ist te na eae neerineeatte Seta Derk t Rt eas ug NG aE ie 5 ; eae Per erat sete te te eee erate see rt errr ry reat rene LIBRARY Michigan State University PLACE IN RETURN BOX to remove this checkout from your record. TO AVOID FINES return on or before date due. MAY BE RECALLED with earlier due: date if requested. DATE DUE DATE DUE DATE DUE 2/05 p:/CIRC/DateDue.indd-p.1 INVESTIGATION AND USES OF YELLOW PINE SOILS FOR HORTICULTURE AND AGRICULTURE. CHRISTIAN FERMAN GOATZ, B. S., MICHIGAN AGRICULTURAL COLLEGS. 19123. TH ESIS SYNOPSIS. Page. INTRODUCTION 1 THE wSSEUTIAL sLeMeiwTS OF PLANT FOOD 1 TH PRESHUCH OF AVAILABLE PLANT FOOD 8 Tilt POISONOUS MATTAR IN TH: SOIL 11 INVESTIGATION AND USS OF YELLOW PINE SOILS FOR HORTICULTURE AND AGRICULTURE. 13 CONCLUSIONS RiACieSD AND RESULTS OBTATIIED 4” PRACTICAL IMPORTAIUC# OF Ti EXPERIMENTS 50 THis HORTICULTURAL AND AGRICULTURAL USE OF YALLOW PINS CONIFEROUS SOILS 56 PLATES 60-122 BIBLIOGRAPHY 123 OG4U1G INTRODUCTION. Tne study of soils vith a view to ascertaining their economic value has been, for yvears, the onfect of numerous Je mente, Se C’, interestins eyner _ ne imrortant results vwnich have deen obtained from such eynerirentation py others appeal with peculiar force to tne amhitiovs student in seeking a svuniect for orizinal investivetion. This ,esnecially is trne when a comnaratively new field for vork is offered. Hence, the study of eoniferons soils was tre srojeet chosen for the investis;ation and exyperirentation vhich it is tne cesion of this ¢ to record, The ohject of the exneriments made, as described in detail in tre followin; paves, trerefore, ves to discover In general tre economic valve of coniferous soils, Tn other vornis the evneriments were carried on to determine wnetner coniferous soils eould ne used with nrofit, or with a promise of svuffielient future advante,e for norticnlturel or acrieniturs] purposes. Furthermore, if the resvilts of the experimerts nroved that coniferous coils vere adanted to the srovth of trees of different kinds, fruit trees jin narticular, and of garden vecetubles, wret ere trese values ina or in resnect to one or the otner of these 4-3 4, . - comrarative war, qes investiseation show thet eoniferous soils are wv sw = C2 0D ml 4 vest adapted to hortievilturr], or to agricul turel uses? fre And if for the one, or tne other, for whet rind of trees, or serden vegetanles, forse nlents or srains, cun thev he used vith most assvranae of satisfeetory results’ The eynerinents here recorded, were carrie? on for a suffieientiv lon, time fo give such merked resvits as to varrent certein vnositive ecoanelusions. Iiore evtended investicsations vonlid, no dount, show still more clearly whetner these conelusions misht be made oroader jin their seope, or wnether nervy srould ne, jin some resvects, modified or ehanged. ixyveriments cavering more orourd, or svreeding over a vider rance of hortienlturel and eoriovl tured nroduets, vould, it need searcely be said, netter deterrine the fitness or the nnfitness of evergreen coniferous soils for the enltivation of a certein, greater or Jess nunmhner of norticeulterrel or agricultural ecrons,. “hatever mav ne done in tais fielé@ nv future investigators, it js honece thet the exyneriments herein recorded ray he of some real and rermanent velune in a nresent as well se a futnre estirate of the adeantation of econiferous sojijs to fhe uses of horticulture and agrienltrre., THR ASSSNTIAL SLSMANTS OF PLANT FOOD. The influence of everzreen coniferous soils, or rellow Tine soils nnon vesetation, and the uses of such soils for nortievitnrel and egriculturel purposes cerend, recescarily, on the arcunt and ratio of tre essential elerents of nlant food thev nosseses, ynat are tre essertial elenents of niant food’ It rez not ve amiss to ansver this cnestion first in tre lanjnase of a recent vriter, Villiam Allen Hamor, vho belongs to wnet is called the Liehig school, and vho hes formed nis — 9 conelusions from its teachings. re savs of tne founder and his treorijes;: "Tt was in 1°40, after exhaustive investigations on tne veathering of rocks, on tne formation of soils, and on o.ceS wrnien raskn noles in tre effects of rain and the solution, thet Liehbig nudlishece his elassie vork on tne apnliecation of chemistry to agriculture and nhrsiolojye. In tris Tiebig comrietely undermined the founcations of the humus theory ang enunetated the follovin, foundations of rodern chemistrr: 1. Trorganie substenees for the nutritive material for all nients. 09 ‘<4 Ta own & its live unvon ecarhoniec acid, ammonia (ritric 3 acid) water, nhosnhoric ecid, sulpnurie ccid, lime, magnesia, notash and iron: many need common salte 2. ¢. venure, the dung of animals, acts net through the orgenic elerents directiy upon plent life, but indireetiv throush tne nrodvcts of the decay and fermentative nrocesses; thus cerhon hecomes carhonic acid,and nitrocen hecor.eas ammonia or nitrie acid. he organic manures, which consist of varts of the rereins of niants and animals, can he srbstituted hv the inor,anic constituents into wrieh tnrey vould be resolved in thre soil, Practical field trials, ,cerried out br -overnrents and large lend owners, nroved the correctness of Liebig's dednuetions from his laboratory exneriments, anc the many Iinvestizvators in tris line heave come either directly or indirectiv from Lienig's school". The anestion may be answered in otner language, and to some extent in a somevhet more eynlicit wey; First, Dlerts cannot czist vithout the tro elements of whien vater is comnosed, thet is hydrogen and oryeen. second, niants reed for treir growin and develonrent orz;,aniec matter, vnich consists onrincinaelly of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitro,;ene Third, plents require certein inorganic matter in vhich is ineluded notessinm, phosphorus, sniphur, celeinm, magnesium, iron. won ater, us a nient food, is by far the most important 9 7 Ce factor in the srovth of vezetation. Therefore, without a snffieient and continuous supriv of this element, crops of no kind can ne provn. This rakes tre oreservation of vater in tne soil tne leading nxmnilem of plent orormth and cultivation, How can thie nroblem hest he solved ne solution,or a sunstitnute for it, seems to rest in nev methods of evitivation bv irrizvation and other reans, the diserssion of which is not vithin the nrovinee of this tnesis. ne first three necessarv elercnts of tne second eless of plent food, ecarhon, hydrosen, and oxygen, are easily sunnlied by tne wir and pv water tnrovuch the ection of the sun's rays and atmognheric neat. The fourth elenent, nitro,en, vhich forms nearly eighty percent of the volume of our air is not so easily mede evailahle to rients in general. One notahle exycention, hovever, exists, the Lesvminosae femilv, "his family of nients hes been found capable of obtaining nitrogen from the air tnrou,h tne nodules on tne roots of all snecies helonsing to its renyv genera. litroven is one of the*most indisnenable elements of niant food, “hen it is ahsent from any soil to an eyterded degree, the grovth of ell plants ineenhble of receiving it from the air vill he greativ retarded; in ronyvy instences an atternted growth vill he a complete failure. Tne imnortance of nitroven as en element of plant food is hecoring more and more realized. A recent article 4. in the "Review of Reviews" savs, "Thet the earth may eventual lv cease to vield the renunisite nourishment for tne constantiv increasin,; numan race confronts "s as a dire possibility, Tne nrospect of a universal famine is not amere figment of the imazination; and the efforts that are heim: made jin our new country to enrich the scil by hitherto unknoyvn means of sunply vill naturally arouse a widespread interest. Dr. Otto "T, “itt, Professor in the great Tecnnolo;ical Institute at Charlottenbur,, gives an interesting account in tne Berlin Voene of vhat is at present being aceonnlished in the way of nywdueing nitrates, tne element of niants, and speaks of the poss inility of their vastly increased production. The sunvliv of nitrogen in the vorld is, in the fullest sense of vord, inevhanstible, for it constitutes four-fifths of the atmoenheric air which envelons the earth. Unfortunetely, however, nlants are for the most vert ineananle of absorbing and utilizing nitrogen in the moleerlar form in which it appears in the atmosnnere. All higner pnlents demend the nitro;sen recuisite for their existence in combinetion with oxvgen in the shane of nitrates. Certain hecteria, tne nitrifving orgenisms found evervrnere in the soil, can it is true, absorb nitrogen in combination with hydrogen as armonia, they, on their nart, converting it into nitrates. And putrefring matter, sveh as stable ranure is valuanle, F, Since,again by the aid of bacteria, the nitrocsen it contains Lite c chen ved into ammonia which the nitrifying or jenisms of the soil convert into nitrates that serve to nourish the higsner rients. Thus life is Ssenerated from death hr a vonderful nrocess, vnieh ve term, "the ercle of nitro en". Plants have no nover to ahsorh nitro;en through tneir leaves, they must obtain fine nitro,en they recuire, excent i'n the family of Leguminosae, from the orgenic matter the that jis decaying in the soil; or, in semi-arid rezions they may drav on a possible reserve sunplyr, teren ases before from the air and stored nn in the soil, The econony of Mature hes caused this reserve supniyv to he fired hy the soil in these rezions, bvt while it jis sloviv exhausted, am is still nientiful in meny nieces, in same nieces it has been vashed avar, or hes neen nsed un by vegetation. T+ J may not he ont of niece nere to refer to the fact that reny nlents of the Leguminosae fanily have heen lergely used as green menure, nlented te enrich the soil. “ore then thet in soile where the nropner becteria are not - Kh suf *ieiertiry abundant the leguminous plents used as manure are being tnocnlated with bacteria trat their nitrogen noniving nodules may be ineresced in numner. Fro feseor SP) Farl ©. Yellerman, Tisnt Pnysiolo ist of the Denertrent of Agriculture says, "The velne of the legumes, nlerts nelon ing 2 uch es elovers, alfalfa, cow ners, soy , to the nes. fermily, 6. vetch, ete., «S green rennres, bears, reanuts, fielc peas or soil renovators is due to certein bacterix vnich develon nodules on the roots of these nients and which have the power of rendering the free nitrosen of the eir available 9 for nlent growth. “ithout these baeteria, lecsumes, like “9 other ererne, exharst the soil oF its eombined nitrosen. In many resions certein tymes of these imnortant heeteria are ebundant in the sail, in other loeelities they must be imnorted, or in ottner voras, tne leocuminous eran to be gromn there must be Inoculated", The jnorgenie elements of the soil, must easily end therefore, most eormoniy lecking, are notesn 9 ane vnosnhorie acid, To entirely use up these ingredients, nowever, a tons time is reanired by mest soils, such & condition, moreover, esn alware ne nrevented py nroner care of the soil end br dave attention raic to rotetion of crons.e The common sourees of notash are vood and vegetable ashes, or potach enn now he sunnlied from German rot:sh mines. Tt may he mentioned thet hone is now held out of finding a natural surniy of notesh in the United States, Nneolosists of the Tnitted States Survey declare "that tne conditions in some portions of the erid Vest, regions Just east of the Focky Meanntsin wall end the Great Gasin region, e nodies af notash are rot unfavareblie to tne discovery oat selts comperable to those of Germany. an Tne sources of phosnhoric acid are the bones of animals, the tetra calcic vhosvhnate of lime, a by-product of steel manufacture, and lime phosphete solinble in water. ‘R. %. Thatcher, in Bulletin Mo. 85, issned from the Denartment of Chemistry of the Ayricultural Ey periment Station, Pullman, Vashington, says: "Axyperience hes shown that it jis possible to drav certain fairly definite conclusions as to the fertility or fertilizer needs of a soil from an enalyvsis." In this connection Professor the celebrated authority on soils in this country says, ‘As between soils of similar cheracter and ori,in, the production and curehility ere sensinlyvy proportioned to the plant food nercenta;es wren the letter fall below a eertesin limit.’ “ith resard to the percentases of each of the eritieal elements of fertility, lime, potash, nhosph«ric ePeid and nitro;en, wnich are necessary for plant grovth, the most comniete Standards vhich have heen proposed sre those of trofessor Maerker, of the Halle Hyperiment Station in Germany. These are given in Professor Hilgerd's new book on 'Soils', nage 269, as follows: Practical Ratings of Soils by Plant Food Percenta;es. Accordin;; to Trofessor Maerker, Halle Sta. Germany. Crade of -otash. rhosynhoric Time Total Soil. Acid. Clay Sovl Sandy Seil fitragzen Poor Below .05 Below .05 Belov .10 Belov .0& Below .C5 Medium 06-.18 oO5-.10 ~10-.25 005-210 ~05-.10 Normal eo lh-.25 el10-.15 2-250 0108-6280 e10-.15 Good of 5-640 015-225 oF0-L00 20-630 0168.85 Rich Above .40 Above .£5 aAnove ]. CO Above. d0 ANOVEe e620 6. These estimates are in very close agreement vith nearly all of those which have been suggested by other soil chemists, in all parts of the world, although different methods of anelysis are used by ren in different countries." The imnortance of these fizures, es representing I an authoritative standard, in any investization of soils,can readily be seen. They afford a means of comrarison and serve to confirm, or disprove, or modify conclusions fron results obtained by ori-inal experiments. THs TRESEICH OF AVATLABLA PLANT FOOD. All life is suhject to vaste and decar, All life is, therefore, dependent upon the novrishment thet mares possjhble its constent renewal. moods are aS great a necessity to plents as fo animal life. The sojil is one of the mesiums thronush whieh foods are conveved to plerts. If the soils do not contain some of tne essentials of thece plent foods, or if the supply is not renlenished by natural or artificial means, starvation must result for plents in such soils. To make the statement more coneise, on the aveilahility of plant foocs rest the suecess or failure of a crop,or the growth of such pnlent life. Thies statercnt js made in the face -f the fact, thet carbon in the form of carbon @ioyvide as it is tekken from the air by reans of their leaves, is one of the nrinciple niart foods. Vhile nliants are built un to a lerge extent of carbon, vet tre otner 9. constituents, both organic and inor,aniec comnounds in the soil thet constitutes the smaller portion of the nlant food,are as essentjal to the growth of the nlants as the carbon. The essentisl imnortence of soil to the »reater pereent of plent life is due to tne provision of neture, vhich maxes the rootc end rootlets vith the root hairs of plants their means of ovtainins nourishment. AS most of the plants tare un from the soil by means of the little root hairs, or Other or;;ans attached to the reots some of this rost essential plant food for their growth, it follows, therefore, that the first necessity of plant grovthn is the develonnent of tneir roots. The roots must first be nrorerly nourished, or tney vill not mere the crowth reavired for the sunnort of healthy plants. Tie entire plent denends unon the nroner srowth and development of the root-system. The t the root develop- ment comes first js seen in almost any seed at tne time of its sprouting, for tne radiecel,or little rootlet develors first and grovs dornwerd to meet the soijil,or mcisture and soil. If the roots are not in size, nunmher end teryture, vhat they chould he, they vill not be enle to furnish sufficient sustenance to the unper nortion of the prant to enable it to nerform its nyoper frnetions, to hring the best results. It js ecleur then thet in the study of soils in cornection vith rient life and fruit prodvuetion, the roots ard rootiets as rell ac the root hairs in their reletion to tne soil and the nient food found trerein, are of tne first importence and considcraticns. The roots of niants with fev exrcertions live vhole in the soil, and there it is thet they rust find es ina storehonse a svfficient amonnt cf eveilanjie plent food in the Shepe Of nitrates and other comrourds soluble in veter resdv to be taken un for ,rovth. Sesides the availeble plant foods in the soil there snould he present in the sojl or,xunic and inor,aniec elerents and eomronunds, vhien ray in future time pov disintevyration necore aveilahle as nient foods. On the eresence or ahsence of noth the availahle and unavailanie plent foods in any soil, denends tre ,ood or roor srorth end developrent of rlent life, in the soil. ll. TAH POTSONOCS MATTSR Ti THA SOIL. Another matter of searecely secondary imnnortence, in connection vith the amornt of availahle plent food in soils, cannot ne overloored in this studv, To he avetlebhle for plent srowth ard plant life in vererel, the various elements of nlant food must conform to certein restrictions, or corditions. There mey ne too rueh of one element, or too little of ancther. ne food ejerents must he sroperly balanced for the srecial needs of the plent, to give it healthy srovth. and as great danger, possibly a greater danser,Jlies jn an overabundance of an element of plant food ac in its Jacl. An overebundence of riners] salts in ‘He the sail, for exemple, rey act as a polson upon the plant. 3 hat the excess of minerel salts rmeyv nrevent the roots is wf from perforrin, their funetions. The overebundance of vater (hydrosen ard oxyvzen) may often prove disastrous; it sets in 4a way sjmiler to the action of carnonice acid on animal life. Agein, there may be an anundance Of certain other necessary niant food jin the soil vhich the plant is not ahle to uses thet is, it is hirdered, if nt entirely rept from vsin, this food heeavsee of an erycess of other elerents. ™n the fotlorir, reeord of experiments vith evergreen coniferous forest soils, carried on with a view to determining their value for ayrienlturel and horticulturel lee purposes, tne resvilts shown vere deduced from careful investigations based upon the fore, ,oing reauisites for plent arovth, end judgments rede acecrdin oly. TINVASTIGATION AND USAS OF VR -IMS SOTLS SOR HORTICULTURE AMD AGRICULTURS d GANIRAL CHARACTAR O78 TES AYPERITETS CARFIEND Ch.-- The vork of investigation to determine the uses end value of coniferons soils for horticuiturel and agrievitural errors vas carried on in a greenhouse vhere tne nlants experirented upon vere brought under the same climatic conditions. Aan exact deserintion of each of the four soils used Js given in the fotloving pages. The four soils were Falcouse soil; Yellov Fine soil; Ner Savdust soil; Cld Sevdust coil, ™he special purnoce of tre Palouse soil wast to act as a check uncen the otner three soils, jNOTRS TN GsareRAl.--Before enterin; upen the aralysis the soils used in the experiments herein descrined, it will te in nlace here to dwell for a little space upon the technical meanin,; of the term "Soils", "Soil" as some one °° hee poetically ssid, “is the loose mantel of material covering, the earth . If consiets of disintesrated elements of the earth's crust, mixed with verying amounts of decurved ve, etable matter. ™he earth's erust is ceomnoged of more than seventy elerents, most of which are nresent in verv srajyl vroportions". ghteen of tnese elements alone are of impnortenee in soil formaticn and nrlent orovth, most of vrich heve heen referred to in the rreviovs chapter econeernin, the tssentiel Blerents i if of Flant Saod. SOTL FORMATION. --Frefessor Rk. We Thatcher, *rofessor of Chemistry and Soil physicist at "ashin ton jtate igrieultural Coilese, and oireector of fine Nenartrent of Agriculture of that Collese, says, "All soils are nroduced by the disintez ration or mecraniecal breaking dovn, end decomnocition or chemical hreakin; covn of rock. This ° orearin, devn, or weetherins, as it js termed, is cxansed by the Joint action of air, moisture end erdden enhenvses of 9 terrerature, ard of vrovins or decavin; vegetation, on the rocks of vhiech the earth's erust is comnosed. The ection is senerally slov, not gs continuous and very powerful. "hen it hes neen goin; on lon; enough so t%t the rock is recuced to a fine novder, and this rock vaste je mired vith a certain amount of deerving vegetanle matter, soil is ‘4 rroduced, f vill be apnarent that soil eonscists esserntislly of tro rejor eorvstitvuents, namely, mineral ratter, or rock vaste, end orsenie ratter, or ve settable rafter in varjous Sta;es of decay. The organic matter is very complex in its nature, and exists in every stale of decey from the voody finre of srowing plents to the [eses vhich are the resvlt of tne corviete decomnosition of vecetable metter. Tn the ari lysis of soil e distivetion is mede hetveen volatile end organic reiter, which corrrices wll the material whien may ve criven li. off or burned off from a soil hy hich neat, and inelnies combined water end certiin eves, es vell as the purely vecetyunle matter of the soil, ere hurus, or tast onrt of the orogenic matter vhien is sn certein intermediate stajes of decay end rey pe dissolved out of tre soil by oilute solutions of ermonia or otner alisline Jievids. wus is thet rart Of organic retter vnieh se in the :roper form to serve as a sunniv of nienti food, Tt Js of very creat vetdue neesvce it not only surrlies a very necessary element of nient food, nitrocen, ovt pas also the nover to atteck sore cf the inert rinereal retter of tre soil, and chense it into forms vhicn are availenle for nient Food nurnoges," My PATOUSS SOTL.--The Telouse soil, or 2s it is Othe rvise termed, the coil of the Tnlend Smnire, hes its orjcin, for thre most nerf, in the disinte rated lava hed cf AnSulte Tt is a fine dust-lire soil, cananle of hold ing moisture for a great length of tire. “hile it is not one ‘de of the richest of soils in its totel emornt of pnlert food, it re reny other soits of the sermi-erid = "Je is verv rich. revsions iff hes hed Ate rlent food stored up for eles. Frofessor Theteher Sives an analysis of tris soil, or its in 3uiletin 85, “Vesnin,ton Soils" previously equivalent, referred to. Tt is an analysis of “nitmen County, vechin,ton sojl, end ves sent to him in resnonse to his reavest, oy hre De Ae Sell of tinone, Vesnin ton. Trofessor Thetcher "TH snove the same peneral cherecteristies 16. as the Pelouse basaltic soil." The ernalyveis is «es follors: WHITMAN COUNTY SOT ANALYSIS, Insoluble Silica 79 6740% Hvdrated " Ke 2205 3olnble " O. 4955 Potasn 20) 0.506" Soda Nae Oe 249% Lime (aeg0) 0.6085 Ma, nesie (E-0) 0.194% Man janese DYox4de (tnd Tron Oxide (Fes05) 5. 196%; Alumina (Al 0) 2B. Phosphoric Pentoxide (Pos) 0 “1a77 Sulphur "riaride (SOs) 60624 cf Carbon Dioxide (CO.,) Volatile and orgzantTe matter 5.190% Tatal ~I9 E545 Fumus £2848 otal Nitro-ven 0.108 loisture in dry air soil 1.6520 In the Palouse soil, as will he seen, the proportions of humus and nitro jen are very small. Tne nitrogen present, hovever, is vholly of the availeble lind, hence the soil is rich, though humus to a lerze de ree is absent. ws VanLTor PINS SOTL, seme as found in Jack Fine and Rec Pine regions of Michivjan.--The coniferous soil used in the exynerirents vas obteined from the mountains vhere oranite rock exists. Tt 3s comnosed of the disinte rated rock in comnination vith the humus from evervreen conifers, Yellov Pine needle soil. TH 3s cenerally believed thet tnis “oil jis not verv rich in nlant foods. L7. ‘e are Indented to the same avthorityv, Frofessor Re “. Thetcher for an anelvsis of this soil also: AVALYSIS OF EVSRGRUSN CONIPEROUS 307L. rom the Soothille of Matuneh Lountein Han ee near Toseev, Latah County, Tdaho. Sravel ard Granite Send EK nn 4 Pine arth 50°" results of Partial Anelvsis. Patash 0.287763 Lime O. 8625 Phosphoric Acid 0.210% Nitro-en 0,294.5 Taumus~ (") Al¥Fali (=) Volatile and organic matter (¢) This analysis shors a hizh nereent of nitro,en in coniferous sail, brut tne nitroven is not jin an availeble form. A more comniete analysis miz,nt heve snovn the total amount of plant food in this soil to he very large, especially in the element of humus. There Is no method, hovever, wherehy ve can determine vith certainty hov mueh of the totel plent food in the soil is availanle for the use of different crops, evrcept thet of eryneriment. Tt is, tnerefore, hy experirenting alone, thronsh the plenting of certein crops thet it ts nogsible to ascertain vhetrer tnere is a svfficient amount of availanie nitro;sen and other plent food in the soil ror tne svuecessful cnlitivation of these crons. 8 Ris NAT SArTDUStT SOIL.--This soil vas made up of tvo-thims Falcuse soil and one-third fresh sarvdust from a coniferous lurmher enttin, saw-mill. The nurpose of this combination was to find ont vhether the sddition of one-third of this kind of humus materiel to the Palouse soil vould Influence plent grovth. THY OLD DFCAYSD SATDUST SOIL.--This soil vas made vnien hed un of one-third old Yellow Fine lumber savdust, been decaying near a mill-site for ten vears or more, and tvo-thirds Pelouse soil, The object of thie ecomnination, like tret of the fresh savdust and Palouse soil. wes also 9 to discover what effect the decaved vood fibre in the form of humus ronld have on plent growth. Into the four different soils which have just been descrjhed vere plented, or son, at tne same time, under eaval conditions and environments, the trees ard vegetables, shrubs and cuttings named in the folloving list: TRESS (Seedlings). American “hite Ash YPrexvinus emericana. Hard Maple Acer saccharum Bnjlish Oak Cuereus ~lun Prunus domestica Locus t Rohinie vnseudacacia Black Cherry Prunus serotine RZartlett Tear Prrus cormunis Aprle -rvrus melus SE2TBS (Plents) Respberry Rubus strisosus Logenberry Rrihus Blackberry Cooseherry Currant Grapes GRATNS AN) VaGESTABnAS, Field Peas Bush Keeans Beets Toamatoes Radish “Lettuce Carrots Strawberries Yairyv Vetch “heat Oats parley corn Alfalfa “hite Clover “sjeld Vetch Sauash Geranium Rose Canha;,ze Celery Parsnip AYDDle Seed Runus vililosus Rihbes groscularia Ribes Vitis Pisum sativum Lesuninosae Beta vulveris Lyeonersicnum esculentum narhenus sativus Lactuca sativa Dauens @omestica Pragaria Vicia Sativa Triticum vulzare Avena Sativa Hordeum Aea mays Medicaso sativa Trifolium repens Vivia sative Cneurhbita Gereniaceae Rosaceae Brassicnr oleracea Apium graveotens Pastinaca sativa Prrus malus Li\ + @ “ror due tine en the “IL of the rear vren the ceeds rere sovn ane the snruns and trees plented until the be,inning of Summer folloving, dsjiy veteh was pept end the results of the eyneriments in each soil were carefully reeorded. Sarst the time reavired for the jerminetion of the ceed and the lesefin cut of tre spruy "2 s and trees, in tne ¢ifferent coi wee noted, then tne sunseavent nrosress of the risunts from dav to day vas entered upon the record. “he degree of moisture ard the cliretie conditions to . nen the nlients vere subjected during tneir grovth ard development vere rent as nearly uniform as vas nossible to Obtein Jn a greenhouse, The folloving reeords show jin detell wnet vas accomplished by tne investigation of the snitahility of the "nn Agfferent soil cA ie) 3 at , ene their reletive velves, for the orcevwth and vroductivity of the niente used in tre exneriments. OIUT rym te wis) (Seedlings). we wee ~— 9. 2 Rrra we 7 v.77 a-y VF - wc e ~ « e . UID ADMRITQLN VEIC! ASH (Praxinus Americane).-- — -- ~od ~- be aok Tro trees of small size, not over tro feet in heilnt and one- half ineh in diameter, each two veers old ard naving enout the esme amount of root-systerm, were nlierted into tv elve-inch rots, one in eoniferous, the other in Telouse soil. Tho tree nianted in the coniferous soil began to shovy its Jeaves trelve dave earlier tren the tree niented in Falouse soil. ele the tree nlanted in the coniferous soil grew more rapidly tnan the tree plantcd in the Palouse soil. The leaves of the former were of & much darker color than those of tne latter. These relations continued wnchanged throughout all subsequent growth of the two trees. Root Systems. she root system of the tree in the coniferous soil was much larger anil coarsor than that of the tree in the Palouse soil. There was a most noticeable difference also in the color of the roots of the two trees; that of the roots of the tree in the Palouse soil was a yellowish gray; thet of the roots of the tree plantcd in the ecniferous soil was dark brown. THE BLACK LOCUS?T(Robinia Nsendacacia).--The trees planted were one year old, not over two feet in height ania little more than one-fourth of an inch in diameter. Their root systems were about equal in amount. The trees were planted in ton inch pots. The tree in the coniferous soil started to leaf out cight davs earlier than the tree in the Palouse soil. The subsequent growth of the two trees showed the Same ratio of progress until the end of the experincent. The foliage of the tree planted in thse coniferous soil was darker in color, but neither larger nor smaller than that of the tree planted in the Palouse soil. LL. Root Systens. the root syvstom of the trees was about the same in poth soils. the roots of the tree in the coniferous soil were, however, of a darker color than tnose oi tne tree in the Palouse soil. Another decided difference was also marked; more and larger nodules developed on the roots of the tree in the coniferous soil than cn those of thc tree in the Palouse soil. (See Plate Ilo. 7, page 71). THE PLUM(Prunus domestiaa).--The trees chosen for the experiment were one year old. They were about eishtcen inches high and one-fourth of an inch in diameter. The ir root systems were as near equal as could te obtainede Both trees were free from all defects. | Ten inch pots were used. The leaves appeared on the tree planted in tne coniferous soil, nine Jays carlier than these on the tree planted in the “alouse soil. The growth was equal, however, in both soils from the time leaves first shovied themselves on the trees until the end of the experiment. sne size of the leaves, also was alike on both trees. the eolcr of the leaves, however, was of a mich darker color on the tree growing in the coniferous soil than those cf the tree in tne Palouse soil. Root System. The root system of tne tree in tne Palouse soil was Small end consisted of small, fine roots. that o1 tne tree Lo6 in tho coniferous soil was coarse and made up of a considerable number of large roots. Ire color of the roots of the tree in the Palouse soil wes yellow, while that of tne tree in the coniferous soil was dark brown. THe YARD MAPLE(Acer saccharum).--Two trees of about equal size were planted into twelve inch pots. ane trecs were twenty inches high and five-tenths of an inch in diameter. shey were about one year old ani had approximately the sanc amount of root system. The trees wore perfectly healthy in every way and without deformities or defects of any }cind. The opening of the buds on the tree planted in the coniferous soil was noticed a few days earlier than the same point reached by the tree planted in the Palouse soil. The leaves of the tree growing in the coniferous soil were no larger, but were of a darker color than tho le aves on the tree in the Palouse soil. The tree in the coniferous soil, however, showed a more vigorous growth than was shown by the tree in the Palouse soil. Root Systems. The root srstem of the tree in the coniferous soil was very much more extensive than that of the tree in the Palouse soile The roots of tne former were, alsa much larger and coarser than those of the latter. ine same contrast of color noticed in the roots cf trees previously 24. described was again shown in these Maple trees. That is, the roots of the tree in the coniferous soil were dark brown, while those of the treo in the Palouse soil were lighter in color, showing a yellowish tinge. (See Plate No. 1, page 62). Tit SCARLET OAK(Quereus coccinea).--The trees, each two years old, were planted in the different soils in twelve- inch nots. sach tree was twenty inches in heignt and fourteenth of an inch in diameter. The trees were both as nearly perfect as rvossible3; or, in other words were healthy and free from defedts and deformities. Leafage appeared on the tree in the coniferous soil about one week earlicr than on tne tree in the Palouse soil. The color of tne leaves themselves were somewhat smaller in size than the leaves on the trce in the coniferous soil. Root Systems. The rocts of the tree in the “alouse soil were very much smaller as well as fewer in number than the roots of the tres in the coniferous soil. In regard to the eolor of the roots tne same difference heretofore mentioned in the deseription of other trces was seen; the tree in the coniferous soil had dark brown roots, while th roots of the tree in the Palouse soil were of a yellowish gray color. TH CHERRY(Prunus serotina).--The cherry trees planted were seedlings measuring about twenty-four inches in height and five-tenths of an inch in diameter. Thoy were ZH vigorous trees snowing no deformities, and had developed about the usual amount of root system. They were planted into twelve-inch pots. the tree in the coniferous soil showed its first leaves eight days earlier than the one in the Palouse soil. In neither soil was the growth satistact- ory; in fact very y;oor in toth soils. It was so poor indced in tne Palouse soil that the tree failed entirely before the exncriment could be carried to a close. One difference was shown in the trees; the foliare of the tree in the ecniferous soil was of a mich darler color than that of the trec in the Palouse soil. Root Systems. The roots of the trce in the econiterous soil were very much larger ani coarser tnan the roots of the trce in the Palouse soil, which were fine andi small. the cclor of the roots of the tree in the Palouse soil was of a light srayish yellow, while th: t of the roots of the tree in the coniferous soil was dark brown. TY PRAR(Pyrus communis).--Two one year old trecs were chosen for the experiment. they were cighteen inches in hoight and fourtcenth of an inch in diameter. They were nealthy trees, without deformities, and with normal root systems about alike in both. Twelve inch pots were usede The tree in the coniferous soil leafed out five days earlier than the tree in the Palouse soil. subsecuent srowth of 266 the two trees snowed atout the sam ratio of vrogress. The leaves were alike in size on the two trves, but the ecclor of the foliage of the tree in the Palouse soil was lighter than that of the foliage of the tree in the ecniferous soil. Root Systema. The tree in the Palouse. soil developed a root svstem made up of roots of a fine and small type. In contrast, large, coarse roots formed the root system of the tree growing in the coniferous soil. The color of the roots, as was the case with other trees used in the investigation differed decidedly in the two soils; tnt of the roots of the tree in the coniferous soil being of a dark brown, while that of the roots of the tree in the Palouse soil was of a yellowish gray. (See Plate No. 11, pare 76). [4H APPLE (Pyrus malus).--The trees experimented with were seedlings one year old. They were about thirty inches in hoight and five-tenths of an inch in diameter. Heal thy trees, without blemishes, each having about the sane amount of root system were sélected. They were planted into twelve inch pots. The tree planted in the coniferous soil unfolded its first leaves one week earlier than the tree planted in the Palouse soil. A like progress in growth, or rather a like ratio of progress was msintaincd between the two trces throughout the cxperiment. The leaves on the trcoe in the coniferous soil did not differ in size from those 27. on the tree in the Palouse soil, but were of a darker color. Root Systems. The roots of the tree in the eoniferous soil were larger, coarser, and more in number than those of the tree planted in the Palouse soil. The color of the roots of the tree in the Palouse soil was yellowish, while that of the roots of the tree in the coniferous soil was dark brown. (See Plate No. 3, page 65). THE RASPBERRY(Rubus strigosus), THE BLACKBERRY (Rubus villosus), THE LOGANBERRY(Rubus (?) ).--These three plants were dug up with about the same amount of root system ani with the same length of stem, the latter being in each plant about six inches long. The plants were replanted in the two soils, in ten-inch pots, December ll, 1999. The plants sprouted in each soil at about the same time, from February 10-12, 1910. There was very little difference in their growth in the different soils. In other words these berry plants grew about as well in the coniferous as in the Palouse soil. The leaves of the plants in the coniferous soil were of a darker green than those on the plants in the Palouse soil. The size of the leaves, however, was about the same on the plants in both soils. Root Systems. the roots of the plants in the Palouse soils were fine in texture, small, numerous and of a yellowish color, While those of the plants in the coniferous soil were large, 28. coarse, and less numerous, and of a darker green color. (See Plates 40 and 41, pages 118 and 119). ME COOSNBIRRY(Ribes grossularia), TH! CURRANT (Ribes (?) ), Ti! GRAPS(Vitis (2?) ).--For the experiments with these three nlents,cuttings were used. These cuttings were fivo inches long and threc-tenths of an inch in diam tor. They wero taxen from well-grown, healthy stocks, and were planted into ten inch pots. Two budS on each plant were left above the soil for growth. the euttings were planted Decembor ll, 1909. The cuttings of all three y;lants in the coniferous soil started to leaf out February ¢<, 1910. Ten days longer were required to bring the plants in the Palouso soil to the point of leafare; their first leaves appeared February 12, 1910. Very little difference is noted in the subsequent grovth of the plants in the two soils, except in the case of the grapes. The frape cutting made a better growth in the Palouse soil than its mate in the coniferous soil. The leaves of the three plants in the coniferous soil were darker in eolor than those of the plants in the Palouse soil. Root Systems. The roots of the plents in the Palouse soil were fine, small, ani numerous, while those of the plants in the gsoniferous soil were large, coarse, and few in numer. The re was little difforence in tre eolor of the roots in tre two soils. 296 GRAINS AND VEG'TABLUS. TH FIELD PEA(Pisum sativum).--The four soils, Coniferous, Palouse, Old Sawdust, and New Sawdust were used in the experiment with the field pea. The soils were fillcd into six inch pots in which the sced was sown on December 11, 1909. Germination took place in all at about the same time, December 18, 1909. Three plants were left growing in each pote These indicated from the start that there wonld be very little difterenee in their growth, in the difterent soils. A slight difference, however, was shown in later growth, the plant in the coniferous soil producing a healthier looking stalk and its color being of a darker green. The plants in the three other soils continued to be about equal in growth anil general appearance. Root Systens. The roots of the plants in all of the four soils showed nitrogen nodules. The nodules were more numerous, however, on the roots in the coniferous soil than upon those developed in the other soils. In the Palouse soil ani in the New Sawdust soil the roots wore similar in fineness, size and number. In like manner, the roots in tne coniferous and Old Sawdust soils corresgponde:i in nimber, size and texture. In the two last mentioned fewer roots were developed and they were larger ani coarser than the roots in the otner two soils. The color of the roots was abont tine same in all of the four soils. 30. TL GARDEN BEET(Beta vulgaris).--Sceds of the garden beet were sown into cach of the four soils, in six inch pots on December 14, 1909. About January 2, 1910, the plants began to spring up. The sceds sown in the Palouse soil germinated slightly in advance of those in the other soils. Later developments proved thet the Palouse soil was germinated slight- ly in advanee of those in the other soils. Later develon- monts proved that the Palouse soil was the best of the four soils not only for th: germination of the sced, but for the growth of the plant. The coniferous soil ranved second in velue, old sawdust third, and new sawdust fourth, for adaptability to the eulture of tho garden beet. The description of the root system is given in the description of the Plates Sos. XXXVIII and XXXIX, pases 115 and 116). THE POTATO(Solanum tubcrosum).--The same variety of the potato was used, for the oxperimant, in all of the four soils. The portions of the tubers planted, were as nearly as possible of a like size nieces from one-nali to three-fourths of an inch in thickness including two cyes. They were ;lanted in the different soils into six inch pots, December 14, 1909. The plants came up in each soil, at about the same time, April 1, 1910. Their growth was very nearly alike in all of the fow soils. Towards the end, however, the plant in the Palouse soil grew a little hisher than the plants growing in the otner soils. The 31. Stalks produced by the coniferous and old sawdust soils were thicker and more vigorous than those nourished by the Palouse soil and thc new sawdust soil. The color of the stalks and leaves of the plants in tne old sawdust soil and in the coniferous soil was of a much darker green than of those in the other two soils. For root system and tubers formed see description of Plate No. XLIII, rage 122. TOMATO SEED AHD TO'MATO PLANT (Lycope rsicum esculentum).--The fow soils, in six ineh pots,as usual, received the tomato sced sown December 11, 1909. the seeds germinated and showed tneir first leaves abové the soil January 10, 1910. There was no difference in point of time of gormination of the seeds in the different soils. After germination, however, the plants in the Palouse soil took the leal in growth and ketp it until the end of the experiment. Five plants were left for growth in each pot. The plants in the coniferous and old sawdust soils were darker green in color than the plants in the new sawdust and Palouse soils. Root Systems. the roots of the vlants in the Palouso soil were Bmall, numerous, and of a tine texture, while those of the plants in the other three soils were coarse, few and larve. No difference appoared in the color of the roots of the plants in the different soils. Tho tomato plants illustrated were plants that had Oke been grown in three inch nots. They were of about the same size and quality. These plants were transplanted into six inch pots in the four different soils. Their subsequent behavior was similar to that of the plants raised from soecd as described. For further explanation sco Plate Wo. VI, page 70, and Plate No. XI, page 76. Tit BEANS (Legpuminosue).--Four six inch pots each filled with a different one of the four soils were used for the sowing of the bean seed, December 11, 1909. This seed failed to come up in any of the soils. Another sowing was made on Januery 24, 1910. This last seed germinated and tne plants appeared in all of the four soils at about the same time. Two plants were left in each not. The growth differed little ,if at all in the soils, tnroughout the expe riment. Root Systems. The root system of the plants in the coniforous soil was lerger than that of the plants in the other soils. The roots developed in the coniferous soil showed more and larger nitrogen fixing nodules. The plants illustrated show a difference in respect to one soil, the new Sawdust soil, in which the growth is less vigorous. Seo deserintion of Plate XXIII, pése 92. TI" RADISH(Raphanus sativus).--The radish sced was sown in the four difforent soils, each soil in tno usual B56 Six inch pot, December ll, 1909. The seed in the Palouse soil germinated on the sixteenth of December and that planted in the othe r soils ebout two days later. The plants wero thinned out,three only being left to grow in cach jot. The growth in respect to the ton jart of the plants varied somewhat in the different soils; the plants in the Palouse soil took the lead, the others ranking as follows: tnose in the old sawdus t soil second, in the new sawdust third, and in tne coniferous fourth. ror description of the root systems of the radish in the different soils see description of Plates Nos. XXX and XXXI, pages 103 and 104. LETTUCE (Lactuca Sativa).--Lettuce seed of the sane variety was made use of in the exreriment. It was gown in the four soils contained in the same sized pots, six inch found vest adapted to most of the other seeds planted. The date of the sowing of the lettuce scecd was December 12, 1909. On December 18, the new born plants pushed their way to the surface through all the four soils alike. Later tneir progress, in the different soils, became very different. In the coniferous and new sawdust soils the plants made very little growth. In the Falouse soil, on the other hand, the plants flourished and made e strong and vigorous growthe The plants in the old sawdust soil were second in ratio of development. O5e The deseription of the root si7stems is fiven in the description of the Plates XXVIII, and XXIX, rages loo and 101 THis CARROT(Daucus carrota).--The carrot seed was planted at tne same time and sul: jected to treatm nt similar to that siven to the lettuce sced. The semination of the seed, and the subsequent development of the plants in the four lifferent soils in likenesses and difierences so noarly resembled like processes in the lettuce that a detailed account of the growth of the carrot above sround need not be given here. The root systems of the carrot in the four soils are included in the description of the Plates Nose XXXVI and XXXVII, pages 97 and 8. | TH) HAIRY VETCH(Vicia villesa).--Again, as with the other vegetable seod with which experiments were made, the seed of the hairy vetch was sown into the four soils filled into six inch pots. This secd was sown December 14, 1909. Three weeks were required for its germination which took place January 6, 1910. The »lants came up in all of tho soils, with no apparent differences, and at the sume time. They made, at first very slow growth. ‘Yhen the plants were thinned three were left to each soil. After a month or more all of the plants mede a noticeably quicker growth. this growth was about equal in amount in all of the four soils, with possibly a trifling difference in favor of 366 the coniferous soil. Root Systems. The roots of the vetch plants in the coniferous soil produced largor and more numerous nitrogen fixing nodules than the roots in the other soils. For more complete description sce Plate No. XVIII, page 8&6. THE WHSAT, OATS AND BARLEY(Triticum vulgare, Avena sativa, and hordeum)--These three grains were sown into the four different soils on December 11, 1909. For the use of the experiment with each kind of these smell grains, as with the vegetable seeds, six inch pots seemed most suitable. The grains of all three kinds, sprouted and found their way through all of the four soils respectively, at about the seme date, December 18, 1909. In their first growth the three kinds of plants displayed little difference in any of the soils, or in all of the soils. After this the plants were thinned out five only being left to each pot. In subsequent growth a change in their relative progress was manifested. The barley now took the lead, the oats followed second in order, and the wheat ranked third. With all of them the Palouse soil proved most fuvorable to their growth, the old sawdust ranking second, the new sawdust third, and the coniferous soil fourth. Of the three grains the barley matured first. And in correspondence with its frowth in the differcnt soils, the barley matnred first in the Yalouse soil, 37. second in the old sawdust soil, third in the new sawdust soil, ani last of all in the coniferous soil. The oats followed the barley in point of time of meturity, and in the s:ane rotation us to tne soils. the wneat was a little lonser than either of the other grains in maturing, but followel the same rotation in time in the different soils. Root Systems. the roots of these three grain rilants in the coniferous soil were nlike coarse, large and few in numoor. In the Palouse soil tne roots of all were finc, srall and nNuMETOUS « The color of the roots was tne same in ell of the four soils. For further account of the berley plants see descrintion of Plates Nose XXIV and XXV, parses 94 and 95. For oats and wheat plants sec description of Plates Nos. XXVI and XXVII, vages 97 and 98. TH CORN(Zea mays).--The corn was planted also on December ll, 1909. Six ineh pots filled with the four soils were used. The seed germinated and the plants showed the mselvcs January 2, 1910. fhe secd would have serminated, probably, somewhat earlicr had it been subjected to greater he &t e Wo difference was shown in this first process in the diffcrent soils. the seed not only came up in all the soils at the same time, Lut the first growth of the plants differed little. The plants were thinned out to three stocks to each pot. For some time afterward the growth in the different soils continued tne sme. When three wecks 38 had passed, however, a marked difference mainfested itself between the plants in the Palouse soil and those in the other three soils. The ratio of growth in these three remaining soils differed also. The plants in the old Sawdust soil making th: next best progress to those in the Palouse soil, those in the coniferous soil coming third in order of growth and in the new sawdust soil fourth. Root Systems. The roots of the plants in the Palouse soil were much finer, smaller and more numerous than the roots in the Old sawdust or coniferous soils. In the old sawdust, coniferous ,and new sawdust soils,the roots were very mich alike. For more detailed description of the corm plant growth and the effect of the differant soils see Plate No. XVII, page 85. THE ALFALFA AND WHITE CLOVER(Madicago sativa, Trifolium repens).--For the cxperiments with these two leguminous plants six inch pots were again used. The secds were sown into the four soils December 11, 1909. Both kinds of seed germinated seven days after they were sown, the plants appearing above ground in all soils alike, December 18, 1909. With one excention the plants showed little or no difference in point of growth in any of the four soils. The alfalfa plants were a little less vigorous in the econiforous soil than in the other three soilse 396 Root Systems. The root s:stems of both the alfalfa and the white clover showed that in all of the four soils that nitrogen ig fixed from the sir by the nitrogen fixing nodulcs. In both kinds of plants the nodules were more numerous and larger on tne roots in the coniferous soil than on those growing in the other three soils. the roots of the plants in the coniferous and old sawdust soil were lerger and coarser than those of the plants in the other two soils. For further details soe deseriptions of Plates Nos. XV and XVI, pages 8¢ and 85. TL) PIELD VETCH(Vivia sativa).--In the exverime nt with the field vetch the same procedure was fcllowed as that used in planting the field pea and the hairy vetch. The same time for germination was required for the seed of the field veteh as was notei in the field pea about seven days. The subsequent growth like that of the field poa did not vary greatly in the different soils, though it secmed to be Slightly better in tho coniferous soil. The root systens were the same as those observed in the ficld pea. See Plate No. XIII, page 79 and desoription. THE CABBAGE AND PARSNIP(Brassica oleracea and Pastinaca sativa).--The secds of the Cabbare and parsnip were scwn into the four soils, December 11, 1909. six inch pots as usual, received the seed, in the different soils with 40. which they were fillcd. In each pot the seeds gfserminated in nine days. liany plants appeared, but they were thinned to five in each soil. These continued to grow with more or less vigor in all of the soils. The relative :trogress was about tho same in both vegetables. Both made the best growth in the Palouse soil. The old sawdust soil proved to be second in its adaptability to the developmnt of thcse plants, the new sawdust third, and the coniferous fourth. This ratio continned throughout the growth of the pliants until the end of the experiment. The root systems of the cabbage and parsnip as preduced in the experirents are fiven in the desecrirtions of Plates Nose X®XYIT and XYNITI, pazes 1¢6-1 and Plates ose XXXIV and XXXV, yages 109 and 110. CELERY(Apium graveolens).--The seeds of the celery were sown under conditions like those to which the sceads of the Alfalfa were subjected, and the sowing was similar in manner to that of the letter. The date of the sowing was December ll, 1909. The process of germination was very Slow. liore than a month rassed before any of the celcry plants apnearede The germination of tne seeds, however, took vlace at about the same time in all of the four soils, January 14, 1910. The plants were not thinned out. Their after growth showed some variation in the difierent soils. Again, the Palouse soil produced the most vigorous plants, while the 4l. old sawdust soil again ranked second in respect to the growth of the plants. The third best plants were developed in the coniferous soil. The new sawdust soil grew the poorest of the celery plants. In the old sawdust and coniferous soils the color of the plants was of a darker freen than that of the plants in the Palouse and new sawdust soils. Root Systemse The roots of the plants in the Palouse soil were short, fine, and slender, wut numerous. The plants in the coniferous and cold sawdust soils hed few roots and these were long and coarse or large. The roots of the plants in the new sawdust soil were of medium size, yet ratner lar:e than small, but were few in number. The color of tho roots was alike in all, without repurd to the charsecter of the soil. see Plate Wo. XIX, pare 88. THE SQUASH(cucurbita).--The squash sced was plented in the four soils, in six ineh pots, December 11, 1909. A month passed and no plants appeared. As the first seeds failed to germinate a second trial was made January 10, 1910. zne se6éods then planted came up on February 8, 1910. The time requirel for germination was the same in all the four soils. two plants were left in each pot. A considerable variation was skown in the subsequent growth of the plants in tne different soils. The Palouse soil as usuel, took the lead, pre tieing much more viforous plants than trese produced 42. by the other soils. Next to the Palouse soil for the vest growth of the saussh came the new sawdust soil, the old sawdust and coniferous soils ranking third and fourth resvectivelye Root Systense The roots of the plants in the Palouse soil were small, fine and numerous. In the coniferous soil the roots - of the plants were coarse, large, and fewe In ecolor no differcenec was shown in the roots of the plants in the different soils. See Plate No. VIII, page 73. THI; APPLE SEED(Pyrus malus).--The seeds used for the experiment wore taken, in the Fall of the year, from apples raised in the Washington State Collepfe. They were planted in the four different soils, each soil in its own six inch pot, December 11, 1909. The seeds germinated and the first seedlings came up tnrough the soil February 2, 1910. The seeds in the coniferous soil made slightly Letter time in germination than was made by the seeds in the other soils, and in that soil the first seedlings appearcd. In exch pot, after the necessary thinning-out process, four plants were left for growth. The subsequent growth of the little -trees was about the same in all of the four soils. Root Systers. The roots of the apple seedlings in the Palouse soil were small, fine and numerous; in the other three soils they were fewer in number, coarse in texture and meh 43. larger in size. A slight difference in color was snown in the different soils; the roots in the Palouse soil were vellowish in color; the roots in the coniferous soil were dark gray. See Plate No. XIX, page 88. THE STRAWBERRY PLANT(fragaria).--The strawberry plants were taken from the Washington State Colle re orchard on December 16, 1909, and planted into the four soils in six inch pots. The root systems of the four plants were about the same. The plant in the coniferous soil began to grow, putting forth new leaves, February 2, 1910. The plants in tho other soils lagged behind ten days longer. When they began to grow, however, they kept up with the plant in the coniferous soil in all subsequent growth, which was nearly alike in all of the soils. The first runner, however, was put forth by the plant in the Palouse soil. The only other variation in the plants, above ground, was in the color of the leaves which were darker on the plants crowing in the coniferous and old sawdust soils. Root Systems. While the strawberry plants appeared to be so nearly alike, there was a marred difference in the root system of the plant in the Palouse soil and that of the plant in thc coniferous soil. The roots of the plant in the coniferous soil, and also those of the plant in the old sawdust soil, were few, large, and very coarse in texture. The roots of the plant in the Palouse soil were numerous, small, am fine 44. in texture. The roots of the plent in the new sawdust soil resembled those of the plants in the Palouse soil. In the coniferous and old sawlust soils the color of the roots were alike, a dark brown. ‘The roots of the plants in both the Palouse and the new sawdust soils were oi a yellovish color. See Plate, XX, page 89. TI) GERANIUM PLANT(Geraniaceae).--For the experiment with the geranium, plants were taken from three inch pots in which they had been groving and transplanted into six inch pots into which the diffcrent soils, as usual, had been filled. The transnlanting was done December 13, 1909. Plants had bcen selected of as nearly as possible the same Size, and of a like vigor of growth, and of the sam: variety, for planting in each soil. From the beginning to the end of the experiment the plant in the Palouse soil made a much more vigorous growth than was at any time reached ty the plants in the other three soils. In this point of growth the plent in the old sawdust soil was second best, while the plant in the coniferous soil ranked third, and that in the new sawdust soil was last in order of excellence. The foliage of the plants in the Palouse ani new sawdust soils contrasted very strongly with the foliage of the plants in the coniferous and old sawdust soils. In the first two the leaves and stems were very light in color; in the last two the 45. foliage was of a darker freen. she plants in the Palouse and coniferous soils rroduced flowers thut were in all respects perfect. The flowers on the plants in the old sawdust and new sawdust soils were, on the otncer nand, incompletely develoned and imperfect. Root Systems. The same ditfercenees in the root systems in different soils noticed in many of the plants which have been described, were sccn in tne root systems of the peranium plants. The roots of the ;lant in the Palouse soil were fine in texture, small in size, and many in number}; tnose of tne rliants in the coniferous, old sawdust and new sawdust soils were Soarse in texture, larse in size and few in number. ihe color of the rocts as developed in the four soils was in all vory ne ar 1y alike. Sec Plate iloe V, nage 68.- TH! ROSE PLANT(Rosacae).--The rose plants used in the experiment were taken from two ineh pots in which they had been planted as cuttings. They were healthy plants of about eqau&l size and alike in development or growth. They wore nlianted into the four soils, contained the sam sized yvots most commonly used in the investirsation, six inch, December 1b, 1909-6 None of tre plants made a very strong growth during the winter. There was some differencc, however, in tie progress they made in tne different soils; it was observed that the plant in the coniferous soil frew more 46. vigorously than the nlants in tre other soils. The leaves of the pliant in the coniferous soil, moreover, looked healthier ani were of a darker green color tran the leaves of the plants in the Palouse soil, the old Sawdust soil, or the new sawdust soil. Root Systems. The root system of the rose plant in the coniferous soil was very well developed, but the roots were few in number and tnese large in size and cvarse in texture. The root systems of the plants in the other soils consisted of small roots, also few in number, but of a finer type than these devoloped in the coniferous soil. see Plate Noe XXI, pago 91. 43 CONCLUSIONS REACH! D AND RESULTS OBTAINSD. In summing up the results of the exverim nts to determine the value of Yellow Pine or Jack Pine soil for plant growth a few prominent facts become manifest, and it scens most obvious that upon these facts it is proper to base all conclusions. First,the experiments show that plants of the leguminousae family do well in the coniferous evergreen soil. The same plants make good growth also in the old decayod Sawdust soil and in the new sawdust soil. In this connection the peculiar fcature of the lesuminosae family is brought to the front; plants of this family alone are capable of supplying their own nitrogene second, plants which are not capable of supplying their own nitrogen, and which find it necessary to absorb a great deal of nitrogen in satisfactory growth, do not do well in the coniferous soils. These same plants, under the same conditions, thrive in Palouse soil, which soil is specially well-known for its fertility, the possession of a large amount of available plant food. This differenee of growth in the two kinds of soil secms to nrove conclusively that coniferous soils are to a large extent devoid of available nitrogen as a plant food. Third, the experiments showed that the lesuminous 48. plants such as the clovers, locust, peas, vetchos and beans, made as good a growth in the coniferous soil as in the Palouse soil. In some instances the growth of the plants of this family was better in the Yellow pine or coniferous soils than in the Palouse soil. This feet proves trat, nitrogen excercted, all othar plant foods are present in sufficiently available quantities in the evergreen coniferous soil. For illustration of this conelusion see Plate Noe XXIII, page 92. Again these facts find the same strong proof in the results of the study of the root systems of the different plants. Very slisht difference is shown between certain vegetation that builds up its substance in the root, as in the radish, parsnip, carrot, beot and other like root developing plents, and certain other vegetation that makes its greatest and most important growth above ground, as in such vegetables as the cabbage, tomatoes, lettuce and the grains--all great consumers of nitrogen. In these two kinds of vegetation, so notably unlike in the manner of their grewth, where the root system is concerned, the resuits of the experiments prove that nitrogen is lacking in the coniferous Solls, while an abundance of plant food is present in the Palouse soil. The experiments show that the vegetation grown in the old decayed sawdust soil and also that in the coniferous soil was of a darker green color than the vegetation grown 49. in the other soils. This differcnee was due, no doubt, to the humus and the available amount of potash present in the coniferous and old suwdust soils. The speciaily vigorous growth of the trees and the rotatoes, as well as the fine growth of the leguminous plants in these soils may be attributed to the comparatively larger ovantities of potash and to the phosphorie acid present in them. The horticultural trees made as good, if not better growth in the humus soil of the needle leaf or old sawdust, as in the Palouse soil. This fact proves that there is a suffieient amount of vient food in this humus soil for the sustenance and growth of these trees. It proves, moreover, that the lack of nitrogen is of less importance in the growth of fruit trecs than the lack of potash and phosphoric acid, two food elements which are abundant and available in the coniferous soils. These conditions observed in the experi- ments with the horticultural fruit trees, obtuined also in the erowth of forest or landscape gardening trees, maples, oaks, locusts, ashes and others, and the sam conclusions are warranted; treat in their cultivation of growth, the absence of potash and phosphorus in the soil counts for much more than the atsence of nitrogen; and, therefore, that the coniferous soils in which these elements are plentiful, though nitrogen is wanting, are adapted to the growth of forest as well as fruit trecse 50- For a lcng time it has beon supposed that coniferous soils had in them some poisonous substanees in the form of acids, resin and oils. That idea had not held good in the exneriments followed in this investication. It has been demonstrated that not cnly do trees and other plants wnich require littlé’ or no nitrogen, but rienty of potash and phosphoric acid grow vigorously in the coniferous cvergsreecn soils, but that trces and plants which su;ply their own nitrogen flourish in these soils. ilore tran that, these same trecs and plants able to supply their own nitrogen do as well in the coniferous soil as they do in a soil like the Palouse-rich in tood elements, containing no poisons, and devoid of humus. In Some cases snch trees and plants have done better in the coniferous than in the Palouse soil. there can be no doubt tnat the old saving "Fertility is more than soil" has bLecn abundantly evidenced «nd has gained some strength in tnese experiments. It must be borne in mind, the fact cemnot be exvressed too often or too cmphatieally, that fertility is more than mere abundance of plant food. Fertility takes into consideration humus, climate, wator and tillare. PRACTICAL IPORNTANCKE OF TEE WXPRRIMAN TS. If the conelusions reached throush the results of these exveriments are correet, they cannot fail to be of D1. vast importance in practical application in the great Yorth-west, the Michigan rineriet and in many sections of the North-east, where the forc cts are composed chiefly of evergreen trees. The investigation into the uses of coniferous evergreen soil seoens to have frroved beyond per- adventure its groat latent possibilitics for certain horticultural end agricultural surposese The results of the experincnts offor a solution of the greet, much discussed question, "What profitable use can be ma de of the logged off lands and the cut over lands while the stumps are decaying?" Other careful students have come to similar conclusions, as to the use of thse lands, but froma different standpoint. They have realized that the stumps cannot be removed in any practicable way and suggest that these lands be made of present use for dairying md fruit-raising purposes. In these experiments the soil has been analysed in @ chemical way and it has been found thet gra:ses ani trees can find abundent nourishment in most of these coniferous soils. By the actual growth of all manner of vegetables in those soils under like conditions it has been conclusively proved that grasses, aside from grains and cereals, and fruit trees are, of all vegetation, the best adapted for culture in conifcrous evergreen soils. Dae The chemical analysis of eversreen coniferous soil from many parts of the North-western country and the Kastern and Soutnern pineriet shows tnat the amount of nitrogen available is very small in all cases, wnile the total amount present may still be large enough for crop growth. A general tnecry, wrich has been held ior a long time and is still believed, is that trees enrich the soil through the falling of their leaves; thet these fallen leaves producing humus, supply nitrogen. — This theory is contradicted, however, in its application to th coniferous snecies of trees. investigation discloses the fact that coniferous trees use up the nitroren as fast as it is produced. Nothing, therefore, can be added by these trees to the soil except what may be given by old or decayed wood . after the land has been logged off. If refuse were allowed to decay slowly on the logged off land, ani if thcre should be no more forest growth or growth of any kind, the land would become rich in nitrogen for future plant growth. In most cases this fortunate ecndition is not permitted. In many places fire sweeps over the land again and again, burning up or destroying the nitrogen. Often water washes the nitrogen to the seas. Not infrequently, a second growth springs up whieh finds nourishment in the decayed or decaying material, and absorbs the nitrogen as fast as it is produced and made available. 53-6 It would seem to be the part of wisdom, therefore to plant these logged-off and cut-over areas in trees which do not require for their growth a large amount of available nitrogen, and in such grasses and forage plants as are able to do without much or any nitrogen that must com from the soil. It has been proved that all plants of the Leguminosae family will do well on all such land if moisture is present in sufficient qantity. The leguminous plants, moreover, will enrich the soil, and never deplete it, and if in later years other crops should be nlanted there, there would be an assurance of an abundant harvest. In the course of years the old stumps will disapyear and in their place the logged-off land, properly used, will be covered with fine fruit trees or meadows of great fertilit;. It may again be repeated that the common belief thet coniferous soil has been made poisonous through the presence of turpentine, pitch, rosin, and similar substances, has long been exploded. ‘The experiments connected with tnis investigation, as has already been said, prove indisputably that leguminous plants grow not only as well, but even better in coniferous soil as in any other under iike climatic conditions. It is safe to predict a great future for these lands 54. and great financial success for men who use them for fruit raising or turn them into dairies large or small. AS a rule thuse coniferous soils are porous enough, and the land they compose is sufficiently well drained to make good fruit farms under favorable climatic conditions. It is true, failures have been reported in respect to the growth of legumes on coniferous soils. The se failures have been for the most part a question of moisture. In some eases the moisture from above has not been sufficient; in others the ground has been left so loose that there could be no capillarity.from below. Newly cleared land containing a large amount of undecayed humus must be packed solid, or plowed deeply that enough sub-soil may be brought up to mix with the top soil and thereby insure capillarity. The chemical analysis of the evergreen coniferous soils showed that they include in thcir composition a sufficient amount of all kinds of plant food. What per cent of these food elements was available for plant food could only be ascertained by actual exnerim nt with e variety of vegetation planted into these soils under like climatic conditions. this exerinent has Leen made, as detailed in tnis thesis, and the fact that cnly asrall per egont of j} lant food in tne coniferous soils is availahle, has been determined. In shert it has been proved, that, with the excei tion of certain grasses, leguminous plants and frvoit trees, coniferous soils do not furnish enough available nient food for plant 55-6 gsrowth, or for the cultivation of crons in general. The exceptions, however, are sufficient to show the great possible value of coniferous soils for agricultural and horticultural purposese The importance of the experiments as snown in the conclusions reached in reference to fruit culture in coniferous soils finds confirmetion in the follwing testimony of Professor L. F. Henderson: -- "There is no doubt that an admixture of pine needles improves the soil for tree growth. I have seen that on my ranch near Moscow, and aguin on my ranch et Hood River. Most perscns have a tneory that raw land into which quanti- ties of nee:iles have been plowed is bad for fruit trees, shows 'too much resin', 'too drying,' ets., but it is all boshe Newly cleared lend at Hood River last vear grew the finest young trees any one had seen, and on my place was no irrigation. It is the same thing on my Moscow ranche It seems that the conseqent addition of humus is just what the young trees want. I have heard of people living in the peach belt of New Jersey going miles to get pine needles with which to enrich their peach orchards." TH! HORTICULTURAL AllD AGRICULTURAL US! OF YOLLOW PIN’ CONIFSROUS SOILS. The results of the experiments to ascertain the use, if any, of the evergreen yellow pine coniferous soils for horticultural and agricultural purposes ray be summed up as follows: First, In all cases whe re the climate and moisture conditions are suitable, trees ani plants which reauire very little immediateiy available nitrogen may be planted and raised successfully in the evergreen coniferous yellow yjine, Jack ani rod pine soils. This promise huving been positively established, the following recommendations may be confidently accertcd and nut into practice: (A)--That fruit trees of all kinds, such as apple, peach, pear, plum, cherry, cuince, and nut trees of various kinds be planted in evergreen coniferous Yellow Pine soils. They may be expected to do well if as has been said, climate and moisture conditions are favorable and a small amount of fertilizer is used. (B)--That evergrcen coniferous soils be made use of tor the culture cf all kinds of berry crops, strawberries, loganberries, raspverries, blackberries, currants and others. These may be grown successfully in eversreen coniferous soils under the favorable coniitions referred to in connoction with 57. the raising of fruit trees in these coils. (C)--That if the locality and situation provide the proper climatde aonditions and the necessary moisture, trees of the leguminosae family and any others so constituted as to be able to supply their own nitrogen, be planted in coniferous yellow pine soils. A specially insistent recommendation may be given for the use cf these soils for those trees which are able to supply their own nitrosen as they will not only be highly aduptavle for cultivation, but will add greatly to the value of the land. That is, they will give back to the soil ingredients for its enrichment, and méke it realy for future ecrops that demand ready or available nitrogen for successful cultivation. »econd, (A)--If climtiec and moisture conditions are suitable tnere is no reason why such plants as the beans, vetches, eclovers, peas and all other forage plants or garden vegetables, belonging to the leguminossae family, should not srow well in coniferous evergreen soil. The experincnts have demonstra- ted the fact that these classes of plants are as well adapted to growth in the coniferous as in the Palouse soile Indeed the burden of proof secms to be that tney are better adapted for growth in the Yellow pine soils than in the Palouse or any other soil. It would be the rrovince of these lezuminous vegetables also, in thut they heave the 58. faculty of absorbing their own nitrogen, to enrich the soil for other future crops of a different nature. (B)--The plants which have little need of available nitrogen,but which cannot flourish without potasn and humus, uch as potatoes, strawberries ,and other berry plants, can be recommended for culture in evergreen coniferous yellow pine soils, vrrovided, as in the case of fruit trees, of berries, and of leguminous trees and plants, climatic conditions are favorable. Third, on the other hand, plants which require a large amount of ready available nitrogen, or plant food, cannot be recommended for cultivation in coniiterous evergreen soils. these vlants inelude the corn, the frains, such as oats, barley and wheat, and nearly 411 nonlcguminous vegetables, or garden plants, such as the tomato, radish, celery, cabbage, lettuce, parsnips, carrots, squash, and otherse These cannot be expected to do well in the econizerous yellow pine soils wnich tne experiments show do not turnish them the amount and kind of vlant food they nced for successful growth. In conelusion, it may be said, that while the investigation has been thorough, and as far as possible exhaustive, it would be presumption to claim from it a complete solution of the question of the practical use of coniferous evergreen soils. Many facts in regard to the behavior of 59-6 a comparatively wide range of plants in tnese soils have becn made clearer, but the question of soil fertility, whether of coniferous yellcoy pine or ote r soils, is too great to be solved by one series of experiments covering but one year, or mrhaps even by repeated exnerinents involving the labor of many yearse The absolute value of these soils for fruit production alone derends an investigation direeted snccifically to that branch of the subject, and if undertaken, will require the study, observation and experience of years for the full and satisfactory solution of the auestion of the horticultural use of coniferous evorgreen pine soils. It is hoved thet at some future time tnis thesis, which has dealt with the subject in a somewh:t general way may be followed by another, covering the results of an investigation of the value of coniferous evergreen soils for the specific purpose of fruit production. aN 7 / od 1 / / . / “ t /? f y > ¢ art t. , a io a . ' _ a“ < / fo ‘ L 60. GEUMRAL DESCRIPTION OF THe PLATS. In the dessriptions of the growth of the trees, it is granted that the first growth of the leaves and part of the stems may have come from the stored up food, yt later growth shows tne influence of the different soils. DESCRIPTION OF PLAT! NO. le Hard Maple (Acer saeccharum). The illustration elearly shows that the tree in pot Noe 2 is the most vigorous. The leafare on it is heavy, while on the contrary, the tree in pot No. 1 in the Palouse soil, has developed very few leavas. The tree in pot No. 2 , in the econiforcus soil, has also produced a number of young shootse The tree in tne Palouse soil has developed © but one shoot. Tne leaves of the treo in the Palouse soil, | | it will be seen, are larger than the leaves on the tree in | the coniferous soil. Tne reason for this difference in tre Size of the leaves may no doubt be sufficicntly accounted for by the fact that the rrowth in the one tree is confined to one snoot, while in tne other it is distributed among many shootse 62. PLATE NO. 1---MAPLi. Palouse Soil Woes is Coniferous Soil No. 2&. DESCRIPTION OF PLATES NOS. & and J. Tho Pear (Pyrus communis). The Apple(Pyrus malus). The pear tree in tne coniferous soil, pot Noe @, shows a slight tendency toward the development of larger number of leeves, otherwise the two trees have made an equal growth in their ditferent soils. The apple tree, as illustrated in Plate No. 3, reached a greater heicht in the coniferous soil, pot Hoe 2, but its com:anion in the Palouse soil attained a greater amount of leef surface. Otherwise, the two trees display little difference in devolopment in the two soils. 64. 2---PAR. yy 0 e cy i A d PL: Le z Soil WO« Soil Wo. Palouse Coniforous PLATS OQ. 3---APPt» Palouse SO0il No. l. Coniferous Soil Wo. 2. 66. DESCRIPTION OF PLATS OS. 4 and 5- The Currants (Ribes). The Geraniums (Geraniaceae). Plate lo. 4 illustrates the growth made by the currant plants in the two soils. The plant in the Palouse soil, pot No. 1, made a somewhat better growth in height tha was made by tre plant in the coniferous soil. Tne plant in the latter soil, however, as may be noted in the illustration, is more bushy. These differenecs which abou equalize each other, may be said to indicate an equality of growth in the two soils. Plate No. 5 shows the geranium as frown in the fou soils. A flance at the illustration is sufficient to shor the great superiority of the srowth made by the plant in the Palouse soil, pot Woe le This will be made more emphatic when it is remembered that the four plants were of the seme height and variety when planted, on the sam date, and that they were developed under like moisture and elimatic econditionsSe 67. PLATE NO. 4---CURRANTS. — 4 | oT a | Palouse Soil Noe le Coniferous Soil No. 2. 68. PLATS NO. 5---GERANIUMS ._ Palouse Soil No. l. Coniferous Soil No. 2. Old Sawdust Soil No.3. Jew Sawdust Soil No.4. ~ 69-6 DASCRIPTION OF PLATAS Nos- 6 and 7. Tomato from seed (Sycopersicum esculentum). Locust seedlings (Robinia pseudacacia). The illustration ani comparison of the plants pietured show plainly thet the Palouse soil is well adapted to the growth of the tomto. The vlant in pot Noe 1, in the Palouse soil, has reached nearly twice the height of the plant in pot Woe 2, in the old sawdust soil. The plant in the old sawdust soil, howevor, has made a fair growth, but the plants in tho coniferous and new sawdust soils, pots Nose 3 and 4 secm to show egonclusively that these soils are not suited to tom to culture. The locust in the Palouse soil, as shcwn in pot Noe l,grow taller than its mate planted in tne coniferous Soll, pot Woe 2. The latter plant produced more branches and was bushier, than the nlant in the Palouse soil. Otherwise the growth of the two trecs, aS can te seen in Plate 7 was much the same. 706 PLATE WO. 6---TOMATO---FROM SEED. Palouse Soil No. le Old Sawdust Soil Hoe 2. Coniferous Soil No. 3. New Sawdust Soil IIoe 4. 71. PLATE NO. 7---LOCUST SSDLINGS. Palouse Soil Noe le Coniferous Soil Noe 2. Tae DISCRIPTION OF PLATES NOS. 8 and 9. The Squash (Cucurbita) The Anple Seedlings (Pyrus malus) The growth of the squash in the Palouse and old sawdust soils, pots Noe 1 and lio-e 2, is seen to be about the Same « The plants in the new sawdust soil and in the coniferous soil, pots Wos- 3 and 4, are paired in like manne: or show about equal growth. The leaves are alike with the exception of those on the plant in tne old sawdust soil, pot Wo. 2, which are shown to be a little larger than those on the plants in pots Nos. 1, 3 and 4. The growth of the apple seedlings, as pictured in Plate 9, has vory little variation in the four soils. Dot Noe 1, shows that the plent in the Palouse soil reached a slightly better growth in height. 736 PLATE NO. 8---SQUASH. Palouse Soil No. l. Old Sawdust Soil No. 2. New Sawdust Soil Noe 3. Coniferous Soil lo. 4. PLA nv J No. Palouse Old Sawdust Soil Noe 2. Yew Sewdust Soil No. 3. Coniferous Soil Noe 4. 9---APPLE SEEDLINGS. Soil Noe l. 756 DESCRIPTION OF PLATS NOS. 11 and le. Tomato Plants (Lycopersicum esculentum) Potato Seed (Solanum tuberosum) The tomato plant in pot lo. 1, Palouse soil, shows the best growthe Not far behind it in growth, as illustrate is the plant in pot Noe 2, troduced in the old sawdust soil. The other two plants, in pots 3 and 4, give evidence of smali growth, by comparison, sinea all were of equal height when they were planted. The potato plant in pot ioe. 1 is the hishest of the four plants,vyet not much higner than the plent in rot ioe e. athe vlants in jots ioe 3B ani 4 show thicker stalks then those in pots Woe 1 am No. 2. the differences seem, however, to balance each other, end the nlants, as ean be cleerly seer in tne illustration, are in a thrifty growing condition. 766 PLA ZG 20-2 L1---TOMADO PLAVUTS. Palouse Soil No. le Old Yaviust Soil "oe 2. ew Sawdus t DOLL Noe 3. Coniferous DOLil Hoe 46 77-6 PLAT? WO. 12---POTATO. Palouse Soil Wo. l. Old Sawdust Soil Noe 2. lew Sawdust Soil No. 3. Coniferous Soil No. 4. 786 DNSCRIPTION OF PLATSS NOS. 13 and 14. The Field Vetehn (Vicia sativa) The Field Pea (Pisum sativum) The vetch in pot Noe 1, which was grown in econiferc soil, displays a fine growth including the development of a large number of pods. The plants in rots Noe 3 and No. 4, grown in Palouse and new sawdust soil, are about equal in Size The plant in pot Noe 2, grown in old sawdust soil, is the smallest of the four plants, and shows very few pods. The ficld vetech in the coniferous soil, in pot No. 4, represents the most vigorous growth made by the four plants in tne different soils. The illustration, however, shows but little variation in growth in the difierent soils. 796 PLATE WO. 13---FIELD VETCH. Coniferous Soil No. l. 01d SawdustSoil No. 2. Palouse Soil lo. 3. New SawdustSoil No. 4. 80. PLATE NO. 14---FIFLD PEA. Palouse Soil No. l. Old Sawdus t Soil No. 2. New Sawdust Soil No. 3. Coniferous Soil Ilo. 4. Bl. DESCRIPTION OF PLATES NOS. 15 and 16-6 Alfalfa (Medicage sativa) White Clover (Trifolium repens) The alfalfa in the coniferous soil did not do as well as was expected of a leguminous plant which gathers its own nitrogen. The reason for its failure to make as good a growth in that soil as in the other three soils is difficul! to explain. The plants in the Palouse, old sawdust, and new sawdust soils, shown in pots Nose 1, 2 and 3, by their apparently equal growth demonstrate a like suitability of these soils for alfalfa culture. The white clover, as Plate 16 shows, did equally well in all of the four soils. It may be more strictly true to say that the plants in the new sawdust soil were a little less vigorous than the plants in the other three soils but the difference would scarcely attract notice. 82. PLATE NO. 15---ALFALFA. alouse ~ Soil Yoo le Old Sawdust Soil Noe 2. New Sawdust Soil No. 3. Coniferous Soil Noe 4. 83. PLATS NO. 16---WHITE CLOVER. _ Palouse soil Old Sawdust Soil No. 2. New Sawdust Soil No. 3. Coniferous Soil Noe 4. 84-6 DESCRIPTION OF PLATES 0S. 17 ana 18. The Corn (Zea mays) The Hairy Vetch (Vicia sativa) The corn plants made the made vigorous growth in the Palouse soil, pot Noe l. The plants in the coniferous soil, pot Noe 4, did not do well. And the influence of the one-third per cent of coniferous soil is shown in the illustration of the plants grown in pots lose 2 and 3, which meant that there was just that amount less of available food for their growth. The illustration of the vetch are self-explanatory. The plants show the same growth in all the four soils, with possibly a little weight in favor of those in the coniferous and Palouse soils. 88. PLATE NO. 19---CELSRY. Palouse Soil No. l. Old Sawdust Soil Noe. 2. Coniferous Soil No. 3. lew Sawdust Soil Noe 4. 89.6 PLATE NO. 20---STRAWBHRRY. a Palouse * Soil No. le Old Sawdust Soil Noe 2. New Sawdust Soil ilo. 3. Coniferous Soil No. 4. 90. DESCRIPTION OF PLATES HOS. 21 and 23. The Rose (Rosaceae) The Bean (Lezuminosae) The plate males clear the fact that the coniferous soil, used pot 1, is well adapted to rose culture. In tre new sawdust and old sawdust soils the plants are seen to be less vigorous, than the plant in the coniferous soil, althou: their growth is fair. The Palouse soil, used in pot 4, by its soorly develoned plant proves itself, on the contrary, wholly unsuited to the grovth of roses. The bean plants seemed to be in their proper elemer in the Palouse, old sawiust and coniferous soils, as pic turei on Plate oe 23, pots Nose l, 2 and de The nlant in pot 4, on the contrar7, made a slow growth, and its color was of a light, sickly-looking yellow. 91. PLATE NO. 21---ROSI. Coniferous Soil No. l. New Sawdust Soil lo. 2. Old Sawdust Soil lo. 3. Palouse Soil No. 4. 92- PLATE NO. 23---BuAl. Palouse Soil No. l. Old Sawdust Soil No. 2. Coniferous Soil No. 3. New Sawdust Soil No. 4. I~ DUSCRIPTION OF PLATS NOS. 24 and 25-6 Barley (Hordeum). Plate No- 24 shows the relation of the four soils, in respect to their effect upon barley plants, three months after the seed was sown. The plants in the Palouse soil, pot. No. 1, exhibits the best growth. The growth of the plants in the other soils was less and less good in the rotation given in the number ing of the pots; NOe 2, Old sawdust, Hoe 3 new Sawdust, Noe 4 coniferous. Plate Noe 25 was made just as the barley was heading out. The same relation as to the effect of the soils upon the progress of the plents, Shown in the description of Plate 24, continued in the later growth. 94. PLATS NO. 24---BARLEY. . + f \ ‘ a a: oe Ni } = Palouse Soil Noe le Old Sawdust Soil Noe 2. ew Sawdust Soil tlo. 3. Coniferous Soil Wo. 4. 95-6 PLATS 10. 25---BARLAY. _ Palouse Old Sawdus t Tew Sawdust Coniferous Soil Soil Soil Soil Noe Toe lo. Noe 966 DUSCRIPTION OF PLATSS 26 and 27. The Oats (Avena sativa) The Wheat (Triticum vulgare) In the growth and development of the oats the S am relation in respect to soils is manifest as was shown in the culture of the barley. That is, the Palouse soil in promoting growth, ranks first, old sawdust second, new sawix third, and coniferous fourth. Again, the plate shows that in the growth of wheat the Palouse soil brings the best results, and that the other soils follow in rotation, similar to that maintained in the development of the oats and the barley. 97-6 PLATE NO. 26---OATS. Palouse Soil No. l. Old Sawdust Soil lo. 2. New Sawdust Soil lo. 3. Coniferous Soil No. 4. PLATS NO. Palouse Old Sawdust New Sawdust Coniferous 98. 27---WHEAT. Sod Soil Soil Soil Noe TO° MO- TOe le Ze 4. 99. DUSCRIPTION OF PLATS NOS. 28 and 29. The Lettuce (Lactuca sativa). Plate ‘Noe 28 shows the lettuce plants as they gre: in the pots. 40 wery clear idea can be obtained from this plate of the relative size of the plants in the different Soils. IG can be seen to some extent, howcvcer, that the plants in pots 1, & and 3, that is, in the Palouse, old Savdust and new sawdust soils, are much larger than the pla in the coniferous soil, pot Noe 4. The difference is brought out more distinctly in Plate Noe 29, wnith pictures the relative sizes of the lea ani rootse The plant in the Palouse soil, pot 1, has the largest leaves and the greatest amount of roots. These roots are small and fine as distinguished from the roots of the plants in the other soils which are coarser and less nNumés TOUS e 100. PLATS NO. 28---LETTUCE. Palouse Soil Noe le Old Sawdust Soil No. 2. New Sawdust Soil Noe 3. Coniferous Soil No. 4. 101. PLATZ NO. 29---LETTUCH. a Ss ng Palouse Soil Noe le New Sawdust Soil Noe 2. Old Sawdust Soil No. @. Coniferous Soil No. 4. 102. DESCRIPPION OF PLATS NOS. 30 and Jl. The Radish (Raphanus sativus). Plate Noe 30 gives the pnieture of the plants as they appeared in the pots, growing in the different soils. Pot ioe 1 exhiodits the best developed top grow th. The Palouse soil is thus agein shown to be most effective. Th6 seecnd best soil for the top growth of the radish is the new sawduste The two remaining soils vary little in the amount of top growth they developed, es shown in pots Noe 3 and Noe 4. Plate Sl shows the Palouse soil to be first in rank, also for root growth, wnile the new sawdust ranks second, and the other soils are about equal in development of the roots. The roots in the Palouse soil, as usual, are much finer and more numerous than the roots in the other Soils. 103. PLATE NO. 30---RADISH. Palouse Soil No. l. New Sawdust Soil Noe 2. Qld Sawdust Soil Noe 3. Coniferous Soil No. 4. 104. PLATE 0. 31---RADISH. 2 “ _ a a pa, - ) ots Palouse Soil Noe le New Sawdust Soil No. 2. Old Sawiust Soil Noe 3. Coniferous Soil No. 4. 108. MOCRIPTION OF PLATES NOS. 54 and 35. The Parsnip (Pastinaeca sativa). Plate No. 34 is an illustrution of the growth reached by the plants in the different soils, in the four pots, from the time of seedings. Here again, the best development will be observed in the plant in the Palouse sceil. zhe plant in the old sawdust soil ranks second in growth as pictured, while tne plants in the other two soils seem very much alike. In Plate Woe 35 the relative sizes of leaves and root systems of the parsnips in the different soils prove that tho Palouse soil is most favorable for their growth. That is,compared with the plants in the other soils, the leaves of the parsnip in the Palouse soil are larger and its root system in that soil is much better developed, larger and finere 112. PLAT WO. 36---CARROTS. Palouse Soil No. l. Old Sawdust Soil No. 2. New Sawdust Soil No. 3. Coniferous Soil No. 4. 114. DESCRIPTION OF PLATS NOS. 38 and 39. The Beet (Beta vulgaris). The plants of the beot, as exhibited in Plate Toe 38, made about the same top erowth in three of the Soils, the Palouse, the coniferous, and the old sawdust, in pots No. 1, No-e 2, and No. 3. In the new sawdust soil a plant much smaller than any in the other soils was produced, as is shown in tne plate. The root systems of this vegetable as variously developed in the different soils are illustrated in Plate Noe 39. The illustration proves that in the relation of the roots of the beet to the soils the coniferous and old sawdust soils are more favorable than the other two soils for the development of its root system. Tne roots of the plant in the Palouse soil, as shown, are fine and few in numbere 115. PLATS NO. 38---BHET. Palouse Soil No. l. Coniferous Soil Noe 2. Old Sawdust Boil No. 3. New Sawdust Soil No. 4. 116. PLATE NO. 39---BEET. Palouse Soil No. l. Coniferous Soil Ilo. 2. New Sawdust Soil Noe 3. Old Sawdust Soil Woe 4e 117. DESCRIPTION OF PLATSS 0S. 40 and 41. The Blackberry (Rubus villosus). The Raspberry (Rubus strigosus). Plate iloe 40 shows the blackberry grown in two soils, the Palouse, pot loe 1, and tne coniferous, pot Noe Ze In the Palouse soil, as shown in the illustration, the plant made a slightly better growth. Yet tne plant in the coniferous soil, as will be secn, did well, and proved satisfactorily the adaptability of coniferous soil to blackberry culture. the raspberry in the Palouse soil, it will be noticed in Plate 41, grew higher than the plent in the coniferous soil. But a comparison of the total growth as shown in the two pots will prove it to be about the same in both. The conclusion that the one soil is about as good as the other for the growth of the rasuberry seems to be fairly reachede 118. \ PLATE NO. 40---BLACKBERRY. aa Pe Palouse Soil Noe le Coniferous Soil No. 2. 119. PLATE WO. 41---RASPBHRRY. Palouse Soil Noe le Coniferous Soil Noe é. 120-6 DESCRIPTION OF PLATES NOS. 42 and 43. The Loganberry (Rubus (?) ). The Potatoes (Solanum tuberosum). Plate Noe 42 represents the loganberry as grown in the Palouse soil and in the coniferous soil. There is | too little differonce between the plants as developed in the two soils, for comparison. The growth is clearly about the same in both pots. The leaves appear somewhat larger on the plant in pot 2, but this may be attributcd to | the better position of its leaves for illustration. The top growth of the potatoes was explained in the description of Plate No. 12. Plate Noe 43 shows the root systems in the diffcrent soils. In the coniferous and old sawdust soils will be seen a large and coarse root system in which very few tubers were developed. In the Palouse and new Sawdust soils, with a much smaller and finer root system, more tubers were produced, as appears in the illustration. 121. PLATE NO. 42---LOGANBURRY. Paw” 1 a” y ia Palouse Soll. Now 2. Coniferous Soil No. 3. PLAT: WO-43---POTATO "5S. f Palouse Soil To. le Old Sawdust Soil Noe Be New Sawdust Soil Noe 3. Coniferous Soil No. 4. lied. BI3BLIOGRAPH Y. SOILS--"Their Properties, Improvement, Management, and the ~roblems of Crop Growing and Crop Feedine."-Charles ‘im. Burkett. SOILS--"How to Handle and Improve Them."S. Wwe Fletcher. An Introduction to the Scientifie Study of the crowth of Cropse Ae De EZalle Phaysie of Acricultiure Minge SOILS Whitney, Tnited States Dopte of Agriculture. aerzuzung der Organisnen Stofte wWOllny. International neyelornedia and iin- eyelopedia Britannica SOILS--Laws Gilbert and Warrington. SOIL--Analysis by the Plant Tollens. Physieal Properties of Soils Warring tone cOils and their Proverties re We Treame The Principals of Agriculture Ue. He. Bailey. Agriculture se Te Rogerse Agriculture Ce Re Jackson. SOILS--"Formation, Proverties, Compostion and Relations to Climate and Plant Growth in Numid and Arid Kesions." fe Te Milgard. AGRICULTURAL AUALYSIS--Lime content of Palouse soil, Calcarous soil or Limestone soil for troe growth. Agricultural Chemistry Agriculture Fertility of the Land ane Scil of the Farm First Principals of Soil Fertility Scientific Examination of Soil Soils and Fertilizers Soils “mneyclopedia of Agriculture ineyelopedia He We. Vileye Alfred Sibson. Storer. I. P. Roberts. Scott and Norton. Vivian. Wahnshafft. snyder. Lyon and Fippin. L. He. Bailey. Nelson-Volume ll. - a bat z a ig ee i nee ee ee iN