 
 72.1 
 
 577 
 
 14.1 
 
 78.6 
 
 557 
 
- 134 - 
 
 Table A(cont.): Showing Moisture and Nitrogen (K0„) in Soil 
 
 Plats, l-s-lS. Com planted May 17,1907. 
 
 :B. NLD.S Aug. 19 IN .CaRK. 
 
 No. H2O % NO3 ppm.HOs ppm. H^O.^ N03ppm. KOsppin. 
 Plat, d. soil, d.soil, HgO. ^ __ *>• j — <■• « r, 
 
 1 20.0 72.0 359 
 
 2 16.1 51.6 320 
 
 3 24.1 97.5 404 
 
 4 17.2 84.0 439 
 
 5 6.2 1.5 24 
 
 6 16.0 60.0 375 
 
 7 16.5 54.0 328 
 
 8 16.8 84.0 500 
 
 9 7.0 5.0 43 
 
 10 14.7 50.5 344 
 
 11 12.1 55.0 455 
 
 12 12.7 55.0 433 
 
 13 14.7 78.6 535 
 
 dtsoil. 
 
 d.soil, 
 
 HgO. 
 
 15.3 
 
 18.6 
 
 122.5 
 
 11.3 
 
 24.7 
 
 219 
 
 14.6 
 
 6.6 
 
 45 
 
 10.4 
 
 16.5 
 
 159 
 
 5.5 
 
 2.0 
 
 36 
 
 11.0 
 
 11.5 
 
 105 
 
 11.9 
 
 8.8 
 
 • 74 
 
 13.2 
 
 24.7 
 
 187 
 
 5.3 
 
 5.5 
 
 104 
 
 10.6 
 
 13. 7 
 
 129 
 
 9.2 
 
 22.0 
 
 239 
 
 14.2 
 
 66.7 
 
 469 
 
 12.9 
 
 29.7 
 
 230 
 
- 135 - 
 
 Table A(cont. )i Showing Moisture and Nitrogen (KO^) in Soil 
 
 Plats, 1-13. Corn Planted May 17,1907. 
 
 IBWDS.j:. Aug. 26 IN CORN 
 
 N6. HgOjS NO 3 ppm.NOjPpm. HgO % NO 3 ppm. NO^ppm. 
 
 Plat, d,goil,d. soil, H.O. 
 
 \ 
 
 19.6 
 
 69.6 
 
 355 
 
 12.1 
 
 16.1 
 
 54.0 
 
 336 
 
 3 
 
 24.4 
 
 97.5 
 
 400 
 
 4 
 
 16.7 
 
 91.8 
 
 548 
 
 5 
 
 5.6 
 
 2.0 
 
 36 
 
 6 
 
 14.2 
 
 41.2 
 
 290 
 
 7 
 
 16. S 
 
 79.8 
 
 492 
 
 8 
 
 16.5 
 
 93.6 
 
 ,567 
 
 9 
 
 7.3 
 
 2.0 
 
 27 
 
 10 
 
 14.5 
 
 69.3 
 
 477 
 
 11 
 
 12.8 
 
 55.0 
 
 430 
 
 12 
 
 12.3 
 
 68.7 
 
 559 
 
 13 
 
 14.0 
 
 69.3 
 
 495 
 
 d.soil. 
 
 d,soil, 
 
 V' 
 
 14.5 
 
 14.8 
 
 102 
 
 12.4 
 
 80.5 
 
 670 
 
 13.0 
 
 40.1 
 
 309 
 
 10.2 
 
 16.5 
 
 162 
 
 5.9 
 
 2.5 
 
 42 
 
 • 
 
 8.4 
 
 10.0 
 
 119 
 
 10.6 
 
 10.5 
 
 99 
 
 10.9 
 
 25.0 
 
 230 
 
 7.1 
 
 4.5 
 
 62 
 
 10.5 
 
 31.0 
 
 295 
 
 10.3 
 
 32.5 
 
 315 
 
 12.6 
 
 57.5 
 
 455 
 
 13.6 
 
 41.6 
 
 ^05 
 
- 136 - 
 
 Table A ( cont. ): Showing Moisture and Nitrogen (NO3) in Soil. 
 Plats, I^-IS. CornPlanted May 17,1907. 
 
 
 ENDS Sept. 2 
 
 
 ENDS. Sept. 
 
 16 
 
 No. 
 Plat 
 
 H2O % 
 ., d.soil 
 
 NO3 ppm. 
 d.soil. 
 
 NO 3 ppm. 
 HgO. 
 
 H2O % 
 d.soil, 
 
 NO 3 ppm. 
 .d.soil. 
 
 HO3 p 
 
 1 
 
 18,9 
 
 69,6 
 
 369 
 
 23,8 
 
 130,0 
 
 54$ 
 
 2 
 
 ,16.7. 
 
 • 
 
 45.0 
 
 • 
 
 270 
 
 22.5 
 
 172.9 
 
 775 
 
 3 
 
 23.9 
 
 117.0 
 
 491 
 
 25.6 
 
 86.2 
 
 536 
 
 4 
 
 17.0 
 
 96.0 - 
 
 565 
 
 20.8 
 
 208.0 
 
 1000 
 
 5 
 
 6.0 
 
 1,^ 
 
 17 
 
 15.2 
 
 2.2 
 
 24 
 
 6 
 
 13.5 
 
 25.3 
 
 187 
 
 18.8 
 
 6.0 
 
 32 
 
 7 
 
 16.6 
 
 73.8 
 
 444 
 
 20.1 
 
 143.0 
 
 . 712 
 
 8 
 
 16.3 
 
 66.0 
 
 405 
 
 19.0 
 
 45.0 
 
 237 
 
 9 
 
 7.1 
 
 2.0 
 
 28 
 
 14.2 
 
 10.0 
 
 70 
 
 10 
 
 14.9 
 
 87.6 
 
 588 
 
 16.1 
 
 165.0 
 
 1024 
 
 11 
 
 11.8 
 
 52.2 
 
 442 
 
 15.6 
 
 145.0 
 
 533 
 
 12 
 
 14.3 
 
 90.0 
 
 630 
 
 14.1 
 
 44.0 
 
 312 
 
 13 
 
 14.7 
 
 90.0 
 
 613 
 
 15.7 
 
 183.1 
 
 1168 
 
- 137 - 
 
 Table A(cont): Showing Moisture and Nitrogen (NO3) in Soil. 
 
 Plats, 1-13. Corn Planted May 17,1907. 
 
 IN CeHN Sept. 16 
 No. HgO % NO 5 ppm. NOgppm. 
 Plat, d. soil, d. soil, H2O. 
 
 1 
 
 22.6 
 
 126.7 
 
 560 
 
 2 
 f 
 
 19.5 
 
 150.0 
 
 '^.0 
 
 768 
 175 
 
 4 
 
 17.7 
 
 15.0 
 
 85 
 
 5: 
 
 14.5 
 
 6.6 
 
 45 
 
 6 
 
 15.9 
 
 8.8 
 
 55 
 
 7 
 
 17.2 
 
 36.0 
 
 209 
 
 8 
 
 16.7 
 
 18.0 
 
 108 
 
 9 
 
 13.4 
 
 6.1 
 
 46 
 
 10 
 
 14.5 
 
 30.8 
 
 212 
 
 11 
 
 12.5 
 
 17.5 
 
 140 
 
 12 
 
 15.0 
 
 68.7 
 
 457 
 
 13 
 
 14.8 
 
 55.0 
 
 372 
 
- 138 - 
 
 Table A: Showing Moisture and Fertilizer in the Soil. 
 Plats 14^26. Com Planted May 17,1907. 
 
 ENDS. July 9 
 Treatment 
 
 No. 
 Plat, Fertilizer 
 
 HpO % Per.ppm.* NOgppni 
 
 14 775# Nit. Soda 
 
 15 775# « " 
 
 16 None 
 
 17 775# Nit. Soda 
 18 
 
 Cult. all season, 
 Millet sown July 24 
 Cult, all season. 
 Millet sown Aug 6 
 
 d.soil d.soil 
 27.2 238.8 
 
 25.3 
 24.0 
 
 23. 5 
 
 775# Acid Phos. Cultivated all season, 22. 2 
 
 If ff «t 2.\,1 
 
 ||9 None, 
 
 20 775# Acid Phos, Millet sown July 24 
 
 21 775# " » 
 
 22 None 
 
 22 " 
 
 23 388# Sul.Pot. 
 
 24 « MM 
 
 25 None, 
 
 26 388# Sul.Pot. 
 
 " •' Aug 6 
 Cult. all season, 
 
 It n M 
 
 n M M 
 
 Millet sown July 24 
 Cult. all season. 
 Millet Sown Aug. 6 
 
 20.5 
 22.6 
 21.3 
 
 21.3 
 
 22.9 
 2^.6 
 20.6 
 20.3 
 
 HQO) 
 
 878 
 
 267.1 1056 
 
 91.0 379 
 
 240.5 1023 
 
 PO4 
 
 9.7 
 
 7.8 
 
 7.1 
 
 7.1 
 
 6.5 
 
 K- 
 10.4 
 
 9.1 
 
 10 . 2 
 
 11.2 
 
 19.5 
 
 « Per.ppm, ahhreviates Fertilizer parts per million. 
 
- 189 - 
 
 Table A(cont)t Showing ;ioi*ture ana Fertilizer in the Soil. 
 Plats 14-26. Corn Planted May 17-1-1". 7, 
 
 Ho* 
 Pl«i 
 
 ENI 
 %0 % 
 ,&.soil 
 
 34 July 16 
 
 Fer.ppra, 
 
 d.soil 
 
 NO ppm 
 H|0. 
 
 WBS July 2; 
 H„0 % Fer.ppm. 1 
 d.soil d.soil 
 
 •7 
 
 «03iP 
 
 ■HgO. 
 
 14 
 
 24.8 
 
 162.5 
 
 655 
 
 23. f 
 
 221.0 
 
 925 
 
 15 
 
 24,5 
 
 195.0 
 
 796 
 
 24.6 
 
 241.0 
 
 1004 
 
 16 
 
 23,2 
 
 130.0 
 
 560 
 
 25.7 
 
 162.5 
 
 686 
 
 17 
 
 S3.S 
 
 195,0 
 
 857 
 
 22.1 
 
 227.5 
 
 1294 
 
 IB 
 
 22,1 
 
 PO4 
 
 ii;o 
 
 
 21.1 
 
 PO4 
 7?1 
 
 
 19 2 
 
 .81,5 
 
 9,7 
 
 
 21.t 
 
 8.15 
 
 
 SO 
 
 Sl.O 
 
 13.0 
 
 
 10.7 
 
 e.s 
 
 
 21 
 
 21. « 
 
 8.4 
 
 
 21.4 
 
 7.P 
 
 
 22 
 
 19.5 
 
 7,8 
 
 
 19.3 
 
 7.1 
 
 
 %% 
 
 19.5 
 
 K 
 7.1 
 
 
 19,5 
 
 K 
 14.:^ 
 
 
 23 
 
 21.4 
 
 5.2 
 
 
 20.7 
 
 11.0 
 
 
 24 
 
 20.6 
 
 8.4 
 
 
 20.0 
 
 8.4 
 
 
 25 
 
 20.0 
 
 14.9 
 
 
 IP. 9 
 
 7.8 
 
 
 26 
 
 20,0 
 
 9.7 
 
 
 IB. 7 
 
 9.7 
 
 
- 1^0 - 
 
 Tatle A(cont.): Showing Moisture and Fertilizer in the Soil. 
 
 Plats 14-26. Corn Planted May 17,1907. 
 
 ENDS July SO ENDS Aug 5. 
 
 No. HgO % Per.ppm NOjppm. HgO % Per.ppm. NO^ppm. 
 
 Plat 
 
 d.soll 
 
 cl.soil 
 
 HgO. 
 
 d. soil 
 
 d.soil 
 
 HgO. 
 
 14 
 
 22.5 
 
 178.0 
 
 780 
 
 23.5 
 
 235.5 
 
 1000 
 
 15 
 
 23.1 
 
 oo O • w- 
 
 1097 
 
 23.7 ' 
 
 227.5 
 
 960 
 
 16 
 
 21.8 
 
 177.4 
 
 814 
 
 22.2 
 
 146.2 
 
 666 
 
 17 
 
 21.0 
 
 169.0 
 
 805 
 
 21.3 
 
 295.7 
 
 1388 
 
 18 
 
 18.9 
 
 PO. 
 7*8 
 
 
 19.6 
 
 P04^ 
 772 
 
 • 
 
 1@.5 
 
 1855 
 
 7.2 
 
 
 19.5 
 
 6.0 
 
 
 20 
 
 18.8 
 
 6.0 
 
 
 19.2 
 
 &,& 
 
 
 21 
 
 18.2 
 
 8.4 
 
 
 19.3 
 
 8.4 
 
 
 22 
 
 18.3 
 
 7.8 
 
 
 18.0 
 
 7.2 
 
 
 22 
 
 18,3 
 
 K 
 
 4.5 
 
 
 18.0 
 
 K 
 
 7.8 
 
 
 23 
 
 19.1 
 
 9.0 
 
 
 19.2 
 
 10.8 
 
 
 24 
 
 19.2 
 
 7.8 
 
 
 18.6 
 
 12.0 
 
 
 25 
 
 17.6 
 
 8.4 
 
 
 17.3 
 
 10.2 
 
 
 26 
 
 17.3 
 
 12.6 
 
 
 16.7 
 
 10.2 
 
 
- 141 - 
 
 Table A(cont.): Showing Moisture and Fertilizer in the Soil. 
 
 Plats 14-26. Cofin Planted May 17,1907. 
 
 In Corn Aug. 5 ENDS Aug. 12 
 
 Ho. HgO % Fer.ppm. NOgppm. H2O % Per.ppm. HO3 ppm. 
 
 Plat 
 
 d.soll 
 
 d.soil 
 
 HgO. 
 
 14 
 
 21.8 
 
 210.1 
 
 965 
 
 15 
 
 20.3 
 
 240.0 
 
 1182 
 
 16 
 
 20.1 
 
 120.0 
 
 596 
 
 17 
 18 
 
 18.1 
 18.2 
 
 282.0 
 PO4 
 
 7:8 
 
 1560 
 
 19 
 
 18.4 
 
 7.2 
 
 
 20 
 
 17.4 
 
 9.0 
 
 
 21 
 
 17.0 
 
 9.6 
 
 
 22 
 
 15.8 
 
 7.2 
 
 
 22 
 
 15.8 
 
 K 
 9.6 
 
 
 23 
 
 16.9 
 
 12.0 
 
 
 24 
 
 1614 
 
 13.2 
 
 
 25 
 
 14.7 
 
 8.2 
 
 
 26 
 
 14.6 
 
 13.4 
 
 
 .soil 
 
 d.soil 
 
 HgO. 
 
 22.6 
 
 208.0 
 
 920 
 
 20.. 8 
 
 159.0 
 
 764 
 
 21.3 
 
 151.8 
 
 710 
 
 21.0 
 19.3 
 
 180.0 
 PO4 
 6:0 
 
 858 
 
 IB. 9 
 
 7.2 
 
 
 16.4 
 
 • 
 
 7.8 
 
 
 19.6 
 
 6.6 
 
 
 17.2 
 
 7.2 
 
 
 17.2 
 
 K' 
 4.8 
 
 
 19.4 
 
 6.6 
 
 
 15.6 
 
 7.2 
 
 
 16.9 
 
 5.4 
 
 
 17.0 
 
 9.6 
 
 
- 142 - 
 
 Table A(oont.): Showing Moisture and Fertlizer in the Soil 
 Plats 14-26 Corn Planted May ^7,1907 
 
 ENDS Aug. 19 
 No. HpO % Fer.ppm. NOjPpm. 
 
 Plat 
 
 d*soll 
 
 D.soil 
 
 HgO, 
 
 14 
 
 21.5 
 
 156.0 
 
 725 
 
 15 
 
 18.8 
 
 126.0 
 
 675 
 
 16 
 
 21.3 
 
 120.0 
 
 564 
 
 17 
 
 19.8 
 
 165.0 
 
 834 
 
 1 C- 
 
 18 
 
 18?8 
 
 PO4 
 
 
 19 
 
 1».8 
 
 9.@ 
 
 
 20 
 
 14.8 
 
 1*1 
 
 
 21 
 
 19.1 
 
 7.2 
 
 
 S"! 
 
 9^- 
 
 
 
 22 
 
 16.6 
 
 K 
 
 
 22 
 
 16.6 
 
 4.2 
 
 
 23 
 
 18.6 
 
 9.6 
 
 
 24 
 
 14.0 
 
 6*0 
 
 
 25 
 
 16.2 
 
 6.0 
 
 
 26 
 
 15.6 
 
 11.0 
 
 
 InCorn Aug. 19 
 HgO % Fer.ppm. NO^ ppm. 
 
 .soil 
 
 d.soil 
 
 H"0. 
 
 2 
 
 16.3 
 14.0 
 
 150.0 
 
 132.0 
 
 920 
 
 934 
 
 14.1 
 
 66.7 
 
 472 
 
 12.2 
 
 129.2 
 
 1060 
 
 11.2 
 
 PO. 
 872 
 
 
 13.6 
 
 7.1 
 
 • 
 
 11.5 
 
 7.7 
 
 
 11.3 
 
 7.7 
 
 
 11.8 
 
 6.0 
 
 
 11.8 
 
 K' 
 3.8 
 
 
 11.1 
 
 6.0 
 
 
 9.3 
 
 4.5 
 
 
 10.3 
 
 4.4 
 
 
 9.5 
 
 6.5 
 
 
- 143 - 
 
 Table A(cont,): Showing Moisture and Fertilizer in tha Soil. 
 
 Plats 14-56 Com Planted May 17,1907. 
 
 Ends Aug S6 InCom Aug 26 
 
 No. HftO % Fer.ppm HO ppm. H«0 % Per.ppin. NO ppm. 
 
 Plati 
 
 i a. soil 
 
 d.soil 
 
 S|0. 
 
 14 
 
 21,1 
 
 159.6 
 
 756 
 
 151 
 
 17.? 
 
 175.8 
 
 1014 
 
 16 
 
 21.1 
 
 135.0 
 
 640 
 
 17 
 
 19.5 
 
 183.6 
 
 942 
 
 18 
 
 18.6 
 
 PO4 
 
 io:e 
 
 
 19 
 
 18.1 
 
 9.0 
 
 
 20 
 
 14.0 
 
 8.8 
 
 
 21 
 
 17.6 
 
 9.0 
 
 
 22 
 
 16.5 
 
 9.6 
 
 K 
 
 
 22 
 
 16.5 
 
 6.0 
 
 
 23 
 
 IP.l 
 
 9.6 
 
 
 24 
 
 11.1 
 
 6.1 
 
 
 25 
 
 16.4 
 
 e,e 
 
 
 26 
 
 15.6 
 
 10. B 
 
 
 .soil 
 
 d.soil 
 
 HgO. 
 
 15.3 
 
 157.5 
 
 895 
 
 lf>.7 
 
 165.0 
 
 1500 
 
 i:!?.7 
 
 97.5 
 
 6P5 
 
 12.0 
 
 PC'.S 
 
 1692 
 
 11.8 
 
 PO4 
 9.0 
 
 
 13.9 
 
 9,9 
 
 • 
 
 11.6 
 
 ^.5 
 
 
 10.9 
 
 7.5 
 
 
 11.4 
 
 n.O 
 
 
 11.4 
 
 K 
 4.0 
 
 
 11.3 
 
 5.8 
 
 
 8.7 
 
 6.5 
 
 
 10.7 
 
 E.O 
 
 
 9.6 
 
 15.3 
 
 
- 144 - 
 
 Table A(cont,): Showing Moisture and Fertilizer in the Soil 
 Plats 14-26 Com Planted May 17,1007. 
 ENDS Sept. 2 ENDf Sept. 16 
 
 No. 
 
 Plat 
 
 K„0 % 
 dfsoil 
 
 Fer.ppm. 
 d.s411 
 
 NO^ppm 
 H^O, 
 
 14 
 
 21,1 
 
 IfiS.O 
 
 a70 
 
 15 
 
 16.5 
 
 126.0 
 
 76 P 
 
 16 
 
 80.9 
 
 14??. 
 
 6B4 
 
 17 
 
 20.8 
 
 151.4 
 PO 
 9t0 
 
 750 
 
 18 
 
 18.8 
 
 
 19 
 
 18.. "^ 
 
 9.6 
 
 
 20 
 
 IP. a 
 
 7.0 
 
 
 21 
 
 IB. 2 
 
 10.2 
 
 
 22 
 
 16.9 
 
 9.6 
 K 
 
 
 22 
 
 It'. 9 
 
 8.4 
 
 
 23 
 
 17.7 
 
 10.2 
 
 
 24 
 
 P. 8 
 
 6.5 
 
 
 25 
 
 16.4 
 
 9.0 
 
 
 26 
 
 15.3 
 
 11.4 
 
 
 HpO % 
 d.soil 
 
 Fer.ppH. 
 d.soil 
 
 NC^ppra 
 
 H^O. 
 
 "0,4 
 
 ?57.5 
 
 1?50 
 
 25. f 
 
 790,0 
 
 1530 
 
 25.5 
 
 240 , 5 
 
 940 
 
 25.5 
 
 ?75.0 
 
 1470 
 
 24,7 
 
 PO4 
 
 10.4 
 
 
 r?.6 
 
 9.1 
 
 . 
 
 ?1.7 
 
 ia.4 
 
 
 22.6 
 
 11.0 
 
 
 20.4 
 
 9.7 
 
 K 
 
 
 20.4 
 
 ^.1 
 
 
 ?r%i 
 
 11.7 
 
 
 20.5 
 
 6.5 
 
 
 20.1 
 
 11.0 
 
 
 19.6 
 
 7.2 
 
 
- 145 - 
 
 fable A(cont.): Showing Moisture and Fertilizer in the Soil. 
 
 Flats 14-26 Corn Planted tiay 17,1907 
 
 In Corn Sept. 16 . 
 
 No. H«0 % Per.ppm. R03ppin. 
 
 Plat 
 
 d.soil 
 
 d.soil 
 
 K2O. 
 
 14 
 
 22.6 
 
 525.0 
 
 1440 
 
 15 
 
 80.5 
 
 150.0 
 
 634 
 
 16 
 
 22.2 
 
 16226 
 
 7S3 
 
 17 
 
 19.2 
 
 210.0 
 
 1090 
 
 18 
 
 19.9 
 
 PO4 
 
 Pt4 
 
 
 19 
 
 20.8 
 
 9.7 
 
 
 20 
 
 IP.O 
 
 7.9 
 
 
 ?1 
 
 in. 9 
 
 10.8 
 
 
 22 
 
 in. 3 
 
 9.8 
 
 
 22 
 
 19.3 
 
 K 
 
 e.4 
 
 
 25 
 
 19.0 
 
 7.8 
 
 
 24 
 
 17.4 
 
 4.8 
 
 
 25 
 
 17.0 
 
 5.4 
 
 
 26 
 
 15.8 
 
 7.7 
 
 
- 146 - 
 
 — FURTHER STUDIES OP THE SOIL — 
 Some further studies were made of the soil in dif- 
 ferent plats. Pore space, specific gravity, and rate of 
 evaporation were determined. It was thought possible that 
 a correllation might he shown between variations in some 
 of these properties and the variations in yield, and that 
 some changes might have occurred as a result of variations 
 in treatment. There were also opportunities for some other 
 observations . 
 
 — PORE SPACE AND SPECIFIC GRAVITY ~ 
 Soil to the depth of 7 inches was taken in cylinders 
 7 inches deep by 6 inches in diameter. The capacity of 
 the cylinders was carefully measvired with water. Two ser- 
 ies were obtained, the first November 20th. just after a 
 thaw and the second November Sist . 
 
 Unless otherxrlse stated the first series was 
 taken at the north end of each plat just beyond where the 
 corn grew, and the second near the middle of the plat. 22a 
 refers to the north end of Plat 22, which was clearly the 
 poorest spot of the field, and 22 refers to the middle of 
 the plat where the soil was gradually changing to the de- 
 cidedly better part of the plat on the south end. No freeze 
 or precipitation occurred between the taking of the samples. 
 Both series were weighed and the moisture was determined from 
 the samples taken on the side of holes fhom which the cylinders 
 
 of soil were taken. 
 
- 147 
 
 The series taken November 21st. waa also Immersed 
 in water for three hours, letting the water rise from beneath, 
 removed and immediately weighed in a scale pan. The pore 
 space for the series taken November 20th. (Table "B" Column 
 8) and November Slat. (Table "0" Column 8) was calculated 
 according to the following formula. 
 
 Capacity V>t. dry soil (gm ) 
 
 (1) Cylinder (c.c.) "" Sp. Gr. Pqp q^^^^ 
 
 ~ PoBe Space 
 
 Capacity Cylinder (c.c.) 
 
 The pore space for the series taken November 21st 
 
 (Table "C" Column V) was also calculated by the following 
 
 formula: 
 
 Moisture in soil Water of Sat- 
 (2) when taken (gm) ''" uration (gm) 
 
 _ Per cent 
 
 ~ Pore Space 
 Capacity of Cylinder (c.c.) 
 
 The specific gravity was determined with a pyk- 
 nometer from the samples used for moisture determination 
 in both series. The results from each series correspond 
 closely so the average of the two is used in the tables 
 which follow; 
 
- 148 - 
 
 TABLE "B" SHOWIHG MOISTURE, PORE SPACE AND SPECIFIC GRAVITY* 
 
 SM^PLE TAKEN NOV. 20TH- 
 
 I 
 
 II 
 
 III 
 
 IV 
 
 V 
 
 VI 
 
 VII 
 
 VIII 
 
 No. 
 Plat 
 
 Capac- 
 ity 
 
 Cylin- 
 der 
 
 Mois- 
 tiire 
 
 in 
 soil 
 
 Wt .Dry 
 soil 
 
 Sp. 
 
 Volxjme 
 Soil 
 
 Pore 
 
 0. 0. 
 
 Space 
 
 1 
 
 CO. 
 
 3220 
 
 23.50 
 
 4457 
 
 2.64 
 
 C .0. 
 
 1688 
 
 CO. 
 
 1552 
 
 47.5 
 
 4 
 
 3255 
 
 20.56 
 
 4319 
 
 2.63 
 
 1642 
 
 1613 
 
 49,6 
 
 7 
 
 3220 
 
 17.16 
 
 4398 
 
 2.64 
 
 1666 
 
 1554 
 
 48.3 
 
 10 
 
 3225 
 
 13.76 
 
 4187 
 
 2.67 
 
 1568 
 
 1657 
 
 51.4 
 
 16 
 
 3240 
 
 26.85 
 
 4137 
 
 2.62 
 
 1579 
 
 1661 
 
 51.3 
 
 19 
 
 3240 
 
 25.02 
 
 4131 
 
 2.63 
 
 1571 
 
 1669 
 
 51.5 
 
 22 
 
 3220 
 
 23.02 
 
 4425 
 
 2.65 
 
 1670 
 
 1560 
 
 48.3 
 
 25 
 
 3235 
 
 22.46 
 
 4343 
 
 2.62 
 
 1658 
 
 1577 
 
 48.7 
 
 2 
 
 3225 
 
 21.39 
 
 4399 
 
 2.63 
 
 1673 
 
 15.52 
 
 48.1 
 
 3 
 
 3240 
 
 24.25 
 
 4564 
 
 2.63 
 
 1735 
 
 1505 
 
 46.5 
 
 5 
 
 3230 
 
 24^18 
 
 4240 
 
 2.63 
 
 1612 
 
 1618 
 
 50.1 
 
 5 
 
 3195 
 
 20.34 
 
 4516 
 
 2.63 
 
 1717 
 
 1478 
 
 46.2 
 
 9 
 
 3245 
 
 13.97 
 
 4678 
 
 2.64 
 
 1772 
 
 1473 
 
 45.4 
 
 23 
 
 3245 
 
 23.91 
 
 4017 
 
 2.62 
 
 1533 
 
 1712 
 
 52.8 
 
 * The moisture here as in all other cases is calculated on 
 the basis of dry soil unless otherwise stated. 
 
- 149 - 
 
 TABLE "C 
 
 «r<« 
 
 SHOWING MOISTURE, PORE SPACE AND SPECIFIC GRAVITY. 
 SAAIPLES TAKEIJ NOVEMBER 21ST . 
 
 I 
 
 No. 
 Plat 
 
 1 
 
 4 
 
 7 
 10 
 16 
 19 
 82 
 25 
 
 2 
 
 3 
 25 
 
 9 
 22a 
 23 
 
 II 
 
 Capac- 
 ity 
 
 Cylin- 
 der 
 
 CO . 
 3220 
 
 3255 
 
 3220 
 
 3225 
 
 3240 
 
 3240 
 
 3230 
 
 3235 
 
 3225 
 
 3240 
 
 5195 
 
 3245 
 
 3230 
 
 3245 
 
 III IV V VI 
 Mois- V/t. Dry Sp. Volume 
 
 ture 
 
 in 
 
 soil 
 
 A 
 
 27.46 
 23.89 
 22.11 
 15.20 
 28.07 
 27.22 
 23.75 
 25.04 
 26.87 
 25.29 
 24.96 
 16.36 
 23.18 
 24.13 
 
 Soil Gr. Soi}. 
 
 4061 
 4058 
 ^000 
 4489 
 3962 
 3945 
 4240 
 4135 
 4110 
 4296 
 4056 
 4389 
 4225 
 4005 
 
 C.C , 
 
 2.64 1535 
 
 2.63 1543 
 
 2.64 1515 
 2.67 1681 
 
 2.62 1512 
 
 2.63 1500 
 
 2.65 1600 
 2.62 1577 
 
 2.63 
 
 2.63 
 2.63 
 2.64 
 
 1563 
 1633 
 1542 
 1662 
 
 VII 
 C.C 
 
 IX X 
 
 VIII 
 Pore 
 *1 »»2 
 
 5? C.C. io 
 
 Space 
 
 2.65 1594 
 2.62 1529 
 
 C.C. ^ C.C. jo ' 
 
 1685 52. 3S 1595 49.53 
 
 1712 52.60 1660 51.00 
 
 1705 52.95 1668 51.80 
 
 1544 47.88 1520 47.13 
 
 1728 55.53 1702 52.53 
 
 1740 53.70 1659 51.23 
 
 1630 50.46 1529 47.34 
 
 1658 51.25 1569 48 . f 
 
 1662 51.53 1644 50.98 
 
 1607 49.60 159^ 49.17 
 
 1653 51.73 1612 50.45 
 
 1583 48.78 1577 48.60 
 
 1636 50.65 1527 47.28 
 
 1716 52.88 1681 57.80 
 
 ^Calculated according to formula 1, page 147 
 **Calculated according to formula 2, page 147. 
 
- 150 - 
 
 TABLE "D 
 
 "n" 
 
 COMPARISON OF PORE SPACE 
 
 No. 
 Plat 
 
 November 20 
 Location Pore 
 of sample Space 
 
 No 
 Location 
 of Sample 
 
 
 
 ^ 
 
 
 I 
 
 II 
 
 III 
 
 IV 
 
 1 
 
 No. end 
 of plat 
 
 47.5 
 
 Middle of 
 plat 
 
 4 
 
 n 
 
 49.6 
 
 (1 
 
 7 
 
 n 
 
 48.3 
 
 n 
 
 10 
 
 t 
 
 n 
 
 51.4 
 
 M 
 
 16 
 
 ti 
 
 51.5 
 
 n 
 
 19 
 
 w 
 
 51.5 
 
 It 
 
 22 
 
 n 
 
 48.3 
 
 It 
 
 25 
 
 n 
 
 48.7 
 
 n 
 
 2 
 
 n 
 
 48.1 
 
 «t 
 
 3 
 
 M 
 
 46.5 
 
 M 
 
 5 
 
 It 
 
 46.2 
 
 n 
 
 9 
 
 n 
 
 45.4 
 
 11 
 
 23 
 
 Middle of 
 plat 
 
 52.8 
 
 II 
 
 5' 
 22a 
 
 Near mid- 
 dle of plat 
 
 50.1 
 
 North end 
 
 November 21 
 
 Pore Space 
 By formula By formula 
 
 V 
 
 VI 
 
 52. 
 
 ,33 
 
 49. 
 
 ,53 
 
 52, 
 
 ,60 
 
 51. 
 
 .00 
 
 52. 
 
 ,95 
 
 51, 
 
 ,80 
 
 47. 
 
 .88 
 
 47. 
 
 .13 
 
 53. 
 
 ,33 
 
 52. 
 
 .53 
 
 53. 
 
 .70 
 
 51, 
 
 .23 
 
 50. 
 
 .46 
 
 47, 
 
 .34 
 
 51. 
 
 ,25 
 
 48, 
 
 .50 
 
 51, 
 
 .53 
 
 50, 
 
 ,98 
 
 49, 
 
 .60 
 
 49, 
 
 .17 
 
 51, 
 
 .73 
 
 50, 
 
 .45 
 
 48, 
 
 .78 
 
 48, 
 
 .60 
 
 52J38 
 
 51 
 
 .80 
 
 50.65 
 
 47.28 
 
 of plat 
 
51 
 
 The tables show inconsistenoieB indicating that 
 the samjlbB should be composite. Some of the differences 
 might have been eliminated by determining the moisture 
 content from the soil in the cylinders rather than from 
 that from the side of the holes from which the samples 
 were taken. 
 
 The Specific Gravity (Tables "B" and "C" shows 
 an irregular tendency to sligjhtly increase from plats 
 1 to 13. Plats 10 and 22, which represented almost the 
 extremes in production capacity and presumably ^of tex- 
 ture, had a slightly higher specific gravity than any of 
 the other plats. There seems to be no correlation either 
 direct or the reverse between the specific gravity and 
 the productive capacity. 
 
 The pore space column X Table "C" is imiformly 
 smaller than that in column VIII . While column X was 
 calculated by the more direct method (formula 2, page ^147) 
 it seems that some of the water was lost by transferring the 
 sample to the scale pan. 
 
 Comparing the samples taken November Spth. and 
 21st. (Table "D", III and V) both calculated by the in- 
 direct but more dependable method, it will be noted that 
 those taken November 20th. at the end of the plats imme- 
 diately after a thaw had less pore space than those taken 
 the next day from the middles of the plats. Since nfe 
 
- 152 - 
 
 crops grew on the ends of the check plats, it would seem 
 that the phenomenftijmight possibly be due to the influence 
 of the crop. But plats 5 and 9 show the same differences, 
 and the ends of these plats produced practically the same 
 crop as their middles . 
 
 The moisture content November 21st. (Table "C",III) 
 was contrary to appearances higher than on November 20th. 
 (Table "B", III). No precipitation or freeze occurred 
 between the taking of the samples. On November 20th. the 
 surface was sticky. The soil cylinders were sunk one 
 fourth to one half inch beneach the surface, tljus eliminat- 
 ing this portion, but the soil beneach this was also 
 notably more sticky than the day following, when it worked 
 fairly wejl. It would seem that the freeze localized the 
 moisture, and after the thaw it was redtstributed. There 
 woitld seem to be a correllation between this and the 
 increase in pore space noted above. 
 
 On the whole, the plats which were not cultivated 
 (Plate 2, 3, 5, and 7) show less pore space than the others. 
 Had the samples been taken earlier in the season, perhaps 
 the difference would have been more marked. Plat #2 has 
 a higher per cent pore space than any of the other unculti- 
 vated plats. The mulch had been removed from Plat #3 pre- 
 vious to taking the samples. Further correllations do 
 
 not seem to exist. 
 
 — SUGGESTIONS FOR DETERMINING PORE SPACE — 
 
 In the light of the experience gained in securing 
 
~ 153 - 
 
 tliG pore space here tabulated a few suggostions are rrade . 
 It apoears that getting total weight and deterir.ining mois- 
 ture and specific gravity, and rrom this data calculating 
 the pore space, is more dependable than the direct method 
 by adding w.n.ter. Only ore cylinder is needed thus ob- 
 viating errors due to lack of exact BeaaureiEents . .--ince 
 the variability is sniall it is essential that errors be 
 elininated as far as possible. CompoGlte cylinders of 
 soil should be v/eighed in the field and th© sample for 
 moisture and specific gravity determination taken froro 
 the whole of the samples after thoroughly mixing. Tf striking 
 variation occurs probably this should be eliminated, as 
 any coir.pacting factor, such as the step df a horse, for 
 instance, would cause a sample not to be comparable 5 If 
 this elimination Is not resorted to a larger number of sam- 
 ples should be taken from the plats when much variation 
 occurs . 
 
 — RATE OF EVA.J^PORATION MD LOSS FHO]^ DRAINAGE — 
 
 Soil from samples taken for moisture determi- 
 nation Nov. 20th. (Table "B" ) was used. Platinum dishes 
 were filled, packed by jarring uniformly, and struck. 
 The samples were placed in a roon fe-jr feet from the 
 radiator. The results follow in table "E": 
 
- 154 - 
 
 TABLE "E" LOSS OF WATER BY EVAPORATION FROM PLATINUM DISHES 
 
 Rate loss per day for _ 
 
 No. Wt. Dry Moisture 3 days^ 3 - '7 7 - 10 10 - 15 15-17 H 
 
 Plat Soil days days days days a^t 
 
 end 
 17 da. 
 
 gms . gms . 'fc gms . gms . gma . gms . gms . gms . 
 
 I II III IV V VI VII VIII IX X 
 
 49.82 23.50 6.58 4.40 2.25 .89 .06 2.85 
 
 43,86 20.56 6.47 3.96 1.78 .42 -.01 2.01 
 
 33.11 17.16 5.65 2.70 1.20 .11 -.01 1.47 
 
 28.58 13.75 5.30 2.28 .66 .05 -.01 1.45 
 53.73 26.85 6.12 5.72 2.53 .86 .02 2.21 
 43.il 25.02 5.74 4.47 1.81 .24 .00 1.89 
 46.30 23.02 6.93 4.22 1.89 .35 -.01 1.93 
 
 43.12 22.46 5.82 4.21 1.97 3.6 -.02 1.90 
 44.76 21.39 7.03 3.49 1.97 .54 .01 2.11 
 
 47.59 24.25 6.78 4.16 2.12 .69 .00 2.16 
 44.91 23.91 6.23 4.35 1.90 .40 .00 1.91 
 45.01 24.18 6.45 3.96 2.07 .19 .00 2.07 
 40.38 20.34 6.26 3.45 1.84 .24 -.01 1.65 
 28.04 13.97 5.62 3.14 -.93 .13 -.08 1.35 
 
 1 
 
 211.99 
 
 4 
 
 213.29 
 
 7 
 
 192.92 
 
 10 
 
 208.20 
 
 16 
 
 200.16 
 
 19 
 
 172.32 
 
 22 
 
 201.13 
 
 25 
 
 ■ 191.96 
 
 2 
 
 204.61 
 
 3 
 
 196.23 
 
 25 
 
 187.42 
 
 S 
 
 186.18 
 
 5 
 
 198.48 
 
 9 
 
 200.64 
 
~ 155 - 
 
 The rate of evaporation diminished fairly uniform- 
 ly till the hygroscopic moisture was reached. The "drought 
 limit" for corn appears to have been reached before the 
 first weighing was made at the end of/three days. The 
 data would have been more valuable had the weighings been 
 made at closer intervals , 
 
 RATE OP DRAINAGE AND EVAPORATION PROM CYLINDERS OF 
 
 SOIL 
 
 The cylinders of soil taken November Slat. (Table 
 "C") for the determination of pore space were used. Im- 
 mediately beneath the soil was cheese cloth, the whole 
 being supported by galvanized wire netting one sixth inch 
 mesh. The cylinders with accessories were supported on 
 sticks in pans, allowing a frew access of air beneath. 
 Covers of glazed paper and boards were used, thus prac- 
 tically eliminating the loss of moisture to the bottom 
 of the cylinders . 
 
 They were placed in the room used for evaporation 
 from platinum dishes under what appeared to be uniform 
 conditions. The resulibs follow in Tables P, G, & H: 
 
- 156 - 
 
 TABLE F ORIGINAL DATA ON DRAINAGE AND EVAPORATION FROM CYLINDERS 
 
 OF SOIL 
 
 No . No . 
 Plat Cylin- 
 der 
 
 Capao- Wt. Oylln- Total 
 
 ity der ^- Weight 
 
 Cylinder „^ Soil as 
 
 Moist- Total Wt, 
 vre in saturated 
 fie^d cylinder 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 taken from 
 field 
 
 
 
 I 
 
 II 
 
 III 
 
 IV 
 
 ^.^i^ 
 
 gms. 
 V 
 
 1^ 
 VI 
 
 Gms. 
 VII 
 
 1 
 
 1 
 
 3220 
 
 414.5 
 
 J-^. 
 
 5647 
 
 27.46 
 
 6127 
 
 4 
 
 4 
 
 3255 
 
 412 
 
 II 
 
 5495 
 
 23.89 
 
 6186 
 
 7 
 
 7 
 
 3220 
 
 415 
 
 ■• 
 
 5355 
 
 22.11 
 
 61 39 
 
 10 
 
 10 
 
 3225 
 
 410 
 
 •1 
 
 5637 
 
 15.20 
 
 6475 
 
 16 
 
 16 
 
 3240 
 
 392 
 
 u 
 
 5522 
 
 28.07 
 
 6112 
 
 19 
 
 19 
 
 3240 
 
 411 
 
 tl 
 
 5485 
 
 27.22 
 
 6071 
 
 *22 
 
 2^ 
 
 3230 
 
 411.5 
 
 II 
 
 5715 
 
 23.75 
 
 6237 
 
 25 
 
 25 
 
 3235 
 
 421.5 
 
 II 
 
 5563 
 
 23.04 
 
 6180 
 
 2 
 
 2 
 
 3225 
 
 ^11 
 
 II 
 
 5682 
 
 26.87 
 
 6221 
 
 3 
 
 3 
 
 3240 
 
 415.5 
 
 
 
 5855 
 
 25.29 
 
 6361 
 
 5 
 
 5 
 
 3195 
 
 415.5 
 
 '1 
 
 5540 
 
 24.96 
 
 6140 
 
 9 
 
 9 
 
 3245 
 
 419.5 
 
 1, 
 
 5583 
 
 16.36 
 
 6442 
 
 22a 
 
 22 
 
 3230 
 
 412 
 
 •l 
 
 5672 
 
 23.18 
 
 6220 
 
 23 
 
 23 
 
 3245 
 
 415.5 
 
 t 
 
 5440 
 
 24.13 
 
 6155 
 
 » 2Sa ™s taken f ro» the north end of the plat where the 
 
 , =„l 1 of the field oourred, while 28 was taken from near 
 poorest soil oi i^ne j-i^ 
 
 ^ n + oa was done with all the other samples, 
 the middle of each plat as was done 
 
- 157 - 
 
 TABLE "F"CONTIKUED ORIGINAL DATA ON DRAINAGE AND EVAPORATION 
 
 FBOM CYLINDERS OF SOIL. 
 
 Weight after 
 1 Hour 2 Hours 24 Hrs . 3 Days 
 
 Gme 
 VIII 
 
 Gms 
 IX 
 
 Gms 
 X 
 
 Gms 
 XI 
 
 6 3/4 9 3/4 13 days 17 
 
 days 
 
 days 
 Gms 
 XII 
 
 days 
 Gms . 
 XIII 
 
 Gms 
 XIV 
 
 Gms . 
 XV 
 
 5905 
 
 5898 
 
 5856 
 
 6296 
 
 5890 
 
 5862 
 
 6007 
 
 5995 
 
 5974 
 
 6137 
 
 5906 
 
 6254 
 
 6013 
 
 5885 
 
 5895 
 
 5892 
 
 5840 
 
 6284 
 
 5870 
 
 5851 
 
 5992 
 
 5984 
 
 5964 
 
 6127 
 
 5895 
 
 6247 
 
 6003 
 
 5864 
 
 5828 
 
 5823 
 
 5782 
 
 6209 
 
 5800 
 
 5784 
 
 5933 
 
 5903 
 
 5884 
 
 6050 
 
 5817 
 
 6172 
 
 5931 
 
 5803 
 
 5722 5615 5547 5487 
 
 5716 5539 5466 5403 
 
 5691 5510 5399 5322 
 
 6101 5907 5791, 5704 
 
 5684 5515 5440 5362 
 
 5675 5508 5430 5352 
 
 5820 5697 5625 5550 
 
 5790 5604 5527 5450 
 
 5773 5654 5586 5424 
 
 5940 5820 5755 5697 
 
 5704 5549 5481 5411 
 
 6065 5868 5738 5640 
 
 5804 5648 5577 5496 
 
 5704 5524 5425 5352 
 
 5411 
 5325 
 5234 
 5612 
 5276 
 5289 
 5470 
 
 5372 
 
 5445 
 5626 
 5338 
 5547 
 5401 
 5280 
 
- 158 - 
 
 TABLE "F" CONTINUED ORIGINAL DATA FOR DRAINAGE AND EVAPORATION 
 
 FROM CYLINDERS OP SOIL 
 Weight After 
 
 No. Plat 22 Da. 27 Days 54 Days 41 Days 48 Days 57 'Da. 67 Da, 
 
 Gms . 
 
 XVI 
 
 Gms . 
 
 XVII 
 
 Gms . 
 
 XVIII 
 
 1 
 
 5313 
 
 5214 
 
 5092 
 
 4 
 
 5219 
 
 5129 
 
 5027 
 
 7 
 
 5131 
 
 5050 
 
 4944 
 
 10 
 
 5507 
 
 5421 
 
 5318 
 
 16 
 
 5173 
 
 5066 
 
 4937 
 
 19 
 
 5145 
 
 5044 
 
 4923 
 
 22 
 
 5362 
 
 5264 
 
 5140 
 
 25 
 
 5274 
 
 5182 
 
 5069 
 
 2 
 
 5347 
 
 5254 
 
 5136 
 
 3 
 
 5538 
 
 5455 
 
 5328 
 
 5 
 
 5233 
 
 5148 
 
 5042 
 
 9 
 
 5433 
 
 5335 
 
 5232 
 
 22a 
 
 5294 
 
 5198 
 
 5080 
 
 23 
 
 5187 
 
 5095 
 
 4987 
 
 Gms. 
 XIX 
 
 4987 
 4942 
 4867 
 5253 
 4855 
 4834 
 5045 
 4994 
 5043 
 5230 
 4963 
 5165 
 4994 
 4894 
 
 Gms . 
 
 Gms . 
 
 Gms . 
 
 XX 
 
 XXI 
 
 XXII 
 
 4930 
 
 4847 
 
 4785 
 
 4888 
 
 4811 
 
 4757 
 
 4822 
 
 4745 
 
 4696 
 
 5210 
 
 • 
 
 5142 
 
 5095 
 
 4796 
 
 4714 
 
 4655 
 
 4773 
 
 4691 
 
 4653 
 
 4990 
 
 4913 
 
 4864 
 
 4945 
 
 4866 
 
 4812 
 
 4987 
 
 4905 
 
 4849 
 
 5)^67 
 
 5077 
 
 5015 
 
 4910 
 
 4831 
 
 4773 
 
 5117 
 
 5052 
 
 5005 
 
 4928 
 
 
 4818 
 
 4836 
 
 4758 
 
 1702 
 
- 159 - 
 
 TABLE "G" SHOWING RATE OP LOSS OF MOISTURE FROM CYLINDERS OP SOIL 
 
 Hate loss moisture per day in grams 
 
 No. 0. 2nd. 2-24 Ist. 
 Plat Ist.Hr. Hr. Hrs . Day 
 
 |l - 3 3-6 3/4 6 3/4 - 9 3/4 13 t^ 
 ! Day 'Days 9 3/4 da to 13 17 
 
 II 
 
 III 
 
 IV 
 
 VI 
 
 VII 
 
 VIII 
 
 IX 
 
 1 
 
 222 
 
 10 
 
 67 
 
 299 
 
 53 
 
 28.5 
 
 22.6 
 
 18.5 
 
 19 
 
 4 
 
 288 
 
 6 
 
 69 
 
 363 1 
 
 ! 53.5 
 
 47.2 
 
 24.3 
 
 19.4 
 
 19.5 
 
 7 
 
 283 
 
 16 
 
 58 
 
 357 
 
 45.5 
 
 48.5 
 
 37 
 
 23.7 
 
 22.0 
 
 10 
 
 179 
 
 12 
 
 75 
 
 266 
 
 54 
 
 51.7 
 
 38.6 
 
 26.8 
 
 23 
 
 16 
 
 222 
 
 20 
 
 70 
 
 312 
 
 58 
 
 45.1 
 
 25 • 
 
 24 
 
 21.7 
 
 19 
 
 209 
 
 11 
 
 67 
 
 287 
 
 : 54.5 
 
 44.5 
 
 26 
 
 24 
 
 23.2 
 
 22 
 
 230 
 
 15 
 
 59 
 
 304 : 
 
 : 56.5 
 
 32.8 
 
 24 
 
 23.1 
 
 20 
 
 25 
 
 185 
 
 11 
 
 81 
 
 277 
 
 1 
 
 56.5 
 
 49.6 
 
 25.6 
 
 23.7 
 
 19.5 
 
 2 
 
 247 
 
 10 
 
 80 
 
 337 1 
 
 1 
 
 55,5 
 
 31.7 
 
 22.6 
 
 19.1 
 
 19.7 
 
 3 
 
 22^4 
 
 10 
 
 77 
 
 311 1 
 
 55 
 
 32 
 
 21.6 
 
 17.9 
 
 17.7 
 
 5 
 
 234 
 
 11 
 
 78 
 
 323 
 
 56.5 
 
 41.3 
 
 22.6 
 
 21.5 
 
 18.2 
 
 9 
 
 188 
 
 7 
 
 75 
 
 270 
 
 53.5 
 
 52.5 
 
 43.3 
 
 30.2 
 
 21^.2 
 
 22a 
 
 207 
 
 10 
 
 72 
 
 289 
 
 63.5 
 
 41.6 
 
 23.6 
 
 24.9 
 
 23.7 
 
 23 
 
 270 
 
 21 
 
 61 
 
 352 : 
 
 49.5 
 
 48 
 
 33 
 
 22.5 
 
 28.0 
 
- 160 - 
 
 TABLE G CONTINUED SHOWING RATE OP LOSS OP MOISTURE PROM CYLINDERS 
 
 OP SOIL 
 
 Rate lo3B molstijre^ per day in grams Moisture 
 
 retained 
 
 Ho. 17 -22 22 - 27 27 - 34 days 34-41 41-48 48 -57 57-67 Gms ^ 
 Plat Days Days Days Days Days Days 
 
 I XI XII XIII XIV XV XVI XVII XVIII XIX 
 
 1 19.6 19.8 17.4 
 4 21.2 18. 14.6 
 7 20.6 16.2 15.1 
 
 10 21 17.2 14.7 
 
 16 20.4 21.4 18.4 
 
 19 22.8 20.2 17.3 
 
 22 21.6 19.6 17.7 
 
 25 19.6 18.4 16.1 
 
 2 19.6 18.6 16.8 
 
 3 17.6 16.6 18.1 
 6 21 17 15.1 
 9 22.8 19.6 1477 
 
 22a 21.4 19.2 16.8 
 2g 18.6 18.4 15.4 
 
 15 
 
 8.1 
 
 9.2 
 
 6.2 
 
 252 
 
 6.25 
 
 12.1 
 
 7.7 
 
 8.6 
 
 5.4 
 
 231 
 
 5.69 
 
 11 
 
 6.4 
 
 8.6 
 
 4.9 
 
 225 
 
 5.62 
 
 9.S 
 
 6.1 
 
 7.6 
 
 • 4.7 
 
 140 
 
 3.12 
 
 11.7 
 
 8.4 
 
 9.1 
 
 5.9 
 
 245 
 
 6.18 
 
 12.7 
 
 
 9.1 
 
 5.8 
 
 221 
 
 5.60 
 
 13.6 
 
 7.9 
 
 8.6 
 
 4.9 
 
 157 
 
 3.70 
 
 10.7 
 
 7.0 
 
 8.8 
 
 5.4 
 
 202 
 
 4.89 
 
 13.3 
 
 8.0 
 
 9.1 
 
 5.6 
 
 272 
 
 6.62 
 
 14 
 
 9.0 
 
 10 
 
 ■ 6.2 
 
 248 
 
 5.77 
 
 11.3 
 
 7.6 
 
 8.8 
 
 5.8 
 
 2«6 
 
 6.07 
 
 9.6 
 
 6.9 
 
 7.2 
 
 4.7 
 
 141 
 
 3.21 
 
 12.3 
 
 9.4 
 
 
 
 125 
 
 2.96 
 
 13.3 
 
 8.3 
 
 8.7 
 
 5.6 
 
 229 
 
 5.72 
 
- 161 
 
 TABLE "H" MISCELLANEOUS DATA ON TEST WITH CYLINDERS OF SOIL 
 
 No. Wt.dry Water in Water in Water 
 Plat Soil Saturated soil as list in 
 soil taken 34 days 
 from field 
 Gms . Gms . ^ 
 
 dry soil 'fo Gms, 
 
 V/ater in soil at 
 end of 34 days 
 
 Gms . io fo 
 
 total dry 
 water soil 
 
 II 
 
 III 
 
 IV 
 
 V 
 
 VI 
 
 VII VIII 
 
 IX 
 
 1 
 
 4061 
 
 1596 
 
 39.50 
 
 27.46 
 
 1035 
 
 561 
 
 ^5.15 
 
 13.81 
 
 4 
 
 4058 
 
 1660 
 
 4:091 
 
 25.89 
 
 1159 
 
 501 
 
 30.18 
 
 12.35 
 
 7 
 
 4000 
 
 1668 
 
 41.70 
 
 22.11 
 
 1195 
 
 473 
 
 28.36 
 
 11.82 
 
 10 
 
 4489 
 
 1520 
 
 33.86 
 
 15.20 
 
 1157 
 
 363 
 
 23.88 
 
 8.09 
 
 16 
 
 3962 
 
 1702 
 
 42.96 
 
 28.07 
 
 1175 
 
 527 
 
 30.96 
 
 13.30 
 
 19 
 
 3945 
 
 1659 
 
 42.05 
 
 27.22 
 
 1148 
 
 511 
 
 30.80 
 
 12.95 
 
 22 
 
 4240 
 
 1530 
 
 3608 
 
 23.75 
 
 1097 
 
 433 
 
 28.30 
 
 10.21 
 
 25 
 
 4133 
 
 1570 
 
 37.99 
 
 23.04 
 
 1111 
 
 459 
 
 29.24 
 
 11.11 
 
 2 
 
 4110 
 
 1644 
 
 40.00 
 
 26.87 
 
 1085 
 
 559 
 
 34.00 
 
 13.60 
 
 3 
 
 4296 
 
 1594 
 
 37.14 
 
 25.29 
 
 1033 
 
 561 
 
 35.19 
 
 13.06 
 
 5 
 
 4056 
 
 1613 
 
 39.77 
 
 24.96 
 
 1098 
 
 575 
 
 31.93 
 
 la. 70 
 
 9 
 
 4389 
 
 1578 
 
 35.95 
 
 16.36 
 
 1210 
 
 368 
 
 23.32 
 
 8.39 
 
 22 
 
 4225 
 
 1527 
 
 36.14 
 
 23.18 
 
 1140 
 
 387 
 
 25.34 
 
 9.16 
 
 23 
 
 4005 
 
 1682 
 
 42.00 
 
 24.13 
 
 1168 
 
 514 
 
 30.56 
 
 la. 83 
 
- 162 - 
 
 The loss from these cylinders was aided by gravity 
 which assistance was continued throughout the experiment, th 
 though in a diminishing degree as the experiment progressed. 
 When the first few weighings were made it was noted that 
 the cheese cloth extending beyodd the under edge of the 
 cylinders was moist under the samples from plats 2,3,7 & 
 10, and that this condition continued largest in the case 
 of the latter. This assistance to evaporation rendei&ed 
 by the cloth would serve to increase the variation between 
 the finer and courser soils. 
 
 After the loss from sensible percolation had ceased, 
 the further loss rapidly declined till what seemed to be a 
 fairly uniform, level was usually reached. This fairly 
 uniform level gradually became less pronounced as the soil 
 became coarser till in plat 10 it was somewhat indefinite. 
 
 Table "G" shows the loss of water for the first 
 hour to be very variable, plats 10, 25, and 9 being the 
 lowest. By referring to Table "C", Column VI^^ it will 
 be noted that where the pore space was determined by tak- 
 ing the sum of of the water retained from saturation and 
 the water in the samples as taken from the field (Formula 1), 
 these plate give the lowest determination (of pore space) 
 ojT any other plats except the two samples from plat 22. 
 Too much importance should not be attached to the variation 
 in these latter samples since the various data show that 
 thev often vary from what would be expected. 
 
 The correllation between the relatively small 
 
- 163 - 
 
 loss the first hour and the lov7 per cent pore space in- 
 dicates that too much water was lost before the saturated 
 samples "were placed on the scale pan. This supports 
 the conclusion stated above that this direct method of 
 determining pore space is not dependable. 
 
 TABLE "I" ; COMPARING MOISTURE CONTENT IN CYLINDERS WHEN THE 
 FAIRLY UNfffORM LEVEL WAS REACHED WITH MOISTURE IN THE ENDS OF 
 PLATS IN THE FIELD JDEY 9TH, 1907. 
 
 No. Plat 
 
 Moisture when 
 level reached 
 
 io 
 
 Moisture Calculated 
 of end plats from checks 
 
 io 
 
 io 
 
 1 
 
 4 
 
 7 
 10 
 16 
 19 
 22 
 25 
 
 2 
 
 3 
 
 5 
 
 9 
 22 0. 
 23 
 
 25.0 
 23.2 
 21.3 
 16.7 
 24.0 
 23.8 
 19.9 
 20.3 
 24.5 
 23.0 
 23.5 
 17.7 
 22.6 
 23.8 
 
 24.5 
 22.1 
 19.9 
 17.4 
 24.0 
 21.7 
 21.3 
 20.6 
 24.4 
 
 24.4 
 23.8 
 22.6 
 18.2 
 
 22.9 
 
- 164 - 
 
 The amount of moisture which is shown in the 
 table was determined at the end of 6 3/4 days for plat 
 22a, 9 3/4 days for plats 1, 4, 2, 3, 5, and 23, and at 
 the end of 13 days for plats 7, 10, 16, 19, 22, 25, and 9. 
 By inspection of the table it will appear that the selec- 
 tion of the points for which the calculations were made 
 was slightly arbitrary. It would seem probable that the 
 level was reached in some cases between the dates at which 
 the data was taken. But the closeness of agreement^ the 
 per cent^ moisture as calculated from this data with the 
 moisture in the field July 9th. when the moisture was 
 supposedly about the optimum indicates^ that this is a 
 fairly dependable method at ^tUW- in this soil, not- 
 withstanding its variations, for the determination of the 
 optimum moisture content. After the loss continued on 
 the "fairly uniform level" for some time the rate of loss 
 began to decrease slowly at first, then rapidly. The 
 moisture in the soil just before the most marked fall 
 occurred is calculated and showij in Table " J" . 
 
- 165 
 
 TABLE "J" '• AMOUNT OP MOISTURE IN THE SOIL WHEN THE FIRST RAPID 
 FALL OCCURRED AFTER PASSING THE FAIRLY UNIFORM LEVEL, AND THE 
 MOISTURE CONTENT IN THE CORRESPONDING FIELD SOIL GROWING CORN 
 
 No. Plat 
 
 Moisture 
 When fall occurred 
 
 In Soil in calculated 
 growing corn from checks 
 Aug. 26 
 
 1 
 
 4 
 
 7 
 10 
 16 
 19 
 22 
 25 
 
 2 
 
 3 
 
 5 
 
 9 
 22a 
 23 
 
 11.2 
 
 10.2 
 
 9.9 
 
 8.9 
 
 13.30 
 
 13.0 
 
 8.0 
 
 11.1 
 
 11.3 
 
 10.8 
 
 10.7 
 
 8.4 
 
 9.2 
 
 10.5 
 
 14.5 
 10.2 
 10.6 
 10.5 
 13.7 
 13.9 
 11.4 
 10.7 
 
 13.1 
 
 11.6 
 
 10.1 
 
 9.2 
 
 The moisture is calculated at the end of 41 
 days (Table G, XIV) for plats 1, 4, 7, 22, 2, 3, 5, & 23; 
 at the end of 34 days (XIII ) ffer plats 10, 18, 19, 25, 9, 
 
- 166 - 
 
 and 22a. These points as in the case of those for op- 
 timum moisture content were all selected before the cal- 
 culations were made. On the whole the results are usually 
 below those found in the corn at a time when most of the 
 plats were suffering for lack of moisture. Plat 10, 
 however, was perhaps not suffering as much as the others, 
 if indeed it was suffering at all, since caf)illarlty appears 
 to have been stronger in the soils of the coarser plats , 
 The differences between the two columns are greatest in 
 plats 1 and 22. The method appears to be fairly dependable 
 for the determination of the relative drought limit 
 in these soils, but the results were not as conclusive as 
 those for the optimijm moisture. However, the greater 
 variation in the resraifets for the "drought limit" may have 
 been due as much to variations from the drought limit in 
 the corn as in the results from the cylinders of soil. 
 
 The differences in the rate of aapillarity 
 together with other factors would make it impossible to 
 secure results in the field which were more than approxi- 
 mations . 
 
 While these two results are below the drought lim- 
 it for corn they are above that for som.e other plants. It 
 should be remembered that this drought limit is oonsiderablgr 
 below the point where plants can make a vigorous growth. 
 Perhaps if capillary water is excluded, the water available 
 
- 167 - 
 
 for the vigorous growth of com would be that from slightly 
 above optimum to the end of the "fairly uniform level" . 
 
 The results gotten at the end of 34 days for 
 all the plats (Table "H" IX) show a surprising consist- 
 ency, with the exception of plat 22, which is somewhat 
 low. Prom this it would appear that by calculating 
 the moist\are retained at the same time for all the plats 
 about, or just previous to the most abrupt fall in most 
 of the plats the results will not only give the relative 
 so called drought limit for corn, but will be approximately 
 the amoutt which will be available for corn. Plat 22, 
 however, is the exception; yet this is not marked. Whether 
 these results can be obtained with different soil types, 
 or whether a variation in the conditions of the. evaporation 
 test would affect results can only be determined by fur- 
 ther experiment . 
 
 The results gotten at the e nd of 67 days 
 (Table H, XI) show differences in the same direction 
 as at the end of 34 days, but the differences are per- 
 centagely greater. The samples from plat 22 (22 & 22a) 
 ran about the same as that from plat 10. It will be re- 
 membered that the samples from plat 22 were taken from the 
 poorest part of the whole series under experiment. Sam- 
 ple 22a was taken from the north end of the plat %rhich was 
 representative of the poor spot and 22 from the centre of 
 the plat ( as in the case with the other samples experi- 
 mented with) which was in the edge of this spot. 
 
168 - 
 
 The yields show this plat not to be the lowest 
 in production, but this is due to the south end being con- 
 siderably better than the north end. 
 
 In conducting tests by this method, where data 
 is secured at short intervals, uniform conditions should 
 be maintained, especially as regards temperature. This 
 is especially important as tiw drought limit is approached 
 for the ihiilbility of the water film is increased as the 
 temperatxire rises thns assisting drainage. The inceease 
 in Column XVI over XV (Table "G") is probably du^ to this 
 cause . 
 
 But where it is desired to get only approximate 
 results, as may be desired when selecting land for plat 
 experiments, it would seem unnecessary to take such 
 painstaking care. The optimvim moisture could be gotten 
 from the soil taken from the field at the proper time, 
 and taking samples in cylinders for drainage and evap- 
 oration according to the method above described. Make 
 weighings of two or more samples till the last fallbe- 
 gins to occur, then weigh all the cylinders and calculate 
 results. It would perhaps be unnecessary to saturate the 
 soil in the cylinders . 
 
 The determination of the moisture capacity of 
 the soil detached from the field would seem to be of 
 value as a reconnoisance method for the selection of land 
 
- 169 - 
 
 for field plats. This would perhaps usually give a fair 
 indication of the xmiformity of the land. But in the 
 opinion of the writer a record of the growth of the same 
 crop "by plats for the year preseeding the commencement of 
 the experiment would be far more dependable. It should 
 be remembered that the moisture capacity is only one 
 of the factors which affect the amoxmt of water which the 
 plants receive. Capillarity is a most important factor 
 and varies markedly in different soils. On the other 
 hand the productive ciapaoity determined by growing a 
 previous crop is subject to error from experimental var- 
 iation, difference in seasons aaid change in profluctive 
 capacity, even relatively, froin season to season. Under 
 some conditions this latter variation may be very marked. 
 Where it is not possible to secure the yields a previous 
 season, the determination of the moisture capacity would 
 seem to be of value .