^ it’nu'iung anb J^abor. ^ I LIBRARY # I or THt ^ I University of Illinois. | I CLASS. BOOK. . VOLUME. ^ \^"b\^ -^Ir^ I ^ Accession No. | '\ (See pencil marks on / 1 title page) J /WARD BROTHERS,! / PUBLISHERS \ ' BOOK BINDERS \ --—Blank Book Makers ' JACKSONVILLE, ILL. Send for Price List stat- . ing what you have i> to bind. jp^- Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2017 with funding from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Alternates https://archive.org/details/experimentsatlou2281stub Bulletin No. 2. BY WILLIAM C. STUBBS PROFESSOR OF AGRICULTURE IN LOTJZSI^ZST^ AND A. AND M. COLLEGE, Dikector Sugar Experiment Station Issued by Department of Agriculture, T. J. BIKD, Commissioner, BATON KOUGE, LA. 1886. Sugar-Bowl print, 6 Camp st., N. O. Office of Commissioner of Agriculture, \ Baton Kouge, Louisiana. j . The attention of the Farmers and Planters is earnestly invited to the within Bnlletin, prepared at my request by Win. C. Stubbs, Professor of Agriculture in Louisiana State University and A. and M. College, and Director of Sugar Experiment Station. 'L\ J. BIKD, Commissioner. ^30i7 L‘1 3lJir Vit>.;L -2.g Cep, BULLETIN No 2, OF THE Louisiana Sugar Experiment Station. Kenner P. 0., Jan. 20, 1886. A trip tliroiigli tliis State, with time only for a superlieial study of its agriculture, will convince any observant tourist of the small value placed upon manures of every kind by the ave- rage planter. Although Louisiana contains some of the fines^; lauds on the continent, and has within its borders the far-famed alluvial bottoms of the Mississippi river and its outlying bayous, yet her decreasing crops point unmistakably to diminished fertil- ity, and plainly proclaim to the thoughtful planter that, if he would restore the original fertility of his soil, or even maintain its present fruitfulness, he must resort to a judicious practice of manuring. There are no soils so fertile that proper fertilizers will not render them more productive. The maximum fertility, the ^hiltima thule” of soil richness, has never been reached. As well attempt to fill to repletion the exchequer of a miser as to over-fertilize a soil. That it can be improperly fertilized, with a consequent loss or damage to the growing^crop, is well known to every agricultural chemist, but properly compounded manures, well applied, will always increase the productive capacity of a soil. That manures pay best upon the best soils is almost an O 4 Jfr ^ 4 agricultural luaxim, the truth of which is fully realized by every truck grower or gardener. When there is need of nuinure there is surely a loss of money, labor and animal food to permit it to go to waste or even to cultivate without it, when its application would increase the crop several fold. However, to profitably use manures, they should be properly compounded and rightly applied. Losses may sometimes be greater from misuse than from non-use. When wrongly compounded and improperly applied, upon badly prepared or ill-conditioned soils, there is always danger of a loss of crops, to say nothing of the rebouTid of sentiment on the part of the planter. An application of a few well-known scientific facts will correct these faults, and invoke the same intelligence in feeding plants that is now exercised in feeding animals. Only such fertilizers as are adapted to our crops and our soils should be used, and a small outlay of money, time and care will determine these, after the fundamental chemical l)rinciples underlying all fertilizers are understood. Potash, Lime, Magnesia, Phosphoric Acid, Sulphuric Acid and Nitrogen, (Ammonia,) are the ingredients required in quantities by plants. Iron and Chlorine are used in very limited quantities. Small amounts of Silica and Soda suffice for any plant, if indeed they be needed at all. But these (Iron, Chlorine, Silica and Soda,) are found abundantly in all soils. Magnesia is rarely wanting, while Lime and Sulphuric Acid are generally present in quanti- ties sufficient for most crops. If Magnesia is absent it can be cheaply supplied by Kaiuit or Kiserite, both products of the Stassfurth (Prussia) mines. When Lime and Sulphuric Acid are absent, they can easily be supplied, the former by Quick-lime (and on the coast by oyster shells,) and both by Land Plaster or Gyp- sum. Only Nitrogen, Phosphoric Acid and Potash are usually absent from a soil, and it is the object of commercial fertilizers to supply one or more of these ingredients. A soil, however fertile, rarely contains these ingredients in the right proportions and forms for the growth of maximum crops. Per contra, no soil capable ot growing vegetation of any kind is usually devoid of any of them, for every plant requires them for growth and devel- 5 opmeut, But ditt'creut soils aad didereut croi)s require tUeiu iu different proportions and forms, hence the adaptability of certain crops to certain soils, and the efficacy of rotation of crops upon all soils. A soil may require large doses of Nitrogen to grow small grain, and yet produce a fair crop of cotton without manure. Again some plants have greater feeding capacities than others, and will take their food from aj)parantly insoluble rock imrti- eles and thrive; while other plants, of more delicate organism, require their food in readily assimilable forms, and can live on no other. These ingredients then give value to all manures. Lime, Salt, Gypsum, etc., are often used as fertilizers, but strictly siieakiiig they are not manures i)er se. Their efficacy lies in their power to break down the insoluble compounds, and to render available the material already in the soil. Their use is simply an unnatural method of rapidly exhausting a soil and “enriches the father but impoverishes the son.” H(nV CAN THE NEEDS OF A SOIL BE TOLD Formerly, cheini(;al analysis was relied upon for the solution of this question. It was believed that a chemist could analyse a soil ami xirescribe a remedial manure just as a doctor would diag. nose a disease and j) rescribe the axq)rox)riate medicine. This, unfortunately, is true only to a limited degree. A chemical anal- ysis of a soil will give negative results when they exist, will reveal small amounts of valuable ingredients, and to this extent is exceedingly useful. But should large quantities of x^lant food be found, no chemist can tell you when it will be available. Whether xdants can utilize it in the nextyear, the next decade or the next century, is beyond his ken. Again, by a law of nature, the soluble x^hi^it food of to-day, if not utilized, becomes the insoluble rock of to-morrow, and vice versa. However, a thor- ough chemical investigation of a series of soils whose natural growths and agricultural capacities are known, Avill throw a world of light ux)on the question of proi>er manuring, and a com- Xmrison of the comx)osition of soils of different fertility may sug- gest some treatment by which their x>roductive capacity juay be enhanced. But such an investigation is tedious and limited in 6 its application on account of great diversity of soils found some* times even in the same held. Soil analyses^ valuable though they wlien rightly interpreted by an agricultural chemist, cannot be used alone for telling the needs of our soils. The analyses of plants was next essayed for the purpose of giv- ing us fixed formulas for fertilizers. It was claimed that if the entire crop grown u'pon an acre be. analysed and exact amounts of each ingredient entering into its composition be determined, then formulas, containing these ingredients, in like quantities and proportions, can be prepared specially suitable for this crop. In this way tables of great value, computed from the results in the laboratory, have been given for each crop. Manures for each crop thus manipulated are ottered for sale in many parts of the country. We can obtain a ‘‘corn fertilizer,” “wheat fertili- zer,” “tobacco fertilizer,” and even an “orange manure.” This method of manuring tells us what each plant needs, but it utterly ignores the capacity of our soils and the feeding capacities of ])lants. Experiments in the field and analyses in the laboratory concur in the following testimony, viz., that ditterent soils fur- nish unequal amounts of plant food, and ditterent plants possess unlike capacities for extracting this food. The latter is well known to sugar ittauters. Sugar cane will not thrive upon thin land j cow peas will. Turn in a growth of the latter, either green or after it has decayed, and now the soil will support a healthy crop of cane. The pea gets Nitrogen while the cane will fail for the want ot it. Nitrogenous manures are everywhere used for cereals, while they have little or no ettect on peas, and this, too^ notwithstanding the fact that the pea contains far more Nitrogen than any of the cereals. Peas, with their long deep tap roots, are gross feeders, extracting their food from great depths, while cereals, with their fibrous rootlets delicately organized, must find their food ready formed in the upper layers of the soil. This example shows that an analysis of a green crop does not even show the exact quantities of fertilizing ingredients wdiich will best help its growth. 7 Formulas for each class of plauts have also become popular* These are based upou known botanical and chemical relations of plauts, and each class is assigned according to its predominant ingredient. The celebrated agricultural ciieinist, Ville, has thus divided plants, assigned formulas to classes of plants rather than to individuals This system of manuring, when all the foctors of growth and character of soils are unknown, is to be commended. But it, too, ignores the food which the soil can furnish, and assigns to the latter the German definition as simply a recepta- cle for manure. It overlooks the fact that, under proper cultiva- tion, the soil may furnish many of the necessary ingredients con- tained in the formula. It treats too, all soils alike, forgetful of the fact that they vary in composition according to origin. When from feldspathic granite. Potash predominates ; if from animal origin. Lime and perhaps Phosphoric Acid may abound? if of alluvial formation. Nitrogen may be excessive. Again these valuable ingredients are held in every soil in difierent pro- portions, and, sooner or later, even our richest soils, under constant cultivation, will be so depicted of oneor more valuable ingredients as to check the growth of large crops, while the others may be present in quantity and in readily available forms. Then it is jnanifestly right to apply to these soils a manure containing only the exhausted ingredients. To apply to them a com])lete manure, containing all the ingredients of plant food, would most assuredly be a profiigate waste. This system of manuring loses sight of the natural strength of a soil and applies manure solely with a view of the needs of the plant. Fortunately the latter, for most of our crops, is quite well determined, but the former can only be determined by EXPERIMENTS. Hence the popularity of Experiment Stations, where various crops can be subjected to the crucial soil tests under proper care and system. Only by actual experiments in the field can the wants of our soils be made manifest. Soils vary greatly in com- position, therefore we should be slow in accepting the results made on one kind of soil as applicable to another, and here 8 comes in one of tbe grent values of soil analyses. A simple com parison of the analyses of two soils, (the physical i)roperties being equal.) will at once show whether field results obtained on the one will be applicable to the other. There is then a necessity for individual experimentation. Every farmer or planter shou d conduct yearly a series of exi)eriments upon his crops for himself, results of which, if rightly obtained and interpreted, will be of incalculable benefit. It would ultimately redound to his pecuni- ary benefit, besides cultivating his powers of observation and reflection, and making him a philosopher and student as well as farmer. Could a series of carefully conducted, inexpensive experiments be yearly made by all our farmers and results carefully reported and compared, an immense sum would be added to agri- cultural knowledge, and thousands of dollars annually contribu- ted to the general prosperity of the country by the discriminate use of fertilizers. We trust that a spirit of experimentation will soon be exhibited by our farmers and planters, and that the State of Louisiana will, ere long, be found in the fore-front of the States battling for agricultural jirogress. To assist those willing to undertake l)rivate experiments, directions are given under each crop, and it is earnestly desired that as many as possible will make these field tests and report results to this Department. These results will be tabulated and published in pamphlet form. COMMERCIAL FERTILIZERS. The ingredients which give value to all commercial fertilizers are, 1st, Nitrogen, (Ammonia j) Ud, Phosphoric Acid ; 3d, Potash. A fertilizer may contain one, two, or all of these ingredients. When all are present, the compound is usually styled a ^^compleie manure.” When only one or two are present, it is a ^^partial manure.” PARTIAL MANURES may consist of, (1,) Nitrogen, (Ammonia,) alone ; (2,) Phosphoric Acid alone; (3,) Potash alone; (4,) Nitrogen, (Ammonia,) and Phosphoric Acid ; (5,) Phosphoric Acid and Potash ; (fi,) Nitro- gen, (Ammonia,) and Potash. No. 6 is rarely found in Southern markets; the others are common wares. 9 (1.) NITROGEN MANURES. Nitrogen is the most eostly ingredient in manures. It is offered to the trade in three forms : Mineral Nitrogen — in Nitrate of Soda and Sulphate of Ammo nia. Z)— Animal Nitrogen — in Dried Blood, Tankage, Azotin, Ammo- nite, Fish Scraps and Leather. c — Vegetable Nitrogen — in Cotton Seed, Cotton Seed Meal, Lin- seed Meal, Castor Pomace and Peat. Blood, Tankage, Fish Scraps and Oil Meals are highly active fertilizers, while Leather and Peat are slowly available. The result of the decomposition of organic forms of Nitrogen is either Ammonia oT Nitric Acid ; fourteen parts of Nitrogen yielding seventeen parts of Ammonia, or twenty-eight parts of Nitrogen forming, by nitrification, one hundred and eight parts of Nitric Acid. The mineral forms of Nitrogen are highly prized in the North and England, but in the South, on account of the ease with which they are washed from the soil, they should be used with great care. Cotton seed meal contains, besides Nitrogen, small amounts of Phosphoric Acid and Potash. A fair sample of meal, free from hulls, should yield 7 per cent Nitrogen, 3 per cent Phosphoric Acid and 2 per cent Potash. This is a cheap source of Nitrogen, and experiments have demonstrated that it is perhaps the best form for Southern agriculture. In buying it, however, caution is necessary to see that it is well decorticated, i e, free from hulls. Samples containing 30 per cent of hulls have recently been found on the market. (2) PHOSPHORIC ACID MANURES. These are generally phosphatic rocks treated with Sulphuric Acid. Sometimes pure bones or bone black, or bone ash, are treated with the same acid and the resulting mixture styled Dis- solved Bones or Superphosphates. When made from phosphatic rock, bone black or bone ash, they contain only Phosphoric Acid. When pure bones are used, 3 to 5 per cent of Ammonia is also found. These phosphatic manures usually contain their Phos- plioric Acid in different forms. Some of it is readily soluble in water and is liigldy available as plant food ; some of it is soluble oidy in acids, and is, therefore, only slowly, it at all, available to plants, while another portion is intermediate in solubility between the water soluble and the acid soluble. The chemist uses Citrate of Ammonia to dissolve this form, and hence it is denominated as Citrate Soluble Phos- phoric Acid. It is believed by many that this form of Phosphoric Acid has resulted from a chemical action of the water soluble upon the acid soluble, and hence it is often called ^ffeverted,” ‘^reduced,” etc. The water soluble is readily avail- able oil all soils and by alljhants; the citrate soluble in soils con- taining vegetable matter is believed to be available to many plants, while the acid soluble is immediately useful only to certain plants and ui)on certain soils. The water soluble and citrate sol- uble are usually taken together and called Available Phosphoric Acid. In buying Phosphatic manures, preference should be given, hist, to the water soluble, then to the citrate soluble. If there is much Acid Soluble Phosphoric Acid present, iucpiiry should be at once made as to its origin, for the Insoluble Phos’ phoric Acid from bones is more easily transferred into plant food than that from rock. These three forms of Phosphoric Acid are usually called ‘‘soluble,” “reduced” and “insoluble.” (3) POTASH MANURES. These are now obtained almost exclusively from Leopolshall and Stassfurth, Germany, and are largely sold in this cxnintry as (a) Kainite, which is a crude product of the mines and consists of Potash, Magnesia, Soda, Sulphuric Acid and Chhuine. This form of Potash is now extensively used in the South, either in the com[)ost of stable manure, cotton seed and Acid Phosphate, or mixed with Acid Phosphate and cotton seed meal to form a complete manure. Whether our soils need Potash can only be determined experimentally. After careful e'iperimentation the right quantities can be easily determined. It is a cheap and au excellent source of Potash. II (b) Snlpliate of Potasli, a refined product containing a large amount of Potash in a very desirable form, is extensively used iii some countries upon (certain crops, notably tobacco and Irish ])otatoes. This form is rarely used in the South, though experi- ments with it upon sugar cane are very desirable. (cj Muriate of Potash, another refined product containing a large percentage of Potash, This salt furnishes Potash in the chea[)est form. (4) NITROGEN AND RIIOSPIIORIC AOID. Formerly bones, treated with Sulphuric Acid, were fre- (piently found upon our markets ; recently, however, I'otash^ in some form, has always been added to them. Whether this addi- tion has been made by the demands of the soil or by the inclina- tions of the manufacturers, is yet to be determined. Potash is the cheapest ingredient in fertilizers and any demand for it is readily met. At present we find on our markets a manure of this class which is being extensively used under sugar cane, viz : Tanhi(je. This is a variable goods, containing usually from 5 to 12 per cent of Nitrogen and from 0 to 20 per cent Phosphoric A(ad. The .latter is in the insoluble form, but, being of animal origin, upon certain soils are readily available. (5) PHOSPHORIC ACID AND POTASH. To make acid phosphates suitable for composting, many dealers have recently added Potash. This addition necessarily lowers the percentage of Phosphoric Acid. Manufacturers in and around Charleston have adopted the custom of calling this class of goods ^‘Acid Phosphates,” and those which contain no Potash, ^‘Dissolved Bones.” These are extensively used for the compost of stable manure and cotton seed. (^(1) NITROGEN AND POTASH. The great and crying want of Southern soils is Phosphoric Acid ; hence no manure without it has hitherto met with favor. Accordingly this class of manures are wanting in the South. COMPLETE MANURES, are those which contain Nitrogen, Phosphoric Acid and Potash. For different croi)S these ingredients should exist in different pro- portions. They will be discussed for each crop in its a[)propriate place. Before [lurchasing any fertilizer, the farmer should study well the wants of his soil and his crop, and buy accordingly. 12 Before buying, get from the dealers replies to the following questions : How much Water Soluble Phosphoric Acid do you guarantee? How much Citrate Soluble Phosphoric Acid do you guarantee? How much Ammonia do you guarantee ? How much Potash do you guarantee ? In a plain Acid Phosphate at least 12 per cent Available Phos- phoric Acid should be guaranteed. In cane fertilizers, 3 percent Ammonia and 7 per cent Phosphoric Acid, and in cotton fertili- zers 2 per cent Ammonia and 8 per cent Phosphoric Acid should be found. MANURES FOR SUGAR CANE. The chemical composition of cane varies according to the vari- ety cultivated, the soils upon which it is grown and the maturity of the cane. Varieties differ in the percentages of sugar, woody libre, albuminoids and mineral matter, (ash.) Hence the advisa- bility of selecting that variety for seed which shall give a maxi- mum of sugar and a minima of other ingredients. In dry sandy lands and localities, cane is smaller but contains more sugar and woody fibre. In damp, rich soils it is gorged with humidity, has less crystallizable and more invert sugar, and is slower in matu- ring. It is well known that maturity of crop increases saccha- rose and diminishes glucose. Again, ylant cane contains less woody fibre than stubble cane. It may, however, be assumed, without much error, that 100 pounds of Louisiana cane contain 75 per cent of water, 10 per cent woody fibre, 14 per cent Sugars, .5 per cent Albuminoids and .5 per cent mineral matter, (Ash.) The top and leaves, which constitute about 30 percent of the cane gathered, may be estimated to consist in every one hundred parts of 77 per cent of water, 8 per cent woody fibre, 12.25 per cent Sugars and other Carbohydrates, 1 per cent Albuminoids and 1.75 i)er cent mineral matter, (Ash.) A crop of 25 tons of cane will therefore remove from the soil the following: 37,500 lbs Water. 5.000 lbs Wood}^ Fibre. 7.000 lbs Sugar. 13 250 lbs Albuminoids. 250 lbs Mineral Matter, (Ash.) With this crop there would be grown tons of tops and leaves containing: 11,550 lbs. Water. 1,200 lbs. Woody Fibre. 1,838 lbs. Sugars and Carbohydrates. 150 lbs. Albuminoids. 262 lbs. Mineral Matter, (Ash.) Only the Albuminoids and Mineral matter have to be supplied in manures, the other substances being fortunately abundantly furnished by air and water. Since Albuminoids contain, on an average, 16 per cent Nitrogen, the 25 tons of cane would contain, of this element, 40 lbs., and the tops and leaves, 24 lbs. The ashes of cane and of tops and leaves contain the fol- lowing composition : ASHES OF CANE. ASHES OF TOPS AND LEAVES. Phosphoric Acid, G.66 per cent. 1.27 per cent. Potash, 9.65 “ 13.40 ‘‘ Lime, 6.44 “ 9.04 Magnesia, 7.74 ‘‘ 2 72 Silica, 41.50 ‘‘ 62.10 “ Sulphuric Acid \ Iron, Alumina ^ 28,01 “ 11 47 Soda and Chlorine Soils usually furnish the above ingredients in great abun- dance, save Phosphoric Acid and Potash. The former is nearly everywhere needed in the South, while the latter is rarely want- ing. We find, then, that to grow a crop of 25 tons per acre of cane with its accompanying leaves and tops, there is withdrawn from the soil, of valuable ingredients, about 64 lbs. Nitrogen. 20 lbs. Phosphoric Acid. 60 lbs. Potash. If the tops and leaves are returned to the soil without burn- ing, there is removed in the cane 40 lbs. Nitrogen. 17 lbs. Phosphoric Acid. 24 lbs. Potash. If, however, the tops and leaves are burnt, there is a further loss of 24 lbs. Nitrogen. If possible, the leaves and tops should always be turned under and never burnt, as in the latter case there is a loss per acre of Nitrogen greater than that contained in 300 lbs, of cotton seed meal. Upon a large plantation, this money loss will be great. Again, by incorporating these leaves with the soil, hnmus is formed, the mechanical effect of which, upon stiff soils, is very beneficial, besides furnishing that ‘•hnatiere which French chemists claim is an indispensable ingredient for the elaboration of sugar. Should the tops and leaves be returned, there must be provided in the manure to reimburse the soil for its expenditure in the making of this cane, 40 lbs. Nitro- gen, IT lbs. Phosphoric Acid and 24 lbs. Potash. It is true, theory would suggest the application of a manure containing these ingre- dients in above proportions, but experience has demonstrated that under the most propitious seasons only a little more than oiie-half of the Nitrogen applied in manure is recovered in the crop, the remain- der either leaching from the soil or is converted into inert forms. As a counterpart or offset to this, it may be assumed that the soil itself can furnish the difference needed. Moreover, if seasons and climate permitted a full maturity of the cane, and the onl}^ object in view was to obtain a large tonnage, this amount of Phosphoric Acid would i^robably suffice. But early maturity and an excess of sugar are the grand objects in view, and to attain them, an excess of Phosphoric Acid must be added. It is now well known that this ingredient in excess, and in an available form, hastens the maturity of all plants, and in sugar -i)roducing plants largely increases the content of sugar. It is claimed that an excess of this acid acts physiologically by causing a rapid translocation of the albuminoids through the plant, a (pdck growth and an early 15 deposition of sugar. In manures, then, for sugar plants, Plios- phorie Acid, in an available form, should largely exist. The pre- vailing custom of using cotton seed meal alone upon cane, and applying it at the time of planting, is strongly condemned by Agricultural Chemists. The tendency of cane manured with meal is to make a large tonnage, poor in sugar, unless the soil already abounds in riiosiihoric Acid, which is rarely the case. Again, the use of any nitrogenous manure alone is attended with loss of Xitrogen, even when distributed with great care and at the proper seasons. Placed alone upon sugar soils in early winter, and sub- jected subseiiuently to the heavy rains which always follow, the loss of Nitrogen must be very great. When properly combined, however, with Phosiihoric Acid and Potash, the loss is trifling. Therefore cotton seed meal should always be mixed thoroughly with Acid Phosphate and Potash before application. The exact proportions in which these substances should be mixed, can only be demonstrated by carefully conducted experiments, which the Station has already instituted. Pendingthese results, the Station must be guarded by the light which it has been able to gather from other sources. The results of held experiments made at the .Vgricnltural Station of St. Denis show tliat the type of manures for cane should contain, at rates of 40 to 70 i)ounds of Nitrogen per acre, and 70 to 85 pounds of Phosphoric Acid in a readily soluble form and 40 to 80 pounds Potash. This would give us as a suitable foianula per acre 000 to 1000 lbs. Cotton Seed Meal. 500 to 000 lbs. Acid Phosphate (14 i)er cent soluble.) 300 to 000 lbs. of Kainite. The Director further recommends that the Nitrogen be given it in three forms, viz. : 1st as Organic Nitrogen, e. g. Cotton Seed Meal or Dried Blood. 2d as Ammonical Nitrogen, e. g. Sulphate of Ammonia, 3d as Nitric Nitrogen, e. g. Nitrate of Soda — using them in the following proportions: 130 to 175 lbs. Sulphate of Ammonia. 85 to 175 lbs. Nitrate of Soda. 120 to 150 lbs. Cotton Seed Meal. 16 Knowing the full value of Cotton Seed Meal as a fertilizer for cane, and fearing the results'of the use of Sulphate of Ammonia and Nitrate of Soda on our Southern soils, the Station hesitates to recommend the above mixture until full trials have been given it. ,It therefore prefers to recommend all the Nitrogen, as Organic Nitrogen, and this as Cotton Seed Meal. M. Georges Ville, Director at Vincennes, indicates the following as proportions to be used on cane : Nitrogen Phosphoric Acid. Potash PLANT CANE. ....20 parts. ...80 ...04 STUBBLE CANE 37 parts. 80 04 “ This would give for plant cane about the following proportion: 500 lbs. Cotton Seed Meal. 500 “ Acid I^hosphate. 700 Kainite. And for stubble cane: 600 lbs. Cotton Seed Meal. 500 “ Acid Phosphate- 700 Kainite. Subsequent experiments demonstrated that the Kainite was excessively and injuriously high, and it was lowered considerably with satisfactory results. The Station feels safe in recommending the following mixture for cane for the present year : 900 lbs. Cotton Seed Meal. 900 lbs. Acid Phosphate, (14 per cent soluble.) 200 lbs. Kainite. If the soil be rich in vegetable matter, the meal may be slightly decreased, and slightly increased upon stubble in thin lands. Strong objections are urged against mixing fertilizers on the plantation, and many planters will not do it. Fortunately for the latter, the manufacturers of fertilizers will mix for them at a small cost. 17 Those preferriug to mix at home can do so easily on rainy days, under shelter, with hoes. EXPERIMENTS, by individual planters, throughout the sugar belt, are earnestly solicited as an invaluable aid to the Station in determining both the needs of the soil and the sugar cane. There is required a small expenditure of money, (which may hereafter save many thousands,) a little well ^directed care, and one acre of land. Surely any sugar planter can afford these. Select an acre of land of uniform fertility, representing as nearly as possible the body of the plantation ; measure off* 210 feet each way ; lay off* 30 rows 7 feet apart, and take 3 rows to each experiment, which will consist of one-tenth of an acre. Open furrows in the midale of each row ; distribute the manure as uniformly as possible along the three rows ; run a flukej immediately^th rough it to incorpo- rate with the soil, then plant cane, cover and bed on it as usual. Keep a record of time of planting, of subsequent workings and seasons. When ready to gather, cut separately the middle row of each experiment and weigh ; multiply by 30 and the weight of cane per acre for each experiment is^known. If 2 )ossihlej select 3 average stalks from each middle row, number them carefully and send to the Station with name and address. They will be ana- lysed at once without cost to the sender. The Station will fur- nish printed blanks to any one undertaking these experiments. These blanks, at end of the season, can be filled up carefully with results and returned to the Station. As soon as they are all received, they will be critically examined, tabulated and pub- lished in a bulletin. By such action each individual planter will learn the needs of his soil and the Station will learn of the needs of the soils of the sugar belt and of cane. Such results will be of incalculable benefit to the sugar interest of the State. 1 append the experiments: Ko. 1 — Nothing. No. 2 — 50 lbs. Cotton Seed Meal. No. 3 — 50 lbs. Acid Phosphate. No. 4—50 lbs. Kainite. 18 No. 5 — NotbiiJg. ^ . ( 50 lbs. Cotton Seed Meal. I 50 lbs. Acid Phosphate. ^ r- ( 50 lbs. Cotton Seed Meal. ‘ ^ 50 lbs. Kaiuite. -vx Q t 50 lbs. Acid Phosphate. 50 lbs. Kainite. ( 50 lbs. Cotton Seed Meal. Ko. 0 } 50 lbs. Acid Phosphate. ( 50 lbs Kainite. No. 10 — Nothing In these experiments, three i)lats are left without manure to test the natural strength of the soil. No. 2 will tell how nitrogenous manures alone answer for cane. No. 3 will answer the same question-relative to Phosphoric Acid. No. 5 the same as to Potash. No. 6 will tell the effect of a combination of Nitrogen and Phos- phoric Acid. No. 7 will answer the same as to Nitrogen and Potash. No. 8 the same as to Phosphoric Acid and Potash. No. 0 will give the results of a combination of all these, or a complete manure. MANURES FOR COTTON. Thanks to the Experiment Stations, and to a large class of progressive farmers in the South, the manurial requirements of cotton are well understood The following formula has been used with excellent resnlts all through the South, viz : 700 lbs. Cotton Seed Meal. 1,100 lbs. Acid Phosphate. 200 lbs. Kainite. This mixture is fully the equal of the best guanos found in our markets, and will cost considerably less. If objection be found to mixing it on the plantation, some of the factories in New Orleans will manipulate it at a small price over cost of mateiials. The above is recommended with the belief, drawn from a large number of experiments, carefnlly conducted by the writer, that cotton seed meal is fully the equal of cotton seed as a source of 19 ^^itrogen. Cotton seed ought never to be used as a fertilizer until its oil, 'which has no fertilizhui value whatever^ is extracted. Every ton of cotton seed yields 35 to 40 gallons of oil, which usually sells at about 30 cents [)er gallon. Therefore, if all the cotton seed, over and above what is required for planting, could be passed through a mill for the extraction of its oil, and the latter turned into money, what a vast wealth would be added annually to the cotton industry which is now buried with the seed. Lin fortunately the present ])rices of all cotton seed pro- ducts are low, and, therefore, but little inducement can be ottered the farmer by the mills to exchange his seed for meal. The seed now used by the mills are purchased outright, and the products rarely return to the farm upon which the seed was grown. This is radically icrony. Cotton, when everything except the lint is returned to the soil, is one of the least exhaust- ing crops, but when the seed are sold to the mills and cattle con- sume the bolls and stalks left in the held, (as is frequently the case,) it rises high in the scale of exhausting crops, and sooner or later the soils upon which it is continuously grown will reach that point of depletion as to cease to yield remunerative returns without the addition of fertilizers. Whenever the seed go to the mills, the meal and hulls, especially the former, should be returned to the farm with proper care. The Southern cotton plan- ter should buy no Nitrogen. The manure from his domestic ani- mals, reinforced by Ir’s cotton seed or cotton seed mea\ (should he sell his seed,) ought to grow all his crops. Under no circum- stances should stable manure or cotton seed be used alone under cotton. For small grain and corn their use is applicable but not advisable. They should both be COMPOSTED with acid i)hosphate. ^^The compost is best manure in the world for cotton,” is a common declaration among intelligent planters of Georgia and A^labama. There is a power in the combination, a strength in the mixture, a ferment in the union which multiplies roots, enlarges foliage and increases the fruit. The compost, pre- 20 pared differeDtly for each crop, not only economises, bat properly and effectually utilizes the waste products of the farm, and in its preparation and use there is developed in the farmer powers of observation and reflection hitherto latent. Complete manures or Guanos should not be purchased until all home resources for manure have been exhausted, and only then wheu its guaranteed constituents are known to be adapted to the soils and crops. Acid Phosphates of a high grade are the best to use in a compost. Below is appended the formula best suited for cotton : 100 bushels Cotton Seed. 100 Stable Manure. 1 ton Acid Phosphate (High Grade. ) It the above is to be used on very sandy lands, one-half ton of Kainite may be advantageously added. Dissolve in water and use the latter to wet the compost. Since the success of a compost depends materially upon the proper manner of preparing it, full directions are here inserted : DIRECTIONS FOR MAKING COMPOST. Take an equal part of the Stable Manure, say ten bushels, and spread it out in a level place, under shelter, to the depth of three inches Sprinkle over it 100 pounds of Acid Phosphate. Next spread over this ten bushels of Cotton Seed, made thoroughly wet. Then another sprinkle of 100 pounds of Acid Phosphate. Continue this rotation till the quantities are exhausted and then cover with a rich earth, from the fence corners, five inches deep. Permit it to remain until ready for use, (four to six weeks will do,) and cut vertically down with a mattock. Mix well and apply from 300 to 1,000 pounds per acre in the drill at the time of planting. Be careful to wet the Cotton Seed thoroughly and buy only a first class Acid Phosphate. EXPERIMENTS It is highly desirable that experiments in cotton and corn be made in different parts of the State. If, therefore, several plant- ers can be induced to try the experiments on either cotton or 21 corn, or both, given under cane, they will be accorded similar favors. It is earnestly hoped that a goodly number will under- take them, and that, in a few years, the planters of Louisiana may apply manures to their soils with the same intelligence as is now exercised by the farmers of Georgia. Any information on this or kindred subjects will be cheerfully giveu upon application. MANURES FOR CORN. Although corn is the cereal crop of the United States, and excels in quantity all others combined, yet its manorial require- ments have not been definitely settled. This is due to the fact that it is grown in all kinds of soil and almost in all latitudes. No plant is susceptible of more difierentiation under cultivation, there being no end to varieties j in size trom the tiny pop corn to the mammoth prolific j in color, from the black Mexican to the purest white, and in hardness from the soft dent to the refractory flint. A similar diversity of opinion re vails as to the composi- tion of the manure best adapted to its growth. Mr. Lawes, of England, placing it among cereals, prescribes Nitrogen in heavy doses. M. Georges Ville, of France, assigns it a jilace among the Phosphoric Acid plants, and recommends for it manures contain- ing a large amount of Acid Phosphate Mr. Harris, in his book, ‘‘Talks on Manures,’^ is inclined to place it among cereals, but mentions some facts which would indicate that its feeding capa- cities are like the pea and clover. Other leading scientific men have given formulas for it, varying largely in cost and in quan- tities of the chief ingredients. Through the instrumentality of Professor W. O. Atwater, ex-director of the Connecticut Experi- ment Station, a large number of experiments were tried all over the eastern part of the United States to test the manurial requirements of corn. In his published “Eeport of Experiments’’ are given the results, which are far from being satisfactory. Of the 80 results reported, Phosphoric Acid was the regulating ingredient in 29, Potash in 12 and Nitrogen in 4. Phosphoric Acid was more or less effective in 84, Potash in 24, Nitrogen in 4. Phosphoric Acid was indifferent, i. e, produced no results^ in 17, Potash in 44 and Nitrogen in 46. 22 Oae positive conclusion can be drawn from these results, viz. : that the soils operated on varied greatly in composition. This con- clusion, however, suggests the propriety of each individual farmer trying experiments upon his own soils. However, in the South, where clean culture has well nigh exhausted our soils of vegetable mat- ter, and where Phosphoric Acid is nearly everywhere wanting, it has been found that both Kitrogeu and Phosphoric Acid are imperitively needed in manures for corn. Accordingly the fol- lowing formulas are recommended : No. 1 No. 2 Cotton Seed Meal 1,000 pounds 1,500 pounds. Acid Phosphate 1,000 500 No. 1 to be used upon soils of moderate fertility, with a fair quan- tity of vegetable matter; and No. 2 upon poor soils destitute of vegetable matter. Instead of above, a compost of 200 bushels Cotton Seed, 200 ‘‘‘‘ Stable Manure, 1 ton Acid Phosphate, prepared as directed under cotton may be used. These formulas have given excellent results on corn, under the direction of the writer. MANURES FOR OATS. The following formulas have given excellent results : 1,500 lbs. Cotton Seed Meal, 500 lbs. Acid Phosphate, or a compost consisting of 300 bushels Cotton Seed, 300 “ Stable Manure, 1 Ton Acid Phosphate, prepared as directed under Cotton. MANURES FOR RICE. If manures of any kind have ever been used on rice, the Sta- tion has failed to notice the results. Judging, however, from its botanical relations, it should require about the same manure as oats with, x^robably, a slight decrease in Cotton Seed Meal. Bulletin No. 3, —OF THE— LOUISIANA .S ugar F xperiment .S tation. WM C STUBBS, Director KENNER, LA., APRIL, 1886 . Sugar-Bowl print, 6 Camp st., N. O. BULLETIN No 3 OF THE Louisiana Sugar Experiment Station, Kenner P. 0., April 1, 1886. In the pause between the planting of the experiments and their after cultivation^ it has been deemed expedient to give a summary of the work of the Station since its organization, Octo- ber, 1885, to date, April 1st. Transforming a small sugar plantation, in poor condition, to the requirements of an Experiment Station, is a huge task, and the successful accomplishment of such an enterprise in a short time requires a combination of good qualities rarely met with in one individual. However, this task has been essayed, and it is for the sugar planters of Louisiana to say, by critical inspection, which they are cordially invited to give it at an early date, how far it has been successful. LABORATORY. A chemical laboratory, fully equipped with all the most improved facilities for rapid and accurate work has been care- fully fitted up, where analyses of all hinds will be made, free of charge^ for all subscribers to the flotation* When time will per* 4 mit, analyses for outsiders will be made at moderate prices. This laboratory has a furnace room, a working room, a weighing room, a i^olariscope room, and a small store room. In the fur- nace room is a two horse boiler, with inspirator and ejector (the latter for elevating water for the filter pumps and general labora- tory uses 5 ) water baths, steam baths, drying chambers, a still and combustion and muffle furnaces. In the work room are all the apparatus used in analyses. In the weighing room are balances made by H. Troemner, of Philadelphia. In the polariscope room are French and German polariscopes, the former with monochro- matic and white light attachments. The entire laboratory is furnished with gas. The work in the laboratory has, up to the present time, been confined almost exclusively to analyses of cane juice and its pro- ducts (results of which will appear in a separate bulletin,) and of various kinds of fertilizers. The analyses of fertilizers will be given later. The Station is also engaged in the analyses of drainage water from plats differently fertilized, to determine the quantity and qualify of the loss of manurial ingredients sustained by the sugar soils of Louisiana by the rain percolating through them. The results so far have been very suggestive and promise in the end valuable instruction. In connection with the laboratory we have a weather bureau, with barometer, rain gauge, maximum, mini- mum, wet and dry bulb thermometers. Three daily observations, at fixed hours, are made and recorded. The results for March are given in Appendix. The Station is indebted to the U. S. Signal Service for the rain gauge and maximum and minimum thermometers. In a few weeks the Station will begin the systematic analyses of all the sugar soils of the State, at which time samples of typical soils, with full instructions how to take them, will be solicited. 5 EXPERIMENTS IN THE FIELD. Before iiistitutiug a regular series of experiments, a large amount of work was uecessary in the way of fencing, drainage and preparation of the soil. The ditches on the Station had been sadly neglected, and the soil was accordingly suffering for want of drainage. Besides digging a large number of open ditches, several acres have been underlaid with tile, using the latter of various sizes and at different depths and distances. Upon these tile drained plats, experiments in cane, to test their value and efficiency, have been planted. There arc now planted at the Station 454 experiments, viz : 30 in oats, 00 in corn, 8 in sorghum and 350 in cane. On my neighbor’s plantation, with his consent and co-operation, the Station has 20 experiments in rice. Exj^eri- ments in peas, both following the oats and in corn, will be made, and the economy of manuring the peas as a purveyor for the cane, instead of manuring the latter, will be scientifically and practically studied. Attention will also be given next fall to grasses with a view of determining those best adapted to the wants of the sugar planter. EXPERIMENTS IN OATS. It was the aim of the Station to plant a plat of oats every month, from October to April, for the purpose of determining the best time, in conjunction with the best manure, for sowing this cereal in South Louisiana. Accordingly, Plat No. 12 of the Station, was broken on 22d and 23d October, manured and planted 27th October, using 2J bushels red rust proof oats to the acre. The oats, on account of a prevailing drouth, were lightly plowed in with one horse plows. PLAT NO. 12— OATS. Experiment No. 1 2 r 30 lbs. cotton seed meal \ 30 “ acid phosphate. ;; 2 f Ihs- cotton seed meal. ''\'20 “ acid phosphate. u n 3115 Ihs- cotton seed meal \ 15 “ acid phosphate. { 6 { 45 lbs. cotton seed meal. 15 “ acid phosphate. 30 “ kainite. { 40 lbs. cotton seed meal. 20 “ acid phosphate. 30 “ kainite. { 30 lbs. cotton seed meal. 30 “ acid phosphate. 30 “ kainite. “ ^ 7 — 30 lbs. cotton seed meal. “ “ 8 — 15 lbs. acid phosphate. “ “ 9 — 15 lbs. kainite. { 30 lbs. cotton seed meal. 15 ‘‘ acid phosphate. 15 “ kainite. “ ‘‘ 11 — Nothing. a ;i 1 .) / 30 lbs. cotton seed meal. “\15 “■ acid phosphate. A good sttiud was secured, which successfully withstood the severe freeze January 8-13th. The plats fertilized with cotton seed meal and acid i)hosphate are, at this date, very fine, the admiration of all who have beheld them. PLAT NO. 3 — OATS. Brokeu with four horse plows, harrowed, manured and planted November 17th at rate 2.4 bushels per acre ; seed, red rust proof, X)lowed in lightly with one horse plows. Stand excellent, growth vigorous until the freeze (8th-13th January,) killed them com- l)letely. Plat re-seeded February 1st and 2d ; 2 bushels to acre ; stand good; condition fair. Little or no effect yet visible from manures. Experiment No. 1 — 50 lbs. cotton seed meal. “ “ 2— Nothing. ^4 .> I 50 lbs. cotton seed meal. « '^\10 “ acid phosphate. u A j 10 lbs. acid phosphate. \20 “ kainite. “ “ 5 — Nothing. 4 4 c f 50 lbs. cotton seed meal. ^{•20 “ kainite. “ “ 7—10 lbs. acid phosphate. '1 JCxpeiiment No. S— Nothing. “ “ 9—20 lbs. kainite. { 50 lbs. cotton seed meal. 10 acid phosphate. 20 “ kainite. “ 11 Nothing. { 50 lbs. cotton seed meal. 10 “ floats. 20 kainite. iLis plat is upon a blacker aud stiffer soil than Plat No. 12. \ PLAT NO. 13— OATS. Broken with two horse plow, harrowed, manured and planted January 30th. Oats (2 bushels to acre) plowed in with one horse plows. Stand excellent 5 growth vigorous. Laud sandier than either Plats 12 or 3. { 25 lbs. cotton seed meal. 25 “ Orchilla phosphate. 12)^ “ kainite. a f 25 lbs. Orchilla. ^ \ 12}'2 “ kainite. — 25 “ Orchilla. { 25 lbs. cotton seed meal. 25 “ Charleston floats. 12)4 “ kainite. ( 25 lbs. Charleston floats. '^\ 12)4 “ kainite. 6—25 “ Charleston floats. Intending to follow oats with peas, this plat has been manured with special reference to the latter, testing how far oats will be benefitted and what the residue will accomplish for peas. Floats aud kainite constituted the^hish element” of the late Dr liaveuel, which in his hands proved such an excellent manure for peas. A valuable conclusion can be drawn from our experience with oats, viz : those sown early enough to have formed a good root developementwere not injured by the freeze^ all others were. Those sown November 17th were killed outright while tlio.se sown Octo- ber 27th were unhurt. u (( a a a a ii, (( 8 EXPEUIMENTS TN CANE May be divided into several classes : 1st — Germination questions; 2d — Physiological questions; 3d — Varieties, and 4th — Manurial requirements. PLAT 0 — CANE. (First — Germination Questions.) This plat was devoted to testing the best part of the cane to plant, as well as the quantity to the row. Accordingly great pains were taken to select stalks of uniform length, which were cut up into short pieces, beginning with the green, immature top. Experiment No. 1 — Planted with green tops usually thrown away. “ “ 2 — 2 joints next to top (green.) “ “ 3 — Next 2 joints (partially green.) u ii 4 a u H a y (4 4 4 4 4 it u 0 “ “ “ 4 4 4 4 J 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 § 4 4 4 4 4 4 “ “ 9 — 2 Butt joints. “ “ 10— Upper thirds of the cane. “ “ 11— Middle “ “ 12- Butt “ “ 13—1 cane with lap. “ “ 14—2 “ “ “ 15—3 “ The severe weather and late spring will probably prevent accurate results. PLAT NO. 11— CANE. (Second — Physiological Questions.) This plat runs east and west, and was selected to try the experiment of orientation, and also the question of suckers. It was manured like several adjacent pieces running north and south. Planted February 18th : Experiment No. 1— Orientation. “ “ 2— All suckers left. “ “ 3 — No suckers left. 4 4 44 4_Only such as covered by plow removed. PLAT NO. 00 — CANE (Third Varieties.) Early in the fall planters throughout the State were requested to send to Station a few selected cane of the different varieties 9 grown by them. The objeet was to test whether, by selection and proper manuriug, an improved variety could not be perma- nently developed. The following have been received : No. 1. 2 . ‘‘ 3. “ 4. “ 5, “ G. “ 7. 8 . ‘‘ 1 ). 10 . “ 11 . ‘‘ 12 . 13. ‘‘ 14. 15. 16. ‘‘ 17. “ 18. “ 10 . Selected red caue, from Ashland plantation, Kenner & Brent. ‘‘ striped Mexican “ “ “ white I^a Pice “ “ “ Japanese, from Tchoupitoulas plantation, Soniat Bros. “ small red, “ “ “ striped, “ “ “ bastard, “ large red, “ large red and striped, from Station, large red. from Cypremort, St. Mary, J. M. Biirguieres. “ yellow ribbon, Port Hickey, W. S. Slaughter & Bros. iv j-ed “ “ “ red, from Baton Rouge, S. Shorten. “ red, from Homestead, Dr. Wm. E. Brickell. ribbon “ ‘‘ Bourbon, from Cuba, D. D. Colcock. red, from Homestead, Dr. Wm. E. Brickell. “ led (tops), “ “ yellow La Pice, from H. A. LeSassier. Tlie other plats of cane were devoted to the mamrial require- ments of cane. PLAT NO 1 — CANE. (Fourth — Manurial Reipiirements.) Land broken October 6-9, with four horse plow; harrowed and planted Oct. 16 and 17. Divided into 28 plats, and lel't to be manured in spring, after cane was up, with same manures as used upon the first 28 experiments in Plat Ko. 2, the object being to test diflerence between fall and spring manuriug upon fall plant cane. The north end of plat No. 1 was broken, harrowed, manured and planted November 30 and December 1-3. Experiment No. 1-28, see Plat No. 2, 1-28. { 32)^ lbs. cotton seed meal, 5 “ acid phosphate. 123^ “ kainite. { 30 lbs. cotton seed meal. “ acid phosphate. 123^ “ kainite. 31 — Nothing. { 25 Ihs. cotton seed meal. 123^ “ acid phosphate, 123^ “ kainite. “ 33 Nothing. 10 { 18% lbs. cotton seed meal. 18% “ acid phosphate. 12% “ kainite. f 15 lbs. cotton seed meal, 35 ■} 22% “ acid phosphate. [12% “ kainite. ri5 lbs. Qotton seerl meal, 3b]30 “ acid phosphate. “ kainite. [18 “ gypsum. rl5 lbs. cotton seed meal. 37^ 25 “ acid phosphate. il5 “ kainite. ‘‘ “38 Nothing. f 50 lbs. lime. .. ,4 j 2'^ “ cotton seed meal. '^^125 “ floats. [12% “ cotton hull ashes. The object of experiments Nos. 29 to 35 is to test the propor- tion of nitrogen to phosphoric acid suitable for cane on black land ; using them from 3 of former to 1 of latter in No. 29, to 1 of former to 3 of Irtter in 35. Nos. 36 and 37 are Ville’s formu- las for cane, modified one with and the other without gypsum. No. 39 was first top dressed with 50 lbs. lime and then treated with rest of formula. This cane was planted during a prevailing drouth and some apprehension exists of danger therefrom. PLAT NO. 2 — CANE. Ground prepared with four horse plow. Harrowed manures put out and cane planted October 19th. Ground very hard. This plat was manured in fall, while a portion of plat No. 1 is intended to be similarly manured in the spring. Experiment No. 1 1 . rio lbs. cotton seed meal. [ 5 “ acid phosphate. 2 ^ “ cotton seed meal. [ 8 % “ acid phosphate. 3 Nothing. r 23% lbs. cotton seed meal. [ 11 % “ acid phosphate. r3o “ cotton seed meal- 5 ^ [15 “ acid phosphate. 1 [30 “ cotton seed meal. 15 “ acid phosphate. 1 [15 “ kainitci 11 Expei’iment No. 7““30 lbs. cotton seed mcftl. “ “ 8 — Nothing. u u q f 15 lbs. acid phospliate. 1 15 “ kaiiiite. ii 10 — 15 “ kaiuite. a u ,, 1 10 cotton seed meal. [5 “ floats. u “ cottonseed meal, i “ floats. u u Ifl — Nothing. (C , . f2ll3^ lbs. cottonseed meal. 111% “ floats. u 4C 1 - j :10 “ cotton seed meal. ^^%15 “ floats. ;; - rflO “ cottonseed meal. I(j|l5 ‘‘ floats. 1 15 “ kainite. u f 80 ‘‘ cotton seed meal. ! 15 “ floats. ‘'ll5 “ kainite. [10 “ gypsum. (( u [IS— Nothing. u u ( 80 lbs. cotton seed meal. 19 15 “ floats. [ 15 ‘‘ cotton hull ashes. i; u 20—15 tankage. i. u 21 — 25 “ tankage. u u 22—35 “ tankage. u i; 23— Nothing. u ■“ 24 — 45 lbs. tankage. i( (( ._f45 “ tankage. “ kainite. i; u i 45 “ tankage. 2G 1 15 “ kainite. ( 10 “ gypsum. a u t 45 “ tankage. 1 15 “ cotton hull ashes. u iC 28 — Nothing. 41 29—85 lbs. cotton seed. ;( 44 0^/85 cotton seed. '^^\15 ‘‘ acid phosphate. (( 4. i 85 cotton seed. 31 \ 15 “ acid phosphate. ( 15 “ kainite. a 44 qo/ 85 ‘‘ cottonseed. ‘*“^(15 “ cotton hull ashes. 4V : 3~Nothing. 12 Experiment No. 34 { *5 lbs. ^ eotton see.l. r85 “ cottonseed. “ “ 35jl5 “ floats. (lO “ gypsum. “ “ 3G — stable manure. “ “ 37 f stable manure. ' \ 15 lbs. acid phosphate. “ “ 38— Nothing. ^ stable manure. “ “ 39 1 15 lbs. acid phosphate. ( 15 “ kainite. it ti iA j stable manure. 1 15 lbs. floats. This plat is coming up quite well, and hopes are entertained of a good stand. SPRING PLANTING. PLATS 4 AND 5 . These plats lie side by side, running north and south, with no visible marks to indicate the one from the other. They are of the same size. No. 5 is tile drained j No. 4 is not. The plats are naturally low, and very stiff and black. Duplicate experiments have been made on each to test the advantage of tile drained over untiled. They were planted on 15th and 10th February. The following are experiments upon each: / { 25 lbs. cotton seed meal. 25 “ acid phosphate. 25 “ kainite. J 25 cotton seed meal. *"(25 acid phosphate. , ‘‘ “ 3 — Nothing. ^ 25 lbs. cotton seed meal. “ “ 4 ; 25 “ Orchilla phosphate. ( 25 “ kainite. r ( “ cotton seed meal. I 25 “ Orchilla phosphate. “ “ G— Nothing. { 25 lbs. cotton seed meal. 25 ‘‘ bone dust. 25 “ kainite. 13 Experiment No. 8 25 “ cotton f?ee(l meal. 25 “ bone dust. “ 9— Nothing f 25 lbs. cotton seed meal. ” 10} 25 “ boats. [25 “ kainite. j 25 “ cotton seed meal. ^25 “ floats. ‘‘ 12 — Nothing. i 25 lbs. cotton seed meal. “ 18 '25 “ ashes cotton hulls. ( 25 “ kainite. .4 1 . i 25 “ cotton seed meal. \25 “ ashes cotton hulls. “ 15— Nothing. “ IG — 25 lbs. cotton seed Meal. “ “ 17 — 25 ‘‘ acid phosphate. . “ “ 18 — 25 “ kainite. In these experiments we have sought to test the value particu- larly of different forms of phosphates with and without kainite, using cotton seed meal as our form of nitrogen in every instance^ NITROGEN MANURES— PLAT 6. This plat is tile drained, the tiles running east and west, while the different forms of nitrogen were applied north and south, so that whatever leaching might occur from each nitrogen group could be caught and analysed. This, to date, has been four times successfully accomplished, results of which will constitute the matter of a seiiarate bulletin. GROUP 1— FORMS OF NITROGEN ALONE. Experiment No. 1 — 5 lbs. nitrate soda. ‘ • “ 2 — 3^ “ sulphate of ammonia. “ 3 — Nothing. “ “ 4 — lbs. dried blood. “ “ 5 — 12 “ cotton seed meal. GROUP 2—NITRATE of SODA. ! 15 lbs. acid phosphate. 4 “ muriate patash. *Mixed minerals. *Mixed minerals in this plat always mean 15 lbs. acid phosphate and 4 lbs. muriate potash. 14 Kxpei'iint^nt ^ j Mixed minerals. ( 5 lbs. nitrate soda, e(pial to ration. “ 8 — Nothing. j Mixed minerals. ^ 1 10 lbs. nitrate soda, equal to % ration. Mixed minerals. ^115 lbs. nitrate soda, equal to full ration. GKOUP 3 — SULPHATE OF AMMONIA. Experiment No. 11 — Mixed minerals. j Mixed minerals. " I 3^^ lbs. sulphate of ammouia, ecpial to ration. “ 13 — Nothing. it Mixed minerals. \ 7}i lbs. sulphate of ammouia, equal to^% ration. .t ti Mixed minerals. { 11)4 11^®* sulphate of ammonia, equal to full ration. GROUP 4 — DRIED BLOOD. Experiment No. IG — Mixed minerals. it it f Mixed minerals. \ 7}i lbs. dried blood, equal to ^ ration. “ “ 18— Nothing. ) Mixed minerals. I 15 lbs. diled blood, equal to % ration, u .. ( Mixed minerals. \ 22)4 dis. dried blood, equal to full ration. GROUP 5 - COTTON SEED MEAL. Experiment No. 21 — Mixed minerals. ) Mixed minerals. i 12 lbs. cotton seed meal, equal to )4 ration. 23 — Nothing. , ( Mixed minerals. 24 lbs. cotton seed meal, equal to % ration. ^ Mixed minerals. (36 lbs. cotton seed meal, equal to full ration. GROUP 6 — FISH SCRAP. Experiment No. 26 — Mixed minerals. ) Mixed minerals. ( 10 lbs. dried tish, erpial to ration. 28 — Nothing. ( Mixed minerals. \20 lbs. dried tish, equal to % ration. ( Mixed minerals. ' ( 30 lbs. dried tish, equal to full ration. 15 OnoUP 7 — MIXED NITROGEN. Experiuieut No. 31 — Mixed iniiiei-als. f Mixed minei-als, ! 1% lbs. nitrate soda. “ sulphate ammonia. L4 “ cotton seed meal. “ “ 33-Notbing. f Mixed minerals. ,4 ... 1 lbs. nitrate soda. I 2)4 “ sulphate ammonia. {S “ cottonseed meal. f Mixed minerals. c< u <>pr 5 o lbs. nitrate soda. ^ “ sulphate ammonia. V e(iual to full ration. [ 12 “ cottonseed meal, j GROUP 8— FORMS OF NITROGEN ALONE. Exi»ej iuicut No. 30 — Fish scrap. “ “ 37— “ “ “ 38 — Nothing. “ “ 39 — Mixed nitrogen. ‘‘ 40 “ ‘‘ lu the above experiments, sueli quantities of each form is taken as to represent equal amounts of nitrogen, and these are taken in I and full rations. Our object is to test the best form and quantity of nitrogen for cane, as well as to test the other ques- tion of loss of these manures by leaching. This plat was planted March 11. PHOSPHORIC ACID MANURES— PLAT 7. The object of rhis'phit is to test the form and quantity of phos- phoric acid best adapted to cane ; using it in a soluble form in dissolved bone black and acid phosphate, in a precipitated form as precipitated bone black and precipitated acid phosphate, and in an insoluble form as bone dust and finely ground Charleston phosphate, called ‘‘floats also in the natural form of Orchilla guano. Beside above we have a group of gypsum, or land plas- ter, to answer how far this substance in every super phosphate may be responsible for its good results This plat was planted February 20th and 22d. C(iual tu % ratiou. \ eiiUal to % ratiou, 4 mixed nitrogen. 16 GROUP 1 — DISSOLVED BONE BLACK. (Phosphoric Acid.) i 18 lbs. cotton seed meal. Experiment No. 1118 “ kainite. f Basal mixture.* u u mixture. \ 6 lbs. dissolved bone black, equal to >3 ration. “ “ 3 — Nothing. u ( Basal mixture. 12 lbs. dissolved bone black, e«[ual to % ration. ( Basal mixture. 18 lbs. dissolved bone black, equal to full ration, GROUP 2 — ACID PHOSPHATE. (Soluble.) Experiment No. (3— Basal mixture. 4; 44 „ j Basal mixture. ^ \6 lbs. acid phosphates, equal to nition. “ ‘‘ 8— Nothing. 44 44 Basal mixture. ( 12 lbs. acid phosphate, equal to % ration. t. u IQ ( Basal mixture. \ 18 lbs. acid phosphate, equal to full ration. GROUP 3— PRECIPITATED BONE RLACK. (Precipitated Phosphoric Acid.) Experiment No. 11— Basal mixture. 44 44 /Basal mixture. (6 lbs. precipitated bone black, equal to 3^3 ration. “ - 13— Nothing. 44 ^4 ...(Basal mixture. 1 12 lbs. precipitated bone black, equal to ration. .4 44 / Basal mixture. \ 18 lbs. precipitated bone black, equal to full ration. GROUP 4— PRECIPITATED ACID PHOSPHATE. (Precipitated Phosphoric Acid.) Experiment No. 16 — Basal mixture. 44 44 (Basal mixture. [ration. ^‘(6 lbs. precipitated acid phosphate, equal to 3^ “ “ 18 — Nothing. ♦Basal mixture in this group means 18 lbs. cotton seed meal and 18 lbs. kainite. 17 Experiment No. 19 Basal mixture. [ration. 12 lbs. preeipititated acid phosphate, e(pial to % on ^ mixture. [ration. 1 18 lbs. precipitated aeid phosphate, equal to full GROUP 5 — BONE DUST. (Insoluble Phosphoric Acid.) Experiment No. 21 — Basal mixture. f Basal mixture. ^*'(6 lbs. bone dust, equal to % ration 23 — Nothing. ,, , f Basal mixture. “"^\12 lbs. bone dust, equal to % ration. ( Basal mixture. ‘"'^1 IS lbs. bone dust, equal to full ration. GROUP 6 — ROCK PHOSPHATE. (Insoluble Phosphoric Acid.) Expei’inient No. 2G — Basal mixture. ( Basal mixture. \ G lbs. lloats, equal to j /3 ]-atiou. u u 28 — Nothing. ( Basal mixture. 12 lbs. lloats, equal to % ration. Basal mixture. *^^[18 lbs lloats, equal to full i-ation. GROUP 7 — NATURAL PHOSPHATE. Experiment No. 31— Basal mixture. u ao / mixture. “ lbs. Orchilla guano, equal to j/g ration. ‘-33 Nothing. / Basal mixture. 12 lbs. Orchilla guano, equal to % ration. J Basal mixture. \ 18 lbs. Orchilla guano, equal to full ration. GROUP 8 — GYPSUM. Experiment No. 3G— Basal mixture. / Basal mixture. “ * \ 3 lbs. gypsum, equal to ration. 00 ( Basal mixture. 6 lbs. gypsum, equal to % ration. on i Basal mixture. ( 9 lbs. gypsum, equal to full ration. 4i U U U U U a 18 POTASSIC MANURES— PLAT 8. This plat is designed to test the form and quantity of potash best adapted to cane, using the muriate, sulphate, nitrate, car- bonate and kainite. The ashes of cotton hulls have been used elsewhere in other plats. For potatoes and sugar beets the sul- ])hate is preferred to the muriate, the latter injuring the sugar in beets and the starch in potatoes. This plat was planted March 15. GROUP 1 — FORMS OF POTASH ALONE. Experiment No. 1 — 4 lbs. muriate of potash, u u 2—16 “ kainite. “ “ 3— Nothing. “ “ 4 — 4 lbs. sulphate potash, u u 5 — “ carbonate potash. GROUP 2 — MURIATE POTASH. ( 18 lbs. cotton seed meal. Experiment No. 6x15 “ acid phosphate. i*Meal phosphate. „ ( Meal phosphate. ^ \ 4 lbs. muriate potash, equal to 34 ration. 8 — Nothing, r Meal phosphate. \ 8 lbs. muriate potash, equal to % ration. ^ i Meal phosphate. 12 lbs. muriate potash, equal to full ration. GROUP 3 — KAINITE. Experiment No. 11 — Meal phosphate. ( Meal phosphate, j 16 lbs. kainite, equal to 3^ ration. “ “ 13 — Nothing. 44 u 1 A J Meal phosphate. ■^‘^\32 lbs. kainite, equal to % ration. 44 4 4 ^ ( Meal phosphate. ^ j 48 lbs. kainite, equal to full ration. GROUP 4 — SULPHATE POTASH. Experiment No. 16— Meal phosphate. *Meal phosphate in this plat means 18 lbs. cotton seed meal and 15 lbs. add phosphate. u u a u u 19 Experiment No. 17 { Meal phosphate. 4 lbs. sulphate potash, equal to 3^^ ration. u a a 18 — Nothing. Meal phosphate. \ 8 lbs. sulphate potash, equal to % ration. ( Meal phosphate. " \ 12 lbs. sulphate potash, equal to full ration. GROUP 5 — CARBONATE POTASH. Experiment No. 21 — Meal phosphate. u u oo ( Meal phosphate. I 2^ lbs. carbonate potash, equal to 3^3 ration. “ “ 28— Nothing. “ 24 Meal phosphate. \ lbs. carbonate potash, equal to % ration. u 9,“ f Meal phosphate. \ carbonate potash, equal to full ration. GROUP 6— NITRATE POTASH. Experiment No. 2G— Meal phosphate. ^ 9 lbs. cotton seed meal. “ “ 27 ' 15 “ acid phosphate. ( 4)4 “ nitrate soda, equal to 3^3 ration, U 28— Nothing. £ 9 lbs. cotton seed meal. “ “ 29 M5 “ acid phosphate. ^ 9 “ nitrate soda equal to % ration. r 9 lbs. cotton seed meal. “ “ 80^15 acid phosphate. (I834 “ nitrate soda, equal to full ratiou. COMMERCIAL FERTILIZERS — PLAT NO. 9. Planted March 15th, excei)t No. 13, that on 21st. Experiment No. 1 — 15 bushels compost in drill. “ ‘‘ 2 — 15 “ “ broadcast. “ u 3_5o sterns’ 4— 50 5— 50 G— 50 7— 50 8— 50 9— 50 10— 50 11— 50 15— .50 18—50 Sterns’ ammoniated dissolved bone. Foster’s formula. Rogers’ sugar and cotton fertilizer Mapes’ potato manure. Mapes' vine and fruit manure. l*lanters’ cane fertilizer. Soluble Facitic guano. 20 The above compost was made from 20 bushels cotton seed, 40 bushels stable manure and 250 lbs. acid phosphate, put up in January and cut down and used March 15. The guanos were all donated by the manufacturers or their agents. See page 21. SANDY LAND EXPERIMENT— PLAT NO. 16. The following experiments were placed upon sandy land to test the proportions of nitrogen, phosphoric acid and potash adapted to cane on this character of soil. Planted Feb. 19 and 20. Exp't No. u u L 3234 lbs. cotton seed meal. 1^1234 “ kainite. (5 “ acid phosphate. } 30 ‘‘ cotton seed meal. 123 ^ kainite. 7)4 “ acid phosphate. } 2.t “ cotton seed meal. 12)^ “ kainite. 12)4 “ acid phosphate. } 25 “ cotton seed meal. 25 “ kainite. 123 ^ “ acid phosphate. I ) Proportions of nitrogen to phos. acid, to potash 3 1 13 ^ t ' 1 ' 1 ■ 1 1 1 1 1 2 “ “ 5— Nothing. “ “ 6 — Nothing. (18% lbs. cotton seed meal. I “ ‘‘ 7 J 18^ “ acid phosphate. > [ 123 ^ “ kainite. ) (18)4 “■ cottonseed meal.'| “ “ 8 -I 18^ “ acid phosphate. V 1^25 “ kainite. J u u q/18^ “ cotton seed meal. 1 \18^ “ acid phosphate. J { 15 “ cottonseed meal.! 223 ^ “ acid phosphate. V 123 ! “ kainite. J 1 1 1 1 2 1 2 2 2 0 3 13^ STUBBLE CANE. — PLAT NO 14. This plat is the only piece of first year stubble on the place. It was used to windrow cane in during the past winter, and has been, jierhaps, partially injured. As it was the only opportunity of trying some experiments upon first year stubble, it was deemed expedient to run the risk of the injury. Accordingly it ' 21 was otf- bared, dug, and manures applied March 18th and 19th, and well harrowed in. The object of the experiment is to test manurial requirements of stubble cane upon sandy land. Experiment No. , r 32>^ lbs, n 5 “ cotton seed meal. ) Nitrogen acid phosphate, j 3 .1 I ^ to phos. 1 acid. a u 2/30 “ n 7 % - cotton seed meal. 1 acid phosphate, j u 3)25 “ cotton seed meal. ) acid phosphate, j u 4 — Notning. ( 18^ lbs. cotton seed meal. } u u 5|i8^ ;; acid phosphate. > muriate potash. ) (C u ^\18^ “ cotton seed meal. ) acid phosphates, j ‘‘ u 7)15 “ '\22X f 5 “ 1 7 “ cotton seed meal. | acid phosphate, j nitrate soda, sulphate ammonia. u 8^ 6 1 28 L 4 - f 14 “ dried blood, acid phosphate, muriate potash. nitrate potash. ii (( 9-^324^ “ l21>^ “ acid phosphate, gypsum. a 10 30 “ tankage. u 11 1 80 “ ^^\20 tankage. ashes cotton seed 1 1 1 Formula recommended I for cane stubble by )■ Agricultural Station I at St. Denis. J } Formula recommended for stubble cane by Geo. Ville, of France. ■15 bushels compost, (see page 19,) 50 lbs. Sterns’ ammoniated dissolved bone. Sterns’ sugar goods. Stono guano. Studniczka’s cane gmwer. Rogers’ sugar goods. Foster’s formula. Mapes’ potato manure. Mapes’ vine and fruit manure. Planters’ cane fertilizer. 12 13 14— 50 15— 50 16— 50 17— 50 18— 50 19— 50 20— 50 21 — Nothing 22— 50 Ihs 23— 50 “ The Pacific sugar goods reached here too late to be put on stubble. PLAT NO. 15 contains second year stubble. Cane was also windrowed in this, and great apprehension exists as to its safety. However, it has been plowed and dug, and should a stand prevail it will be suit- ably manured at proper time. These are the experiments a’ ready instituted in cane at the Station — a much larger number than was at first expected. But so little is known of the manurial requirements of cane that it was deemed best to investigate it in every possible direction. After this year it is hoped the number of experiments can be materially reduced. The Station has had already many unlooked for difiiculties to contend with. A portion of its land is very black and stiff, and the proper preparation of such a soil for cane has required more time, patience and heavy labor than was anticipated. This has been largely due to the deficiency of drainage and bad culture which had previously prevailed here. Again, the winter has been unusually severe and long, and therefore the fall planted cane has been seriously retarded and somewhat iujured. The seed cane used by the Station for spring planting was purchased in windrows, and put ux) before the occu- pation of this place by the Station. Much of it was removed in September from the front lands to make way for the new levee then just begun. It was left several days out of the ground, causing dry rot, and then windrowed in a corn field with no attention to drainage, causing wet rot. Accordingly, when the windrows were ox)ened this spring, a large amount was totally rejected, another had to be carefully assorted, and another x^art, the best, was planted without assortment. Had the spring been X^rox^itious, no doubt would be entertained of an excellent stand, so great was the amount used in xfianting; but the unusually cold, wet and backward spring has caused much of it to rot since x^lanting, hence a serious ax)X>reheusion for a stand on some Xfiats. However, provision has been made to partially repair a want of a stand by an extensive hot bed, and the x^rocurement, through the liberality of Mr. Leon Godchaux. of a car load of good seed cane, with which we hope to fill ux^ vacancies. 23 Early in August, the Station will begin the analyses ol samples of cane from each plat and continue them up to the grinding season. By this means it is expected to learn much of the devel- opment of sugar in cane, the fertilizers which will hasten this process, and the effects of the various kinds of manures upon the sugar cane. At the end of the season each experiment will be carefully weighed and analyzed, its products, as tar as practi- cable, followed into the sugar house with careful analyses. Such are the present purposes of the Station. EXPERIMENTS IN SORGUM. It has been suggested that if a large variety of sorghum, which would mature in September, could be obtained it would be a valuable acquisition to the sugar planter by enabling him to run his sugar mill during September and October, thus prolonging his season of grinding. Be this as it may, the Station, with a view of determining the adaptability of the various sorghums to this purpose, has planted the following varieties : No. 1 — Honduras. “ 2 — Link’s hybrid. “ 3 — Chinese sorghum. “ 4 — India sorghum. “ 5 — Stewart’s hybrid. “ 6 — White seeded sorghum. “ 7 — Early orange. “ 8— Early amber. These will be carefully watched and analyzed at maturity, seed saved and replanted with the hope of finally securing an acclimated variety, rich in sugar, adapted to the supposed wants of the sugar planter. SUGAR BEETS. A package of white imperial sugar beet seed received by Mr. Lucien Soniat from the Agricultural Department at Washington, was kindly divided with the Station. Two rows of these beets are now growing, which will furnish the Station with samples for testing their sugar content at the end of the season. The seed used are said to be from the south of France. 24 CORN EXPERIMENTS. Two plats are devoted to corn — one of about 2 acres, to varie- ties; the other, of 12 acres, to maniirial requirements of corn. PLAT NO. 10 — VARIETIES OF CORN. No. 1 — Yellow flint, grown on tile drained land. 2 — “ “• “ from AVestern seed. “ 3 — Mexican dint, grown from seed obtained at Exposition of ’85. “ 4 — Creole corn. “ 5 — Cross between Mexican and Creole corn. “ 6 — AVhite Mexican, from seed obtained at Exposition of '85. “ 7— Corn from Kentucky seed. The first six varieties were grown on the Alice G. plantation, and were presented by Mr. D. E. C alder; the 7th was raised on the Tchoiipitoulas plantation, and was presented by Mr. Lucieu Soniat, together with some Creole corn used on Plat 1 7. FERTILIZERS FOR CORN— PLAT NO. 17. The object of this plat is to determine the manurial require- ments of corn. Experiment No. 1— 22)^ bushels compost. 2 — 60 lbs. Pacific sugar goods. 3— 60 “ Soluble Pacific guano. 4— 60 “ Rogers’ sugar and cotton fertilizer. 5 — 60 “ Studiczka’s sugar goods. 6— 60 ‘‘ Stono guano. 7 — Nothing. 8 — 60 lbs. Sterns' ammoniated dissolved bone. 9 — 60 “ Sterns’ sugar goods. 10 — 60 “ Foster’s formula. 11 — 60 “ acid phosphate. 12 — Nothing. 13— 60 lbs. tankage. ( bO “ tankage. ( 20 *• ashes cotton hulls. 15 — Nitrate soda. 16 — Sulphate ammonia. 17 — Nothing. 18 — Dried blood. 19 — Cotton seed meal 20 — Mixed minerals. NITRATE SODA GROUP. n-, j Mixed minerals. ^ \ Nitrate soda, equal to I'fltion. u U u u a it a it u it a it u it it i, it u it u it it it U it it it it it (i i. ii it U it ii 25 NITRATE SODA GROUP— CONTINUED. Experiment No. 22— Nothing. ' Mixed minerals. 23 { Nitrate soda, equal to % ration. 2 . ( Mixed minerals. \ Nitrate soda, equal to full ration. SULPHATE AMMONIA GROUP. Experiment No. 25 — Mixed minerals. 26 ( Mixed minerals. ( Sulphate ammonia, equal to % ration. 27 — Nothing. 28 I Mixed minerals. \ Sulphate ammonia, equal to % ration. sjQ /Mixed minerals. Sulphate ammonia, equal to full ration. DRIED BLOOD GROUP. Experiment No. 30— Mixed minerals. 0-1 / Mixed minerals. “ oi I Dried blood, equal to ration, u u 32 — Nothing. ( Mixed minerals. \ Dried blood, equal to % ration. 33 o^/ Mixed minerals. Dried blood, equal to full ration. Experiment No. 35— Mixed minerals. 36 ( Mixed minerals. ( Cotton seed meal, equal to % ration. 37 — Nothing. oj. I Mixed minerals. I Cotton seed meal, equal to % ration. OQ ( Mixed minerals. Cotton seed meal, equal to full ration. .^ ( 80 lbs. Orchilla guano. \ 80 “ cotton seed meal. 41 — Nothing. 42 — 80 lbs. Orchilla guano. 43 80 “ floats. 80 “ cotton seed meal. “ 44 — Nothing. 45 — 80 lbs. floats. “ 46 — 80 “ acid phosphate. “ 47—20 “ muriate potash. “ 48--Nothing. “ 49—80 lbs. cotton seed meal. 26 f20 “ muriate potash. \80 “ acid phosphate. f 60 “ cotton seed meal. |60 “ acid phosphate. |60 “ cotton seed meal. 1 15 “ muriate potash. 4 60 “ cotton seed meal. 160 “ acid phosphate. (l5 “ muriate potash. [60 “ tankage. 1 15 “ gypsum. f60 “ tankage. \15 ‘‘ muriate potash. 51 52 53 54 55 56--'N'otliing. RICE EXPERIMENTS. The Statiou not being prepared to grow rice, and yet desirous of determining the elfects of different fertilizers upon this cereal, accepted the proffer of Mr. H. S. Wilkinson, whose rice farm adjoins the Station, to whatever land that might be needed. Accordingly, with the co operation of Mr. Wilkinson, the fol- lowing experiments have been planted: ^ 50 lbs. cotton seed meal. Experiment No. 1125 “ acid phosphate. ( 10 “ muriate potash. cotton seed meal. "^(25 “ acid phosphate. “ “ 3 — Nothing. “ “ 4 — 50 lbs. cotton seed meal. a ii “ ^ci^ phosphate. ^\10 “ muriate potash. “ 6 — 25 “ acid phosphate. “ 7 — 10 “ muriate potash. “ 8--Nothing. f 8 lbs. nitrate soda. 1 5 “ sulphate ammonia. 9^ 10 dried blood. I 25 acid phosphate. tlO muriate potash. ;; 10/56 tankage. tlO “ muriate potash. “ 11 — 50 “ tankage. “ 1 . 2/25 Orchilla guano. ^"^(10 “ muriate potash. “ 13— Nothing. Experiment ISTo, 14 — 25 lbs. OrchiJla guano, “ “ 15—25 ‘‘ floats. “ “ 16 — 25 “ Pacific sugar goods, “ “ 17—25 “ Foster’s formula. “ “ 18 — Nothing. “ 19—25 lbs. tttudniczka’s sugar goods. “ “ 20 — 25 “ Sterns’ sugar goods. This is the first time, as far as the Station is informed, that fer- tilizers of any kind have ever been used under rice. It is to be hoped that they will prove beneficial and be of value to many of our planters. The Station wishes to acknowledge its indebtedness to the following: Messrs. John T. Moore, Jr., &Co., New Orleans, for fertilizers. Sterns’ Fertilizing Companj^ “ “ A. Y. Kodgers& Co. “ “ Henry Studniczka “ “ Planters’ Fertilizing Company “ “ Mapes’ Fertilizing Company, New York, “ Travers, Snead & Co., Richmond, Va., Orchilla guano. Eliwan Phosphate Company, Charleston, iS. C., acid phosphate and floats. D. R. Calder, New Orleans, seed corn. Lucien Souiat, Jefferson parish, seed corn and sugar beet seed. Leon Godcbaux, New Orleans, one car load seed cane. Mississippi Valley Railroad, for favors. Police Jury of Jefferson parish, for repairing road. APPENDIX Louisiana Sugar Experiment Station. RECORD OF- WEATHER FOR MARCH, lE^exiner, Ija,, TEMPERATURE. DATE. 9 A. M . 3 P. M. 9P. M. Max. . Min. Daily rainfall. State of weather March 2 49® ninuHTT V •- “ 3 47 .75 u u 4 49 1.50 “ 5 49 .20 U “ 6 50 .00 Fair. U 7 51® 57® 54® 49 ,00 Cloudy. “ 8 55 52 60 50 .00 “ 9 62 50 .13 “ 10 42 49 42 39 .00 Clear. “ 11 50 59 55 37 .00 Cloudy. “ 12 62 60 60 59 .28 Rainy, ‘‘ 13 49 57 48 47 .00 Clear. u 14 57 60 54 37 .00 Fair. “ 15 63 70 59 49 .06 Clear. “ 16 61 63 60 57 .80 Rainy. u 17 61 72 61 59 .00 Clear. “ 18 61 64 62 i 55 .00 Cloudy. “ 19 65 72 61 ! 1 62 .97 Clear. “ 20 64 70 64 63 .05 Cloudy. “ 21 52 64 52 47 .00 Clear. “ 22 57 64 52 1 47 .00 u “ 23 57 63 61 47 .00 a “ 24 60 69 56 71® 50 .00 ;; “ 25 68 72 62 76 52 .00 Fair. “ 26 64 72 64 78 56 .22 n, “ 27 62 77 67 80 62 .30 Cloudy. “ 28 73 67 70 80 64 .10 Rainy. “ 29 70 72 70 78 69 .00 Cloudy. “ 30 57 54 49 72 57 3.75 Rainy. “ 31 40 57 52 58 147 — Clear. 9.13 Highest temperature, 80® — Lowest temperature, 37®. J. D. Stubbs, Observer . BULLETIN :isro. -T- Sugar Experiment Station, KENNER, LA., State Experiment Station, BATON ROUGE, LA. WM. C. STUBBS, A. M. PH- D-, ISSUED BY TrHOJMF*HO:!V .1. Commissioner of AGRicuLTtfUE, BATON ROUGE, LA. BATON ROUGE: riilNTKD BY LEON" rfiEMSKI. ST.A'fE PRINTER, lene! Ijatox Rouge, La., July dth, 18S6. Maj.T.J. Bird, Com mi. <lanted o October 27th, Xoveinber 17th, Janoaiy 2,0t]i mid February 2(1. Pressure of other business prevented planting- in December, and the cold and v’et weather prohibited an earlier planting in Jan- uary. The intense cold of January Stli to 13tli killed completely the oats sown in is^ovendier, while those sown in October were unhurt — a valuable suggestion to those intending hereafter to make fall plantiug. Those sown in October had attained a greater root development than those sown in l^ovember, and hence were enabled to withstand a greater severity of cold. M ANU RIAL REQUIEEMEK TS. To test this (piestion, cotton seed meal, acid phosphate and Kaiuite were used respectively to furnish nitrogen, phosphoric acid and potash. These substances were used in different (luan- tities and combinations, which will be full}^ explained under each 1)1 at. The cotton seed meal used contained seven per cent, nitrogen, three per cent, phosphoric acid and two per cent, potash. The acid phosphate had fifteen ])er cent, of available phosphoric acid ; there was twelve per cent, of potash in the Kainite. PLAT ^"0. 1. Object. To test the proportions of cotton seed meal to acid phosphate, best adapted to oats, and incidentally the need of potash to the soil, which was alluvial in character, consisting of a mixture of sandy and black land, the latter predominating; badly drained and in poor tiltli. The plat Avas about two arpents from the front levee, and was about one arpent in depth. Culture of the previous year, old stubble (bad stand) tilled in with corn. PREPARATION OF SOIL. Land broken with two-horse plow, Oct. 23d ; harrowed on 23 th ; manures distributed broadcast, and red rust-proof (Texas) seed .sown at rate of two and a half bushels per acre ; both lightly liloAved in AA'ith one horse-plows, Oct. 27th. This, on account of prevailing drouth Avas preferred to harrowing in, the usual course adopted in covering oats. The land Avas left fiat Avitli the exception of aa ater drains between the plats. Nos. 1, 3, and 5., upon the east side, and No. 12 upon the west .side, were injured by water standing upon them during the con- tiiiuous rains of March. As soon as discovered, open drains for relief were constituted 5 but these i^lats never fully recovered from this temporary injury. The oats came up quickly and gave an excellent stand. The cold of January", which killed other plats, injured this one very little beyond turning the bottom leaves yellow, and this damage- Avas quickly repaired by a feAv days of subsequent sunshine. This plat AAms cut May 20th and 21 st, with a cradle, seed in dough state, stalks just turning yellow j cured and Aveighed on the 22d. The present prices in' NeAv Orleans are for cotton seed meal, $18 per ton 5 acid phosphate, fifteen per cent., $18 per ton ; kai- nite, twelve per cent., $15 per ton. The results are appended : PLAT Xo. 12— OATS. Suf/ar Experiment Station, Kenner, Louisiana. Vi o FERTILIZERS. YIELD PER ACRE. X W KIND. Amount Per Acre. Pouiuls. Cost Per Acre. 1 * 2 3 * 4 Cotton Seed Meal, ) Acid Plio8[)liate, ^ Cotton Seed Meal, ^ Acid Phosphate, > Kainite, ) Colton Seed Meal, } Acid Phosphate, \ Cotton Seed Meal, ) Acid Phospliate, > Kainite, ) Cotton Seed Meal, \ Acid Phosphat*^, i 270 270 270 270 270 300 180 360 180 270 405 135 $ 4 6 4 4 86 80 86 80 86 AYeiglit of Oats in Sheaf. Pounds. Bushels 0 : Oats. 6137 67 3-4 6673 73 21-32 5564 64 17-32 6127 67 20-32 4991 55 3-32 6 8 9 10 11 12 * Cotton Seed Meal, ) 405 Acid Phosphate, > Kainite, S 135 270 6 80 Cotton Seed Meal.. . 300 2 70 Acid Phosphate 150 1 35 Kainite Nothin i»- 150 1 12 Cotton Seed Meal, ? Acid Phosphate, ^ Cotton Seed Meal, ) Acid Phosphate, , Kainiti, ) 300 150 300 150 150 4 05 5 17 5409 62 28-32 6095 59 20-32 5405 57 30-32 5014 51 6-32 5041 51 8135 103 6-32 5837 70 4-32 ^Damaged by water standing on plats. As before remarked, the defective drainage of a portion of this plat iirevents accurate comparisons and deductions. Kos. 7 1, 3 and d, occupying’ tlie eastern length of tlse j>lat, had a slight declivity running entirely tlirougli each experiment, which after the continuous rains of March held Avater several days before discoA^ery. Again there Avere also found slight depressions in Nos. 5 and 12, Avliich greatly injured these experiments. The rest of the field ay^peared to be Avell drained, especially Nos. 7,, 8, 0, 10 and 11. These can be comyAared with each other, but it is manifestly Avrong to compare them with rest of field. Omit- ting the others and taking these we haA*e the following: Pouuds of Sheaved Oats. Bushels of Oats. Nothing 51 Kainite 51 h-32 Acid Plioaphate 57 80-:i2 Cotton Seed Meal 59 20-82 Cotton Seed Meal, ? Acid Phosphate, ) 8,185 103 G-32 From above we find that Kainite alone has given no increase.. Acid PhosyAhate is accountable for ofil yAounds sheaved oats^. nearly 7 bushels of grain. Cotton seed meal increa.ses the yield of sheaA^ed oats 1,054 yAOunds and the grain 8| bushels, while acid yAhosphate and cotton seed meal combined have given tho enormous yield of 8,135 yAOunds (oA’cr 4 tons) of sheaved oats and 103 bushels of grain. PLAT NO. 3. This plat was thoroughly broken with a four-liorse yAlow, Nov. 15th; harrowed, and manures and seed, (red rust-yAroof, at the' rate of tAVO and a half bushels per acre), distributed broadcast and lightly yAlowed in with a one-horse yAlow, November 17th. A yAerfect stand was thus early secured, which grew off well and was looking remarkably fine, Avheu it AAms completely destroyed by the freeze of January 8th to 13th. On February 1st and 2d, it Avas again seeded with the same variety of oats at the rate of two bushels yAer acre, and again y>lowed in lightly with one-horso yAlows. Stand good ; but the groAvtli was noA er rayAid, nor effects of manures very apparent. The soil of this yAlat which lies north of No. 12, is very black and stiff, and is still suffering from defective drainage. It was four acres deep by nearly one-half acre v/ide, and increased iiK 8 stiffness witli depth. Therefore only those* experinients occupy- ing the same width can he compared^ or to si^eak more plainly, the plat was four experiments deep three wide, with the nothing experiments runniiig entirely through the middle. The plat was accordingly divided into groups. This plat was cut with cradle June 1 st 5 dried and weighed with following results : PLAT NO. C,— OATS. Louhiana Sugar Experimvni Stalioii, Kenner, La. 0 g 6 'S FERTILIZERS. i YTP:L1) PER ACRE.; i KIXD. Amount j Per Acre. Pound H. ] Cost Per Acre. Weight of Cats in Sheaf. Pounds. 1 Cotton Seed Meal . . . | 480 4 .32 5(i58 ) 2 Nolliiug j 1 1 Mixed in dry- [ Group 1. Q Cotfoii Seed Meal, \ | 480 r; IQ ing and scpa- ( 0 Acid Phoispliate 5 j 98 .) io rate weights | 1 not obtained, j Acid Pliospliate, ) j 98 2594 ^ ’i Kainite, S 192 T) Notliing 2-534 ) Group II. Cotton Seed IMea!, } 4S0 1 i) Kainite, ^ 192 • 5 / 8 4890 J 7 Acid Phos])l)ate 98 8 () 829.5 ) s Notliin*’’ ! 23.58 ^ Group III. 9 Kainite 192 1 1 44 2305 ^ Cotton See 2.50 1 250 $ 5 34 3860 Kaiuite. ) 125 Cotton Seed Meal. ) 250 2 S. Carolina Floats, > 250 5 34 4776 Kainite. ) 125 Nitrate Soda 200 5 00 3485> 4 Nothiui; 2460 5 Orchilla Phosphate, ) Kaiuite. ^ 250 125 3 19 2520 6 S. Crtrolina Floats, ? Kaiuite. ^ 250 125 3 19 2580 7 Orchilla Phosphate. . . 250 2 25 2700 8 S. Carolina Floats. . . . 250 2 25 2940 Au examination of above will slio\v the increased yield of those plats on which nitrogen formed a part of the manures. It will further show that the addition of kainite in Xos. 5 and 0, gave no increase over ilos. 7 and 8, where only iihosphates were used. The conclusions forced upon us from the above experiments upon these soils, and with the season just jiast, are: 1st. Oats sown in October survived the cold winter, -while those subse- (jnently seeded, succumbed. 2d. Fall sown oats paid the largest profit 5 both where manured and unmanured. EXPERIMENTS IN OATS AT STATE EXPERIMENT STATION, BATON ROUGE, LA. This station was not organized till February, 1886, and hence the experiments in oats were all made in the spring. The soil upon which these experiments were made, is a brown loam of from one to seven feet in depth, underlaid by the sites of the loose formation. It is within the “bluff formation” and about forty to forty-five feet above high water (Hilyard). When * 11 fresh it was regarded as first-class uplands, but its long conti- nued cultivation by improvident methods has so greatly ex- hausted its ^‘fertility” that to-day it is staled very x)oor.” Ex- periments so far conducted, show conclusively that it is readily and cheai)ly susceptible of imx)rovement, and it is only a ques' tion of x)roper methods and a short time to restore its xndmitive productiveness. PLAT NO. 1. — Oats. This plat was plowed with a two-horse plow, February 13th and loth. Manures sown broadcast February 17th. Texas rust proof oats at the rate of two bushels to the acre were sown Feb- ruary 18th and harrowed in. They were cut with a cradle, June 18th, when overripe, earlier harvesting being prevented by the prevailing rains of June Gth to 18th, which greatly damaged them. After thorough drying they were weighed on 30th June. PLAT NO. 1— OATS. Stale Experiment Station, Baton Bouye, La. •4^ o E FERTILIZERS. YIELD PER ACRE. il X w KIND. Amount per acre. Cost X)er acre Weight of oats in sheaf. Bushels of oats. Weight of str’w in Ihs. 1 2 Nothing Cotton Seed Meal . . . 300 lbs. 12.70 972 Ihs. 2,280 “ 11 24-32 27 5-32 598 1,397 3 Cotton Seed Meal / Acid Phosphate ^ 300 “ 150 4.05 2,700 36 29-32 1,519 4* Cotton Seed Meal ) Acid Phosphate, ^ Kainite, • ) Acid Phosphnte, ) Kainite, ^ ■' 300 “ 150 5.17 3,000 “ 41 5-32 1,688 .5 150 ‘‘ 150 “ 150 “ 2.45 2,820 “ 38 5-22 1,599 6 Cotton Seele rain fa 1 1 . 8 78^ 82° 73° 86 ° 65° 75° 78° Clear . . 9 79° 82° 72° 87° 61° 69° 72° Clear. . . 10 78° 82° 73° 86 ° () 2 ° 75° 78° Clear. . . 11 79° 84° 75° 89° 62° 76° 79° Clear. . . 12 79° 85° 75° 88 ° 67° 88 ° 79° Clear. . . 13 79° 85° 75° 88 ° 6 /° 76° 79° Clear. . . 14 81° 85° 75° 89° 67° 78° 81° Claar, . . Sii.i^lit shower at 9 u. m. 15 73° 80° 67° 80 ° 72° 73° 73° i.n Raiuy. . Sto[>ped at 1:30 i*. .M. 16 65° 80° 69° 80° () 1 ° 60° 65° Clear. . . 17 70° 80° 67° 80° 63° 65° 70° Cloudy. 18 60° 70° 63° 70° 58° 60° 60° i.38 Raiuy . . 1 19 65° 80° 67° 80° 60° (^4* 65° Fair.... 20 65° 76° 68 ° 78° 60° 63° 65° Fair.... [noou. 21 75° 83° 70° 88 ° 68 ° 73° 75° Fair.... luapprecialde shower at 22 80° 85° 75° 91° 63° 75° 80° Fair. . . . 23 82° 86° 76° 91° 70° 81° 82° Fair. . . . 24 82° 88° 75° 91° 70° 79° 82° Fair . . . . 25 80° 85° 75° 86° 71° 86° 80° Clear. . . 26 82° 85° 75° 93° 67° 79° 82° Fair 27 85° 88° 77° 93° 67° 82° 81° l^air 28 8L° 85° 76° 88° 69° 79° 81° Cloudy. 29 •83° 84° 79^ 89° 70° ' 88 ° 83° ’ .2.5 Cloudy. 30 78° 89° 80° 93° 70° i 84° 87° .25 Cloudy. Wind with rain. 31 83° 89° 72° 92° 70° ' fcl° 83° 3.59 Clear.". . Slift'ht rain at 7 r. M. with wind.] 16 WEATHER RECORD OF LOUISIANA SUGAR EXPERIMENT STATION. KENNER, LA., FOR MONTH OF JUNE, 1886. 6 zi Q TEMPERATURE. Compnr- isou of Daily Rainfall In Inches. State of WeathO REMARKS. June. < G1 s CO 05 a 3 'B Minimum. Wet Bnlb. -3 o Q 1 84° 89° 79° 93° 70° 81° 84° Fair 2 8oO 89° 80° 96° 71° 82° 85° Fair 85° 88° 80° 92° 74° 81° 85° Cloudy . 4 85° 90° 75° 96° 74° 82° 85° .05 Cloudy. T) 85° 80° 75° 95° 73° 81° 85° .08 Cloudy. () 80° 75° 74° 88° 71° 80° 80° 1.15 Raiuy . . 7 84° 75° 74° 88° 71° 81° 84° 1 .25 Rainy. . S 88° 75° 74° 88° 69° 81° 83° .30 Rainy . . 9 .50 Rai uy . 10 .15 Cloiitl V . 11 88° 85° 80° 95° 70° 81° 83° .42 Cloudy. 12 84° 87° 85° 89° 74° 82° 84° 1.50 Rainy.. 19 80° 88° 78° 89° 74° 78- 80° .87 Clondy . 14 79° 88° 82° 92° 80° 79° 79° .37 Rainy . . 15 88° 85° 81° 87° 81° 81° 81° 1.42 Rainy. . 16 85° 85° 8A° 85° 84° 82° 85° .04 Raiuy. . 17 78° 86° 86° 86° 75° 76° 7o° . 15 Cloudy . 18 75° 76° 81° 84° 72° 74° 75° Clear. . - 19 78° 89° 77° 95° 77° 75° 78° Clear ... 20 77° 87° 89° 88° 70° 82° 87° Clear. . . 21 76° 86° 76° 88° 72° 74° 76° .53 Cl(xmly. 22 77° 77° 76° 89° 71° 77° 77° .56 Rainy . . 28 82° 78° 79° 90° 71° 80° 82° 1.57 Rainy. . 24 77° 89° 83° 92° 70° 76° 77° Clondy. 25 86° 92° 88° 95° 75° 83° 86° Fair, . . . 26 87° 80° 77° 89° 74° 84° 87° .13 Rain 3 ^. . 27 90° 8^° 77° 94° 75° 86° 90° Cloudy . 28 89° 93° 83° 95° 72° 83° 85° Cloudy . 29 87° 98° 87° 97° 76° 85° 87° .08 Rainy . . 80 77° 85° 88° 92° 72° 76° 77° .38 j Cloudy". 11 .5( 1 SORGHUM. BULLETIN No, 5 OF THE Wm: C. Stubbs, Ph. D., [ 13 Il^ECUTOll KEXXEE, LOEISIAXA, DECEMBEli, 18 SG, ISSUED BY TI10]VII=*S0]V .J. 1^1 K13, COMMISSIOXKII OF AGBICIILTURE, EaTON KOUGE, LA. BATON ROUGE ; PRINTED BY LEON JASTREMSKI, STATE PRINTER, 1886. SUGAR EXPERIMENT STATION, I? Kenxek, La., December.,?, ISS&.fu Major T. J. Bird, Commissioner of Agriealtnre, Baton Rouge, La.: I hand you herewith, for puldicatiou, a Bulletin on Sorghum, coTermi?: field, la^horatory and sugar house experimeifits for the jiast season. Respectfully, W]\I. C. STUBBS, Director;-. SORGHUM. Sorghum has been used as a forage for stock in this country for many years. As such it is adapted to a wide region, and its cultivation has extended over the entire extent of the United States. In other countries it has been used for the manufacture of spirits, glucose, beer and vinegar. Its seeds have been used as a food for men and beast, and in this country a large part of the profit of growing sorghum consists in the value of its seed as a stock- food. For nearly thirty years syrup has been made from it, and during that time high hopes have been entertained of its power to ])roduce profitably sugar. The attempt to make sugar from sorghum has been made almost exclusively by Americans. In China, where the sorghum has i^robably been growm for thousands of years, Ave are told by Dr. S. Wells Williams, Professor of Chinese in Yale College, that there is no ®videuce that it has ever been for either syrup or sugar making. It is curious to read in the earlier publications on sorghum, the contradictory opinions and opposite views so positively a^sserted by the authors. As to the kind of sugar present; the best varfeties; the period of growth; of maximum sugar content and the exact time to work after cutting, nothing was known definitely until the beginning of the scientific investigations by the National Department of Agriculture in 1878. Since that time this Department has assiduously continued its investiga- tions in sorghum and while we write the Fort Scott experiments in diffusion and corbonatation are being brought to a conclusion by the eminent government chemists. The publications of this department upon sorghum since ’78, have been numerous and instructive and to-day every farmer has within his reach val- uable and definite information in regard to this plant, the result of patient investigation conducted by trained scientists at government exi^ense. BOTANICAL RELATIONS OF SORGHUM. Sorghum is one of those plants, vrhose origin is utterly unknown. By long cultivatioa, its habits and characteristics have been so changed, that no resemblance can now be found to any wild plant. Formerly the different cultivated varieties of sorghum were regarded as distinct species, but moderm botanists have been gradually led to the conclusion that all our sorghums and juriihees, including broom corn, chicken corn, durra, milo maize, etc., etc., are but varities of a single species — [^] Sorgliiim Yulgare. These conclusions have already inspired many seedsmen, farmers and scientists with the belief, that ulti- mately by selection of seed, proper fertilization and cultivation, a true sugar bearing sorghum may be obtained, which can be profitably grown and worked, instead of the true sugar cane or beet. Differentiation in plants is accomplished by extending the area of cultivation, taking in differences of soil, climate, rain fall and manures; by careful selection of seed; by cross breeding, etc. In this way varieties are produced. Some plants have greater capacity for variation than others and sorghum is perhaps surpassed only by Indian corn, in its tendency to as- sume iicay varieties under changed conditions. Heiuie we find a large number of varieties of sorghum on our market, differing in every conceivable character, from content of sugar to color of seed. It is therefore of first imi)ortance in growing sorghum to select those varieties best adapted to our wants, remembering the modifying factors of soil, cliinate and manures. When the Guinea or cliicken corn, a true sorghum, now a a troublesome pest, over so large a portion of the South was introduced, the writer has no information, but it appears ])roba- bie that its advent here was under one of the earlier varieties of sorghum and finding a congenial soil and climate, it has mul- tiplied amazingly witliout cultivation, and in the meanwhile so degenerated as to lose its true name (sorghum) and receive in its stead local names, expressive of the contem[)t in which it is held by the owners and tillers of the soil. Perliaps it may be one of the forms of Durra or Chocolate cane, brought over in colonial tones and disseminated over the continent. It may have been crowded out elsewhere and survived only iu the youth. But our sugar making sorghums have come within the last thirty j^ears from China through France, and since that time we have rapidly multiplied varieties. SORGHUM IN THE SOUTH. Many speculations have been indulged in as to the adaptability of sorghum for sugar making in the South, but as far as the writer knows, no systematic attem])t has ever heretofore been made. In the Xorth and West the subject has been investiga- ted in the field, laboratory and sugar house. A million of dol- lars have been spent in the erection of first-class machinery for the manufacture of sugar from this plant. As yet the success has been only partial. Even the diffusion process applied with national aid in Kansas, has failed to convince the world of the adaptability of this plant to sugar making. Early frosts, severe storms, i)rolonged drouths, and many other disasters, have al- most invariably destroyed a large portion of the cane before reaching the mill. It may therefore be asserted with some de- gree of positiveness, that in the North sorghum will yet remain as a syrup and not a sugar crop. But how about this tropical plant in the South? It can be [ 5 ] I>laiite(l from ]Marcii to July, and liarvosted according to varieties, from July to November. If, therefore, a variety can be secured \vlii(‘h will give a good tonnage and a medium ])urity coefficient, it can easily be worked ii]) without interruption from frosts, 'without additional machinery, and without diminution or detri- ment to the sugar cane crop. To test the above the station planted the following varieties last spring: Honduras, Link’s Hybrid, Chinese, India, Stewart’s Hybrid, White Seeded Sorghum, Early Orange and Early Am- ber. There were three experiments in each, ‘hi,” ^d)” and ‘^c”; ‘-a” fertilized with an ammoniated acid ])hosphate, ‘‘b” unfertilized, and “c” with, an ammoniated acid phosphate mixed with nmriate of potash . Good stands were secured of the Honduras, Link’s Hy- brid, Chinese and India. The rest imperfectly germinated. They were planted A])ril oth, and given only one working each with hoe and x)low. On June 2d our analyses began. The lieads were just beginning to seed. Tlie polarisco])e showed little or no sugar, varying from 0, 3.7 per cent, the latter found in the Chinese. July 5th another examination xvas made which indi- cated marked progress towards maturity. July 17th systematic analyses were made of each of the 24 plats, (8 varieties) and repeated July 3()th, August I2th, 10th, 2(>th and September 3rd. The results are appended. [ 6 ] ANALYSIS OP SOEGHUM MADE AT LOUISIANA SUGAR EXPERIMENT STATION. j of Analysis. % > Leaf th of Stalk in Feet. a ® O rt 5 a 2 » m Q _a '5 O P 6 2 Ti » o u {yc C4 fl d 3 i' 3 a P « g a. P 6 a < c, X 0 m 1 ' 'o 6 % w X 0 ::: .2 *a ' 1 o O Condition of Seed When Cut. July 17 Honduras a 8.12 1.5 3.06 67.4 6.1 1.0403 u. 7.3 66. 6 Milk. » . i . b 1 .38 5.9 1 u 6.4 60 . 3 . i u .. c 6.50 1.25 1.83 67.3 6.8 1.0 t93 !i2.2 • 6.6 54u9 July ;io a 7.1 1.0519112.81 It ' b 6.3 1.0459111.4 i 1 ti 1 .04131 in Aug. l-> a 7.4 1.25 2.62 .57.25 7.6 1 .0551 13.70 'i).2 07 ’.io Dough. i. t. b 7.9 .88 1 .75 l57 . 42 7.1 1.0519112.81 1 7.9 61.60 Dough; “ “ (* 8.2 1.13 2.«0!.51 .92 8.5 1.0626:15.30 11.4 74 50 Aug. 19 a 7.8 1.12 2.62'71.5 7.1 1. 0.579 1 12 81 i 70.2 riard. 1) 7.4 1.12 2 75171.5 1.0531; 13.23 1 9.4 11.05 Dough. “ “ ‘‘ (■ 11.6 1.2.5 4. 70. 1 8.8 1 . 0652 : 15.90 10.5 66 . 03 Aug. 2G t t a 11.15 1.25 3.38 66.66 1.06-21 15.20 10. 65.80 Hard. C( h 8.20 1 .13 2.31 75. 1 7.2 l.U52Ti 12.99 8.4 64.60 ‘‘ “ 0 8. SO 1.51) 4.12 72.73 7.8 1 . 0.5.59 j 13.04 9. 69.04 Sept. 3 a 9.3 1. 2. 68.75 10.5 1.0786i1H.91 14.2 74.90 Mature. “ b 7.G 1.13 2-18 64. *3 6.8 i 1.049911-2. 34 6.5 1 52 . 60 Dough. it ti c 8.8 1.62 4.50 1 5.50 8.6 1.0634 15.50 ill. 9 76.77 Hard. July 17 Liuks, -6.41 1.12 1.53 67.60 8.5 il.0626'l5.30il0.,5 68. .53 D‘JU1!]i. b 7.50 1 12 l.T)!! 71.40 7. 11.0.570112.60 jlO. 79.30 Hard. “ “ . t e 7.00 1.25 1.44 67.40 8.8 1.065211.5. 9 9 |12.5 |79.20 viatme. July 30 t ( 10.2 1.0766 18 .=10 Mature. (t 1) 10. 1 .0748, 18.10 i u <( 9.7 1 .0722 17.50 ,, Aug. It a 5.11 .88 1 .50 68.66 10.5 1.0786' 18.94 14.00 7.5 9 .. b 6.70 .88 1.12 .57.14 10.1 1.0754 18.17 13.20 72.6 “ U il c 6.11 .62 1 .12 6S.96 10.6 1.0794,19.11 1)4. 40 Jo. 3 Aug. 19 a 7..1 .88 1.25 68. 10 8 1.0816:19.62 il5. 80,81.0 “ b 8.1 •75 1 .20 67.5 iO.6 |l .0794 19. li il4. 173.2 “ “ *• c 6.8 .88 1.33 71 .4 10.7 1.0802, 19 :i0 15.:?0 79. “ Aug. 2G a 8.3 .75 1 .25 75. 9. 1.0667' 16.23 111.50:70.8 “ ‘ “ b G. .75 1.12 66.66 10. |1 .0746 18.05 J3 60 i7.5.3 Ovuuripe. i. c 6.7 1.00 1.37 63.64 .9.9 11.0738'ir.85 14.10 19. Snekertd. Sept. 3 a ' 5.10 .88 1.06 .52.65 10.3 '1. 0770,18. 58 ’14.8 79.6 ■ .. .1 b 7.10 1.12 1 62, 61.. 54 8.6 1.06341 15. 50 11.2 78. T . Mat red. “ “ c 7.20 .88 1.37j 63.64 10. 1.4746,18.05 14.2 78.0 July 17 Cliine.se, a G.50| .88 .91 9.8 1.0730117.70 1.5.00 84.7 Ripe. *■ b 6.88 .88 .871 65.6 9.4 1.0700 17. 15.00188. Kipe. “ “ “ c 6.50 1.25 J .25, 62.5 10. 18. 16.10 89.4 July 30 “ a 9.8 1 0741^ 13.3 “ 1 9.2 13. Orerripe. 1 . . . . 19.6 1 ^A ^ Aug. 12 a 4 9 .62 .75166.66 io!i 1.07.5-4 18.17' • .1 14.2 78.1 w “ b 4 5 1.12 ..501 57.14 9.(. 1.0714:17.26; 12.2 10.6 i: “ c 6. .62 .70 66.96 9.1 1.0675,16.35' 13. 79.5 “ Aug. 19 *■ a 6.1 .75 .88 70.00 10.2 1.0762:18.411 14.6 79.3 “ .. .1 b 6.1 .75 1.00 77.8 10.3 1.0770118.80 14.4 76.6 Suckered. “ M « 6.4 .8s 1.00 9.7 1.0722,17.50 13.4 76.0 • ‘ Aug. 20 “ a 6.1 .88 1.00 62. 5 10.8 1.0860119.491 15.2 78. “ “ b 6.1 .75 1.18 65.72 9.5 1 .07U6jl7.14i 12.2 71.2 “ e 6.1 1 .88 1.00 62.. 50 9.2 1.06851 16. 63; 12. 72.1 Sept. 3 a 5.9 .62 .62 9.6 1.0714j]6.96 13. 76.6 “ h “ b 5.«»o! .62< .62 6 > " 10 1 1.0754118.2:? 13.4 73.4 ‘‘ “ *• “ « 6.J i .75 1.00 62.5 9. 1.0667116.23112. 73.8 “ July 17 India, a 6.00 1.25 1.82 65.5 7.8 1. 0574 j 14.1 10.6 75.1 Dough. b 6 50 1.50 1.94 69.4 8. 1 .0.591j]4.5 11. 75.8 “ « 6.65 .87 1 .56 64. 8.6 1.06.34 15.5 11.4 73.5 “ Jul T 30 i t a 9.8 u b « 7.9 Aug 12 “ a '7!7' 1.12 iio 10.4 1.0778 i8!76 h’ 74.6* Hard. “ <• b 7.7 1.12 1.9 10.3 1.0770 18.. 59 13.8 74.3 “ “ ‘‘ ti 7.6 .88 1.65 10.3 1. 0770(18.59 13.9 74.7 “ [ 7 ] Aag. 1* Ji.5u:g. 2{) <4 OSeps. "3 ■Jsily r •jTiLily 30 Aag. 12 AMg. 19 '26 ' 3 Jialy p ■ Jaly 30 Asg. 19 July 11 X 4 July 30 12 Aug 19 Aug. 26 -Sept. 3 July li India. Stewart’s, Crang®, Wliite Seeded a b Afliber, 'm '«s fc o 1-1 *.x 7.5 7.1 6.5 7. .3 6.7 6 . 6.5 7.9 5.8 7.4 7.8 6.9 8^7 7.9 6.7 8.1 8.2 6.4 7.8 8.2 7.8 7.1 5. 16 6.75 7 . 75 7. 4. 7.25 5.08 6.9 7.3 5.72 6.1 5.5 6.2 6.4 5.7 4.1 6.8 6.2 5.00 .5.66 o.ool is ^•9 g C P 1 . 1 . 1.25 1 . 1 . 1.12 1-12 1.12 . 8 » 1.00 1.12 1 .12 o I* a rd s ‘3 1.75 68 1.56169 2.3]|71 1.88 66 1.68 57 1.88 57 1..56,70 1.37163 2 12:64 1 .25 65 1.40 69 1.44 64 .6 '11.3 ,2 10.8 1.00 ..50 i.oo; .881 .88 1.00 .88 .88 .88 .88 1.06 .88 1.25 1.25 1.12 .75 .75: 1.12 1.12: 1.75.57 1.06 65 1.80 1.55 1.06 [55 1.56 62, 1.8H:.-, 1.621 ‘3 1 . 26161 , 1.68 64, 1.31 ... 1.( 2 62 1.31 1..56 1.81 l.(j(' .82 J .50 1.10 .751 .871 .8rt| .75 .87 .87 .87 .75 .75 .88 1 .00 .88i l.OOj I.I2I I.I2I 1.0851 1.0806 ?».4 19.4 1 1.0835 20, 9 1.0814 19, 411.0778118. 4|1.0738 17, 5; 1.0786 18, 311.0770118, li 1.0443 11. 8|l 0574114. 311.0536 13 .91. 80.8 82.4 78.0 79.1 79.9 77.3 77.1 76.4 2 1.58.1 3 155.3 iil 0675 16.3-(|1-2, 721 9, 37 9 1.0688 6| 1.0543 11.0667 411.0621 2 1.0683 7 1.0722 8 1.0725jl7 21 1.06831 16 5j [.0786, 18 11 .0667116 111. 0675 7 i 1,0643 «jl.0il22 81 1.0497 5.9 ..I 8, 50 9 66 8 . fc0| 8. 7. 8. 9, 63 . 1.3 1 .3 1.25163 .94170 1.12 78 1.06173 i.ooj.. 1.18 66 .75 .88 1 .12 1.00 1.15 1 .03 1.41- 66 1 1.0.588 ll.OtWO 2il.(M;04 1 1.0621 S ?! 2 1.0683 ,7 1.07221 8 1 07 0i .''61.0700; 00173.4 .50 50. 7 20 18.8 67.1 73.03 • 6.3 72. 65.4 74.1 76.5 I Matw-re. Sncliereil. Milk. Dougli. Haul. Mature: 71.4 Hlaril. 2 74.3 I 64 3 4 51.4 4 51 2 14.42 10 . 16.3 1 ( 1 . 14.8 15.2 16.60 17.51 17.68 r.i4 9. 9.4 .59,8 61 .3 65.6 61.8 1.07:22 17.51 1. (-754 .18.17 l.OTHG'18.98 1.0746118.05 11.2 1 - 2 . 12.6 13.7 13. 12.1 11.5 53 20 9.8 1.0730IJ7.G7 13.4 00110.2 1.07(r2!l8.43!l3.5 60! 10.5 60 8. 70 8.2i l.0786|l8. 94114. 1.0591 14.5 10.4 1.0604114.8 9.2 67, 63. 63.70i 8.2(1.0604)14.8 j 9.6 67 5 68.5 71.2 79.9 71.3 63.8 63.8 75.8 73.2 71.4 71 .7 65.5 64.8 Milk. Dough. Hard. Ripe. Milk. Condition of Seed When Cut. [ 8 ] After July ITtii, tlie Giiiuea corn took such complete posses- sion of this ])iaiit (early iiiiiber) that it Avas almost impossible to (listinguisli the one from the other. Severnl analyses of Guinea corn were also made at various dates — giving of total solids 10-13 per cent. — sucrose 4 to 8 per cent. Ai! inspection of above will show that the Chinese was the first To ripcTi — reacliing maturity early in July. After that pe- riod it began to throw out suckers at each joint which soon formed heads; so that when cut, Sept. 13th, each stalk had from five to ten heads of ripened seed. This variety though early and rich in sugar, is too small for profitable working into sugar. It produces liowever, an enormous amount of seed. LinCs Byhrid reached maturity the last of duly, remained nearly stationery in this sugar content till out Sept. J3th. It siickered but very little. It gave stalks of medium size anil very fair (jnality, and rojnises to be one of best adapted sorghums for sugar at tlie South. Honduras .us one of the largest sorghums, many of its stalks cutting nine feet for the mill, and w eighing four pounds after being stripped and toppcul. It is a late variety, reaching matii- lity in September, and lias onl}’ a moderate sugar content. Under proper manuring and cultivation it may be made an ex- cellent sugar ];roducing variety. There is however, an intensely red coloring matter on its stalks and leaves which highly dis- colors the juice, and which is not easily removed — a very ob- jectionable feature. Ex])eriments in labaratory showed that it could be removed by bone black. The India sorghum reached maturity in August, remained nearly stationary till September, at vrhich time suckers had ap- l)eared witli heads forming rapidly. After that it lost rapidly until ground on 13th. It is however, a line sorghum, of good size, and large sugar content, and worthy of further trial. SteicarCs Hybrid did not ripeii till September, and even then its per centage of sugar was comparatively low. Kesiilts this year are not promising for this variety. The same may be said about the White Seeded sorghum. The Early Orange is fair in size and quality, and may perhaps vield to proper treatment and make an excellent variety for the Sontli. The Early Amber could not be thoroughly tested. A very bad stand was obtained, and the vacant spots were soon occupied by Guinea corn, making identification of the former difficult and. hazardous. On the 13th and flth September, all the above varieties were- cut and sent to the mill. Our vacuum pan and centrifugals had not then been put in place. Accordingly the juices from these [ 9 ] sorg'liums after defecation with sulphur and lime, were concen- trated in evaporating i)ans and left under the hopes of graining them in a few days in the pan. But the vacuum pump ordered from New York was delayed till late in October, and when re- ceived and put in position, all the syrups had more or less under- gone fermentation. The results of harvest with analyses .are however given. RESULTS A]S'D ANALYSIS OF MILL-JUICES. VARIETY OF CANE. 3 W Ka'v Juice. ) Syrups. Total Solids. | 1 d 0 ’Z Glucose. Total Solids. 9 6 0 do Glucose. a _o HOi (lui iKs, a 3-1.050 i03,5 13.. 50 9.7 59.4 41 .6 70. “ b 28. SO |61 .4 12.42 8. 64.8 41.4 64. “ c 30.!l(!0 63.7 12.6 JS. 66 . 6 .50. 75 . Links, a 1!>.050 57. 18.2 13.2 b 1T.K50 .‘8. 17.82 12.9 4 6L8 46.2 71. “ c 21. 37.5 59. 17 .()4j 12.7 \ a Cbiueso, b o o 15.84' 10.9 59.4 44.2 74. c o 1.5.525 16.92 1 1 .9 1 India, b 15.000 16. 02 I 12. ; 66.20 i 49.4 74 .() a 13.900 17.641 13.1 1 Stewart, 16.56 11 .9 White Seeded, I 6 .O 2 I 10.8 Early OiaiiS'e. 17.(i4l 1.3.1 ? 59.4 !!!! Early Amber, 16 56 1 12.1 kl4.2 74.4 The results for the syrups were obtained by double polariza- tion. The last four were not weighed — they were analyzed seper- ately but were concentrated with 3 and 4. The station was greatly disappointed in not working the above syrups in the pan. The delayed machinery was not put in place till the last of October, and by that time nearly all the syrups had fermented. However our kind and always obliging neighbors, the Soniat Brothers, placed at our disposal, a patch of sorghum, (Early Amber) which had been sown for stock feed July 14, (after the Chinese variety had shown its highest amount of sugar on the Station). Of this sorghum they cut and delivered to the Station two and a half tons. At 10 a. m. grinding began. The cane was not fully ripe, analysis giving i2.8 total solids, 9.3 sugar and 71. purity coefficient. 'The juice was very slightly sulphured, limed to neutrality, skimmings carefully removed, brushed, concentrated and sent to vacuum at 22^ B. It then readily grained, and was centrifu- galled at once, giving 80 pounds first sugars. The skimmings, [101 settlings and some of tlie juice, were neglected, the sole object being to make sugar out of sorghum. The molasses was at onee boiled to string sugar, and in 24 hours had grained prettily — 3 gallons of masse cuite yielding iiounds of second sugar — the / masse cuite weighing 12 pounds to the gallon — a yield of nearly 21 per cent, of second sugars. The following data are . takcin from the records of the sugar hottw and labaratoi'y: ' Weight of sorghum, 2 J tons. Mill extraction, G2.3 per cent. One gallon juice required, 135 grains lime for neutrality. One portion treated to neutrality and concentrated to 22.2^ B. Another portion treated to neutrality then made slightlj^ acid with superphosphate of lime and Concentrated. Masse cuite made 286 i)ounds. Sugar from masse cuite, 80 ])ounds. Molasses from masse cuite, 206 pounds. Analysis of Sugai\ Analysis of Moh\sses. Sugar Total solids Olucose 1.05 Sugar 51.4 Ash .74 Ash 5.97 Water ; . . . . ... 4.81 Ash soluble in water 4.56 100.00 ANALYSES OF MILL JUICES, OCTOBER 22. Degrees Bannie. Specific Cruvity. Total Solids. Sugar. j Glucose. C •4-» •5 ^ 'IS 1 Purity Coeffi- 1 cient. Kind of Juice. Ex\)t. 1 I 7.1 1.0519 il2.8 9 . 1 2.62 .0504 1 69. Raw Juice. “ 2 7.1 1.0519 12.8 9.5 2.65 .0378 .9875 74.2 it “ 3 7.3 1.0.536 13.2 8.6 2.48 64.4 Sul])liured Juice. ‘‘ 4 7.2 1.0.527 13. 8.2 2.47 63. U ■ (( 5 7.2 1.0527 13. 9.1 2.24 70. Limed Juice. f) 7.3 1.0536 13.3 8.9 2.38 67.42 (C U 7 7.3) 1.0536 13.2 2.48 U U ‘‘ 8 22.2 1 . 1825 40.6 26'i 8.24 64 ! 2 Concentrated. [ 11 ] ANALYSES MILL JUICES, OCTOBER 23. 6 3 c5 * iJO . 25 85 87 78 89 75 26 81 86 86 72 27 84 81 89 73 28 83 86 75 87 71 .61 29 79 84 80 88 73 .23 30 80 82 75 82 72 31 80 85 76 85 72 Total 4.18 inches. Highest Temperature 97'^ Lowest Temperatiiro 60° CORN BULLETIN No. 6 OF THE LSill S Uiiil YM i ff S IT. 1 rn i' AlNl) State Experiment Station, VMm. C. Stubbs, Ph. D., DEOEMBEK, ISSO. -ISSUED EY- 'riioiviT*so]Nr .t. COMWISSIONKK OF AGRICULTURE, IjATON KoUGK, J.A. BATON ROUGE : PRINTED I'.Y LIX;N JASiTiEMSKI, STATE PKlKTElt, 1886. ST APE EXPERIMENT STATION, ^ Baton Rouge, Louisiana. ^ Miijor T. J. Bird, Cniuniissionor of Agriculture, Baton Rouge, La.: I liarid yon hcrowitli, for publication, a Bulletin on Corn, covering rcfiHits of ex])oriiiU‘nl.s on the Sfate Ex{)oriinonfc Station, Baton Rouge and Sitgar Ex})erimcnt Station, Kenner, La, Bulletins /On Cotton and Sugar Caaie will soon follow. Respectfully, WM. C. STUBBS, Director. CORN. Stands first, both in acrea.i?e and yield of the <'.ereal ei^ips of the XJiiited States. The total crop of the United States for the pres- ent year is estimated by the Department of Agrieiilture at Wash- ington, at 1,050,000,000 bushels, or an average of 22 bushels per acre. The Commissioner of Agriculture for tlie Stateof Louisiana, estimates the crop of this State just gathered at 10,209,375 bushels, grown ui)on 910,010 acres of land. Corn is grown more geuieral- ly over the United States than any other crop, but the (*entre of maximum production is found in tl.'e ])rairie and the river bot- toms of the West, where all the conditions of ])rofitable growth exist ill great perfection. Where the soil is susceptible of easy culture and adapted to improved inpilements with a fair sto('k of fertility, moistened with showers at short infervails lor, from the black Mexican to the j^nr^st whiter and in hardness from the soft dent to the re- [ 7 ] frjietory flint. A similar diversity of opinion prevails as to the eoTuposition of the mannre liest adapted to its growth. Mr, Lawes, of England, placing it among cereals, prescribes Nitro- gen in heavy doses. M. (leorges Vilhg of France, assigns it a jilace among the Idiosplioric Acid plants, and recommends for it jnaiinros containing a large amonnt of Acid Phosphate. Mr, Harris, in his book, ‘^Talks on Manures,’’ is im.-Iineil to jdaee it among cereals, but mentions soine facts viiich would indicate that its feeding capacitios are like the jiea and clover. Other leading scientific men liave given formulas for it, varying largely in cost and in (piantities of the chief ingredients. Through the instrumentality of Jbmfessor A’f. O. Atwater, ex- director of tiic Connecticut IC^periment Station, a large number of experiments were tried all over the eastern part of the United States to test the manurial re(]uirements of corn. In his pub- lished “Eeport of Experiments’’ are given tlie results, wliich are far from being satisfactory. Of the lied. The corn was gathered September 0th, 1880. [ 11 ] 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 36 37 38 39 Mixed Minerals Nitrate Soda | Katiou Mixed Mineral Neti{to 39. Here is an excellent opportunity to judge of the injurious elfects of black birds for only a few days. These ex- perinieiits, except those umiianured, were the first to mature and presented a beautiful appearance, just before they were attacked by the birds. Tlie superior effects of these fertilizers could be easily seen and distinguished for a half of a mile and yet nearly the entire crop of corn was destroyed in less than a week, by thousands of these pests and the results harvested, give an increased yield to unmanured i3lats. The Snlxihate of Ammonia and Cotton Seed Meal groups were far in excess of every manure used and seem well adax)ted to the re(xuirements of this crop and soil. On Apwl 20tli the remaining experiments on this plat were ])lauted with Yellow Flint f 'reoie corn, also kindly donated by the Soniat Bros. c Kind of Fertilizer. Anf t used per acre Yield per acre. 40 [Cottou Seed Meul 1 300 ( , ' 1 ouiids. 22*25 Pounds. 41 CM chilla Guano 5 Notliino’ 300 s ! 1705 ‘‘ 4*2 Ouch ilia Guano 300 ‘* L500 ‘‘ 4:5 Cotton Seed Meal } 300 ? 1955 44 Cliarlestou Floats i Nothiiif'' 300 i 1B65 45 Floats 300 1600 “ These experiments were not interrupted by the birds. The corn vras tall and well eared. The rains of June forced it so rapidly to growth as to i)reclude the last working or laying it l)y.” It accordingly received only one plowing after it was up. The effects of cotton seed meal are very apparent. Yot so with either Orchilla or Floats, both of which are insoluble forms of Phosiihori'c Acid. Perhaps the period of growth was too short to permit of their assimilation by the corn, since both are only slowly available as plant food. The following experiments were conducted at Baton Eouge. PREPARATION AND CULTIVATION OP THE LAND. Broken with two-horse plow, harrowed ; furrows opened with onc-liorse plow IJ feet apart ; manures deposited April 2d and land bedded ; corn planted 14th and loth, with seed obtained from Mr. Jno. McQuade and Mr. Jno. Gass; off-barred May Gth; hoed and dirt thrown back on the 12th ; first furrow thrown back with turn plow, after subsoiling with scooter and second furrow with short scooter and heel scrape; replanted when hoed ; re- l)lanted again 24th of May ; i>lowed with scooter and scrape^ [ 13 ] / June 3(1 and Itli ; after which til e rains prevented further enlti- vatiou j the corn was dropj^ed three feet apart in tlie drill and thinned to one stalk in a hill, but the bud worm played such sad havoc, that twice replanting failed to secure the perfect stand desired. It was gathered October 8th. [ 14 ] COEN EXPERIMENTS. Manures used. N<.(hiiig Nitrate Soria i^alphate Ammonia Coitv'ii 8v.e Basal, Muriate Potash, VAIixtnre l)is. Bone Black Ration Basal Mixture, f Pis. Bone Black f Ration [ Basal Alixtiire, i)is. Bone Black 3-3 Ration Basal Mixture Basal Alixtiire, Arid Phosphate ^ Ration B^'Sal Mixture, Acid Phosphate f Ration Basal Mixture, Acid Phosphate 3-3 Ration Basal Mixture, Orchiilla Gnano ^ Ration B isal Mixture, Orchulla Guano f Ration Basal Mixture, Oiehiila Guano 3-3 Ration Basal Mixture lbs. pr. acre 140 1037-11 310 •J80 90 310 ) 280 ( 3iU f 90 S 280 } 90 > 370 70 370 ( 140 j 370 210 370 91 37 0 1037-11 S o7u } 1555-11 ^ 370 370 ) 155 ^ 37u 310 7170 405 370 lbs, 9-11 i I 310 > 90 > 120 ) 400 ( 240 \ 400 ( 300 S 400 400 > 140 i 400 280 400 420 400 / 140 I 400 I 280 5 400 ( 420 S 400 Yield in lbs per acre. 1040 lbs. 2050 “ 2130 “ 2250 lOH) 1650 “ 2270 “ 2440 “ 2160 2450 '' 2650 2700 2270 2780 “ 2880 “ 2450 “ 2900 “ 2690 “ 2260 2460 “ 2240 ‘‘ 2420 2770 3200 3150 3i;30 2740 2610 2830 2810 2700 25^ / Bushels per acre. 21.58 Bushels 26.97 28.03 “ 29.61 22.10 “ 21.71 “ 29.87 32.10 28.40 '' 32.24 ‘‘ 714.87 “ 3.5.53 29.87 36.58 * “ 37.89 “ 32.24 38.16 “ 35.719 29.73 32.37 ‘‘ •.^ 9.47 711.84 “ :16.45 42.11 41.45 41.49 36.05 •35.26 38.16 37.89 “ 35.53 ‘‘ 33.69 [15 1 CORN EXPE RIMENTS— Cm tinned. :i7 :{8 10 41 44 Manures used. Bnsal Mixture, } Bone Dust 4 Ration f B mal Mixture, ^ Bone Dust f Ration ) Basal Mixture, ? lioue Dust :5-3 “ ) Basal Mixtuio, Cbarlcston Floats J Ration Basal iviixtuie, ( Charleston Floats | Ration ) ' B isal Mixture, } (Jharloston Floats 3-3 Ration \ Basal ilixtinc Cotton Seed Meal, ^ Meal Arid Plio.sj)li:i,'t(5, > riios])hate Kauite ^ Ration yj- Ration. Meal l‘liospliate, I ICanite liation S Meal Piiosphate, ^ Kanitc 3 3 Ration ) 47 } Meal riiosiduite Moiil Phos?)hate 54 56 (Raw) Moiil Phosphate, ^ Siilphato Potash ^ Ration ) Meal Phosi)haie, ( Snl[>li[ite I’otash } Ration s Meal Phosphate, ( Sulphate Potash 3-3 Ration ( Meal Phospha te Meal Phosphate, Muriate Potash Ration Meal Phosphate, ) Muriate I'otash | Ration ) Meal Phosphate. } Muriate I'otash 3-3 Ration ( Cotton Seed (Raw) Cotton Seed ( Acid Phosphate ^ (Cotton Seed ) Acid Phosphate /(Raw) Kin it e > Compost Compobt I Kinitc, ) Cotton Seed Meal, Cotton 14 nil Ashes Cotton Seed Meal, Cotton Hull Ashes Gypsum Tankage Tankage, } Ashes Cotton Hulls i Tankage, ) Ashes Cotton Hulls > Gypsum ) Studniezka’s Guano . 67 lbs. per aero, i Yield in lbs per acre. Ibs.i €0 Planters Fertilizer. Nothing 400 140 400 ‘^80 m I 420 ^ 400 140 400 ( 280 5 400 I 420 S 400 310 ) 280 V 200 S 590 400 590 ( COO ( 590 590 ? 45 590 i 90 ( 590 I 135 ) 590 590 } 45 ^ 590 ( 90 ( 590 135 1050 “ 1050 I 280 ^ 1050 ) 280 > “ 200 S 35 Bu.shels 70 I “ 200 { Pounds. 310 \ 280 i 310 ) 280 V 140 ) 300 300 280 300 ) 280 140 ) 500 500 2700 lbs. 2730 “ 2270 ‘‘ 2370 2150 “ 2240 22G0 “ 2320 “ 2540 2530 “ 2290 2500 “ 2420 2450 “ 2400 “ 2170 “ 2120 2220 “ 1840 “ 1990 “ 204.0 2000 ‘* 2370 “ 1960 2000 ‘‘ 2130 2320 “ 2200 2170 “ 2040 “ 1840 “ Bushels per acre. 35.53 Bushels 35.92 ‘• 29.’87 31.19 28.29 '' 29.47 ‘‘ ;9-73 30.53 33.42 33.29 36.13 32 89 31.84 32.24 32.37 28.55 27.89 29 21 24.21 26.19 26.84 27.11 31.19 25.79 26.32 28.03 30.53 28.95 28.55 26.86 24.21 [ 16 ] EXPERIMENTS. jN'os. 4, 18, 30 and 20 are omitted from al)ove, Tiecaime on; account of tlie delay in getting tlie dried bleed, they were not planted foj ten days after. The dilference in yields shows how stronglj’- seasons may effect results. The com planted April 35tli had very favorable seasons^ that on 2r)th did not. Both received some number of workings. See the results : t*j| Manures used. 1 j Yield per acre 1 Bushels. 41200 lbs Dried Plood. 1 910 lbs. 11.97 Biislicls. t 100 lbs Dried Blood i- Mixed Minerals Ratioul .. 15.92 j 5 200 lbs. Dried Blood j ( Mitred Minerals f 1 1520 1 [ 20.00 300 lbs. Dried Blood t) Mixed Minera's 3-3 1 1250 “ j 16.. 50 In the above ve have counted as a bushel 7G pounds corn on the ear witli a small amount of the shuck attached. The object of these experinients was to test the value of the difTeront forms of ^s'itrogen, Phosjdioric Acid and Potasli (the chief ingredients of all fertilizers) upon this soil. Accord- ingly there has been used all the forms of Nitrogen accessible. Mineral Nitrogen, in form of Nitrate Soda and Sulphate of Ammonia ; Yegetable Nitrogen in Cotton Seed Meal and Ani- mal Nitrogen in Dried Blood and Tankage. Of Piios] )hates there has been tried : the Soluble in Dissolved Bone Black and Acid Phos])hate and the Insoluble in Bone, Orchilla Guano and Charleston Floats. The last is the natural Phosphate of South Carolina. redm*ed m an impaij,. 2363 ( 52, 53 and 54 ) or no gain for Potash. The different forms of Potash yield as folloAvs : Average of Kanite Eos. 44, 45 and 46 2463 lbs. “ of Muriate Eos. 48, 49 and 50 2456 ‘‘ of Sulphate Eos.' 52, 53 and 54 2170 or a slight increase for Kanite and Muriate, Avith a loss for the Sulphate. It is clear from aboA^e that none of the manures used The reason may be found in the fact that there. Avas not corn enough on the ground to make a very heaA^y yield. The rows were 4J feet apart and hills 3 feet, and only one stalk left to the hill. The natural fertility of the soil, under the very favorable season readily develoj)ed and matured such a stand, hence small increase, wherever manures of eAwy kind were used. Tlie frutli is the laud is miicli better than it seemed to be a ml it must hereafter be treated more heroically. Larger stands Avith the same manures may liereafter show more decisive results. KECORD OF WEATHER— KEPT BY LOUISIANA SUGAR EXPERIMENT STATION, FOR SEPTEMBER. 1886. ' Date THERMOMETER. RAIN FALL. s % S B Inches. % < ‘Ph‘ ' Pu 3 m Ci CO 1 76° 84° 74° 84° 65° 2 83° 88° 77° 89° 66° 3 84° 84° 76° 85° 72° .28 4 84° 86° 77° 87° '70° 5 84° 85° 78° 86° 70° 1 6 82° 86° 77° 88° 73° 7 82° 86° 79° 86° 71° .35 8 82° 84° 77° 85° 71° 9 80° 82° 79° 85° 73° 10 80° 88° 78° 88° 70° 11 83° 79° 77° 90° 72° .05 12 84° 80° 91° 72° 13 88° 79° 90° 71° 14 81° ■ 81° 79° 82° 75° .23 15 83° 87° 75° 88° 73° 16 81° 87° 80° 89° 69° 17 84° 89° 80° 90° 73° 18 84° 86° 83° 88° 75° 19 78° 82° 79° 83° 74° .26 20 79° 89° 75° 83° . 74° 21 80° 78° 77° 84° 71° 22 81° 86° 77° 87° 73° 23 84° 84° 77° 88° 72° ; 24 80° 75° 77° 83° 74° 1.8 25 75° 76° 83° 73° 1.5 26 79° 78° 77° 81° 739 .65 27 81° 84° 75° 87° 72° 28 77° 84° 75° 87° 68° .17 29 68° 71° 67° 76° 66° 30 72° 76° 67° 76° 59° — ^ ^ r 0/1 : — r Maxinmui Tt mperalure. . Lowest Temperature . . . . .69^ .'TJifliy. [ 20 ] RECORD OF WEATHER KEPT BY LOUISIANA SUGAR EXPERIMENT STATION FOR OCTOBER 18S6. Date. THERMOMETER: RAIN FALL. August. 9 A. M. - CO 9 P. M. Maximum Minimum. 1 Inches. 1 710 780 68° 78° 63° 2 64 67 64 71 55 3 70 69 - 77 56 4 75 81 68 . 81 62 5 , 79 68 79 57 6 73 75 79 55 7 79 79 73 83 56 8 79 80 74 82 64 9 79 80 83 67 10 78 75 82 67 11 74 79 77 83 68 12 81 83 77 83 72 1. 13 81 81 77 85 72 14 79 85 74 87 71 15 71 75 66 86 76 16 69 74 64 74 60 17 72 70 79 56 18 79 80 70 85 67 19 73 79 69 85 65 20 72 80 . . 66 , 81 60 21 74 82 64 82 60 22 76 82 65 83 59 23 77 68 82 57 24 78 82 66 83 59 25 78 81 69 81 58 26 68 70 64 70 65 27 58 63 54 63 53 • • 28 54 60 45 61 42 ' 29 54 65 39 30 57 50 69 40 31 69 53 ' 70 42 . Total ..1. inch. 870 .390 Maxiinum Temperature. Minimum Temperature SUGAR CANE (FIELD EXPERIMEN^^^*«eiVT May j, ®*'KSSsjy BULLETIN No, 7 OF THE ISli M EMIENI Sffll "Wm. C. Stubbs, Ph. D., IDIHECTOR KENXER, LA., JAKUAEY, 1887. ISSUED BY THOiMFSOIS^ jr. Commissioner of Agriculture, Baton Rouge, la. BATON ROUGE : printed by LEON JASTREMSKI, STATE PRINTER, 1887. . LOUI.^^ANA SUGAR EXPERIMENT STATION, ) Kenner, Louisiana, j Ma jor T. J. Bird, Commissioner of Agriculture, Baton Bouge, La.: Dear Sir — I Laud you liercwitL a Bulletin covering “Field Experiments” in Suj^ar Cane made during tlie jiast year. Bulletins coveiing “Laboratory” and “Sugar House Exjierimeuts'” will follow. Respectfully, WM. C. STUBBS, Director. SUGAR CANE. HISTORY. From ancient historical writings it is learned that sugar cane came originally from India. Pliny, the older, Varro, and Sen- eca, well known Latin authors, speak of it. India may then, with certainty, be called the birth place of sugar cane. Thence it passed into China', where its cultivation has been carried on for immemorial time. It can then be traced into Arabia, Nubia, Ethiopia and Egypt. About the year 1500 A. D., after the cru- sades, theYenetians introduced it into Syria, Cyprus and Sicily. Later, Dom Henry, King of Portugal, introduced it into the IMadeira and Canary Isles, where was manufactured for 300 years, all the sugar used in Europe. Since that time it has been slowly supplanted by the vine. Portugal at end of this epocli sent it to Saint Thomas. After the discovery of America, Peter Etienza introduced it on the island of St. Domingo, and from this island it has spread over the tropical and semi-tropical ])or-' tions of North and South America. The history of the sugar cane in Louisiana is too well-known to require repetition here. BOTANICAL RELATIONS. Sugar cane belongs to the large family of grasses (gramina- ciiT ; to the tribe andropogon, and its botanical name is ftacchariim officinannn or arundo sacchaHfera. Sugar cane is a gigantic stalk 0 to 12 feet in height, erect during growth, but bent or reclined, at maturity. Its roots are fibrous and lateral stretching several feet in every direction, and usual- ly not penetrating the soil to any great depth. Hence its insta^ bility in loose or soft soils, and its liability to be blown down by wind. Its cylindrical stalk is composed of nodes and internodes, sometimes reaching as high as 80 in number. These joints are long or short, according to variety grown, or to favorable or nn- favorable conditions of growth. The upper part of each joint divides into two parts, the inner one forming the rind of the iiextjoint above, and the outer one uniting with cells from rvith- iu, forms the leaf. On the stalk near the nodes, occur a white,' pulverulent, waxy substance, called cerosin. Its chemical com- l>osition is 0-24 H48 O, and would be called in chemistry, an al- cohol of rhe fatty series. The color of the stalk depends upon' the variety cultivated. The leaves of the cane are alternate, clasping, j)ale to dark green in color, receding from the stalk' during growth, and falling off at maturity. At the base of each, leaf is an eye or bud, which contains the germ of a cane, and is' [^] the true seed of the sugar cane. Around the stalk at the eye^ are' several rows of semitransparent points, which produce roots^ when the cane is placed in contact with moist earth. Just above, these rows is a light colored semitransparent narrow band whicli> clearly divides the lower from the upper joint. In tropical coun- tries the cane powers, tiist sending forth a long shoot (arrow), upon which is borne a panicle of sterile flowers. The flowers- never produce seeds. In this respect it resembles the bananai and agave. The inference that sugar cane, coming origiually from India would require a vrarm, moderately’ damp climate, with intervals of dry weather is fully sustained by experiences in its culture^ It appears also to thrive better near the sea ; whether this is. due to the extensive moisture existing in the ])revailing sea breezes, or wdiether the latter bear inward certain saline salts which increase the fertility of the soils, is yet an uncertain ques- tion. Though cane is cultivated in countries varying greatly in; climate and temperature, yet it has been found to succeed best when the main average temperature is between GO^ and 00° F,. and with an annual rainfall of from GO to 80 inches. These am natural conditions best adapted to its growth, but there are countries where the deficiency of rain fall can easily be reme- died by irrigation, a practice which might sometimes be sue- cessfully and cheaply apjAied in Louisiana. But while this amount of rain and this mean temperature is necessary to its most successful growth ; another condition is essential to the accomplishment of the latter, viz. : Proper distribution of both.. Two distinct seasons usually exist in countries of highest pro- ductions — the one warm and rainy, lasting from 4 to G months^ with a mean temperature of 80 to 90° F ; the other, dry, or very moderately rainy, and a mean temperature about 70° F. The first is a season of rapid growth and development ; the second is a period of the arrest of growth, the elaboration of sugar and the slow evolution of perfect maturity. Again a large amount of humidity in the air (70 per cent, at least) is conducive to best results. Bright, sunshiny days, with dry winds, are therefore^ prejudicial. , SOILS ADAPTED TO CANE. Are those naturally rich and filled with vegetable matter... However, when cane is planted upon soils of medium fertility and irrigated properly, it will, with the aid of judicious manures,,, yield well and give highly remunerative results. Climate, rain- fall and manures, are far more essential factors in cane culture than soils. Infertile, fresh, friable and deep soils, with proi>er rainfall,, the cane is well formed, large and full of sugar. In sandy and light soils, the canes, without manure, are* small but very sugary. Calcareous soils develop a superior cane :ricli in sugar and easily worked. In ricli alluvial soils, not pro- ^perly drained, or too rich in certain salts, the canes though fine in appearance, are i^oor in juice, work difficultly and produce a great deal of molasses. A complete study of the sugar soils of Louisiana was begun last summer, and samples were analyzed from Jefferson, St. Bernard, St. Mary, Terrebonue, St. Charles, Ascension, Assump- tion and Eapides. This work will be continued by the station •during the summer months until finished, when a si^ecial Bulletin on the sugar soils of Louisiana will be issued. The culture of cane depends entirely upon the character ’of the soil. That culture which will keep the soil porous, pul- verable, free from weeds and which will disturb the roots of the 'Caue the least, is the best. Every planter should aim in cultiva. tion to accomplish all these as nearly as possible. Field Experiments in cane at the station during the past year were of of four kinds, as given in Bulletin No. 3, issued in April 188G : 1st. Germination questions. 2iid. Physiological questions. 3(1. Earieties best adapted to Louisiana. 4th. Manurial requirements. GERMINATION QUESTIONS. It has long been a question among planters whether to plant the tops, the entire stalk, or only the matured part. The prac- tice of planting the green unmatured tops is the one suggested by economy, since these contain little or no sugar, and are fre- ^quently thrown a’^my. This practice is, however, severely crit- icised by some, upon reasons drawn from known principles of vegetable physiology. The cane, say they, has only sterile fiowers and consequently give no seed or grains. Therefore the eyes of the cane are intended to replace the true seed or grain. In all seed bearing plants, those seed germinate and iruitify best, which are permitted to reach perfect maturity, therefore in imitation of this natural law, we must seek that part of the stalk which contains the largest and best developed ^eyes, in order to secure seed which will produce the most vig- orous plants. It is further claimed that where tops are univer- ^■sally used as seed that a degeneracy of the cane will follow, since the latter is always reproduced with those parts of the cane where the juices are the poorest in nourishment [sugar] and the eyes the most imperfectly develoj)ed, Hence it is a practice with some of our planters never to plant fall cane until the po- lariscope shows at least 10 per cent, sugar in the cane. Fcr roiitva there are others who claim that the planting of the tops is justifiable from imrely scientific reasons, besides the economy involved. They regard the cane planted as ‘‘cuttings” rather than true seed, and the eyes as buds to be developed under proper conditions. They say that the florist when he wants to [ 6 ] root new plants, never uses the old or mature wood, but rather the young and succulent portions. Therefore in planting cane the youngest and most succulent portions will secure the best results. Which is right has not yet been decided by science. Experiments in the held have demonstrated that eyes from both the mature and immature parts of the stalk will germinate. But which are the best, i. e. which will insure the best and surest results under the varying conditions of our seasons, soils and rainfall ? To determine this question, the following experiments were instituted with a view of continuing them through a series of years in order to eliminate as far as possible all the modifying factors, incident to one yeaEs experiment. Great pains were taken to select healthy stalks of uniform length. These were cut up into short pieces beginning with the green immature top. PLAT O— CANE — aERMlNATION QUESTIONS. Experiment i^o. 1 — Planted with green tops usually thrown away.. “ 2 — 2 joints next to top [green.] 3 — Next 2 joints [partially gre^ii.] a a 4 a u a o u 5 u u ii u o 6 u a a u u 7 u a n u u g u u u “ 9—2 Butt joints. ‘‘ ‘‘ 10 — Upper thirds of the cane. “ 11 — Middle of the cane. 12 — Butt of the cane. This plat was planted in the ftill and the subsequent severe' winter, with a late unfavorable spring, so prevented germination as to vitiate results. All germinated badly, but No. 3 gave the largest number of sprouts ; No. 2 next, with No. 7 third. These- experiments have been repeated, with better promises of success. PHYSIOLOGICAL QUESTIONS. Influence of Suckers . — A very great diversity of opinion pre- vails as to influence of suckers, ‘^side shoots,” which spring up around the base of the original sprout. This opinion has been based partly upon poorly conducted experiments, and j)artly upon the erroneous impression which this wrongly used term ‘^sucker” has produced upon the mind. Some think it an abnor- mal growth, a live parasite preying upon the nutriment of the main stalk and thus depriving the latter temporarily ot its- vigor, at a time when rapid growth is so desirable, and therefore they should be removed. It has been found on the other hand however, that these suckers, if permitted to grow, reach maturi- ty almost as soon as the parent stalk, is equally as large, and quite as rich in sugar. They also add largely to the crop, and when a thin stand is obtained, the multiplication of suckers rap- idly closes the gaps and gives in the end fair yields. Some planters thus ascribe to suckers the greater jiart of their crop,. [ 7 ] and encourage tlieir growth by awaiting for their full develop- ment in the spring before proceeding to a vigorous cultivation of their crop. They further claim that the suckers give stubble the next year, while the original or central stalks do not ratoon well, if at all. All these descrepancies of opinion arise from a misunder- standing and misuse of the term ‘^sucker.’^ The habit usually denominated suckeriug in cane, is not snckering at all, but a I)rocess common to all graminaceous plants and known usually as “ tillering.” It is a natural means ©f increase and of pres^v- ing its own existence in the battle of life. By this means, grass- es and small grains are enabled to occupy the entire ground to the exclusion of other plants, and thus secure increased har- vests. This “tillering” is an underground development char- acteristic of cane and wheat, and springs from underground buds specially prepared for this process. Simultaneous with the de- velopment of the sucker is a set of roots of its own, spriugmg directly from it and in no way interfering with the roots of the original idant. The extent of tillering or snckering depends therefore upon the healthy growth of the plant, the fertility of the soil, the weather during early groAvth, the thickness of the stand, and the time it has to sucker in. Abundant tillering is an evidence of thriftiness and an index to increased root devel- opment. The cane however truly ‘•‘•mckers’’’ but fortunately siwdi occurrences are rare. By true suekers, is meant, the develop- ment of eyes above ground, which produce stalks living at t-he expense of the parent stalk. This occurs whenever tlie upward growth of the plant is checked, or the stalk is bent down from any cause, followed by ver^- damp weather etc. This process is very common to some varieties of sorghum after its main stalk has reached maturity. It is also found in oats, which frequently send forth branches from the axils of leaves which bear grain. In both instances the seed unequally ripens. True suckers in enne are therefore very objectionable and should be prevented if possible. Duplicate experiments were made to test the question of re- moving the so called suckers, both at the Sugar Experiment Station, and at the State Experiment Station Louisiana State University and A. & M. College at Baton Rouge, La., and with almost identical results. The following is an account of these exi)eriments : 3 plats were manured and planted and cultivated alike. On No. 1 the “suckers were removed daily until June 22d. On No. 2 the “suckers” were removed daily until Sei)tember 22d. On No. 3 they were not disturbed. Before giving the re- sults which are decidedly positive, a description of the difficul- ties encountered, and the effects i^roduced by snckering will be given. The original cane grew very slowly and seemed to have [ 8 ] pended all of its energy in tryiog to make ^^snckers.” When one sucker was carefully removed, several would appear in a day or two afterwards. I^either time, removal of suckers, cul- tivation nor any practice tried could dissuade the plant from its disposition to sucker. On June 22d it was determined to let plat No. 1, which up to that time had been carefully desuckered, to proceed with its suckering at will. In two weeks time, the cane had a thick stand and a wonderful growth. Several of these suckers by actual measurement growing over two feet in vertical height in two weeks. Plat No. 2 was restrained from suckering till September 22d, at which time it was abandoned, and when the frost struck it there was a vigorous growth of densely crowded young cane about two feet high. This prohibition of ‘Tillering’^ however, produced true sucJcers. Early in July it was lound that the eyes of the cane were developing under the leaf, soon made apparent by a vigorous shoot from the centre of the leaf. These develop- ments took place as fast as the eyes were matured. They were removed as fast as discovered. This process of true suckers continued up to the top of the cane, so that at the end of the season there was scarcely an eye to be found on any stalk in the plat. This ceaseless attempt at tillering and suckering was also destructive of the sugar in the stalk, as repeated analyses show- ed never more than 4 per cent sugar in the caiie. The results at Baton Kouge on a different soil were the same. RESULTS OF SUCKERING CANE NOVEMBER 6, 183G. YIELD RER ACRE. ANALA^SES OF JUICE. Ton 8, ^ . 5 Desuckered till \ .q Juue22nd f o ^ Desuckered till ) \ Sept. 22nd. \ ( All tlie Suck- ) No. 3. < ers Permit- > 22.62 ( ted to Grow. ) Total Solids. Sugar 13.4 per cent 10. per cent. i Not Worth Harvesting. } I Still Standing. 14.27 10.6 per cent. From the above it is perfectly plain that the “tillering’’ [suckering] of cane is a natural process of great benefit, and should be restricted with great care. To what extent and Avhen a too great a tendency to this process should be corrected is a question for the individual planter to decide. Cane planted too thick, in thin soils, in badly broken, or poorly tilled land, and very late in season, tiller but little. The tendency never- theless exists, bnt root growth is checked and with it the pros- pects of a crop. Hence the aim should be to attain the healthi- est and richest type of the plant, and such is to be found only wdien the conditions exist for its freest and fullest development of all its parts in a manner devised by nature. This suggests then, care in planting, not to secure too heavy a stand in the beginniDg for the fertility of the soil ; proper maiiuriog, in <]|uautity, quality, aud mode of application; deep plowing in preparation of land, and early cultivation of croi>, and shallow culture thereafter to prevent disturbance of increased root growth, early planting with well selected seed, and upon mellow well drained soil. A close attention to the above and the process of suckering can be encouraged with hope of highest results. Whether the stubble comes only from the suckers, can be possitively determined next year, since these idats will be re- served for that i)urpose. VARIETIES OF CANE. . The following is taken from Bulletin Xo. 3 : Early in the fall planters througliout the State were re- quested to send to Station a few selected cane of the dilferent varieties grown by them. The object was to test whether, by selection and proper manuring, an improved variety could not be permanently developed. The following have been received: No. 1. “ 2. 3. 4. 9. 10 . “ 11 . 12 . 1.3. 14. “ 1.5. “ 16. 17. 18. 19. Selected red caue, from Ashland plantation, Kenner & Brent, striped Mexican “ white La Pice “ “ Japanese, from Tchonpitonlas x>lantation, Soniat Bros, small red, “ “ striped, “ “ bastard, “ “ “ large red, “ “ “ largo red and striped, from Station. ‘‘ large red, from Cj'premort, St. Mary, .T. M. Burguieres. “ yellow ribbon. Port Hickey, \V. S. Slaughter & Bros. (I U li “ rod, from Baton Bonge, S. Shorten. red, from Homestead, Dr. Win. E. Brickell. “ rilibon, “ “ “ Bourbon, from Cuba, D. D. Colcock. “ red, from Homestead, Dr. Wm. E. Brickell, “ red (tops), “ “ “ yellow La Pice, from H. A. LeSassier. Of these IS'os. 6 and 19, failed to germinate. Fresh speci- mens of jS'o. 19 have been received and planted this fall from 31r. LeSassier. [101 ANALYSIS OF VARIETIES NOVEMBER 22, 1886. No. of Expt. !S{)ecnic Gravity. De^recH Baume. To! al Solids. Cane Sugar. 1 1.0613 8.3 15. 11.4 g 1.0G30 8.5 15.4 12 5 3 1.0621 8.4 15.2 12. 1.0531 7.3 13.1 9.4 5 1.0634 8.6 15 . 5 13.2- D 7 1.0643 S.7 i5!7 13." 8 1.0604 8.2 14.8 12.1 9 1.06 8.5 15.4 13.2 10 l.t:669 9. 16 3 13.2 11 1-0634 8.G 15.5 12.7 12 1.0643 8.7 15.7 13. 13 1.0o52 8.8 15.9 14.2 14 1.0678 9.1 16.5 13.5 15 1.0652 8.8 15-9 14.2 16 1.0634 8.6 15.5 12.8 17 1.0d3O 8.5 15.4 12.7 These varieties were harvested and planted ITov. 22d, 1886^ Three average stalks from each variety were crushed and ana- lysed with results given above. At same time they were criti- cally examined and classilied as follows: Nos. 1, 8, 9, 12, 13 and 14, were unquestionablj^ alike, anil were of the purple variety so common in this countrp. No. 5 was a red cane of medium size. Eed stripes of vary- ing thickness on a yellowish brown ground, with some splotches of yellowish green near the nodes. Nos. 2, 10, 11 and 10, striped cane. Reddish stripes of va- rying breadth on yellowish green ground. Doubtless all of same- variety. No. 7, Bastard cane. When planted one-half of each joint was red and the other white. The cane harvested on this plat was pure w^hite or striped. Evidently not the iiroduct of the cane planted. Nos. 3 and 16. The one the ^^Bourbon” cane directly from: Cuba. The other the white LaPice from Messrs. Kenner ife Brent’s Ashland plantation, Avere so nearly alike that a close examination failed to detect a dilterence. No. 17 was a large red cane, distinct in every Avay from the purple variety. Color of different shades but no stripes. Through the courtesj" of Commissioner Norman J. Colman,, of Washington, the United States Consuls in the various sugar growing countries, have been requested to send samples of all obtainable varieties of sugar cane to this Station. It is thus^- hoped that a large number may be secured and ultimately va- rieties better adapted to Louisiana obtained, besides affording an opportunity of studying and classifying the various kinds:, now cultivated. [ 11 ] TRASHING C4NE. It is a practice in some countries to have the leaves of the cane as they mature, removed. The process is called trashing. In the early part of September, a portion of Experiments Nos. 2 , 12, 13, 15, and 16, were selected for testing this on a small scale. Accordingly as fast as the leaves matured they were re- moved. At harvest time Nov. 22d, selected samples were ana- lysed with following results : ANALYSIS OF TRASHED CANE. 1^0, ot Expt. Specitic Gravity. Degrees Baume. Total Solids. Cane Sugar. 2 1.0660 «.9 16.1 14. 12 1.0652 S.8 15.9 13.8 13 1.0739 0.^ 17.9 15.5 15 1.0660 8.9 16.1 14. 16 1.087H 9.1 16.5 15.7 A comparison with table on page will show decided gains in ever^^ instance by trashing except No. 15. Even here the total solids are increased — but the sugar is slightly dimin- ished. MANURIAL REQUIRE^IENTS. It is highly important to discover a fertilizer that will give a maximum tonnage with maximum sugar content with cane upon the soils of Louisiana. The latter are now under investiga- tion bj' the Station, and it is hoped that in a few years they may be accurately classified and manures adapted to each specifically determined. The station has cane growing, beginning at the levee and running back six and a half acres. The soil near the levee is a mixture of what is usually denominated sandy and black lands. It gradually shades into the latter, till at a depth of two acres, it is a veritable ‘‘terre gras.” Three analyses of this soil, taken at different distances from the river, were made last summer, ^ind are herewith appended. [121 ANALYSES OF SOILS OF SUGAR EXPERIMENT STATION. Plat No. 16 — Next to River — Mixed Plat No. 2 — Group 1 — 200 y’ds from River — Black Plat No. 2— Group 7 — 400 y’ds from River— Black oOll. Soil. Soil. Insoluble Matter. . . 79.37 77.52 74.21 Soluble Silica .01 .01 .01 Potash .31 .20 .13 Soda .48 .19 .23 Lime .46 .57 .52 Magnesia .04 .03 .03 Peroxide of Irou ? Alumina > 6.37 6.74 6.63 Phosphoric Acid .12 .11 .10 Sulphuric Acid .04 .04 .03 Organic Matter 10.50 14.50 16.24 Carbonic Acid . ^ } Chlorine and Loss ) 2.30 .09 1.87 100.00 100.00 100.00 An examination of above shows that so far as the mineral ingredients are concerned, that these soils are almost identical. The organic matter increases as we go from the river. These soils are deficient in physical qualities rather than chemical ingre- dients. The former limiting the available sui)ply of the latter, aud requiring the application of manures for large crops. To test the kinds and quantities required, has been the object of the series of experiments which follow. It should be remembered that any physical amendment to a soil, such as uuderdraiuing, deep plow- ing, subsoiling, etc., is in itself a manure, since it enables the roots of a plant to forage over an increased area and thus ob- tain larger supplies of available food. Unfortunately for the Station, the seed used in its experiments were seriously injured by being badly put away. Accordingly no stands were obtained anywhere on the Station. Through hot beds prepared on the Station aud the liberality of our neighbors, Messrs. SoniatBros., this defect was partially repaired. In May all the gaps were filled up with transplanted cane, placed six inches apart, or two plants to the running foot. Thus a uniform but by no means a large stand was obtained late in Ma^^, and in reading the re- sults given, due allowances must be made for these deficiencies. Had twice the stand been obtained early in the season, the re- sults would probably have been A^ery much larger. Of the plats gh^en in Bulletin No. 3, Nos. 1 and 9, on ac- count of very defective stands were abandoned and the cane transplanted to fill up A^acaucies in other plats. Nos. 2, 7, S and parts of land 5, Avere successfully carried through the sugar house. Nos. 14 and IG Avere used for seed in fall planting, while Nos. G and parts of 4 and 5 haA^e been Avindrowed for seed and for the mill, to be worked up at various times during the Avinter. [ 13 ] Samples of caue from all of these plats have however been sev- eral times analyzed and resnlts with dates of analyses will be g^iven under proper heads. PLAT NUMP.ER 2.— CANE. Ground prepared with four horse plow. Harrowed and ma- nures put out and cane jilanted Oct. 19th, 1885. Nos. 3, 8, 13, 18, 23, 28, 33 and 38, were not manured at time of planting. They were manured May 21111. Ground was hard and cloddy when planted. Hence much of the seed dryrotted during the drouth which prevailed immediately after. Having failed to secure a stand from the seed, this plat together with all the others was transplanted with cane from prepared hot beds and from our neighbors field. The stalks of cane of all sizes from a few inches to a foot or more in height with the mother stalk attached were very very successfully transplanted, 6 inches apart. Thus a stand of one running stalk every six inches was obtained, which, though uniform, was far from being enough. The manures used are appended with tonnage and sugar con- tent. [ 14 ] RESULTS OF PLAT 2. No. of Expt 1 2 *3 4 5 6 7 *8 9 10 11 12 *13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 *23 24 25 26 27 *28 2 & Manures Used Per Acre. 200 lbs. cotton seed meal 100 “ acid paosphate < 333 lbs cotton st^ed meal ^ 167 “ acid pho.'-pbate f 140 lbs snlpliate ammonia I 120 dried blood \ { 200 cotton seed meal } I 460 “ acid phosphate | [ 80 “ muriate acid j \ 466 lbs cotton seed meaj. ) 234 “ acid phosphate j 600 “ cotton seed meal ^ ) 300 “ acid phosphate ^ S 600 cotton seed meal i 300 acid phosphate > 300 kainite ) 600 “ cotton seed meal... ( 260 “ sulphate ammonia < 460 acid phosphate ( 80 “ mnriiile acid j 300 “ acid phosphate ) I 300 “ kainite ' 300 “ kainite 200 “ cotton seed meal ^ 100 “ floats \ S 333 “ cotton seed meal } I 167 ‘‘ floats \ 466 “ cotton seed meal \23i “ floats 5 466 “ cotton seed meal } 334 “ floats 600 “ cotton seed meal 300 “ floats ( 600 “ cottonseed meal I 300 “ floats ( 300 “ kainite f 600 “ cottonseed meal') j 300 floats i 300 “ kainite ( [ 200 “ gypsum j Nothing 600 lbs cotton seed meal ) 300 “ floats 300 cotton hull ashes ) 300 “ tankage 450 “ 700 ‘‘ 900 “ 900 900 “ 300 “ kainite ( 900 “ tankage ) ^ 300 ‘‘ kainite ( 200 “ gypsum \ 900 “ tankage 300 “ cotton hull ashes i 900 “ rank age ) } 200 “ gypsum ^ 1700 lbs cotton seed, raw Tons Per Acre .30 .52 21.22 23 23. 18. 19. 15. 14. 12 . 15. 19-10 18.05 14.26 16.. 36 16. 16. 16. 17. 15. 18.42 19.32 16.40 Total ■Solids 17. 16. 12.6 12.9 12.6 14.2 13. 12.9 12.4 13.6 12.9 14.0 14.4 13.7 14.4 13.9 13.7 15.4 14.5 15.4 15.1 14.5 15.7 14.3 15.5 15.5 16.1 16'. 3 15.7 15.5' 14.8 Cane Sugar 10.7 10.5 10.6 10.6 11 . 10.4 9.6 10.8 10.1 10.7 11.8 11.2 12 . 11.1 12 . 11.6 11 . 12.1 12.4 12.5 13.5 11.6 11.9 12.1 12.5 13. 12.4 12.2 11.2 When work- ed in Sugar House, Oct. 29, Nov. 1. Nov. 1. Nov. 6. Oct. 29. Nov. 2. Nov. 3. Nov. 3. Nov. 4. Nov. 4. Nov. 8. Nov. 8. Nov. 9. Nov. 9. Nov, 10. Nov. 13. Nov. 13. Nov. 15. Nov. 15. Nov. 16. Nov. 16. Nov. 16. Nov. 17. Nov. 17. Nov. 18. Nov. 18. Nov. 19. Nov. 20. Nov. 21. :}0 31 32 "33 34 36 37 38 39 40 1700 “ cotton seed, raw ^ 300 “ acid pliosphats ) 1700 “ cotton seed, raw ) 300 “ acid phosphate > 300 “ kaiuite ) 1700 cotton seed, raw 300 “ cotton hull ashes 466 “ cotton seed meal ^ ' 234 “ acidphosphie S I 1700 “ cotton seed, raw I 300 “ lloats 1700 “ cotton seed, raw ) 300 ‘‘ lloats 200 “ gypsnm ) 10 tons stalile niannre t 10 tons stable manure , ^ 300 Ihs acid phosphate^ ^ Nothing . 10 tons stable manure ) 300 lbs acid pho.'i)hate * 300 “ kainite ) 10 tons stable manure , 300 lbs floats Tons Per Acre Total Solids Cane Sugar VV hen work- ed in Sugar House. 16.40 15.7 12.8 Nov. 22. 17 00 16. 13.6 Nov. 22. 16.84 14.6 11.1 •Nov. 23. 17.24 15. 11.8 Nov. 23. , ,15.56 15.4 11-9 Nov. 24. . 18.50 14.8 11. j Nov. 24. 12.00 14.0 10.8 I Nov. 25. . 13.63 15. 11. 1 Nov. 25. 8.72 15. 11.4 Nov.. 25. 13.72 15.4 11.5 Nov. 25. . 13.08 16.1 13. Nov. 25. ’"Manures applied to tliese plates on 24th May. Rest October 19th. tThese experimeuts were in tbe rear of the plat, and were cein’edated upon by freedmen. By examining above it is foniul that a mixture of cotton seed meal and acid phosphate has produced the highest results — that kainite has added nothing to the crop — that the addition of acid phosphate to the cotton seed meal has greatly increased the quantity and quality of the crop, and that the application of manures in the fall has been as satisfactory as spring appli- cation of the same manures. Several other suggestions might be accepted from these experiments, but it is perhaps better to await another year’s development before doing so. PfIOSPHORie ACID MANURES— PLAT 7. The object of this plat is to test the form and quantity of pliosiihoric acid best adapted to cane ; using it in a soluble form ^in dissolved bone black and aciel phosphate, in a precijiitated form as precipitated bone black and precipitated acid phosphate, and in an iusaluble form as bone dust and finely ground Charles- ton phosphate, called ^^fioats”; also in the natural form of Or- chilia guano. This xilat was planted Febrnarj^ 20th and 22d and gaps filled with transplanted cane May 23d and 25th. [ 16 ] GROUP 1— DISSOLVED BONE BLACK. Experiment No. (Phosphoric Acid.) ( 18 lbs. cotton seed meal. 1/18 lbs. kainite. f ^Basal mixture. Basal mixture. 6 lbs. dissolved bone black, equal to ^ ration. — Nothiu<^. , Basal mixture. 1*2 lbs dissolved bone black, equal to f ration. ^ Basal mixture. \ 18 ibs. dissolved bone black, equal to full ration. GROUP 2— ACID PHOSPHATE. Experiment No. G — Basal mixture, a u Y ^ Basal mixture. ' \ G lbs. acid phosphate. “ 8 — Nothing. ti a 0 ( Basal mixture. ( 12 lbs. acid phosphate. ic i( in^ Basal mixture. I 18 lbs. acid phosphate. GROUP 3— PRECIPITATED BONE BLA.CK. (Precipitated Phosphoric Acid.) Experiment No. 11 — Basal mixture. 12 Basal mixture. 6 lbs. preJpitated bone black, equal to 1- ration. “ 13 — Nothing. a a 14 ^ Basal mixture. > 12 lbs. precipitated bone black, equal to f ration. ^ Basal mixture. \ 18 lbs. precipitated bone black, equal to full ration. GROUP 4— PRECIPITATED ACID PHOSPHATE. (Precipitated Phosphoric Acid. Experiment No. 16 — Basal mixture. u jrj. < Basal mixture. ( 6 lbs. preciiiitatedacidphosidiate, equaPo ration “ 18 — Nothing. “ ]q ) Basal mixture. ^ } 12 lbs. precipitated acid plios. equal to | ration. ( Basal mixture. 20 '( 18 lbs. precipitated acid phos. equal to full ration ^ GROUP 5— BONE DUST. 22 ii 24 25 (Insoluble Phosphoric Acid.) Experiment Eo. 25 — Basal mixture. Basal mixture. 6 lbs. bone dust, equal to ^ ration. 23 — Nothing. Basal mixture. 12 lbs. bone dust, equal to f ration. Basil mixture. 18 lbs. bone dust, equal to full ration. GROUP 6-ROCK PHOSPHATE. (Insolnbie Phosphoric Acid. *• “ 26— Basal mixture. K 27 ^ Basal mixture. } 6 lbs. floats, equal to ^ ration. 28— Nothing. it ii oq ^ Pasal mixture. ) 12 lbs. floats, equal to f ration, orv 5 I^asal mixture. 18 lbs. floats, equal to full ration. GROUP 7— NATURAL PHOSPHATE. Experiment No. 31 — Basal mixture. u “ ao ^ Basal mixture. ) 6 lbs. Orchilla gbano, equal to ration. “ “ 33-' Nothing. ^ naixture. 12 lbs. Orchiila guano, equal to f ration. 18 lbs. Orchilla guano, equal to full ration. *Basal mixture in this group meaus 18 lbs. cotton seed meal aud 18 lbs. kainite. RESULTS OF EXPERIMENTS PLAT NO. 7. No of Expt. Ton u age Pei Acre. rotal Solids. Cane Sugar. When Ground in Sugar House 1 15.75 15.7 12.7 December 1st. 2 17.76 15.9 13.2 November 25th. 3 14.06 15 . 5 12.1 December 2nd. 4 16.78 15.4 11.8 November25rh. 5 18.75 15.5 12.3 November 25th. 6 15.40 15.5 12.5 December 1st. 7 18.48 15.4 12.8 November 30th. 8 14.34 15.4 11.6 December 2nd. 0 16.34 15.2 12.4 November 30th. 10 16.42 14.8 11.5 November 30th. 11 12.94 15.7 12.7 December 1st. 12 15.41 15.5 12.5 November 30th. 13 12.03 15.4 12.1 December 2ud. 14 13.73 15.5 12.5 November 30th. 15 12.23 15.2 12.3 November 30th. 16 12.45 16.1 12.7 Deceml)er 6th. 17 15.93 .15.4 12 1 December 1st. 18 , 12.30 15.7 12.8 December 7tb. 19 13.88 15. 11.3 Tlec ember ^s^ 20 14.18 15.2 11.6 December 1st. 21 11.29 16.3 13.8 |December 6th. 22 13.58 15.9 12.5 |December 2nd. 23 11.96 15.5 12.7 December 7th. 24 12.19 15.9 12.5 December 2nd. 25- 12.90 16.1 13.8 December 2nd. 26 11.51 16.3 13.4 December 6tb. 27 12.00 16.1 13.1 December 3d. 28 10.95 15.9 ' 12.9 December7tb. 29 11.85 15.5 12.4 December 7th. 30 14.06 15.5 12.4 December 7th. 31 9.34 15.7 13.1 December 6th. 32 10.16 15.9 12.9 De(;ember 3d 33 8.24 15.2 12. (H'.cember 7th. 34 8.44 15.7 13. DecemTier 3d. 35 10.65 13.7 11.3 December 3d. [ 18 ]' By comparing in each group the ^^basal mixture” with the ^^basal mixture mixed with the phosphate’ we obtain the benefit derived from the phosphoric acid, and by comparing them with the unfertilized experiments, we obtain the increase due to the manure. It must be noted however, that the ‘biothings” oc- cupied the center of the plat and from their location were natu- rally better than the rest of the plat. This natural advantage was recognized before planting, but no better arrangement could be devised. Taking each group ui) separately we have for Group 1 Dis- solved Bone Black : GROUP 1. yield of ‘‘Nothing” per acre .14.06 tons. “ “ Basal mixture 15.75 “ “ “ i Ration Dissolved Bone Bhick 17.76 ‘‘ “ “ 16.78 “ “ “3-3 “ “ “ “ 18.75 “ Increase due to V ration over Basal Mixture 2.01 “ 1.03 “ “ “ “3-3 “ “ “ “ 3.00 “ Increase of Basal Mixture over nothing 1.69 “ “ “ ration Dissolved Bone Black over nothing 3.70 “ “ “ f “ “ “ “ “ “ 2.72 “ “ “ 3-3 “ “ “ “ “ “ 4.69 “ COMPARING EACH GROUP IN THIS WAY WE HAVE GROUP 2. Increase Basal Mixture over nothing 1.06 tons. “ ration Acid Phos])hate over nothing 4.14 “ “ f “ “ “ “ “ 2-00 “ “ 3-3 “ “ “ “ “ 2.08 “ GROUP 3. Increase Basal Mixture over nothing 91 tons. “ i ration in-ec. Dissolved Bone Black 3.38 “ “ I- “ “ “ “ “ 1.70 “ “ 3-3 “ “ “ “ “ 20 “ GROUP 4. Increase of Basal Mixture over nothing 15 tons. “ i ration Pres. Acid Phosphate 3.63 “ “ I “ “ “ “ 1.58 “ “ 3-3 “ “ “ “ 94 “ GROUP 5. Increase of Basal Mixture over nothing 67 tons. “ ration Bone Meal over nothing 1.62 “ “ f “ “ “ “ “ 23 “ “ 3-3 “ “ “ “ “ 94 “ GROUP 6. ■Increase of Basal Mixture over nothing 56 tous. “ i ration Floats over nothing 1.05 “ << I “ “ “ “ ’ 9# “ 3-3 “ “ “ “ “ [ 19 ] GROUP 7. increase of Basal Mixture over nothing 1,10 tens. i ration Orch ilia over nothing... 1.92 “ ^ 20 “ 3-3 “ “ “ “ 2.41 AGGREGATING AND COMPARING RESULTS WE HAVE. Uri’oup 1. — Total increase of Dissolved hone hlack overhothing a 2 . — a u “ Acid Phosphare u .... 8.22 ‘‘ 3!— a u “ Prec. Dissolved Bone (( “ ' .... 5.28 “ 4.— ( ( ££ “ Prec. Acid Phosphate “ .... 7.09 5.— ({ ££ Bone Meal u “■ .... 2.89 ‘‘ is 6.— u U Floats u “ .... 4.96 *• 7.— u iC “ Orchilla u .... 4.53 “ 11.11 tons. It is evident from above that pliosphoric acid gives an in- crease in yield, but that this yield is not in proportion to quan- tity applied. Large quantities are therefore useless and ex- pensive if we may judge from above results. These exi>erinieuts ure not very decisive as to the form of phosphoric acid desired. While the soluble forms are ahead and the precepited next, the gains are too small to be pronounced decided, and yet enough to commend these forms to our preference. POTASSIC MANURES— PLAT 8. This plat was designed to test the form and quantity ©f jxitash best adapted to cane, using the muriate, sulphate, nitrate, carbonate and kainite. The ashes of cotton hulls have been used elsewhere in other plats. For fiotatoes and sugar beets the sulphate is preferred to the muriate, the latter injuring the sugar in beets and the starch in potatoes. This plat was planted 3Iarch 15, and gaps filled with transplanted cane May 21. GROUP 1— FORMS OF POTASH ALONE. Experiment No. 1 — 4 lbs. muriute of potash. “ “ 2 —16 lbs. kainite. “ 3 — Nothing. “ 4 — 4 lbs. sulphate potash. “ “ 5 — 2f lbs. carbonate potash. GROUP 2— MURIATE POTASH. S 18 lbs. cotton seed meal. 15 lbs. acid phosphate. *Meal phosphate. a “ 7 ^ Meal phosphate. I 4 lbs. muriate potash, equal to 1 ration. ‘‘ “ 8— Nothing, u Q ^ Meal phosphate. I 8 lbs. muriate potash, equal to | ration. .i( u i Meal phosphate. ^ 12 lbs. muriate potash, equal to fall ration. [ 20 ] GROUP 3— KAINITE. Experiment No. << u ii u << <( u n 11 — Meal phospliate. < Meal phosphate. ^ 16 lbs. kainite, eq^ual to i ration. 13 — Nothing. ( Meal phosphate. ( 32 lbs. kainite equal to f ration. S Meal phosphate. \ 48 lbs. kainite, equal to full ration. / GROUP 4— SULPHATE POTASH. Experiment No. 16 — Meal phosphate. (I K Meal phosphate. I 4 lbs. sulphate potash, equal to ration. “ 18 — Nothing. << jq ( Meal phosphate. ‘ ) 8 lbs. sulphate potash, equal to| ration. ( 12 lbs. sulphate potash, equal to full ration. Experiment il i it GROUP 5— CARBONATE POTASH. No. 21 — Meal phosphate. if QQ j Meal phosphate. I 2| lbs. carbonate potash; equal to ^ ration.. “ 23— Nothing. (( 24 ^ Meal phosphate. } 5^ lbs. carbonate potash, equal to f ration.. i lbs. carbonate potash, equal to full ration. GROUP G— NITRATE POTASH. Experiment u u a No. 20— Meal phosphate. ( 9 lbs. cotton seed meal. “ 27 < 15 lbs. acid phosphate. ( 4i lbs. nitrate Potash, equal to ration. 28 — Nothing. ( 9 Ihs. cotton seed meal. “ 29 < 15 lbs. acid phosphate. ( 9 lbs. nitrate Potash equal to f ration. ( 9 lbs. cotton seed meal. “ 30 < 15 lbs. acid x>hosx>hate. ( IS^lbs. nitrate Potash, equal te full ration. * Meal phosphate in this plat means 18 lbs. cotton seed meal and 15 lbs. acid phosphate. Group No. 1 and Experiments No. 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30, hare not yet been worked up. They have been put away in different ways to be worked up during the winter. C21J No. of Expt. Tonuag® Per Acre. Total Solids. Cane Sugar. When Worked in the Mill. 6 17.27 14.6 p.c. 14. p. c. December 8th. 7 20.74 15.9 12.9 December lOth, 8 22.76 15.5 12.4 December 9th. 9 22.46 15.9 13. December lOth. 11 13.54 16.6 13.8 December 8th. 12 19.35 15.9 13. December 10th. 13 22.95 15.4 12.4 Docember 9th. 14 22.57 15.7 12.6 December 10th, 16 13.20 16.2 13.6 December 8th. 17 15.26 15.8 13.1 December 13th. 18 13-72 15. 11.7 December 9th. 19 13.20 15.7 12.9 Decomber 13th. 21 7.42 15. 11.8 December 8th. 22 11.58 14.6 10.7 December 13th. 23 10.98 14.4 11.2 December 9th. 24 9.15 14.5 10.5 December 13th. 26 7.76 15.4 11.8 December 8th. 27 10.20 14.8 11.4 December 14th. 28 12.00 14.9 11.1 December 9th. 29 13.58 13.9 10.5 December 14th. The results of these experiments are highly discordant and very unsatisfactory. The largest yields are the unfertilized plats. A portion of this plat was in corn and peas previous to these experiments, and was in excellent order, and ploughed wen. The rest was in stubble. The unfertilized experiments oecupied the centre of the plat, came up better and grew off faster than elsewhere. The manner in which the plat had been previously frequently ploughed, had caused a ridge in the cen- tre of the plat. Hence this ridge was from its position the best drained dart of the plat. Again this plat occupied the extreme western part of the Station and was the last cane cut. Hence in spite of our efforts to prevent them, depredations by the freedmen were frequent and severe. Groups No. 8, 5 and 6, were never equal to the others, and it is believed that they were en- tirely within the stubble of the previous year. Group No. 6 was the last cane planted on the station, much later than the rest, and never caught up. Group No. 5 never did well. In fact during the season whenever carbonate of potash; either pure or in the ashes of cotton hulls, was used, a diminished ^owth and sickly hue were plainly visible in the cane. The juices from these plats as well as those from Plat 7, have been analysed carefully as to their ash content, to determine what effect increased quantities of mineral manures may have on the cane. The centrifugal molasses ultimately coming from the sugar obtained from each of these experiments has been analysed to determine the mineral matter present, preventing crystaliza- tion. Results of these analyses will be included in the Bulletin on the Sugar House. [ 22 ] TILE DRAINING. Last fall tlie Station had several acres tiled drained. One plat was selected one acre wide and four acres deep, and one- half of it was tiled, while the other was not. The object was to deteianine by duplicate experiments the effect of tiles on this soil. The tiles in this plat are laid four feet deep, and at a uni- form distance of 20 feet, using tile of sizes from 2^ to 4 inches in diameter. Plats 4 and 5 are divided by an imaginary line, the latter tiled and the former iiot. The same experiments were made on each. These plats were planted with stubble, trans- planted from an abandoned field of our neighbors, Soniat Bros., on the last of May. The first group only was harvested, the rest being windrowed for seed. RESULTS OF TILED AND UNTILED SOIL— PLATS 4 AND 5. Tons.^Pei- Acre. Total Solids. Sugar. When Ground. Espt. No. ii U 1 Untiled 0.72 14.8 12.1 December 7th, 1 Tiied 12.08 15.2 12.4 <• U (C 2 Untiled , 0.62 14.2 10.9 <( (( U 2 Tiled 14.80 14.8 11.6 (( C4 iC 3 Unfertilized^ 7.64 13.7 10.6 it a The manure used on ^N’o. 1, was a mixture cotton seed meal, acid phosphate and kainite, and on 'No. 2, only cotton seed meal and acid phosphate. No 2 tiled, was next to the main canal into which the .tiles emptied, ^o. 1 tiled next, then unfertilized tiled plat, then Ko. 2 untiled, and last and furthest from the tiles was Xo. 1 untiled^ This plat was originally the blackest and stillest piece of land: on the place, and was, on this account, selected for tiling. Its improvement from tiling is very perceptible, in appearance, in plowing and in the growth of cane. During the summer when- the drouth checked the growth of all the other plats on the Sta- tion, the tiled drained cane continued to grow, and it was the* last to be killed by the frost in the fall- It is too early yet tO' recount the benefits of tile drainage on Louisiana soil. Suffice to say that it is giving promise of great success and if one-half of the benefits claimed for it, are realised, it will be a great booife to sugar growers. The following are the manures used on each plat : PLATS 4 AND 5. ( 25 lbs. cotton seed meal. Experiment No. 1 25 lbs. acid phosphate. ( 25 lbs. kainite. n nS 25 lbs. cotton seed meal. ( 25 lbs. acid phosphate, a “ 3— Nothing. ( 25 lbs. cotton seed meal. “ 4 ^ 25 lbs. Orchilla phosphate. ( 25 lbs. kainite. [ 23 ] a a r ^ ' otton seed meal. 2.5 lbs. Orcliilla Pbosiiliate. “ “ 6 — Notbiog. ( 25 lbs. c tton seed meal. “ 7< 25 lbs. bone drist. ^ 25 lbs. kainite. d' K o ) ‘^'5 lbs. cotton seed meal. ( 25 lbs. bone dust. “ 9 — Notbing. ^ 25 lbs. cotton seed meal. 10 25 lbs. floats. ( 25 lbs. kainite. u 11 5 t^^dton seed meal. I 25 lbs. floats, o 12 — Noih.ng. f 25 ibs. cotton seed meal. “ “ 13 ^ 25 lbs. ashes cotton hulls. ( 25 lbs. kainite. n . , ^ 25 lbs. cotton seed meal. ( 25 lbs. ashes cotton hulls. “ “ 1.5 — Nothing. “ ‘M6— 25 lbs. cotton seed meal. ‘ “ •' 17 — 25 lbs. acid phosphate. “ '' 18—25 lbs. kainite. These plats were analysed three times during the season-' and results are here given. I [ 24 ] ANALYSIS OF CANE FROM PLATS FOUR AND FIVE— TILED AND UNTILED. October 25th. December 2nd. December 7th. Untiled. Tiled. Untiled. Tiled. Untiled. Tiled. H O O H p H O H O H o •-»> rt- E. o a> P p p ® P p P o P P ® o ert- P p 0 ® CO CO GO CO CO c GO 2? CO 02 GO GO M Iri c or? 0^ Pi QfQ ofp p QTQ o P OQ ct* p 5.’ p P p d. P d P OD •-< oc OB Cf, 05 OB *-s 1 13.7 9.7 13.4 10.5 14.8 12.1 15.2 2.4 2 13.2 8.9 14.6 11.3 14.2 10.9 14.8 11. ft 3 13.9 10. 13.7 10.6 4 14.8 ii.3 14.3 11.4 13.9 11.6 12.8 11.4 5 14.1 11.4 13.2 10.0 16.8 15. 15.4 13. 6 12.8 9.1 14.8 12.7 7 14.8 11.5 14.4 11.1 14.6 12.5 8 13.2 9. 14.8 11.7 15.7 13.4 9 15.4 13. 10 14.6 11.7 15.8 12.6 15.4 13. 14.6 12.5 11 14.4 11.3 15.2 11.3 14.6 12.5 17. 15.3 12 14.8 11. 14.6 12.5 13 13.7 9.5 14.3 11. ; 13.9 11.6 14 15.2 10.9 15.5 13. 15.4 13. 13. 11.2 15 15. 11.7 15.4 13. 16 k. 8 10-8 12.3 8.6 16.3 14.8 14.8 12.7 17 13.9 10.7 14-5 11.3 14.8 12.7 18 13.9 10.1 14.8 11.9 16.3 14.8 14.1 11.9 The effects of the tiles were far more apparent in the size of the cane than in the purity of the juice. NITROGEN MANURES— PLAT 6. This plat is also tiled drained, the tiles running east and west, while the different forms of nitrogen were applied north and south, so that whatever leeching might occur from each ni- trogen group could be caught and analysed. This, to date, has been four tiines successfully accomplished, results of which will constitute the matter of a separate bulletin. In these experiments such quantities of each form is taken as to represent equal amounts of nitrogen, and these are taken in one-third, two-third and full rations. Our object is to test the best form and quantity of nitrogen for cane, as well as to test the other question of loss of these manures by leaching. This plat was planted March 11. Ifc was windrowed for seed and the analysis given below are of samples selected from each plat. This plat was not transplanted and the gaps vitiated the tonnage and hence it was used for seed. RESUL T OF ANLYSIS OF SAMPLES— PLAT 6. Manures Used. GROUP 1— FORMS OF NITROGEN ALONE. Experiment No. 1 — Spbs. nitrate soda. Experiment No. 2—3 lbs. sulphate of ammonia. •* “ 3 — Nothing. “ " 4— lbs. dried blood. “ ** 5 — 12 lbs. cotton seed meal. GROUP 2— NITRATE OF SODA. (15 lbs. acid phosphate. “ “ 6 < 4 lbs. muriate potash. ( *Mixed minerals. «.( “75 mineials. 5 5 lbs. nitrate soda, equal to ^ ration. “ “ 8— Nothing- i, , t( g ( Mixed minerals. 5 10 lbs. nitrate soda, equal to f ration. .1 ., C Mixed minerals. ■‘^'^515 lbs. nitrate soda, equal to full ration. GROUP 3— SULPHATE OF AMMONIA. Experiment No. 11 — Mixed minerals. ,, Mixed minerals. 3| lbs. sulphate of ammonia, equal to ^ ration. 13— Nothing. I . C Mixed minerals. 7i lbs. Sulphate of Ammonia, equal to f ration. Mixed minerals. 14 IS. sulphate of ammonia, equal to full ration. GROUP 4— DELED BLOOD. Experiment No. 16— Mixed minerals. ,, 4 , j- C Mixed minerals. ^ 5 7^ lbs dried blood, equal to ^ ration- “ “ 18 — Nothing. ,4 ,4 .qf Mixed minerals. 15 lbs. dried blood, equal to f ration. 44 4 i 2 g C Mixed minerals. I 22 J lbs. dried blood, equal to full ration. GROUP 5— COTTON SEED MEAL. Experiment No 21 — Mixed minerals. 44 44 00 5 5 12 lbs cotton seed meal, equal to § ration. “ “ 23— Nothing. 41 44 24 5 Mixed minerals. I 24 lbs. cotton seed meal, equal to | ration. 4 , “25 5 Mixed minerals. 5 36 lbs. cotton seed meal, equal to full ration. GROUP 6 — FISH SCRAP. Experiment No 26 — Mixed minerals. 44 44 27 5 Mixed minerals. 5 10 dried fish, equal to ^ ration. 44 4 4 28 — Nothing. 44 “ 00 5 Mixed minerals. 5 20 lbs. dried fish, equal to f ration. 4 , 44 Oft 5 Mixed minerals. 5 30 lbs. dried fish, equal to full r-tion. G OUP 7— MIXED NITROGEN. Experiment No 31 — Mixed minerals. 1 Mixed minerals. 44 41 32 i If lbs. nitrate soda. 1 equal to 4 ration. I l| lbs. sulphate ammonia. > Mixed nitrogen. ) 4 lbs. cotton seed meal. ) “ “ 33 — Nothing. f Mixed minerals. 44 44 04 J 3f lbs. nitrate soda. 1 } 2 J lbs, sulphate ammonia > equal to f ration (. 8 lbs. cotton seed meal. ) I Mixed minerals. 44 „ 35 5 lbs. nitrate soda, 1 \ 3i lbs. sulphate ammonia. > equal to full ration. 1 12 lbs. cotton seed meal. ) GROUP &-FORMS OF NITROGEN ALONE. “ “ 36 — Fish scrap. “ “ 37— Fish scrap. “ “ 38 — Nothing. “ “39 Mixed Nitrogen. 2.0 » hVJO a » T'? a 'I 1 16.1 13. 2 16.8 14.7 3 16.6 14.4 A 5 16.1 13- 0 7 8 14.5 11.4 9 14.5 11.4 10 15.9 13. 11 15.7 12.9 12 16.1 13.1 13 16.1 13.2 14 15.7 12.9 15 15.7 12.9 ■6 15.7 12.9 17 16.8 14. 18 15.7 13.1 19 15.4 12.8 20 16.3 14. 21 15. 12.3 22 15.7 11.2 23 16.6 14.5 24 15. 12.4 25 15.4 12.8 26 15.4 12.8 27 14.8 11.7 28 15.9 13. 29 30 31 16.3 13.5 16. t 14.5 32 13.9 11.6 33 13.5 11.5 34 14.3 11.9 35 15. 11.7 36 16.5 14. 37 13.* 11.7 38 13.9 11.9 39 13. C 11.7 ’'Mixed minerals in this plat always mean 15 lbs. acid phosphate and 4 lbs, muriate [26 I SANDY LAND EXPERIMENT— PLAT NO. 16. The following experiments were placed upon sandy land to test the proportions of nitrogen, phosphoric acid and potash, adapted to cane on this character of soil. Planted February 19 and 20. This plat was used for seed in fall planting, but small clumps from each experiment were left standing, and from these the analyses begun in September were continued till late in November. RESULTS OF ANALYSES OF CANE FROM PLAT NO. 16. ( 32^ lbs cotton seed ojeal.' Experiment No. 12 12^ lbs kainite. ( 5 lbs acid pbospliate. 1 30 lbs cotton seed meal. “ 2 j 12^ lbs kainite. ( 7^ lb* acid phosphate. 25 lbs cotton seed meal. 12^ lbs kainite. I2i acid phosphate. 25 lbs cotton seed meal. 15 lbs kainite. 12| lbs acid phosphate. ' 5 — Nothijig. 6 — Nothing. 18f lbs cotton seed meal. 18f lbs acid phosphate. 12-J lbs kainite. 18f lbs cotton seed meal. 82 18f lbs acid phosphate. ( 25 lbs kainite. g \ 18f lbs cotton seed meal. \ ,18| lbs acid phosphate. 5 15 lbs cotton seed meal. 22^ lbs acid phosphate. 12| lbs kainite. Proportions of ni- trogen to phos. acid to potash 3 1 li H Sept. 8 th. Sept. 24 th Oct. 8th. Nov. 20 th. Total Cane Total 1 Cane Total Cane Total Cane Solids Sugar Solids, j Sugar. Solids Sugar Solids Sugar 1 10.8 7.1 9.9 6. 13.7 11. 13.9 10. 2 13.7 10.2 13-7 10.6 12.2 9.2 16.2 13.4 3 12.4 9.2 13. 9.6 13.4 10.5 14.7 12.5 4 10.8 7. 11.3 8.5 12.6 9.8 16.2 13.3 5 11. 7-1 11.9 7.9 13.6 10.5 14.7 11.2 6 12.1 8.2 14.5 12.1 13.4 9.8 15.4 12.9 7 11. 7.2 13. 9.1 13.4 10.2 15.8 13. 8 11.1 7.8 13.2 9.7 12.5 9.3 17.1 14.9 9 11.7 7.6 ll .9 8.2 14.1 10.9 10 11.3 7.2 12.5 8.6 13. 9.9 16.9 15. [ 27 ] STUBBLE CANE— PLAT NO. 14. This plat is the onh^ piece of first year stubble ou the place. It was used to windrow cane in during the past winter, and has been greatly injured. As it was the only oi)p*ortunity of trying some experiments upon first year stubble, it was deemed expe- dient to run the risk of the injury. Accordingly it was off- bared, dug, and manures applied March 18th and 19th, and well harrowed in. The object of the experiment is to test ma- nurial requirements of stubble cane upon sandy land. 3 4- 1 1 1 ^ cotton seed meal. } Nitrogen to phos. acid. ^ .5 lbs acid phosphate. (3 1 30 lbs cotton seed meal. 71 lbs acid phosphate. 25 ll)s cotton seed meal. ^ 121 lOs ^^cid phosphate. ( -Nothing. ( 18f lbs cotton seed meal. ) 5 I8f lbs acid phosphate. / ( 4 lbs muriate potash. ) 18| lbs cotton seed meal. ? . If lbs acid phosphates. ^ 15 lbs cotton soed meal. ^ i o 221 10s acid phosphate. > 5 lbs nitrate soda. j 7 lbs sulpha te ammonia | Formula recommended for ^ cane stubble by Agricultn- I ral Station at St. Denis, j 1 h^'ormula recqmmended for Stubble cane by Geo. Ville, of France. 8 { f) lbs dried blood. I 28 lbs acid phosphate. 4 lbs muriate potash. ( 14 lbs nitrate potash. “ “ 9<^ 321 10s acid iihosphate. (211 lbs gypsum. 10 — 30 lbs tankage. u u ^ 30 lbs tankage. ( 20 lbs ashes cottan seed hulls. <• << 12 — 15 bushels compost, (see page 19 Bulletin No. 2.) “ 13 — 50 lbs Sterns’ ammouiated dissolved bone. “ “ 14 — 50 lbs Sterns’ sugar goods. “ 15 — 50 lbs Stono guano. “ 16— 50 lbs Studniczka’s cane grower. . . “ “ 17 — 50 lbs Rogers’ sugar goods. ‘‘ 18 — 50 lbs Foster’s formula. “ “ 19 — 50 lbs Mapes’ potato manure. “ 20 — 50 lbs Mapes vine and fruit manure, “ “ 21 — Nothing. “ “ 22 — 50 lbs Soluble Pacific guano. “ “ 23 50 lbs Planters cane fertilizer. The Pacific sugar goods reached here too late to be put on stubble. . This plat has been wiudrowed for seed, but small clumps ou each plat were left standing, and from these the analyses began in October have beeiL continued. The results of analyses are given. [281 RESULTS OF ANALYSIS OF CANE, PLAT 14. Oct. 2nd. Oct. 25th. Nov. 25th. No. of Exp’t. Total Solids Cane Sugar. Total Solids. Cane Sugar Total Solids Cane Sugar. 1 13.8 8.4 15. 12.5 16.1 13.4 2 13.8 8.8 13.2 9.9 14.8 12.8 3 12.8 8.8 14.6 11.6 14.3 11.2 4 13.7 10.2 15.9 13.3 14.6 12. 5 13.9 9.9 13.6 9.9 14.3 10.9 6 13.2 9.1 15.2 13. 14.3 11.6 7 11.9 7.1 13.7 11.5 16.1 14.2 8 13.4 9.3 14.3 11.8 16.5 14.5 9 13. 8.7 13. 9.7 15.4 13. 10 13.7 9.8 14.3 10.4 16.6 14.6 11 11.9 7.0 12.8 8-6 14.8 11.9 12 13.2 9.9 14.8 11.8 13.2 10.9 13 15.3 11.8 15. 12.8 13. 12.8 14 13.7 9.8 13.6 11. 13.7 10. 15 13.7 9.9 14.5 12. 16.1 13. 16 12.8 8.6 14.5 11. 14.6 12.4 17 13.7 10.0 15.9 13.2 16.3 13.8 18 15.7 ' 13.1 15.4 .13. 13.2 9.4 19 12.8 9.3 13 6 9.5 15.4 12.5 20 13. 9.2 15.2 12.8 15.4 13- 21 13.4 9.7 13.6 11-4 14.3 11.6 22 13.6 10.1 14.1 10-2 14.1 10. 23 12.8 9. 15. 12.5 14.5 11.4 24 14.8 11.5 13.7 10.6 15.2 12.9 The Station having but a small plat of stubble cane, and the stand on this defective, it instituted a series of experiments upon Tchoupitoulas Plantation, Messrs. SoniatBros. These ex- periments were selected so as to cover all three prevailing soils of this section of the State, viz., sandy, mixed and black. [ 29 ] RESULTS OF EXPERIMENTS STUBBLE CANE— TCHOUPITOULAS PLANTATION. 525 p Sandy Land Mixed Land. Black Land. W Manures Used. Total Cane Total Cane Total Cane Solids Sugar Solids Sugar Solids Sugar 1 32i Ihs Cotton Seed Meal. 5 lbs Acid Phosphate. 17.0 13.5 18.3 15.7 17.2 13.6 2 30 lbs Cotton Seed Meal, lbs Acid Phosphate. 16.8 14.5 18.1 15.6 17.4 14.7 3 ) 25 lbs Cotton Seed meal. 12| lbs Acid Phosphate. 16.5 13.4 17.9 15.3 17.7 14.9 4 18f lbs Cotton Seed Meal. 18f lbs Acid Phosphate. 16.3 13.6 17.9 15. 17.5 14.6 5 Nothing. 17-2 14.6 17. 14.8 17.5 14.4 6 15 lbs Cotton Seed Meal. 22i lbs Acid Phosphate. 16.3 13. 16.8 13.3 18.6 15.3 30 lbs Cotton Seed Meal. 7 ! 6 lbs Dried Blood. 1 28 lbs Acid Phosphate. 16.6 13.2 17.9 14.8 17.9 14.8 ^ 4 lbs Muriate Potash. 30 lbs Cotton Seed Meal. 8 6 lbs Dried Blood. ' 28 lbs A<}id Phosphate. 16.8 ^ 13.5 17.2 14 3 17.2 14.2 9 30 lbs Tankage. 16.8 13.5 16.6 13.4 16.5 13.2 10 Nothing:. 16.3 13. 17.8 14.9 17.5 14.6 11 1 30 lbs Tankage. 1 4 lbs Muriate Potash. :6.3 13. 18.5 15.7 18.1 15.5 12 i 1 30 lbs Tankage. ' 20 lbs Gypsum. 18.5 15.9 17.5 14.6 21.0 17.7 13 3 0 lbs Orciiilla Guano. 16.1 13.2 15.5 13. 17. 14.5 14 30 lbs Charleston Floats. 16.1 12.8 17-2 15. 18.1 15-8 15 Nothing. 16.5 13.3 17-9 13.9 18.3 14.4 16 30 lbs Stern^s Sugar goods. 17.9 14. 17.9 14.1 17.4 13.8 17 30 lbs Studniczkas Goods. 17.8 13.9 17. 13.3 16-8 12.8 18 30 lbs Rogers’ Cane Fertilizer. 15.9 12.5 16.8 13.9 17.8 14.1 19 30 lbs Pacihc Guano. 17.5 13.9 15. 11.9 17.9 14.5 20 Nothing. 16.6 14. 17. 14.9 17.2 15. i 24 lbs Nitrate Soda. 21 / 28 lbs Acid Phosphate. ( 4 lbs Muriate potash. 16.5 14. 17.4 15.7 17.2 15.5 r 12 lbs Nitrate Soda. 22 i 1 24 lbs Cotton Seed Meal. 1 2S lbs Acid Phosphate. 16.5 14.3 17.4 15.7 17.9 16.8 4 lbs Muriate Potash. f 8 lbs Nitrate Soda. 23 j I 32 lbs Cotton Seed Meal. 1 28 ibs Acid Phosphate. 1, 4 lbs Mbriate Potash. . 28 lbs A^id Phosphate. 16.3 13.8 16.3 13.8 18.3 16.5 24 4 lbs Miiriate Potash. ; 8 lbs Cart’s Rotted Bagasse. 16.8 14.3 17.2 14.9 17.5 15.5 25 s : lbs Cart’s Rotted Bagasse. 17.4 14.9 17.7 15.6 18.3 16.5 26 Nothing. 17.2 15. 18.1 16.4 17.5 15.6 *8 lbs. Nitrate Soda applied at three different times. RESULT OF MANORIAL EXPERIMENTS WITH CANE. During the season just ended, the Station has several times analysed specimens of cane from the 300 experiments grown [ 39 ] Oil the gTOUDcls. It has also aualysed several hundred for the farmers of the State, grown upon every variety of soil, and with perhaps every kind of manure used in varyiug quantities. In all, over 2000 distinct analyses have been made. Many of these have been published from time to time in the journals of the State. A peculiarity of these results has been noticed by many observing planters, and has been commented uijon in corres- pondences with the Station. The peculiarity is this : On the Station the unfertilized plats have frequently given the highest per centage of sugar. This is easily explained wTen a close ex- amination of the soil of the Station is made. It is a very black soil which has long been badly cultivated, with little or no drainage, and although its chemical composition is very fair, its execrable physical condition checks the i)lant in its root devel- opment, and prevents the collection and assimilation of that food iiecessary to a large,continuous growth, and the plant so check- ed prematurely ripens even in our short seasons.. The amount of sugar in a cane is Just in proportion to maturity. Therefore, a plant checked in its growth from any cause, i>overty of soil, drouth, etc., at once does the only thing left for it, matures, i. e. stores up sugar. Hence upon poor soils, unfertilized plats in favorable seasons will perliaps always be the richest in sugar. Why then use manures ? The reply is, to increase tonnage. The period of growTh in this country is very short, and therefore to get the highest results, w^e must fertilize wdth quickly avail- able juanures, so as to force the cane into a good grow th, by the time the cool nights of September and October check vegeta- tion and induce maturity. The manures give increased tonnage but rarely, increased per centage of sugar. It is hoped that at an early day a fertilizer may be found which will accomplish both. But in the use of manures, great care should be exer- cised in selecting those w hich, while causing a rapid growth, will at the same time induce a moderate elaboration of sugar. Nitrogenous manures alone produce a sappy, succulent, one sided growth, make a cane rich in ferment and albuminoids but low in saccharine matter, except upon soils rich in available mineral matter. Therefore nitrogenous manures should rarely be used alone and never in excessive quantities. The exact (quantity to be used per acre cannot be accurately foretold. Sometimes favorable seasons will permit of the appropriation of very large quantities to great advantage, while unfavorable seasons fail to utilize even small quantities. Again, if an ex- cessive quantity used this year is not appropriated by the plant the greater part of it, is lost from the soil or rendered unavail- able for the next season. Hence prudence would suggest the application of enough of this kind of manure to make under a medium season, a fair crop. The maximum amount of nitrogen according to this would be from 40 to 60 lbs. per acre, an amount usually contained in 600 and 800 lbs. cotton seed meal. But phosphoric acid and potash must be present either in the ma- nure or in the soil, in readily available forms, in order to com- [^n bine with the nitrogen to make a perfect plant. The former when present in the right proportions, Avith nitrogen, causes a quicker and more vigorous growth, than the latter alone, since the presence of this ingredient, [Phosphoric Acid], causes a more rapid translocation of the albummoids [Avhose formation seems to be the chief function of nitrogen] through the sap or juice of the cane, and at same time conduces to the formation and de- l)Osition of sugar. The potash on the other hand, conspires with the ohloro- phyl grains of the leaf to form carbohydrates, which are all ul- timately in the (*-ane resolved into sugar. Therefore when soils are deficient in these ingredients, they must be suj)plied in the manures. Excessive quantities of these ingredients can be used Avifehout fear of subsequent loss from the soil, if not utilized the first season. Numerous experiments have abundantly proA^en this. But w^hether excessiA^e quantities of these ingredients in the manure, especially potash, cause excessive quantities in the juice of the cane to the prevention of the crystalization of sugar, are questions noAv being in A’CvSti gated by the Station. Jt is belieA^ed that potash exists in available form and quan- tity in most of the sugar soils of the State. At all CA^ents, very small quantities of this ingredient in manures suffice to make large crops, and increased quantities do not enhance either the tonnage or sugar content. On the other hand, the application of phosphoric manures seems to be beneficial to all soils. From the results of the field experiments of the past year, the Station Aroiild say that Nitrogen and Phosphoric Acid are the ingredients absolutely needed for cane on the sugar soils and lands of this State, and that cotton seed meal and soluble phosphates furnish these ingredients in as cheap and as efficient forms as can be obtained by the planters, and that small quan- tities of potash may be beneficial and can be easii}" and cheaply suiiplied in the form of kainite. When the soil contains a moderate amount of vegetable matter, cotton seed meal and acid phosphate should be used in equal proportions; if deficient, the cotton seed meal can be increased. On pea faliow^s it can be decreased. Upon stubble cane, cotton seed meal can be advantageously increased. Nitrate of Soda has been very effectiA^ely used as a top dressing during the iiast season upon small and late stubble. The first essential to the successful production of sugar is a large crop. To attain this, the following conditions are de- manded : Thorough drainage, excellent prei)aration of soil, good seed properly planted, judicious manuringv, both in quantity quality and mode of application, early culture, deep and thor- ough — after culture as shallow as possible for good work, and a laying by as early as is consistent with cleanliness and good <;ondition. These being accomplished, nature will do the rest, and a reasonably large crop may be confidently expected. [32j RECORD OF WEATHER— KEPT BY LOUISIANA SUGAR EXPERIMENT STATION, FOR NOVEMBER. 1886. Date. THERMOMETER. RAIN FALL, Sept. j 9 A. M. 3 P. M. S a Maximum 1 Minimum. Indies. 1 66° 70° 68° 70° 41° .00 2 65° 69° 67° 70° 45° .00 3 66° 70° 68° 70° 42° .00 4 64° 69° 67° 69° 44° .00 5 65° 70° 60° 68 46° .00 6 64° 69° 54° 65° 45° .00 7 6-i° 70° 68° 71° 43° .00 8 70° 73° 71° 73° 48° .00 9 72° 75° 71° 75° 49° 1.00 10 70° 73° 71° 73° 48° .15 11 74° 76° 73° 75° 49° .00 1*2 63° 70° 67° 69° 48° .30 13 65 68° 64° 68° 45° .45 14 52° 55° 52° 60° 43° .00 15 50° 55° 52° 59° 40° .00 16 50° 54° 50° 59° 40° 1.25 17 44° 49° 42° 50° 33° .00 18 45° 50° 43° 50° 36° .15 19 48° 60° 48° 60° 40° .00 20 55° 60° 59° 60° 43° .00 21 56° 61° 60° 61° 44° .25 22 57° 61° 60° 61° 46° 1.50 23 60° 65° 60° 65° 50° .50 24 55° 60° 54° 60° 45° .00 25 43° 51° 50° 53° 40° .00 26 44° 52° 50° 52° 39° .00 27 43° 51° 51° 51° 38° .00 28 44° 52° 50° 52° 40° .00 29 46° 55° 52° 55° 42° .00 30 44° 53° 51° 53° 40° 0.00 lUCxlii S Average 57° 62° 58° 1 Lowest Temperature 75^' Lowest Temperature 33° [ 33 ] RECORD OF WEATHER KEPT BY LOUISIAIU SUGAR EXPERIMENT STATION FOR DECEMBER 1886. Date. THERMOMETER: RAIN FALL. -t-j 1 > § t S •iS r luclies. tc X < • Zi < C5 CO 0 S 1 • 540 600 50° 60° 490 2 54 60 50 I 59 48 3 53 59 49 58 47 1.25 4 36 58 ^ 50 40 34 5 33 40 34 33 27 6 30 37 33 30 26 7 44 52 32 52 30 8 44 49 40 52 30 9 50 52 40 53 35 10 59 65 50 ()5 34 11 70 73 58 74 45 12 73 75 70 75 48 13 73 76 70 76 49 14 73 76 71 76 49 15 73 76 71 76 49 16 74 77 72 77 50 17 77 79 74 79 52 18 77 79 74 79 52 .50 19 76 78 74 78 51 20 73 75 72 75 49 21 71 74 70 74 48 22 73 78 74 75 49 23 71 74 70 74 48 24 71 73 70 73 47 25 70 72 71 72 45 26 72 75 70 75 49 27 72 74 68 74 47 28 71 74 73 74-. 47 1.00 29 70 73 69 73 42 30 67 70 68 70 40 31 66 71 64 71 41 2.75 inches Average 63 68 64 Lowest Temperature. .26 CONDENSED WEATHER RECORD OF SUGAR EXPERIMENT STATION FROM MARCH 1,1886, to JANUARY 1, 1887. Mouth. Average Temperature. Maximum Temperature. Minimum Temperature. Rainfall In Inches. March - 63^ • 80° 37° 9.13 April 69 87 41 7.32 May 76 93 57 3.59 June 83 97 69 11.50 July 83 96 68 3.25 August 84 97 66 4.18 September 80 91 59 5.24 October 73 87 ■ 39 1. November 66 75 9 33 5.55 December 65 79 ’ 26 2-75 Rainfall for three spring months 20.04 Rainfall for three summer months 18.93 Rainfall for three fall months 11.79 COTTON BULLETIN No. 8 OF TUB I‘.AT()X IlOUCrE, LA. Wm. C. Stubbs, Ph. D., rDIHECTOR, ISSUED BY TtIOMF*SOT^ .T. Commissioner oe Agriculture, Baton Rouge, la. BATON ROUGE ; PRINTED BY LEON JASTREMSKI, STATE PRINTER, LOUISIANA SUGAK EXPEEIMENT STATION, ) Baton Eouge, La. J Major T. J. Biul, Commissioner of Agriculture, Baton Bovige, La.: Dear Sir — 1 Land you Lero'witL for puLlicatiou Bulletin No. 8, covering experinienls in cotton, made during the past season on the State Experiment Station at Baton Rouge, La. I regret that pressure of official duties has pres ented an earlier preparation. Respectfully, WM. C. STUBBS, Director. COTTON ITS UISTORY. The liistory of cotton is coev«"jl with kuman history. The earliest records of the Asiatics and Egyptians speak of it. "VVe are inforiued by the great Koniaii author Pliny, that gar- ments of cotton were worn by tho ancient Egyj)tians more than one thoiisa lid years before Christ. Surplices were made of it for their jiriests. Herodotus speaks of this plant as growing in India 450 P. C. and bearing; a tieece more delicate and beau- tiful than tliat of slieep. The time of tlie origin and culture of cotton in Asia is hidden in great obscurity. It ctudainly anteda- ted the Mavedonian conquest. From that time to the present, it has steadiily grown in favor and extent of cultivation. Ci'otton ('loth was used as awnings in a theatre b}' T.uculbis and by (hesar to (a)ver the forum and to ])ave the street leading troiii his liouse to.tiie Capitoline Hill. The generrds of Alexander brought the plant and fabrics made from it to Greece. Cotton has been grouTi from time immemorial in Central Afriaratively recent date. The history of cotton in the Ilniterl States dates from 1784, when a shipment of eight bales was made to Europe, since that time its cnltivatiou has steadily increased until now our annual crox) reaches over six millions of bales. BOTANICAL RELATIONS. Cotton belongs to a large class of x>l‘^Bts, known to the Botonists as Malvacam. Of this class, beside cotton, we have in cultivation tlie oksa and the hollyhock. There are said to be many species of cotton — two of which only are cultivated in the South — the one upland or common cotton ; Gossiinum Herba- [ 4 ] ceum, tlie other Sea Island cotton.” Gossipiiiin Barba dense.” The latter is cnltiV'ated only on the coast or nei|.' h boring islands, Avhile the former constitutes the chief staple of the Southern States. The bloom of upland cotton is white or cream 'colored the first day, turning red on. the next and falling on the tlsird, leaving a small boll enveloped in the calyx. Tins boll continues to develop until it reaches the size and shape of an egg, v/hcn on maturity it splits into three to live cells, containing the seed, Avrapped in a tomentoso avooI. This avooI constitutes the lint or libre which clothes the world. HABITUDES. Cotton is emphatically a child of the sun and nourishes only ill warm latitudes. Its heliotrojiic teudeimics are eA^eii more marked than the poetical suiitio\ver. ItvS re- ceh’e the first gloAV of morning light and following the King of Day, dismiss it at eve in the Avest witli dewy regrets. Yf ilh us it is an annual herb. Further south it apiiears to be a shrub, Avliile under the tropics, it is a small tree enduring many years. It is an exogenous plant, Avith two seed leaves anJ a long top root. Among our held crops it stands Avithout a fellovr — alone — and peculiar in its luibits and characteristics. Its nearest rela- tion among our cultivated plants, as before mentioned, is the okra, Avith Avliich it crosses, to form some of the many evanes- cent Amrieties of olra-coftouy now on the market. By its long- deep tap root, it is enabled to Avithstand droughts and to ])ump up from the lower layers of the soil, plant food, unaAmiiable to fibrous rooteel plants, Avhicli is (luickly assimilated by its large leaf surface. Hence it thriA^cs better on poor land than any other field crop. Formerly cotton Avas not gtOAvm north of the isothermal line 30^, but under the infiuence of phosphatic iiuAiiures, its cul- tivation in late 3 'ears has been extended several degrees beyond this line. The region best adapted to successful culture is in- cluded between the 30th and 35th degrees of IS'orth Latitude. North of this belt the seusons are too precarious, while south of it, excessive rains and depredations of the caterpillar greatly interfere with large iiroduction. PLANTINO AND CULTIVATION. The soil best adapted to cotton is yet not fully decided. Olay loams, v/ell drained and sandy loams, resting upon clay subsoils are both highly recommended. Both should contain a fair amount of Au^getable matter. The Avidth of the rows and the distance a])art of the stalks in the row, must depend upon the fertility of the soil and the rain supply. In poor lands or on soils subject to drouth during fruiting season, thin planting must be practiced to obtain the largest results. Mr. David Dickson, the great cotton planter of [ 5 ] (reorgin, -{low no more, always contended that cotton needed distaiice only one vray. If tlierefore tlie rows were wide, it could be cru\^ ded in the drill and vice verm. I>eei) and tliorougli preparation of soil, followed by pulveri- zation should always precede jdanting The planting should be done by some of the excellent and cheap cotton planters now to be everyvv In le Ibund. since only the machine will give that uniform and su’aigiit stand, which so facilitates the subsequent chopping, it furthermore economizes tlm seed, a point of great importance, wlien the true value of th.is article as a manure and feed stuff is appieidated. The tirst idowiiig of cotton may be as deep and thorough as jiossible, but ail subsfiquent workings ought to lie as shallow as the character of the land will xiermit, since root-biealvliig to this plant is almost a disaster. Tiie im* ])lemeDts in genmal use for the cultivation of cotton are the scooter a. mi scrape, the solid and buzzard- wing sweeps, the side InuTows and the numerous cultivators. After every heavy rain the soil should be stirred and (hiring droiigiit a shallow im])le- ment run just deep enough to break the continuity of the pores of the soil and to form an upper layer, which shall act as a mnicli to conserve the moisture in the soil, has often been found liighiy bmtehcial. Grass is an enemy of the cotton planter and shouid never be permitted (if possible to prevent) to obtain i)os- session of hi^ heids. In cotton as iii all other crops the lioe should be used as little as possible. It is element of cost ex- cessive tv) boar and ..with tliis plant often causes the disease known as ^^sore by brcidving or removing the epidermis of the tenb.ev stalk in the effort of the hoemau to remove the last s]>i’’r‘ of grass. When to plaiit, must be decided by the climate and by the character of the soil. Wiien the ground is warm enongli to promptly germinate the seed and give a vigorous healthy plant, tlicn the seed can be wisely trusted in the earth. This is usually the case iu this latitude in Ai)ril. Planting in May is oftcTi hazardous, on account of the delay in germination, due to the prevaleiice of drouths at this period. When May plant- ing is pfaeticed, the seed should be covered rather deeply and firmed with a light roller. A practice prevails among some of our progressive planters to plant late and highly fertilize. By this means, they claim a crop of grass which so frequently infests an early planting, is destroyed, the costly hoc labor avoided and Gie plant };ii:>lKd Anel of ]>hosplioric acid and 2 pounds of Potash is siistaineel to each acre. Theorofi icrdly then cottoji is the least exhausting crop grown, but how is it in practice ? Unfortunately the decennial census returns cry out in thunder tones against us and tell (lie world in couvineing figures that our acre- yields are fast decreasing under constant cropping in'cottoii. Our soils are being rapidly dejvleted and exhaustion will sooner or later come, unless we stop the numer- ous leaks now found on many cotton plantaticns. Wisdom and ecoiioiu}^ would suggest the careful return to the [ 7 ] soil of every product of cotton save the lint. Bnt there are two incidents in cotton growing, which tend in themselves to to soil de[)letion, which are usiiall}^ over looked by the agricul- tural chemist, and rarely appreciated by the planter. 1 st. Cotton is planted in early spring and harvested in late fall, its l)eriod of growth extending through the entire summer and much of the fall. During this period of growth, with clean culture under hot suns nitritication is most intense and with it a rapid oxidation of the vegetable matter of the soil. This par- tially explains why cotton is the most profitable crop on poor land, but it also tells in plainer language, that the vegetable mould “ htirnns,^^ so essential to fertility, is fast disappearing and with it soil nitrogen. Even our rich alluvial lands once thought inexhaustible, from this cause, coupled with the baneful practice of selling cotton seed, are now responding in gratitying returns to the well directed use of ^Nitrogenous manures. A crop of l>ea vines turned under every second or third year, v/ould aid materially in restoring this lost humus. 2 d. Cotton is removed in late fall and our lauds are left naked unoccupied and exposed to the drenching rains of our semitropical winters and much of the liner material (which furnishes the idant food in all soils) is washed away, and a goodly quantity of plant food is carried so far down into the soil as to be forever beyond the reach of plants, even the tap root of cotton. The first loss is very severe in rolling or hilly lands, as is shown 1)3' the nuiiierous furrowed red hillsides which everywhere meet the eye of tlie traveller through the South Atlantic States. The second loss is greatest in sand3' lands andleast in clay. It has been clearl3' demonstrated, that a loss of soil fertilit3' will always ocamr whenever lands are left in bare fallow. A plant suitable for occupying the ground be- tween the gathering of one croj) and the i)lanting of another, Avould be an inestimable boon to the cotton ])lanter. Oats sown in tiie cotton in August or September and lightly harrowed in or planted in October and November, after the cotton has been harvested affords onl}' a partial remed}'. MANURES FOR COTTON. The following taken from Bulletin No. 2 , issued over a 3'ear ago, explains the manures used eiseAviiere successful!}'. Thanks to the Experiment Stations, and a large class of progressive farmers in the SoiUli, the maniirial r("(|uirements s. Cotton Sred Meal. 1,100 Ihs. A(;io ferfilicing value whatever, is extract'^d. Every ton of cotton seed yields 35 to 40 gidloi-is of oil, wbicb usaally sclisat about 30 cents per gallon. Therefore, if all the cotton seed, over and above what is required for ]ilanting, could be passed through a mill for the extr.^ction of its oil, and the latter turned into money, what a vast w( altb would be added annually to the cotton industry wbicb is now buried with the seed. Uufortiiiiately the present prices of all cotton seed products aie Ioav, and, therefore, but little imlucemeut can be offered the farmer by the mills to exchange his seed for meal. The seed now used by the mills are pnrehased outright, and the pro- ceeds rarely return to the farm npomwliich tbe seed was grown. This is- radicathj wrong Cotton, when everything except the lint is returned to the soil, is one of the least exhausting crops, but when tbe seed are sold to tbe mills and cattle consume tbe bolls and staks left in the field (as is frequency the case), it rises high in the scale of exbiiusting crops, and sooner or later* the soils upon which it is continually grown will reach that point of depletion as to cease to yield remunerative returns without the addition of fertilizers. Whenever the seed go to thr mills, the meal and bulls, especially the former, should bo returned to tbe tarm with proper care. The Sotliern cotton planter should buy no Nitrogam. Tlie manure from his domestic animals reinforced by bis cotton seed or cotton seed meal (should be sell bis seed), ought to grow all bis crops. Under no circumstances should stable manure or cotton seed be usrd alone under cotton. For small grain and corn their use is applicable, but uoc anut,oii declaration amouj^ intelligent planters of Georgia and Alabama. Tiiete is a. power in the combination, a strength in the mix- ture, a ferment in tlie union which mviltiplies roots, enlarges foliage and in- crea.scs the fruit. Tlie compost, pre})arerl difficulty for each crop, not only economizes, but properly and efiectually utilizes the waste products of the farm, and in its jsreparatiou and use tliero is dcvflo}»ed in the farmer powers of observation and refieetion hitherto latent. Complete mauuivs or Guanos sliould not be purchased until all liomo resources for manure have been ex- hausted, and only then when its gnaranteed censtitnents are known to be adapted to the soils and crops. Acid Phosphates of a higli grade are the best to use in a compost. Below is appended the formula best suited for cotton : 100 bushels Cotton Seed. 100 bushels Stable Manure. 1 ton Acid Phosphate, high grade. If tbe above is to be used on very sandy lands, one-half ton of Kainit© may I e advantageously added. Dissolve iu Avater and use the latter to Avet the compost. Since the success of a compost depends mateiially upon the proper man- ner of preparing it, full directions are here inserted : DIRECTIONS FOR MAKING COMPOST. Take an equal part of the Stable Manure, say ten bushels, and sjiread it ©nt in a level ])lace, under shelter, to the nepth of three inches. Sprinkle over it 100 pounds of Acid Phosphate, Next spread over this. ten bushels of Cotton Seed, made tlicronghly AA et. Then another spainkle of 100 pounds of Acid Phosphate. Continue this rotation till the quantities are exhausted and then coaut AA'ith a rich earth, from the fence corners, five inchs deep. Permit it to remain until ready for use, four to six Aveeks Avill do, and cut vertically down with a mattock. Mix well and apply from COO to 1000^ pounds per acre in the drill at the time of planting. Be careful to Avet the Coll on thoroughly and buy only a first-class- Acid Phosphate. [ 9 ] How far results obtained else\^'l)ere were applicable lierc remained to be determined by experiments, accorer cent nitrogen) j sulphate of ammonia (21 per cent of nitro- gen) ; dried blood (10 i)er cent nitrogen), and cotton seed meal (7 per cent nitrogen). The first and s<'cond are mineral, the third animal, aiul the fourth vegetable forms. Such quantities of each are taken as to represent equal (iuantiti(‘s of nitrogen and each are used alone and in combination in quantities represent- ing one-third, two-third, and a whole ration. Beside these fish scrap, tankage and a mixture of nitrate soda, sulphate of ammonia and cotton seed meal, called mixed nitrogen, are also used. The ])hosphatic manures are represented by dissolved bone black, acid x)hosphaie, orchilla phosphate, bone dust, and Charleston fioats. The potaasic manures are supplied in kain- aud the sulphate and muriate of potash. Both of these are used - in like combinations and quantities as the nitrogenous ma- nures. The following are the experiments with results : NITROGENOUS MANURES. Size of Experimeot One-Twenticih of Acre. PLAT NO. o-COTTON. No. 1 — Nothing. No. 2 — 7 Ib.s Nitrate Soda. No. 3— .5 2-11 lbs Snl]>bate of Ammonia. No. 4—10 !bs Dritd blond. No. 5 — ir>l 11)8 Cotton Seed Meal. No. 6 — 14 lbs Acid Phosphate. No. 7 —4^ 11)8 Muriate Potash. TV,, u S ihs Cotton Seed Meal. ® ) 14 lbs Acid Phosphate. 1 ST n i P'S Cotton Seed Meal. ^ ‘ ^14 IbB Acid Phosphate. No. 10— Nothing. 14 lb8 Acil Phosphate } ^ , 4,} lbs Muriate Potash. Mn.erala. 34 11)8 Nitrate Soda } Mixed Minerals. ( Ration. No. 11 1 No. 12 1 [ 10 ] No. No. No. No. -jo ^ 7 lbs Nitrate So(la=| ration. Mixed Minerals. ) KH 11>8 Nitrate So(la=l ration. ^ Mixed Minerols. 15 — Mixed Minerals. ip 13-22 lbs iSiiiphate Amnionia=|- ration. } Mixed Minerals. No. 17 No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. 23 No, 26 No. No. No. No. 30 No. 31 No. No. No. No. No. No. No 5 2-11 lbs .Sulphate Ainrnouia=f ration. Mixed Minerals. 7 17-22 lbs Siilpliate Ammonia=l ration. Mixed Minerals. Mixed Minerals. 2U — Nothing-. 5 lbs Dried Blood=^ ration. Mixed Minerals.. 10 lbs Dried Blood— | ration. Mixed Minerals. 15 lbs Dried Blood=l ration. Mixed Minerals. 21 — Mixed Minerals. o- { 7f lbs Cotton Herd Meal=l ration. \ Mixed Minerals. 15^ lbs Cotton Seed Meal=|- ration. Mixed Minerals. 23^ lbs Cotton Seed Meal=l rati u. Mixed Minerals. 28 — Mixed Mineials. 4^ lbs Fish Scraps=^- ration. Mixed Minerals. 9 lbs Fish Scraps=f ration. Mixed Minerals 131 lbs Fish Seraps=l ration. Mixed Minerals. 32 — Nothing. 33 — Mi xed M i nerals. f 2^ lbs Nil rate Soda 'j j If ll)s .Sn phate Aniiuonia. [ 27 29 ] 2 1-10 lbs Cot. Seed Meal. [ iMi: ■■ Mixed Nit ro gen | ration. Mixed Minerals. . 38 No. 39 No. 40 No. No. o- ^ Mixed Nitrog8ii=:} ration. \ Mixed idim-rals. o,> ) Mixed Nitrog('n=l ration. I Mixed Minerals. 37 — Mixed Minerahs. 7-^ los Tankiigc=l ration. lbs Muriate Potash. 15 ll)S Taukage=f ration. 41 lbs Muriate Potash. 221 U)s Tankage 41 ibs Mnriiite Potash. 41 — 15 los. Tankage. 42 — Nothing. TREATMENT OF PLAT NO. 5. Manures put out April 15th, bedded Apeil 15th, planted April 17th, ofF-barred May lltli and 12t‘J, ehopped May 17tn, dirted 26 and 27tli, uith scooter and scraper, hoed ,) uuo ^i4\h to 29t'u, plowed out aud laid by June 30 and 31st, with scooter and scraper. [in YIELD OF PLAT NO. 5. -(-3 a a "S Ch W o qc g 'rS O s fcjo .2 o r-( a o v bib a o ci) rd fH bio d 1 t

i Nitrogen. 36 10 23 20 5| 594 1185 5 iG»'oup, 37 8 16; 20 4| lil li 494 985 Mixed Minerals. 38 12 IS 14 41 49 980 ) 1080 ;> Tankage. 39 14 20 15 4| 1; 54 Group. 40 14 21 29 51 li 70 1-iOO s 41 14 20 16 4} 1-1 o! 5,54 110.5 Ihinkage. 42 c! 12 13l 4i 35 i 700 Nothing. An inspection of above will sliow that while the nitrogenous mainires alone have slightly increased the yield Avhoueverit was conibiued, this increase has been very decided. It also shows that the results obtained with cotton seed meal both alone and in combination were greater than with other forms of ni- trogen, and that large quantities of nitrogen have not paid for increased cost. [ 12 ] riiOSPHORIC ACID ]\IANUKES — Experiment 1-?,Q acre, PLAT NO. 0 -COTTON. No. 1 — Notliing. No. 2 — 9 ]itR. Pone Black, IG per cent soluble. No. 3 — 10 Ib.s Aeui Tliospliate. No. 4 — 10 lbs Orcliilln Phos])biite. No. 5 — 10 lbs Po’.ie Dust. No. G — 10 lbs Charleston Floats. S 10 lbs Cotton Seed Meal. \ , Mixture \ 3 lbs Muriate Potash. S Mixture. S ^ U’S Dissolved Bone Black=-^ ration. \ Basal Mixture. S 0 lbs Dissolved Bone Biack=f ration. ( B.isa! Mixture. 13f lbs Dissolved Bone BIack=l rat'ou. Bas il Mixture. No. 11 — Nolliinu’. No. 12 — Basal Alixtnre. No 13-*^ Pbosphate=J- ration. Basal Mixture. No 14^ 10 lbs A id Pliospbate=| ration. } Basal Mixture. Vr» ^ !bs Acid Phosphate=l ration. .>o. lo ^ Mixture. No. 16 — Basal Alixnire. ATn 17 S Precipitated Dissolved Bone Black=^ ration. ^ Basal Mixture. No. No. 8 No. 9 No. 10 No. No. No. 22 No. 2.1 No. 26 \ 9 lbs Prec })itated Di.«solved Bone B]ack=f ration. ( Basal Mixt.ire. ,qS 13 t} 1(;S Precipitated Dissolved Bone Blaek=l ration. } Basal Mixture. No. 20— Nothing. No. 21 — Basal Mixture. 5 lbs Orcliilla Pho8phate=| ration. Ba.^al Mixture. Ids Oreiiiila Phospnate=| ration. ) ibisal Mixture. No Oreiiiila Phospiiate=l ration. ‘ ( Basal Mixture, No. 25 — Basal Mixture. 5 lus Bone Uu8t=^ ration. Basal Mixture. xTn O'- ^ ‘ks Boue Dust=f ration. \ Basal Mixture. No 28^ Bone Dust=l ration. ( Bjisal Mixture. No. 29 — Nothing. No. 30 — Basal Mixture. ■jyr qi S 5 lbs Charleston Floats=^ ration. \ Basal Mixture. No 32 ) Charleston Floats=| ration. ^ Basal Mixture. XT,. 00 i 15 Il>8 Charleston Floats=l ration. i\o. 66^ Mixture. No. 34 — Basal Mixture. No 35 i ^ lbs Gy{)sum=i ration. ( Basal Mixture. 6 lbs Gyp8um=f ration. Basal Mixture. No 37 ; ^ Gy|>sum=| ration. * ' ^ Basal Mixture. No. 38— B is.al Mixture. No. 39 — Nothing. Treatment of No. 6 same as No. 5. No. 36 [ 13 ] YIELD OF PLAT NO 6. 4^ S s o 1 First Picking. Second Picking. Ofj a ia j 1 Fourlli Picking, j ! Fifth Picking. Total. 1 Total Per Acre. 1 9 13 19 6 m 1432 2 5 13 22 9 1 50 1500 8 15 18 8 f 46f 1402 4 6 12 11 5 i [lU 1035 5 8 14 9 2 i 33i 1(X)5 (3 8 15 8 4 i 35J 1072 7 T 13 15 5 401 1215 8 8 13 17 4 42 1260 9 8 13 14 1 i 111 1245 10 9 13 12 '1 ! i 37i 1132 11 5 10 8 1 1 26. 780 12 6 11 11 ! 3 1 1 \M 930 13 1 8 12 18 1 4 42' 1260 14 i 9 13 16 1 4 11 vm) 15 1 10 12 11 4 40 1200 Id I 6 8 6 5 25 1 750 17 1 1 1 1 18 1 ! i 19 ! 20 1 21 - r- 22 i 23 1 i 1 24 1 i 25 J 1 1 26 4 8 12 10 34 1020 27 5 9 10 8 32 960 28 6 10 11 6 1 1 33 990 29 1 1 3,0 4| 1 6 5 23 690 31 4 12 12 5 .33 990 32 5 10 U 4 30i 900 33 5 11 11 6 36| 1080 34 4 12 13 4 . 990 35 5 H| ♦ 12 4 32 960 36 5 11 10 5 31 930 37 5 10 10 5 30 900 38 5 11 10 7 3.3 990 39 4 8 10 4 26 780 "^Theso experiments were partially destroyed by rains in June, and hence not recorded. A part of the above plat was seriously damaged by the heavy and con- tinnons rains of June, and results for complete comparison are vitiated. However the soluble forms of phosphoric acid have given increased yields over the insoluble forms in bone dust and floats. POTASSIC MANUKES. Each Experiment One- Thirtieth of Acre. PLAT NO. 7— COTTON. No. No. No. No. No. 5 No. 6 No. No. 8 No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. 1 — Nothin joj. 2 — 12 lbs kaiiiite. 3 — 3 lbs Muriate Pota«?h. 4 — 6 lbs Sulphate Potash. 10 lbs Cotton Seed Meal. } nr i r)T i + 10 lbs Acid I'liospbate, \ Pliospbate, 12 lbs Kainite=^ ration. Meal Phosphate. \ 24 li'-s Kaiiiite=|^ ration. ) Meal Phosphate. ration. 30 lbs Kaii)ite=l Jleal Phosphate. 9 — Meal Phosphate. 10 — Nothiiig’. pi lbs Muriate rotash=4 ration. ( Meal Phosphate. woS 0 lbs Muriaie Potash=| ration. ) ileal Phosphate. 9 lbs ilnriafe Pofash=|^ ration, ilea! Plio.sphate. 14 — M( ai riios{)ha1e. > 0 lbs Sulphate Potash=4 ration, ileal Phosphate. 1 .. 5 12 lbs Sulphate rotash=J ration. ) Meal Pliospliate. ..y ^ 18 lits Sulphate Potasli=l ration. * 'l ileal Phosphate. 18 — Meal Phosphate. 19 — Nothin^'. 13 Treatment of No. 7 same as No 5 [ 15 ] YIELD OF PLAT NO. 7. No. of Experment. tJC (C j Second Picking. to a % o H Fourth Picking. Fifth Picking. Total Yield. Yield per acre. lbs. lbs. lbs. lbs. i lbs. lbs lbs. 1 3 8 3 4 18 ,540 2 4 8 4 o 18 540 3 5 9 3 3 20 600 4 4 8 4 3 19 570 5 8 16 9 4 37 1110 6 6 18 It 5 40 1200 7 6 16 13 : 2 37 1110 8 5 17 1-1 1 3 1 40 1200 9 7 21 5 H m 1275 10 4 10 4 5 2 25 750 11 4 13 24 8 m 1485 12 5 12 25 8 i m 1507 13 6 12 26 6 50 1500 14 8 14 25 2 49 1470 35 9 13 25 o 51 1530 16 8 14 26 i 50 1,500 17 7 13 25 2 47 1410 18 8 12 24 3 47 1410 19 4 9 1 1 S 2 23 690 No form of Potash has given decided gains. PLAT NO. 8— COTTON. No. 3— -25 l\)s Slodniezlia's Gnano. No. 2 — 50 lbs Slndniczka’s Guano. No. 3—25 lbs Planters Fertilizer. No. 4—50 lbs Planters Fertilizer. No. 5—24 lbs Raw cotton seed. No. (>—36 lbs Kaw cotton seed. No. 7 — 48 lbs Raw cotton Seed, and 5 lbs Acid Phosphate. No. 8 — 72 lbs Raw cotton seed. No. 9—48 lbs Raw cotton seed, 5 lbs Acid Phosphate, and 5 lbs kainite. No. 10 — Nothing. No. 11—36 lbs (Jompost.* No. 12 — 36 Ibe Compost.* and 5 lbs. Kainite. No. 13 — 72 lbs Compost * No. 14 — 72 lbs Compost.* and 5 lbs. Kainite. No. 15 — 96 lbs Compost.* No. 16 — 120 lbs Compost.* *Couipo8t prepared as directed in Bulletin No. 2, and this Bulletin page 8. Treatment of Plat 8 same as No. 5. [ 16 ] POPULAR MANURES. Each Experiments 1-30 Acres. YIELD OF PLAT NO. «. No. of Experiment. First Picking. Second Picking. be 3 a H to Hi u i 'ci O H a> o Baton Eougo, La., March 22(1, 1887. ) The following' partial list of Oommiircial Fertilizers, sold in this State, is published in this Bulletin, in order to give the public the benefit of the quarantees. Later a (ioinplete list with guranteed analyses, selling prices atid coininercial values per ton will be juiblished. T. J. BIRD, Coniinissioner of Agriculture. GUAEANTEED ANALYSES OF COMMERCIAL FERTILIZERS, AS RENDERED TO COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE BY DEALERS AND MANUFACTURERS TO WHOM LICENSES HAVE BEEN ISSUED FOR SEASON 1886-87. KAMR OF FERTILIZER OR CHEMICAL. Sterns Ammoniated Sterns Pure Ground R w Bone Acid Phosphate Kainite Acid Phosphate Soluble Pacific Guano Soluble Pacific Guano Studniczkas Standard Sugar Cane Fert Studniczkas Standard Sugar Cane Fei t Gossoypium Phopho Scott’s Best Acid Phosphate Scott’s High Grade Acid Phosphate... Standard Home Mixture Guano Bone and Potash Challmette Mills Fertilizer Sugar Fertilizer Cotton Fertilizer Atlantic Fertilizer Armour Bone Meal » Standard Cotton and Sugar Guano Armour Hog Tankage Acid Phosphate Kainite BY WHOM BEPOK'TED. Name. Stern’s Fert. & Chem. Mfg Co Wm. Garig & Co W. P. Richardson Rep. Glidden & Curti s, Boston Henry Studiiiczka Henry Studniczka Geo. W. Scott M’fg Co, Meridian Fertiliz ng Factory . . W. A. Ober, Agent Planters Fertilizers M’fg Co. . . Pelzer Rodyers & Co H. Studniczka Haynes & Rodyers H. Studniczka S. Sole Agent.. Planters Fertilizing Co Address. 14 Union St., New Orleans Baton Rouge I 33 Caroiideh t St., N. O 41 North Peters St., N. O .Atlanta, Georgia Meridian, Mississippi 197 Gr .vier St., N O 111 Ma^oziue St., N. O .. Charleston, S C 41 North Peters St. N. O 101 P ydras St., N. ().... 41 North Peters St., N O 111 Mae azine St. , N . 0. . . By whom Manfactured. Stern’s Fort. & Chem. Ai’fg Co. Imported Imported Pacific Guano Co., Boston Wahl Bi os Geo. W. Scott M’fg Co Meridian Fertilizing Factory G. ■ her & Sons Co Planters Fertilizing M’fg Co Atlantic Phosphate Co . Armour & Co Fanueis Fertilizing Co Armour & Co Imp'uted Where Manufactured. . ew Orleans . Imported Engl nd Charleston, S. C , and Woods Hall. Mass , Chicago, 111 Atlanta, Gi orgia Meridian. Mississippi. Cor Adams &. S Peter St. .N. New Ui leans wharlesion, S. C Chicago, 111 Syracuse, New York ■ hicago England G* rinany ‘2 to 3 4| to 43 - •215 to 255 240 to 3 2| to 3 2i to 3 • 240 to 2^ 2i to 2^ •2 to 3 5 to 4 3 2.05 4 to 5 1 to 2 8 to 9 PHOSPHORIC ACID. Soluble. 14 to 18 15 7 to 8.75 to 8 9 to 9 to 6 to 6i 7i- to 8J 8 to 9 7^ to 9 8 to 10 4 to 5 7 5 to 9 10 6.50 8 to 9 15.16 Reverted. 1 to 3 5 3 to 3.75 2.^ to 4 11 11 3.80 to 4 4 J 1 to 5^ 5 to 6 9 to 11 10 to 13 31 to 4i Insoluble .2 2 to 2.50 2 to 3 1 to 2 1 to 2 4 to 2| 1^ to 2i 2 to 2J 1 to 2 1 to 2 U to li 1.50 25 to 28 3 to 4 12 to 15 .2 Potash. 1 to 1.50 3A to 4i IJ to 2i 2 to 2J 2i to 3 2i to 3 2 to 3 2 to 3 2 2 4 to 6 $ 30.00 35.00 16 to 25 12 to 14 cot. grade sug grade 30.00 22.50 22.50 28.00 26.00 REPORT FOR THE MOKTH OF APRIL, 1887. SHOWING AEEAS PLANTED, CONDITION OF CEOPS ON THE EIEST OF MAY, AND OTHEE MATTEES EELAT- ING TO AGEICULTUEE IN THE STATE. AND BULLETIN No. 9, OF THE Experiment Stations GIVING ANALYSES AND VALUATION OF FERTILIZERS, COMMISSIONER. BATON ROUGE : PRINTED BY LEON JASTREMSKI, STATE PRINTER. 1887. ■ '."I :;•. /' } j' ^ / iV . . . ,Mr‘, ■ r-M - rvr' V. : : ■ - ,■ r rr A 16 I / 6 A ^ '-lo h,. - t.' i^-^a h '-•' f ' A. V:0>^AII^0II i •-;Afti ^‘MM- ;'1 j \ yr'i r:y--::-m 1 . A A’ i :r '-aTiTKrni v'j Circular Xo. 1. CROP REPORT For April 1887, Returned to the Department May i, i887 a STATE DEPAKTMENT OF AGEICULTUKE, \ Baton Rouge, La., May 4, 1887. i COTTON. The reports from all i)arts of the State indicate that the months of January, February, March and April, has been fa- vorable for preparing the ground. The acreage planted coni- liared with this date last year is several points in excess, but on account of the drouth commencing in March and extending mostly throughout April combined with cold nights, has pre^ vented the germination of the seed last x>lanted and in some instances delayed planting, consequently the reports of the condi- tion from some portions of the State are not favorable, giving some apprehension of the stand. CORN. The comparative acreage has increased in the State, and the condition is excellent in the South and Southwestern por- tions of the State, and in some instances the crop is laid by in good condition. While in some localities in the northern par- ishes there is some complaint of stand, attributed mostly to drouth and in some localities to birds. RICE. The acreage is about the same, but the condition will not compare favorable with last year, attributted mostly to the causes that atfected cotton. SUGAR CANE. Ou accoilut of the very favorable season prevailing during the past winter, both the acreage and condition is reported far in excess of last year. SORGHUM. About the same as last year. IRISH POTATOES. Both acreage and condition about the same. While the season for planting was very favorable, and the stand excellent. The condition was very considerably injured by the drouth in March and April, retarding growth and in some instances caus- ing blight on exhausted lauds in the southern parishes. OATS. The acreage about the same as last year, but the condition is reported far below. Those planted in the fall was never more promising up to the commencement of the drouth. Now the testimony received from all parts of the State indicate an unusually short crop, in many instances taking rust and prema- turely ripening. ONIONS. ^ , The acreage and condition of this crop is considerably increased comparatively, and is now considered an important crop in Louisiana. ORANGES. The reports indicate, as compared with last year, several points increase in acreage, and a very considerable increase in condition. But in both instances they are still far behind the average crop. CLIPPIISG OF WOOL. . About the same as last year. LIVE STOCK. Their condition, considering the very indifferent attention given them in the State in many instances, receiving no food or shelter during the winter is remarkably good. No unusual prevalence of contageous diseases except with swine. Horses, mules, cattle and sheep, are comparatively in excellent con :l [ 5 ] tiou. Some complaint in isolated localities of cliarbon and biif . falo gnats, and of dogs with sheep. By far the greatest loss in live stock is in hogs, with cholera or some similar disease. The past winter has been favorable, being both mild and dry. The information received indicate an increased interest in stock raising throughout the State, with a disposition to improve the breed of ail kinds. This we are rejoiced to hear, as it will result in more care, and the providing of better shelter by the farmer, as he will naturally prize the improved stock more than the un- improved, and will almost unconsciously bestow more care upon them, and an animal representing one hundred dollarr Avill not be as apt to suffer from neglect as one worth twenty-ffve dollars, and will have the effect of greatly augmenting the value of all, and the adoption of this policy will most certainly make farm- ing more profitable. It is certainly worthy of note that in the j^orth and West the value of farm lands is far in excess in those States where greater attention is given to the raising of im- proved stock. And in consideration of the methods of advance- ment open to the farmer of Louisiana, one of the first means which must suggest itself to one of ordinary thinking capacity, is the improvement and increase of his live stock. This will bring about one of the diversifications that the writer has so often recommended, and will in his opinion be the means of greatly improving the tanning methods, besides largely increas- ing the value of the farm lauds throughout the State. THE EXPERIMENT STATIONS Are progressing satisfactory. The one at Kenner has over 300 experiments in cane — GO in corn, 32 in oats, 10 in Sorghum, 10 in grasses and clovers and 10 in rice. The drouth has se- riously injured the exi)erimeuts in oats, which one month ago promised larger yields than last year. At Baton Rouge there are 51 experiments in grasses and clovers, 75 in corn, 110 in cotton, 10 in tobacco, 13 in oats and 8 in forage crops — the latter to be ensilaged for the puri)ose of testing i)ractically the value of silos in Louisiana — 27 experi- ments in Irish potatoes have just been gathered. The pro- tracted drouth, now happily broken, has seriously interferred with the complete development of the grasses, etc. TABLE Sliowing Area Planted, Condition of Gi^nying Crops, Live Stock, &c., May 1st, 1887. •JIOO^S 9-^11 'loOAV JO dilO 1 :§ :|| 100 100 100 100 illlPl O • 1 ORANGES. •98SI qji.^ pa.iBcIuioo uoi:)ipii 03 ig •9881 'I qjiAV paat’d -moo pojncfd oSuajoy ‘il Xfl O "A O 9881 ‘T qUAV pojudiuoo uoi^jipnoQ 1 22 i i i :| 2 :' § 22 ■9881 ‘I ^8R TIJIAl pojvd -uioo pa:>nuid oSioJoy 1 22 i i : :| 2 i 1 II OATS. •9881 ‘I ^VR pg.iBdnioo uoijrpn f) ■9881 'T ^^^5R RRAv paied -uioj po^iKld alfuojOY 51^-1®® III 05 ?o A ^ 9881 ‘T ^^'^R qjqvi. pajudiuoa ULiippuoo '9881 ‘T ^^:R paio^d -uiua p9;(u:[d elfuojOY 2SH*2|2|||||||||||g2|i|| SORGIIG.VK •9881 ‘i paj-edmoo aoijraoo^ ||2g : : :| ill llip : 2 i Iiii •9881 ‘1 iRiAi pa ml -luoa paint’pl aSuaioy i ; g|p| : :| ill mil : 2 ' III* Pi <5 o o D X •9881 ‘I ^«R qq-^ pajBdiuoa iioicfipaoQ :2|| : ill i 2gp •988T T ^VR qJl^ l>9JBd -uioa pa';ut![d alJua.iay ill! ! ill i is IIII p4 a '9881 ‘I ^^PR qq-w- pa.iudiuoa uoi:iipno 3 : : :g| : : loll ig§ •9881 ‘T -^13R qq-i!^ pa.ied : uioa pa^nu^d a:i^«aioY S£|| : : isi i i il i i i^g A 1 '9881 ‘I A'br q^liAS. paauduioa uoi(}ipno 3 g|2S|?-5£^3ig|i2^.gsgi||S|gi •9881 ‘I A^ur q^jiAv pa.ii3d -uioa payiajd aSua.ioy S|i|22g|||2|£|||||§22|g2| C OTTON. •XBai 4Si:^ a^jBp eiq; qq.^ p.aaBdiuoa nopipuoQ 22 i ggp§|2^g :|E ||g|gS||||p -.iboA^ ()SB[ 9}Bp eiq5> q^iAi pajBdiuoo aJfuajay 22 i g|||||§2 :§!; p|2||g||22| PARISHES. « .2' 1 ii 2 2.. a S’ aj 3 Avoyelles Patou K on fie K Patou Roufie AV Pieuville Possier ■•3 • ‘M i-mii mm iiii ifis; \t il i-d • S : g: : il » 3 is ■H Ph ; ill 1 o a “D 2§S§ g§ i§ 88 888 is 88 ii is 88 8S8|8||SS 81 ^ 8888 ^ 83^8 3S3gSgg8 88888888 ; 88888888888 |3838888888888§88888Sg|g||||i| 100 100 105 100 12 8 : : 8 8 : 8 100 100 si 8 8 : : 8 8 : 1 135 140 100 100 8 150 150 120 100 115 no 160 115 105 130 150 Ssiiis 8 110 115 )00 105 8 100 120 no 88§883|| no no 100 no no 115 8 001 on . 8 s 888 8|S8 8 88 8 100 100 8 8 S88 no 135 80 100 8 88 8 8|8S8812|p|g|gSS8SSSg|S812|i2;8| 12g8|g| S88812§ 838 38 83g§|§§ |88|8g 888888 III 100 95 100 100 115 100 100 100 105 [ 8 ] Extracts From Remarks of Parish Correspondents. Acadia — Tliis parish is siifiering very much from drouth, prev6utiug late corn aud cotton from coming up, and retarding the growth of such crops as are upj gardens very backward. Ascension — Season has been very favorable j no disease among stock. Assumption — The season for the cultivation of corn and cane has been remarkably good ; fields are clean and plants look well; the parish is well supplied with labor, and the Sunday law acts like a charm here. Vie had a fine rain on the 23d inst. Avoyelles — disease has afiected stock this year; on the contrary they are unusually healthy and in good condition ; the winter was the mildest I have ever seen ; the recent cold spell has retarded the planting of cotton, otherwise the season has been very favorable for planting. East Baton Rouge — April has been favorable for working, but very unfavorable for growth ; dry weather throughout with very cool nights and even cool days ; everything considered the prospect is encouraging, and so far as the cane crop is concern- ed, much more promising than last year. Bienville — Dry weather accompanied with winds have been unfavorable, efiecting the stand of cotton and corn, and jire- venting the corn growing as rapidly as it should ; how^ever, it is looking well ; the oat crop did badly owing to the drouth ; there will be about crox) of fruit ; stock healthy and in fine con- dition. . Bossier — January and February very pleasant; season throughout rather dry ; considerable trouble to secure a good stand of corn or cotton ; April also dry oats a failure, that is late planting ; stock doing well however ; grass is failing for want of rain ; fruit injured by last frost ; insects very numerous, ]nore so than usual. Caddo — Crops suifered from drouth, resulting in very x>oor stand of cotton and corn, too dry for it to come uxi and oats are a comxfiete failure. Calcasieu — The X300r condition of the crops are due to the continued drouth ; however, it was broken by a fine rain the night of Axnfil 22d ; stock on the range are doing as well as could be expected, and in fine condition. Caldwell — Very little cotton planted ; the weather has been so exceedingly dry that there would be but little chance of get- ting a stand if it w^as planted ; stock have sufiered considerable for want of water. Considerable fresh land is being cultivated and a greater disposition to fertilize the old. East Carroll — The seasons have been unusually good ; the laud better prepared than for years ; cotton about all planted, but not UX3 to a stand yet ; the black birds have done more in- jury to corn than ever known before ; the stand would have been good had they not dug it nx3 as fast as it api^eared, necessi- [ 9 ] tating iu many cases the plowing np and planting over; slight i:aiu on April 17. West Carroll — Seasons have been very favorable with the exception of being a little too cold for cotton; we have had (piite a dry spring but sufficient rain fall to bring up cotton aad keep vegetation growing slowly ; crops clean and promise well ; no disease with stock ; rain on the night of the 17th of April. Catahoula — April has been very dry, and a great many had to plant their corn over on account of the birds pulling it up ; they have been more bother this spring than ever before ; corn and cotton about two weeks ahead of 188(3 ; water here was two inches higher than last year, but has already gone otf, and planting can be done at once on the low lands; last year the water came on in May. The gnats have been very bad, but they remained only about live or six days, the large ones ; every one stopped working their stock and l^ept up large smokes around which the animals stood the entire day ; quite a number of horses and mules were killed by them ; otherwise stock iu good condition. Claiborne — We have liad a remarkably dry winter and spring but not very cold ; consequently our lands are better pre- ])ared than usual; cotton has been somewhat retarded by drouth and the planters were becoming uneas^q but the raiu in the last live days has dispelled all gloom, and they ;ire now bitoyant ; some little disease among stock but nothing very serious. Concordia — Too much dry weather ; fine rain on the 21st inst., the first for five weeks ; the ground is well pulverized and some cotton up ; all planted and the prospecds for a good stand was never better ; we have escaped damage from water, and the farmer seems cheerful; so much for good levees. DeSoto — The drouth unprecedented for the season of March and April ; not half the cotton planted has germinated and a great deal yet to plant ; it is very doubtful if that planted three weeks since will comeup even with rain during the coming week ; if not that will necessitate the replanting of over half the crop at this late date ; about two-thirds stand of corn, which is look- ing well ; where it has been worked ; almost an entire failure of the oat crop ; stock an unusually good condition for this season; coal and iron companies organized capital stock, $250,000. East Feliciana — The season has been rather dry, but the laud broke better than usual, and as there has been no time lost from bad weather, farmers are better up with their work ; corn small but looki#g weil and growing very fast ; good rain on the 20th ; oats also a failure ; we have had no sickness, people, stock and poultry have been remarkably healthy. West Feliciana — The planting season has been dry, and with cold northerly winds vegetation has been slow; the sea- son has been favorable for putting land in fine condition, but too dry iu the hill lands for quick germination or growth ; hence poor stands of corn and crop small ; three-quarters of the cotton [ 10 ] crop planted, and land for the entire crop broken ; dry weather prevented some from planting ; oats headed up with at least 25 per cent less results than last year. Franklin — The spring so far has been dry and too cool for corn and cotton ; planters well up with planting ; oats not do- ing well, has been too dry ; however, the general outlook is more favorable than last year. Iberia — We need rain, but as yet nothing suffering 5 condi- tion of fields never better ; cane doing remarkably well. Iberville — Cane had a fine start in February but a cold March and April delayed the growth ; the drouth now existing is causing some alarm, but so far has done no harm ; land is in better order than it has been for years, and crops more prom- ising. Jackson — The unusual dry cold weather has retarded the piantiug and growth of the crops ; light rain on the 17th inst. Jefferson — The weather from January 1st to March 10 th Avas A^ery ffiAmrable to all groAving crops ; since tliat time, cool nights, high winds and a protracted drouth liaA^e conspired to retard groAAffh of all kinds ; oats have succumbed to scA^ere drouth taking the rust and prematurely ripening Avith low pros- pects 5 stand of cane and corn are A^ery fine ; rice and sorghum just planted ; potatoes and onions largely cultivated ; the former haA^e S'Uffered from blight doubtless superinduced by improper cultiAaition, want of fertilization and long drouth. Lafourche — The groAvth of corn and cane has been some- Avhat retarded by the dry AA^eather, but the drouth Avas broken on the night of the 22 d inst., by a fine rain that has thoroughly saturated the soil ; on many iffantations peas liaA^e been soavu and corn laid by, and noAv that we haAm had rain, the corn will be rapidly disposed of; the cane has been better cultiAmted than it has for years, and at less expense ; so far i)otato crop seriously affected ; no disease has affected stock. Lincoln — Dry Aveather has seriousl^^ affected corn and cot- ton, being too dry for seed to germinate, therefore A’-ery bad stands ; oats did very badly ; sugar cane only i)lanted in small patches, conditiou fine. Livingston — Condition of crops not as good as had been an- ticipated ; the season has been good for working etc., but too dry; result, bad stand and slow groAvth ; the cloudy weather however has been of considerable benefit, causing the seed to come up A-ery fast for the last feAv days. Madison — This has been an unusually spring ; the ground has been better prepared than for years; A^ery little cotton up, and unless avc haA^e rain soon the general stand will be seriously injured ; corn is small but good color and AA^ell worked ; stock doing well and in fine condition ; some trouble Avith gnats. Morehouse — The spring opened A^ery early and unusually dry; we had a fine rain on the 17th inst., and all crops are in [ 11 ] fine condition ; farmers ^yeli up with their work ; stock in bet- ter condition than last year ; however quite a number have died from the effects of the gnats, causing the animals to act as if they Lad the colic ; the remedy which has been used successfully is 1 pint of whiskey and two tablespoonfuls of Bi-carb. soda at a dose and repeated every hour until the animal is intoxicated ; it has relieved all cases taken in time, but when they could not be intoxicated no good result 5 nothing will do any good unless taken in time. Natchitoches — The bright prospects promised by the open- ing of an early spring has been cut short by a drouth of over five weeks duration ; the rains of the 17th and 22d inst., may bring up the i>lant in some sections, but have not been heavy enough in most parts of the ])arish to insure a good stand, be- sides the dry north winds and cool nights will not Iielp the case ; prospects look blue for corn and will for all crops if we do not Lave rain soon 5 the corn as a general thing is small, the stand not very good, has sutfered in the low lands from the wire worm ; stock in good condition. Ouachita — Too dry for crops, cannot get a stand 5 fine season for work 5 not enough rain to l)ring the seed iij) and nights too cool; there has been an increase in iertilizers this year, both commercial and home made, principally cotton seed and cotton seed meal used ; the gnats have played havoc Avith stock ; smiles, horses and cattle have died in great numbers ; they are Avorse than any year since, and equal to 1881. Pointe Couijee — The season has been too dry and has re- tarded the crops considerably; since tlie rain of the 23d they haAm materially improA^ed ; stock in fine condition and no serious disease has affected them. Kapides — The fuAmrable ])rospects of the early spring has been somewhat blasted hy six Aveeks drouth, preventing the germination of seed, thereby rendering an imperfect stand of cotton and late corn ; farm Avork Avell up ; cane and early corn doing well ; liOAveAmr the cool nights prevent as rapid a groAvth as desired ; condition of stock good. Ked EiA^er — A continued drouth has prevented farmers from ploAving and planting ; hence the small per cent of acreage and condition of crops reported ; poor stand of corn throughout the piarish. Bichland — Soil in fine condition ; season too dry and cool for cotton ; corn not as good as desired. Sabine — The spring so far has been too cold and dry ; crop prospects not as good as should be ; no disease among stock. St. Bernard — Irish i^otatoes liaA^e been attacked by a dis- ease supposed to haA'O been caused by an insect, damaging the crop about 25 per cent or more ; Ave had rain on the 15th and 17th inst., which was much needed. St. Charles — Season favorable for planting cane and a fine [121 staud but growth retarded by cool nights and drouth ; rain on the 22 d, first for five weeks ; stock in good fix. St. Heleua — The season throughout may be considered fa- vorable ; however, the cool nights and drouth caused an infe- rior stand of cotton and corn, the former died out in many in- stances after it came up, necessitating replanting 5 the ground was so dry and hard some had to stop their plows 5 corn small but generally good ; pastures are not as good as usual ; there- fore stock not looking as well as they should, but no disease w'ith cattle or hogs. St. Landry — The season has been favorable through the winter and up to the present for iireparing the soil and farm work, but the drouth, north w'inds and cool nights has retarded the growth 5 corn small but healthy ; stock looking well owing to the mild winter. St. Martin — Appearance of crops generally good ; will need rain before two weeks ; no damage as yet caused from drouth 5 cotton, corn, rice and potatoe crops much larger than last year. St. Mary — The cane crop is someAvhat increased, condition remarkable ; season very favorable } corn also good j rice crop just planted ; no increase in acreage. St. Tammanj’ — Xo rain for some time ; very little cotton l)lanted ; some are covering with plows, others waiting for rain. Tensas — The drouth at this date, April 18th, unbroken and very little cotton up j corn looks bad ; cotton seed in the ground over two w^eeks and no signs of sprouting ; gnats are very bad on stock. Terrebonne — The seed cane kept remarkably well, and planted under favorable circumstances, now presents a batter- ing prospect ; the stubble both first and second year are very fine ; fine rain on the 22 dinst. at night thus terminating a drouth of several w^eeks duration ; planters are well advanced with their work and have their crops in a condition to withstand anj' ex- cess of rain which may succeed the unusually dry spring we are having, and with an average good season we can safely calcu- late on a much larger crop of sugar than last year. Union — Poor stands of cotton and corn owing to cool and dry weather ; very little cotton up and not more than half planted 5 corn very small and damaged by cut worm and birds ; larmers are well up with their work as there has not been a day since the 15th of February, to prevent farm work ; yet it has been too dry to break ground Avell unless it was done early in the spring 5 oats will be almost a failure unless we have rain soon. Yermilion — Have had but one heavy rain since January 20th, and that was on March 9th, and not a sprinkle siuce : Very heavy deAvs and fogs have kept land, Avhere in good order, moistj caue, both stubble and plant much better staud than ever known ; is about three weeks earlier than an ordinary season [ 13 ] autl about five weeks earlier tliau last year ; cotton planting has been very much retarded by the drouth, which lasted about five weeks ending on the 22 d with a fine rain, since which the bulk of the crop has been planted. Washington — There has been a drouth which retarded the crops very much, oats especially 5 had a fine rain on .the 23d inst; stock in good condition. Webster — The cause of decrease in condition is owing to the protracted drouth 5 in many localities cotton will not come uj) • the stand of corn is not good ; oats cut short from the drouth and will be very short , Irish potatoes also considerably damaged by the potato bug. Winn — The area of cotton about the same as last year but owing to the absence of rain last month the seed have not yet germinated, and now that the weather is too cool to hasten ger- mination since the moisture has been supplied by rain, a bad stand will result, and I think will necessitate a general replant- ing f the stand of the early corn is perfect and the i)lant healthy ; however, the stand of the late planting is bad ; no disease among stock, and condition good; there has been a rice mill established among us, and will probably increase the crop in the future. [U] EECORD OF WEATHER LOUISIANA SUGAR EXPERIMENT STATION, FOR JANUARY -1887. * January. Date. TEMPERATURE. Compar- ison of Total Rainfall. state of Weath’r REMARKS. 9 A. M. » § Ch* CO O 3 3 ■>4 a Minimum. Wet Bulb. Dry Bulb. 1 34° 40° 35° 40° 33° 33° 34° .00 Clear 2 36 45 35 45 34 34 36 .00 Clear & Cool. 3 25 32 30 32 22 24 25 .00 Clear 4 32 50 47 50 23 31 32 .00 Cloudy 5 39 54 40 55 34 38 39 .75 Cloudy 6 39 43 40 45 39 38 39 .03 Cloudy 7 39 43 40 45 38 39 39 .80 Fair 8 49 48 43 50 40 48 49 .00 Fair 9 49 58 49 60 45 48 49 .00 Fair, 10 31 45 40 48 28 29 31 .10 Clear 11 34 47 48 50 27 32 34 .20 Fair 12 50 59 55 64 45 48 50 .00 Fair 13 65 70 59 73 52 65 65 .00 Fair 14 55 65 60 69 39 50 55 .00 Fair 15 49 63 50 65 37 47 49 .00 Fair ! . . 16 60 68 63 69 45 47 60 .00 Fair 17 48 65 63 65 40 45 48 .00 Clear 18 41 54 53 55 30 37 41 .00 Clear 19 49 68 60 70 45 45 49 .00 Clear 20 54 76 54 77 48 53 54 .00 Cloudy 21 55 77 54 77 51 54 55 .00 Cloudv 22 66 74 70 74 51 66 66 .29 Cloudy 23 65 79 63 79 62 65 65 1.00 Cloudy 24 70 76 70 79 61 70 70 .02 Fair 25 70 79 69 79 62 68 70 .00 Fair 26 70 78 68 78 63 70 70 .12 Fair 27 70 80 75 82 61 68 70 .00 Fair 28 71 79 75 80 62 68 71 .00 Fair 29 69 75 73 79 63 65 69 .00 Fair 30 68 77 74 78 60 65 68 .00 Clear 31 69 78 73 79 62 65 69 .00 Clear Highest temperature diiriug mouth 82° Lowest temperature during mouth 22° Total rainfall for month 3.31 inches. Average daily rainfall .16. 6 c3 O rO Pm 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 RECORD OF LOUISIANA SUGAR EXPERIMENT STATION, FOR FEBRUARY, 1887. TEMPERATURE. Compar- ison of Tot al Daily Rain- fall, in inches. state of WeatlPr REMARKS. 9 A. M. 3 P. M. o Maximum Minimum. Wet Bulb. Dry Bulb. 64° 78° 70° 79° 61° 62° 64° .00 Clear ... 67 80 72 80 63 64 67 .00 Clear .. . 64 80 70* 80 61 61 64 .00 Clear . . 65 70 68 71 61 64 65 .00 Cloudy. 58 55 57 69 55 57 58 .00 Clear . . 59 69 60 70 56 57 59 .00 Clear . . 61 68 65 72 60 56 61 .00 Cloar . . 63 69 67 74 61 60 63 .00 Clear . . 71 74 70 76 65 70 71 .00 Clear . . 72 76 73 78 69 68 72 .00 Clear . . 71 75 71 77 68 69 71 .00 Clear . . 66 75 72 76 67 67 69 .00 Fair . . . 67 73 70 75 64 65 67 .00 Fair . . . 68 70 68 72 63 . 67 68 .00 Fair . . . 65 69 65 70 62 64 65 .00 Clear . . 65 68 60 70 60 65 65 .00 Cloudy. 63 70 69 72 61 63 63 .27 Rainy. . 64 68 65 70 60 64 64 .23 Rainy. . 64 65 60 70 61 64 64 .10 Cloudy. 65 65 60 70 62 65 65 .75 Rainy. . 67 69 60 72 63 67 67 2.63 Rainy. . 70 76 73 74 63 69 70 1.25 Cloudy. 62 69 68 64 59 61 62 .00 Cloudy. 61 65 64 60 55 60 61 .00 Clear . . 57 60 59 55 4(‘. 55 57 .00 Clear . . 56 59 61 60 50 54 56 .00 Fair . . . 43 55 53 50 35 42 43 .00 Fair . . . 41 50 48 44 30 38 41 .00 Fair . . . Highest temtieratuie aurmg month 80*^ Lowest temperature during month 30° Total rainfall during month 5.23. Average daily rainfall .19 of an inch. [ 16 ] KECORD OF WEATHER LOUISIANA SUGAR EXPERIMENT STATION March 1887. Date. TEMPERATURE. Gonipar- ison of Total Daily Rain- fall, in inches. state of Weath’r REMARKS. March. 9 A. M. CO 9 P. M. Maximum Miuimum. Wet Bulb.i 1 « p 1 59° 65° 58° 68^' 40° 540 590 .00 Clear . . 2 60 65 59 70 45 58 60 .00 Clear .. 3 65 70 70 73 60 62 65 .00 Clear . . 4 68 78 75 79 61 65 68 .00 Clear . . 5 63 72 60 76 58 60 63 .00 Clear . . 6 68 79 65 81 63 65 68 .00 Clear .. 7 68 75 70 77 55 68 68 .45 Cloudy. 8 69 78 70 80 59 69 69 1.00 Rainy . . 9 65 75 70 78 54 65 65 .14 C loudy . 10 68 67 65 75 58 68 68 .00 Clear . . 11 58 55 53 76 55 58 58 .00 Clear . . 12 59 57 54 80 56 59 59 .00 Clear . . 13 56 54 51 78 55 56 56 .00 Clear . . 14 51 50 48 65 50 51 51 .00 Clear . . 15 48 45 43 67 45 48 48 .00 Clear . . 16 55 52 48 80 54 55 55 .21 Clear . . 17 51 64 54 65 44 51 51 .00 Fair . . . 18 54 63 48 66 48 54 54 .00 Fair ... 19 54 59 54 60 54 54 54 .00 Fair . . . 20 54 59 48 60 53 54 54 1.47 Fair . . . 21 54 58 50 .'9 52 54 54 .00 Rainy. . 22 52 64 50 65 50 52 52 .00 Fair . . . 23 46 63 51 64 44 44 46 .00 Fair . . . 24 49 63 57 65 55 57 59 .00 Fair . . . 25 55 59 56 60 53 53 55 .00 Fair. .. 26 45 57 55 58 43 42 45 .00 Clear . . 27 51 56 57 59 50 50 51 .00 Clear . . 28 45 48 46 50 43 44 45 .00 Clear . . 29 49 63 47 65 48 47 49 .00 Clear .. 30 47 58 43 60 52 46 47 .00 Clear .. 31 55 65 60 79 63 53 55 .00 Clear . . Highest temperature cluriug month 81'^. Lowest temperature during month 40^. Total rainfall during month 3.27. Average clail^" rainfall .15 117 ] RECORD OF WEATHER LOUISIANA SUGAR EXPERIMENT STATION APRIL 1887. Date. TEMPERATURE. Compar- ison of 1 State April. 9 A. M. 3 P. M. 9 P. M. Maximum g ’S % Wet Bulb. Dry Bulb. Q of Weath’r REMARKS. 1 65° 700 64° 78° 48° 63° 65° .00 Clear. . . 2 63 69 60 70 43 60 63 .00 Clear. . . 3 66 72 65 74 46 64 66 .00 Clear. . . 4 69 77 70 79 53 68 69 .00 Fair 5 65 68 60 69 55 60 65 .00 Clear. . . 6 59 74 65 76 47 57 59 .00 Clear. . . 7 70 80 69 81 52 69 70 .00 Fair 8 68 73 63 75 60 65 68 .00 Fair 9 70 74 60 74 58 67 70 .00 Clear. . . 10 60 70 65 72 50 58 60 .00 Clear. . . 11 65 73 65 75 55 62 65 .00 Clear. . . 12 70 78 74 80 58 68 70 .00 Fair. . . . 13 70 80 69 82 59 66 70 .00 Fair 14 70 73 68 82 58 70 70 .00 Cloudy. 15 76 79 69 84 60 75 76 .00, Cloudy. 16 75 76 71 84 61 74 75 .00 Cloudy. 17 75 80 72 83 60 74 75 .00 Clear. . . 13 75 80 73 84 61 72 75 .00 Cloudy. 19 76 79 70 84 63 73 76 .00 Cloudy. 20 74 80 71 84 60 71 74 .00 Cloudy. 21 71 78 72 82 58 68 71 .00 Fair 22 70 79 73 81 57 69 70 .00 Fair. . . . 23 69 74 70 80 61 68 69 1.85 Rain . . . 24 65 74 69 78 59 64 65 .00 Fair 25 65 79 70 80 57 63 65 .36 Cloudy. 26 64 80 75 83 59 63 64 .00 Clear, . . 27 69 82 73 84 66 67 69 .00 Clear. . . 28 68 79 71 82 64 65 68 .00 Fair 29 75 84 79 85 70 74 75 .00 Fair . . . 30 78 87 80 89 70 77 78 .00 .00 2.21 Cloudy. Cloudy. Highest temperature during month Lowest temperature during month 57'”'. Total rainfall during month 2.21. Average daily rainfall .073. LOUISIANA STATE UNIVERSITY & A. & M. COLLEGE, t Baton Rouge, La., May 1, 1887. > Major T. J. Bird, Commissioner of Agriculture, Baton Rouge, La.: Dear Sir — I hand you herewith analyses of fertilizers made up to date. I believe they cover all sold in the Southern part of the State. There are one or two brands sold in North Louisiana which have not been analyzed, being unable to obtain as yet samples. Respectfully, WM. C. STUBBS, State Chemist. LOUISIANA FEKTILIZER LAW. The last Legislature passed a fertilizer law whicli went into effect September 1, 1886. Since a full understanding of the provisions and penalties of this law is important to all buyers- and sellers of commercial fertilizers, a copy of the law is hereby . inserted. Sec. 2. Be it further enacted, etc., That it shall be the- drtty of any manufacturer or dealer in commercial fertilizers, before the same are offered for sale in this State, to submit to Commissioner of Agriculture a written or printed statement setting forth : First — the name and brand under which said fer- tilizer is to be sold, the number of pounds contained or to be contained in the package in which it is to be put ui)on the mar- ket for sale, and the name or names of the manufacturers, and the place of manufacture ; Second — A statement setting forth the amount of the named ingredients* which they are willing to guarantee said fertilizer to contain : (1) nitrogen, (2) soluble phosphoric acid, (3) reverted phosphoric acid, (4) insoluble phos- phoric acid, (5) potash. Said statement, so to be furnished, shall be considered as constituting a guarantee to the purchaser that every package of such fertilizer contains not less than the amount of each ingredient set forth in the statement. This shall, however, not preclude the party making the statement from setting forth any other ingredient which his fertilizer may con- tain, which additional ingredient shall be considered as em- braced in the guarantee above stated. Sec. 3. Be it further enacted, etc.. That every person pro- posing to deal in commercial fertilizers shall, after filing the statement above provided for, with the Commissioner of Agri- culture, receive from the said Commissioner of Agriculture a certificate stating that he has complied with the foregoing sec- tion, which certificate shall be furnished by the Commissioner without any charge therefor. [19J That the said certificate, when furnished, shall authorfze^ the party receiving the same to manufacture for sale, in this* State, or to deal in this State in commercial fertilizers. That, no person who has failed to file the statement aforesaid and. to receive the certificate of authority aforesaid, shall be authorized to manufacture for sale in this State in commercial fertilizers^ And any person so manufacturing for sale, in this State, or so dealing, without having filed the aforesaid statement, and re- ceived the certificate aforesaid, shall be liable for each violation to a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars, which fine shall be recoverable before any court of competent jurisdiction, at the suit of the Commissioner of Agriculture or of any citizen, and shall be disposed of as hereafter i)rovided. Sec. 4. Be it further enacted, etc.. That it shall be the duty of the Board of Agriculture or its Commissioners, at the opening of each season, to issue and distribute circulars, setting forth the brands of fertilizers sold in this State, their analy^s as claimed by their manufacturers or dealers, and .their relative, and, if known, their commercial value. Sec. 5. Be it further enacted, etc.. That it shall be the duty of the Commissioner of Agriculture, under the regulations of the said Bureau, to cause to be prepared tags of suitable mate- rial with proper fastenings for attaching the same to packages of fertilizers, and to have printed thereon the word ‘^guaran- teed,*’ with the year or season in which they are to be used and a fac-simile of the signature of said Commissioner. The said tags shall be furnished by said Commissioner to any dealer in or manufacturer of commercial fertilizers, who shall have com- plied with the foregoing provisions of this act, upon the pay- ment by said dealer or manufacturer, to the said. Commissioner, of fifty cents for a sufficient number of said tags to tag a ton of such commercial fertilizer. Sec. 6.' Beit further enacted, ete., That it shall be the duty of every person, befoie offering for sale any commercial fertilizers in this State, to attach or canse to be attached, to each bag, barrel or package thereof, one of the tags herein be- fore described, designating the quantity of the fertilizer in the bag, barrel or package to which it is attached. Any person wlie shall sell or offer for sale, any package of commercial fertilizer which has not been tagged as herein provided,, shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and on conviction thereof, shall be fined in the sum of two hundred and fifty dollars for each of- fense, and the said person shall be, besides, liable to a penalty of one hundred and fifty dollars for each omission, which pen- alty may be sued for either by the Commissioner of AgTiculture or by any other person for the uses hereinafter declared. Any person who shall counterfeit or use a counterfeit of the tag, prescribed by this act, knowing the same to be counterfeited, or who shall use them a second timej shall be guilty of a misde- meanor, and on conviction thereof shall be fined in a sum not [ 20 ] ^xceediDg five liunclrecl dollars, oue-lialf of which fine shall be paid to the informer, which fine may be doubled or trebled at each second or third conviction, and so on progressively, for subsequent convictions. Sec. 7. Be it further enacted, etc.. That all fertilizers or chemicals for manufacturing or composting the same, offered for sale or distribution in this State, shall have printed upon, or at- tached to each bag, barrel or package, in such a manner as the Commissioner of Agrieulture may, by regulation, establish, the true analysis of such fertilizer or chemical as claimed by the’ manufacturer, showing the per cent of valuable ingredients such fertilizers or chemicals contain. Sec. 8. Be it further enacted, etc.. That the Commisponer of Agriculture may obtain, or cause to be obtained, at his dis- cretion, fair samples of all fertilizers sold, or offered for sale :n this State, from manufacturers or dealers, and shall have them analyzed by the official chemist, and shall publish the analysis for the information of the public. , , . Sec. 9. Be it further enacted, etc.. That it shall be the duty of every person who sells a lot or jiackage of commercial fertil- izer, upon the request of the purchaser, to draw from same, and in the presence of the purchaser or his agent, a fair and cor- rect sample, in such a manner as the Commissioner of Agricul- ture may, by regulation, establish. Sec. 10. Be it further enacted, etc.. That the copy of the official chemist’s analysis of auy fertilizer or chemical, certified to by him, shall be admissible as evidence in any court of tnis State, on the trial of any issue involving the merits of said fer- tilizer Sec. 11. Be it further enacted, etc.. That the Bureau of Agriculture shall adopt needful rules and regulations providing for the collection of the money arising from the sale of tags, or from fines imposed under this act, and shall require the same to be deposited with the Treasurer of the State, and only to be drawn therefrom upon the warrants issued by the Auditor of the State upon the requisition of the Commissioner of Agricul- ture, made in pursuance of such rules and regulations ; and the said Commissioner of Agriculture shall be entitled to receive no fees for collecting or disbursing said money, except his salary as provided for by law ; but he shall be allowed a clerk at the sab ary to be fixed by the said bureau and be payable out of the fertilizer funds, and all sums of money arising from the pro- visions of this act shall be known as the “Fertilizer Fund,” and shall be kept by the Treasurer separate from other public funds, and shall be exclusively used, as far as they may go, to defray the expenses of developing agriculture by making practical and scientific experiments in relation thereto. Sec. 12. Be it further enacted, etc.. That for the purpose of making practical and scientific tests or experiments, it shall be the duty of said Commissioner, subject to the approval ot GUARANTEED ANALYSES OF COMMERCIAL FERTILIZERS, AS RENDERED TO COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE BY DEALERS AND MANUFACTURERS TO WHOM LICENSES HAVE BEEN ISSUED FOR SEASON 1886-87. Name of Fertilizer or Chemical. Stem’s Ammoniated Stern's Pure Ground Raw Rone. Acid Phosphate Kainite Aeid Phosphate Soluble Pacific Guano Soluble Pacific Guano Studniczkas’ Standard Sugar Cane Fert Studniczkas’ Standard Sugar Cane Fert Gossypium Phospho Scott'fe Rest Acid Phosphate Scott’s High Grade Acid Phosphate Standard Home Mixture Guauo .. .. Bone and Potash Chalmette Mills Fertilizer Sugar Fertilizer Cotton Fertilizer Atlantic Fertilizer Armour Bone Meal Standard Cotton and Sugar Guauo . Armour Hog Tankage Arid Phosphate Kainite BY WHOM REPO-RTED. Name. Stern’s Fer. & Ch M’fg Co Wm. Garig & Co W. P. Ricliardson Rep. « } lidden & CnrtisBos Henry Studniezka Henry Studniezka Geo. W. Scott M’fg Co.. Meridian Fert. Factory.. W. A. Ober, Agent Planters Fert. M’lg Co.. Pelzer Rodyers & Co H. Studniezka Haynes Sc h’odgers H. Studniezka Sole Agt. Planters Fertilizing Co.. Address. 14Union St., NewOrleaus Baton Rouge 1 33 Carondelet St. N. 0, 41 North Peters St., N. 0 Atlanta, Georgia . - Meridian, Mississippi 197 Gravier St., N. O. Ill Magazine St , N. O. Charleston, S. C 41 Forth Peters St., N. O 101 Poydras St., N. O. .. 41 North Peters St., N. 0 111 Magazine St., N. O. .. By Whom Manufactured. Stern’s Pert. & Chem. M’fg C.o Imported Imported Pacific Guano Co., Boston.... Wahl Bros Geo. W. Scott il’fg Co Meri iian Fertilizing Factory. G Ober Sc Sons C > PI liters Fertilizing M’fg Co. Atlantic Phosphate Co .. Ai'inour & Co Fanneis Fertilizing Co. . Armour & Co. Iniiiorted Imported Where Manufactured. New Orleans. Imported England Charleston, S C. and ? Woods Hole. Mass., 3 Chicago, 111 Atlanta, Georgia MeriiCan, Mississippi Cor Adams &S Peters St N. O N ew Orleans Charleston, S. C* • Ctiicago, 111 Syracuse, New York Chicago ngland Germany 200 200 200 200 150 200 200 100 100 200 2 ' 0 200 200 200 125 100 1(0 200 100 200 100 150 2 to 3 4| to 4| 2 15 to 2.55 2.40 to .3 2| to 3 2^ to 3 2.40 to 2.50 2i to 2i >2 to 3| 3.5 to 4. 3 2.05 4 to 5 1 to 2 8 t.> 9 PH©SPHORIC ACID. Soluble. 6 to 8 14 to 18 15 7 to 8.75 6^ to 8 9 to 9 to € to Ci 7^ to 8 to 9 7i to 9 8 to 10 4 to 5 7 5 to 9 10 6.50 8 to 9 Reverted 3 to 4 1 to 3 3 to 3.75 2i to 4 11 11 3.80 to 4 4^ to 51 5 to 0 9 to 11 10 to 13 3i to 41 1.50 15-16 Insoluble 20 to 25 2 to 2.50 2 to 3 1 to 2 1 to 2 11 to 21 11 to 21 2 to 2i 1 to 2 1 to 2 li to li Potash. 3 to 3|$ 30. (X) 35.00 1.50 25 to 28 3 to 4 12 to 15 .2 13 to 14 i 12 to 14 1 to 1.50 3i 10 41 j< ot. L’l-nde jsug giade 1 30.00 21 1^ to 21 t’/i 0*3 1 : 2i TO 3, 2i to 3i 2 to 3i 2 to 31 0 0 22.50 22.50 28.00 4 to 61 12 to 14! 26. tH) 18.00 10.00 I [21J said Bureau, to enter into contracts specifying the duration and conditions thereof with a competent chemist and expert in ex- perimental agriculture, to perform the duties of official chemist and to carry on and to conduct the experiment station estab- lished by said Bureau at Baton Eouge ; and with the Louisiana Scientific Agricultural Association, having an experiment sta- tion in the Parish of Jefferson, and in making such contracts, the said Commissioner shall provide that experiments be made^ for the development and benefit of agriculture, especially in re- lation to the standard crops of the State, such as cotton, sugar, rice, corn, the cereals and grasses, and the like. Sec. 13. Be it further enacted, etc.. That as compensation for the conduct of such experiments the Commissioner of Agri- culture be and he is hereby authorized to apply the net result from the sale of tags, and from fines or penalties imposed for violations of the terms of this act, to the two said stations, and, if necessary, parts of other sums that may be appropriated by law, and subject to the control of himself or said Bureau ; pro- vided, That said contract shall not give more than one-haif of the of the result of the sale of tags, and fines, to any one said stations ; and provided further. That the said stations under- take to perform for and on behalf of the Commissioner of Agri- culture, under such regulations as may be agreed on, all analy- ses required under this act free of any charge whatsoever. Sec. 14. Be it further enacted, etc.. That the Director of the State Experiment Station shall be considered as the official chemist of the Bureau of Agriculture. He shall also attend such chemical and agricultural conventions as may be necessary ; the traveling expenses incident to such attendance shall be charge- able and collectable from the revenues derived from the sale of tags. Sec. 15. Be it lurther enacted, etc.. That the Commis- sioner of Agriculture shall keep a correct and faithful account of all tags received and sold by him, showing the number sold, to whom sold, and, as far as practicable, for what fertilizers they were intended to be used, and the amount of money collected therefor, and all money arising from fines, under this act. Sec. 16. Be it further enacted, etc.. That the terms “com- mercial fertilizers,” or “fertilizers,” where the same are used in this act shall not be held to include lime or land plaster, cot- ton seed meal, ashes or common salt, or raw bone, not specially treated. Only cotton seed meal, land plaster, salt ashes, lime and bones, not specially treated, are exempt from the provisions of this law. The following manufacturers and dealers having complied with the law, have been licensed to deal in commercial fertili" zers in this State. C22J EXPLANATION OF ANALYSES. Nitrogen, Phosphoric Acid and Potash, are the three ingre- ' Kenner, La. ^ Major T. J. Wrd, Commissioner of Agriculture, Baton Rouge, La.: Dear Sir — I lieretvitb band you Bulletin No. 10, covering experiments in tbe Sugar House and Laborator^^ on Sugar Cane and its products made in 4be do, sing months of 1886, The immense amount of labor required in tbe ])reparalion of this Bulletin from Laboratory and Sugar House notes made during grindiiy.*', together with tbe pressure of current duties have prevented its eaiTK',! a p pea Vance. Respectfully, AYM. C. STUBBS, Director. [ 3 ] The sugar planter of Louisiana is both an agriculturist and a manufacturer. He grows the cane and then manufactures it into sugar and molasses. Therefore to attain the most bene- ficial results, a Sugar Experiment Station should conduct experiments in the field, laboratory and sugar house. Agricul- ture, chemistry and mechanics are the sciences which must contribute to the successful prosecution of the sugar industry. Realizing this fact, this Station, after a careful inauguration 01 a series of field experiments, and the establishment of a well appointed laboratory, proceeded to the equipment of a sugar ♦ house. There was found on the station, a small sugar house, with a three roller mill 24x14 inches, fed by hand, a boiler, an engine, a series of open kettles, wooden coolers, &c. The open ketties were rejected, together with the unnecessary coolers, &c. The engine, boiler and mill were overhauled, repaired and used. A suli^hur machine was erected ; juice boxes, each large enough for a single experiment, were placed in proper positions, into which a juice luimp (monte jus) , conveyed the juice from the sulphur box; an improved clarifier, capacity 70 gallons, with a settling tank of three compartments of 150 gallons each ; two small brushing pans, with another settling tank of same size and form as one just meiil' . d, were the vessels used for clarifica- tion and preparing the juice for concentration. A Yaryan’s %ucuum distilling apparatus was used to concentrate the juices for the strike pan. This apparatus had the capacity of concen- trating in vacuo 150 gallons per hour, from 7^ B. to 30° B., and as far as we can judge from experiineiits made (nearly 100 in number) worked very successfully. The concentrated syrup was then grained in a small vac- uum strike pan, emptied into a mixer aiM purged in a small centrifugal. The Yaryan distilliug apparatus was erected by and at the expense of the Yaryan Manufacturing Co., Toledo, Ohio. Mr. Day, the courteous agent of this company, sent to erect and instruct in the use of the machine, spent several weeks at the Station and rendered valuable assistance in the sugar house. The mixer and the settling tanka were generously donated by IMessrs. Edwards & Haubtman, of New Orleans. The Whit- [ 1 ] ney Iron Works contributed the shafting and pulleys required to run the mixer and the centrifugal. The conversion of an open kettle sugar house 'into the one just described was both expensive and tedious, demanding more than an ordinary knowledge of machinery and the requisites of a sugar house. Fortunately the Station had a volunteer assistant, whose rare mechanical genius, love of machinery, experience in a sugar house, and persistent industry was fully ^ equal to the occasion, and the subsequent working of the sugar house gave indisputable evidence of his fitness to adapt pieces of machinery, gathered from many quarters, to, each other and all to the sugar house and the requirements of the Station. To Mr. Jno. P. Baldwin, Jr., Baldwin, La., this Station is in- debted not only for the above mentioned work, but for other valuable assistance in the field and sugar house. The sugar house was completed and work begun in it, on October 21st, 1886. ELEMENTARY CHEMISTRY OF THE SUGAR CANE. Before proceeding with a description of the experiments in the sugar house, a short presentation of the chemistry of the sugar cane may not be inappropriate. The composition of the sugar cane varies. 1st, with varieties. 2d, with soils upon which they are grown. 3d, with different manures. 4th, with different climates and seasons. 5th, with different degrees of maturity. 6th, with different parts of the stalk of the same cane, and 7th, with plant, and rattoons of dif- terent years. 1st. It is well kn#wn to every planter that different varieties give very different amounts of sugar. The analyses of 13 dif- ferent kinds of cane grown upon “ le champ d’experiences of the Agronomic Station of Reunion and harvested at the end of 20 mouths, sliow that cane su^ar varied between 13 and 21 per cent and glucose between .07 and L48. Our own analyses of 16 kinds grown last year on this Station (see Bulletin Ho. 7, page 10) show similar results. 2d. TOe soils nj)on which cane is^xo wn have decided effects upon the content of sugar. To a Louisiana planter, it is well [51 known^ that the black lands produce sweeter cane than sandy. 3d. Different manures effect materially the growth and maturity of canes and therefore their sugar content. Large quantities of iN^itrogenous manures are always detrimental to large sugar yields. 4th. Different climates and in the same climate, different seasons, produce canes varying greatly in sugar content. In dry localities, and in dry seasons, canes are small, with much fibre and sugar. In damp climates aad in wet seasons, the canes are gorged with humidity, low in sugar and rich in glucose. 5th. At different degrees of maturity, the cane varies greatly in analyses. The results determined at the Agronomic Station of Ee- union upon the same variety of cane show this conclusively. ‘ ANALYSES OF CANE AT DIFFERENT AGES. Age. Sucrose. Glucose. 10 months. 11.21 per cent 3.01 per cent 13 “ 12.44 2.55 15 ‘‘ 15!i5 1.05 16 << 16.25 0.36 “ 18 20.65 0.22 20 21.03 0.07 “ It is well known in Louisiana that cane ground in Decern ber is richer In sugar than that ground in October. 6th. Sugar and the other elements in cane are very differently represented in the different parts of the same stalk. The middle and lower parts are the richest in sugar. The following analy- ses show this : [ 6 ] ANALYSES OF DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE CANE. White upper end. Upj)er red part. Middle. Lower. Sucrose 3.80 13.37 18.09 18.59 Gluose 1.33 0.81 0.16 0.14 Water 84.05 76.89 70.42 68.92 Fibre 9.96 9.51 10.71 11.55 Organic Matter. . . . 0.38 0.35 .32 0.30 Salts 0.48 0.47 .30 0.50 Degree Baume .... 100.00 3.70 100.00 9.30 100.00 11.60 100.00 2.00 This is convincing proof of the expediency in cutting cane for the millj to “ lower the knife ” so as to avoid the upper im- mature joints, which cannot increase, but may seriously decrease the sugar yield. To the above may be added the fact that the bark or rind of the cane, the nodes and the central pith, do not contain the same amount of sugar, hence the juice from the first mill, coming mainly from the pulp of the cane is richer in sugar than that from ihe second mill, which is presumed to come by increased pressure from the outer rind.* 7th. Plant cane varies from stubble cane in its content ot fibre and sugar, as is well known to all sugar planters. With these announcements, it is not surprising to find so great a discrepancy in the many analyses of sugar cane given to the public by distinguished chemists. Again few realize how difficult it is to make a complete analysis of cane, especially of the numerous elements present in very small quantities, both on account of the absence of exact methods of analyses and of the rapid transformation which takes place as soon as the juices of the cane are removed from the influences of vitality. ANALYSES OF CANE. The following is the classical analysis of Payen, made upon stalks of Otaheite cane sent from Martinique and chosen specially for the researches, which they eubsequently received. It is to be observed that this distinguished chemist with others, found ^Maumene Fabiication de Sucre Vol II page, 64. ^Bulletin No. 5, U. S. Department of Agriculture, page 48, [ 7 ] uo uncrystallizable sugar present. But these are exceptions. All canes worked in the mill i^robably contain more or less of tliis substance. In Louisiana the percentage of glucose is between .5 and 2 per cent. AVater Tl.OI Sucrose 18.02 Cellulose 9.50 Albumen and other Nitrogenous matter 55 Eesinous, Fatty and Coloring matter 35 Alineral Salts (ash) 48 100.00 Many other standard analyses might be given, but the fol- lowing will probably cover all that has been made and will give an idea as to the general composition of all canes. The cane contains — Water Sucrose Glucose Starch Cellulose and Lignose Gum Cerosin Fatty and Aromatic matter Albuminoids Coloring matter Free Acids Silica Organic Salts Mineral Salts f Malates I Oxalates Acetates I Citrates I &c. r Sulphates J Phosphates I Chlorides [ Silicates from 73.38 to 00.54 u 10.00 to 20.00 u 8.00 to .00 to 7.03 to 0.50 • • • • to • • • • to • • • • to • • • • « 1.17 to 0.55 • • • • to 1 Potash Soda ,, Lime Magnesia Alumina Iron ^ 0.42 to 0.35 100.00 to 100.00 This table is not comxdete and yet it represents what is known of the composition of sugar cane. The juice obtained by pressure usually contains nearly al]^ the substances found in the cane, showing that the sucrose found in the cells of the cane is accompanied by a large number [ 8 ] of soluble siibstauces, of a more or less variable nature, some useful, some indifferent, and others positively noxious to the product we wish to extract, by conversion into glucose, or by preventing its crystalization. In the sugar house these foreign bodies are far from being without influence upon our operations, and if we wish to succeed under all circumstances, we should study the action of each in detail, as well as the inflnence of air, water, light and heat, ui»- on our juices and syrups. A short examination of each may be beneficial. HYDROCARBONS. Starch, has not been found in the canes of Louisiana though reported in very small quantities in unripe canes of other countries. The chemical property of being transformed by acids at all temperature into dextrine, and then into glucose, makes it an undesirable element of cane juice. Lime combines with it and partially precipitates it. Tannin complete- ly precipitates it. It is insoluble in alcohol and cold water, and is not to be feared in the sugar houses of this State. Dextrine^ produced easily from starch, is soluble in water and in dilute alcohol. Is not precipitated by any of the reagents used in the sugar-house. It can be removed by an ammoniacal solution of acetate of lead. In the presence of albuminoids, fer- ments, fatty matter, etc., this substance causes a marked decom- position of the sugar, producing fermentation of the lactic butyric and viscous order. Besides being the cause of this active fermentation, which is prevented by a careful removal of the other foreign substances, it is a source of constant annoyance to the sugar boiler. It is not crystalizable, and is not precipitated by lime, therefore we find it accompanying the sugar to the strike pan, augmenting the masse cuite and restraining a portion of the sugar from crystalization. The Station has not found dextrine in freshly cut cane. In cane fermented either from exposure or in the windrow it was invariably found ; in the latter case only in small quanti- ties. Dextrine, like sucrose, turns the polarized ray of light to the right. Gum is analogous in its action to dextrine. It is insoluble [ 9 ] in alcohol. It forms a soluble eombination'^with lime, and like dextrine, it increases the molasses both by its weight and by the prevention of sugar from crystalization. The proportion of gummy matter in cane juice is very small, a fortunate circum- stance since there is no known w^ay of removing it. A solution of gum turns the polarized ray of light to the left. Glucose — This name, retained throughout this bulletin, is improperly given to the uncrystalizable sugar found in cane juice, though the latter is known to be a mixture of Dextrose and Levulose. It is found in the largest proportions in unripe cane. It is probably formed by the dehydration of starch or cellulose, and in graminiferous plants is reconverted in the grain into starch. In the sugar plants it is converted into sucrose, how, the following theories have been offered in explanation : 1st. By simple dehydration. Glucose, minus water. O ==Sucrose, This theory is somewhat sustained by the fact that the leaves and tender parts of the cane contain the larger proportions of glucose, and that the researches of Ville and Deherain show it to be quite plausible. 2nd. The car- bonic acid of the air is absorbed by the leaves of the cane, and is reduced under the influence of sunlight, the oxygen set free, while the carbon enters into combination with hydrogen and ox- ygen of the water present, forming oxalic, acetic, citric, tartaric, etc., acids which disappear to make room for sucrose and other neutral substances. An examination of a young stalk of cane shows always the presence of both sucrose and glucose. As the stalk grows and approaches maturity the sucrose increases and the glucose de- creases even to the point sometimes of disappearing completely. If now, the cane is not cut at maturity, it at once enters again in activity, and presents the opposite phenomenon of converting sucrose into glucose. Thus one may speak definitely of the causes producing glucose in the cane, viz. : A too active vege- tation, the absence of sunlight, an abundance of rain, and a soil too rich, or too wet. The formation of sucrose, on the contrary, is “en rapport^^ with maturity of plant, dryness of soil, and air, and a great excess of solar light. Again the slightest disturbance of the plant or its juice, [ 10 ] either through fermentation from a woundj from heat, from ac- tion of acids, from immaturity, and a thousand other ways, causes the sucrose to be converted into glucose. There is no practical way of eliminating it, and it passes into the molasses,, restraining therein from crystalization, a quantity of sugar* This substance is the chief ingredient of molasses, and together with gum, dextrine, etc., oppose themselves by their viscosity to the separation of the crystals of sugar. The quantity of sugar thus restrained but not transformed, is variously estimated from one-half to twice the weight of the total gummy matters. Again a solution of pure sugar, or a solution of the mixture of glucose and sucrose can be concentrated without much colora- tion. But if glucose alone, or with sucrose, be heated with free or carbonated alkalies, the solution quickly assumes a brownish tint which deepens as the work progresses. This coloration is due to the formation from the glucose of melassic acid, and in- creases in proportion to the quantity formed. This coloration may be removed by bone black, but unless the alkalies be neu- tralized, which are the direct cause of this phenomenon, it will be reproduced after each decoloration, as soon as the work of concontration is renewed. Glucose is therefore the ^^bete noir^ of the sugar maker. It is formed at the expense of sucrose, it engages in the masse cuite, unaltered sucrose, and it is the most powerful cause of the coloration of the sugar products. In the present condition of sugar manufacture no way is known of eliminating the glucose already and always existing in the juice in Louisiana canes, and therefore the most judicious care should be exercised to preserve the sucrose present, and to avoid the causes which convert it into glucose. We are obliged to submit gracefully to the disastrous consequences of that is already in the juice. The pectose group — The process of pressure without heat as now iDractised in all of our mills, is believed to give us a juice free from pectic principles, especially when proper wire screens are interposed between the mill and the juice box to remove the fragments of the bagasse, broken off by the rollers. The heat of boiling water is required to convert pectose into a soluble form,, pectine,^_and if the fragments of bagasse are carefully removed [llj before boiling, tbe juice should be entirely devoid of it. None has been found in any of the juices examined at this Station. Both tannin and lime however, remove all the pectose grouj) likely to be found in juices by converting them into insoluble combinations. Wax and resinous matters — The ‘‘'•eerosin^'^ first named and examined by Mr. Avequiu, of New Orleans, the whitish wax found adherent to the bark of the cane and to the part sheathed by the leaves, is insoluble in water, and therefore is without action in the juice. The violet or purple canes contain the greatest amount, striped next, and the white canes very little» On the violet it is said to be found to the extent of 75 to pounds per acre. Dumas gives it the following comijosition : C48 02 , while Lewy, later, makes it O 2 . Fatty matters ayid essential oils — The former exert their in- fiuence most only wlien degeneracy of any kind occurs in the juice, as then it determines the formation of lactic butyric, mannitic or viscous products, forms of fermentation more de- structive and objectionable than the regular and normal alco- holic kind. All fatty matters consist of fatty acids combined with glycerine. When lime is added it combines with the fatty acids and releases the glycerine which accompanies the sugar in the masse cuite, remains in the molasses and restrains from crys- talization a certain proi^ortion of sugar. It is customary with some sugar boilers to stop excessive foaming in the pan by the introduction of fat of some kind. This reprehensibie custom might with propriety and with better results be supplanted by the use of fatty acids alone, deprived of glycerine. The essential oily which gives that delicate perfume to the open kettle sugar house, and the agreeable odor of ^^mel de canne” to brown sugar should rather be conserved than destroy- ed. Most of it however is eliminated by the different treat- ments to which the juice is subjected in concentration. Glycer' ine alone of these bodies, is objectionabe, because of its increas* ing the quantity of molasses, both by its presence and its re- straining power over sugar. Albuminoids or nitrogenous bodies j such as albumen, legu- mine, fibrine and casein, are found in the cane. The latter [ 12 ] wlien grown on a soil, strongly manured with highly nitroge- nous fertilizers, contain largely increased quantities of albumi- noids. All planters are in accord on this point. Albumen and its congeners are the essential support of the ferment, which pro- duces alteration of the sucrose. The ferment alone destroys a certain proportion of sucrose and dies, but in the presence of albuminoids, a rapid multiplication of new and active globules takes place, which replace the effete ones, and which destroy in a short time large quantities of sugar. The planter has no more redoubtable enemy than these albuminoids, which, if not re- moved, show themselves in every phase of concentration. Therefore to avoid their noxious influence, cane should be work- ed as soon as possible after being cut and the albuminoids re- jnoved from the juice as soon as practicable after coming from the mill. But their removal presents some difficulty. Some of them are soluble but coagulate by heat. Others soluble and not coagulable. Others insoluble but soluble by heat, and transformable after awhile by the prolonged action of water and heat into gelatine. This action is hastened by the presence of free acids. Lime precipitates only a portion of the albumi- noids, and when used in excess causes a re solution of a part already precipitated. Therefore in the ordinary treatment, we find these albuminoids accompanying the juices from the mill to the masse cuite, giving rise to the foaming which occurs in the concentration, augmenting the proportion of molasses, and en- gaging a part of the sugar by preventing its free crystalization. The employment of- tannin, which unites with all or nearly all of them to form insoluble compounds, provided free lactic acid does not exist in the juice, followed by the usual treatment with lime, is said to be an excellent way of relieving the juices of these, the most powerful obstacles to tne obtaining of large rendments. Along with the albuminoids occur a living globular ferment ready to perform the. work of destruction, of breaking up com- plex compounds into simpler ones, or even into elements, as soon as the plant is removed from the influence of vitality. This ferment is precipitable by lime and tannin, destroyed by acids and alkalies and its activity suspended by heat. [ 13 ] Vegetable acids, with the exception of tannic, acetic and car- bonic, have the property of changing sucrose into glucose. Acetic acid, while exercising no direct action on the sugar, often by its iiresence favors ropy or viscous fermentation. Therefore one can only hope to obtain a good treatment of sugar juice by lierfect neutralization of all acids. If the juice be left acid su- gar will be inverted, albuminoids will be dissolved, etc. If al- kaline, a part of the sugar witl go in the molasses as sucrate of lime. The presence then of free acid in the clarified juice should not be tolerated. Vegetable bases may be considered in the sugar industry of Louisiana as of little or no importance. Mineral matter — The influence of mineral matter upon the crystalization of sugar has been a subject of more controversy than any other connected with the sugar industry. Allialies, potash, and soda, and, their carbonates — Doctors isve disagreed in the past as to the efiect of these substances upon sugar juices. It is now however pretty conclusively de- termined that they blacken the juices, by converting glucose into melassic acid and prevent an amount of sugar, according to best authorities, of about six times their own weight, from crys- talization. They should thereforo be neutralized with some in- offensive acid. In a well defacated juice, potash and soda should be the only basic mineral elements of the cane present, since lime should preciifitate the rest together with most of the acids, and any excess of lime used is precii)itated by the proper reagent. Mineral aoids — Most of these are removed by the lime, form- ing insoluble combinations, and giving no very serious results to the sugar maker. The chlorides^ j)articularly of potassium and sodium, not removed by lime, are objectionable. They do not de- stroy the sugar but they form double salts with it, and thus re- strain in the molasses a goodly quantity of sucrose, the former preventing 4,582 and the latter 5,852 times th^ weight from -crystalization. According todiest authorities, coloring matters are generally removed in great part by the usual methods of de- fecation. They are entirely suspended by the use of sulphur- [ 14 ] SUMMARY OF ABOVE. The aim of every manufacturer of sugar is to extract the largest possible quantity of sucrose, and leave the smallest pos- sible uncrystalizable residue. Therefore the question arises how can this double condition be methodically accomplished. We know that gum, dextrine and glucose, iirevent the free crystali- zation of sugar. We have seen that the pectic principles, nitro- genized bodies and certain salts, accomplished the same end. It is evident that free acids, with three exceptions, convert su- crose into glucose, causing a double loss, that of the transform- ed sugar, and that restrained in the molasses by this sugar. The formation of glucose, is believed to be the great cause of loss in Louisiana. The unavoidable causes of inversion are numer- ous. The natural acids of the cane, certain bases, the ferment, action of air, of water, and of heat, together, can alter so much sugar as to seriously decrease the yields. Add to that the free and indiscriminate use of sulphur, and the usual custom of leav- ing the juices quite acid, even after clarification, and the sur- prise is that so much sugar is made. Work of the sugar house may be divided into 1st. Extraction of the juice. 2d. Purification of the juice usually termed clarification or defecation. 3d. Concentration. 4th. Cooking to grain. 5th. Purging the crystals. Since all of this work is of a mechanical nature except the purification of the juice, this alone will be noticed here. How long will a juice untreated remain without alteration, is a question often asked. It is best to answer by repeating that as soon as removed from the stalk, fermentation begins; the ra. pidity and violence depending upon temperature, condition of w eather, etc. The natural ferment present is very active, and is aided more or less by the natural acidity of the juice, and the temperature of the sugar house. It is important then never to delay the purification of the juice. The fundamental principle involved in the clarification of juice, is either to remove or ren- der Inofiensive, all the foreign matters in the juice, and is prac- [ 15 ] tically performed in two ways by the addition of reagents 1st. Which will produce insoluble compounds which are removed. 2nd. Which will neutralize all causes of alteration to the su- crose. These are chemicaJ means, and are aided by mechanical and physical processes equally as essential. The reagents used in Louisiana are suliihur, bi-sulphite of lime, lime, superphosphate of lime, superphosphate of alumina, tannin and bone black. SULPHUR. Sulphur is burnt and converted into sulphur dioxide, one part uniting with two parts of the oxygen of the air to form a gas which has an irritating odor, but with bleachiug and anti- septic powers. Pure water dissolves under ordinary pressure 43.5 times its own volume of this gas. Cane juice under the same conditions absorbs 33. A solution of th is gas^ exposed to the air absorbs oxygen^ and is gradually converted into sulplmric acid. In Louisiana this gas is forced by machinery into the cane juice as it comes from the mill. Laboratory exj)eriments indi- cate that 1 ounce of sulphur suffices for the perfect clarification of 300 gallons of juice. Yet in daily practice this is greatly ex- ceeded, Sulphured juices should be handled with great care and skill, since this gas is an acid, which in itself has the power of inverting sucrose, and further, is easily converted into sulphuric acid, a most energetic destroyer of sugar. Sulphured juices should therefore be worked as early as possible, and never heat- ed before being limed. It is a good practice to run a small quan- tity of lime water into the juice at the mill before sulphuring, to unite with and render insoluble, any suli)huric acid formed in the combustion of sulphur, and which has escaped the wash water. Sulphur acts upon the juice in three ways : 1st. It temporarily arrests fermentation. 2nd. It temporarily decolorizes. 3d. It assists in rendering coagulable a portion of the aP buminoids. Against these good offices are to be placed the constant dan- ger of inverting sugar, the decreased yields, the difficulty of cooking its syrups without filtration, the difficulty of preserving sugar made by its use, and the formation of sulphates and suL [ 16 ] pliites in the juice, which interfere with the crystalization of su- gar, and the deposition of scale upon the apparatus in which the juices are cooked, due to the formation of double sulphates. The last objection is esi^ecially troublesome, where neutral juices are worked. Sulphur has been used in sugar manufacture, from the raw juices to the masse cuite in the pan, and in all forms from the pure gas and its solution in water, to every one of its salts. BISULPHITE OF LIME What has been said of sulphur applies to this chemical, since it is the sulphurous acid present, which gives it its value. LIME. lame is of universal use both in the manufacturies for beet and cane sugar. Kothing can be found to supplant it. Lime performs the following work in defecation : 1st. It partially removes the albuminoids, and along with them the ferment. 2nd. It neutralizes all acids and forms with most of theui insoluble compounds. * 3d. It precipitates most of the vegetable bases. 4th. It precipitates most of the mineral bases except j)otash and soda, and these it leaves in a caustic state, a coudition which should be corrected in subsequent operations on the juice. 5th. In the blanket and precipitate formed by the addition of the lime, a considerable quantity of the coloring matter, to- gether with matters mechanically suspended in the juice, are re- strained and removed. In defecating with lime, care should be taken to see that neither too much nor too little is used. Either is destructive of good results. The juices should, after clarification, be neutral. This point is determined in factory practice in two ways. 1st. By test papers, blue and red. j2nd. By the eje, examining a sample either in a test tube or small glass jar, by the aid of transmitted light. If a good defecation has been made, there will be a rapid separation of the treated juice into a clear sm pernatant liquid with a light yellow color, and a thicli, heavy [ 17 ] aud persistent deposit. By a little practice the eye soon learns nearly the exact point of neutrality. Again each clarifier should be tested, since in this country it is almost impossible to find two successive clarifiers of Juice of the same degree of maturity and acidity. It is a custom in some parts of the State to make lime paste, and to use so many cubic inches of this to each clarifier. This is a very uncertain quantity of pure lime. Unless the lime and water each be weighed and provision made to restore to the paste the water evaporated, very varying amounts of lime will be used in different clarifiers. It would be better to make a strong milk of lime in a barrel or tank, and determine the lime present by a Baiime spindle, each degree representing about 1.6 ounces pure slaked lime per gallon, thus: .1 gallon milk of lime at 10 B . equals 1*6 ounces 1 a a u u u OQ B 3.2 1 u n n u it. 3^ B c* 1 u u it ii a 40 B u 6.4 a 1 a iu i. U a 50 B a 8.9 a 1 u a U u 60 B u 9*6 u 1 u it. u U n 70 B i-i 11.2 a 1 u a n a SO B a 12.8 a 1 u u u a 90 B a 14.4 u 1 a u u iOO B 16.0 or 1 In this way exact amounts of lime to each clarifier can be calculated. Lime unites with sucrose and glucose to form sucrates ami glucates, the latter blackening the Juice. Again in excess, it re- moves the acids from the potash and soda, and leaves them in a caustic state. These should be neutralized with some acid (best phosphoric), before the defecated Juices are concentrated ; if not they will convert the glucose present into melassic acid, which will blacken the s^Tup as the concentration proceeds, Just in proportion to the amount of these ingredients present aud the duration of heating. SUPERPHOSPHATE OF LIME. Is formed by treating any insoluble phosphate with sulphu- ric acid. In sugar use, the purest bone ash should be preferreil and this should be treated with diluted sulphuric acid in quan- tities not sufficient to dissolve all of the ash. In this way free sulphuric acid .will be nearly avoided in the compound. After [IS] the lapse of a sufficient time for the action of the acid, the dried mass (acid phosphate) is dissolved in water and carefully filtered, and concentrated if necessary. In this way free Sulphuric Acid may be avoided and sulphate of lime, which is very slightly sob uble in water is present in such small quantities as to produce no harm. Superphosphate of lime prepared in this way is a valuable reagent, if used after the Juice has been well defecated by lime to neutrality. This substance is an acid phosphate of lime, C/ontaining one part of phosphoric acid to one part of lime, and is soluble in water, while the normal phosphate of lime contains one part of phosphoric acid to three parts of lime and is insol- uble in water and sugar juices. If the Juices have been made neutral or very slightly alkaline, a small addition of this liquid will seize on to the^slight excess of lime, and precipitate it at once as normal phosphate of lime. The phosphoric acid of another l)ortion will unite with the potash and soda, to form phosphates of these bases, which remain in solution and will be found in the molasses, vvffiile the carbonic or any other acid that may be in combination with these alkalies in neutral juices, will unite with the lime and form also insoluble compounds. These two precip- itates soon settle and carry with them much of the coloring matter. By this treatment the alkalies are removed from their injurious action both over the glucose in producing melassic acid and of their restraining infiuence upon the sugar in the mo- lasses. It has been clearly demonstrated that potash and soda are rendered almost innocuous by transforming them into phos- phates, and that no other acid will acconqfiish such good results. However, this substance should be used with care, and an ex- oess avoided, since its acid nature vrill render inversion highly ])robable, and will dissolve the precipitates formed. It should be added in just such quantities as to slightly redden blue lit- mus i^aper. In the use of this substance, care should be further taken to see that it was devoid of free acids particularly sulphuric. SUPERPHOSPHATE OF ALUMINA. Made in a similar manner from phosphate of alumina by the use of sulxffiuric acid, is used to accomplish the -same purposes [ 19 ] ns siiperpliosplinte of lime. Tu tlie decomposition however^ sliglitly different cliemical changes take x>lace, one ot which is the voluminous precipitation of aluminic hydrate in a gelatinous state, which, uniting with all the coloring matter present to form insoluhle lakes, more completely decolorizes the juice. This precipitate takes a long time to settle, and on the whole does not do as effectual work as superphosphate of lime. rJiosi)hate of ammonia ac(iomi)\i^h.QB t\\Q same purposes in periiaps a better manner than either of above, but its high cost prohibits an extensive use. TANNIN. Or more properly speaking, tannic acid, is found in nuC (/alJSj excrescences on oak trees ; in the bark of the different kinds of oak, chestnut^ etc. The union of this substance with the gelatine of the hide forms leather. It has long been used by chemists to form insoluble compounds with the albuminoids, and to detect the presence of the latter even in very dilute solutions. Tannin precipitates all or nearly all of the albuminoids of the juice together with the ferment, and Juices thus treated were kept in a warm labaratory for ^i^'e or six days at this Station without a sign of alteration. It precipitates also starch, pectine, vegetable bases, most of the fatty and coloring matters. Juices tirst treated with tannin, then with lime and superphosphate of lime, wmre found to be better defecated, and cooked better and gave larger returns than any other experiments made in the Sta- tion’s sugar house. An excess of taimiii has no injurious effects on the crystalization of sugar and imparts no astringent prop- erties to either sugar or molasses, so far as our taste and that of many others could determine. Lime however, removes any ex- cess , and therefore any astringency that might adhere to its products, could easily be removed. Again the use of tannin de- creases the amount of lime necessary in subsequent defecation. Its only objection, found in many trials in the sugar house, closely followed by analyses in the labaratory, and careful scru- tiny of all working details, wms the large quantity of settlings and the time required for them to precipitate, an objection which we think a filter press will entirely overcome. [ 20 ] The albiimiiioids precipitated by tauniu are redissdlved by lactic acid, which, however, is never found in fresh juices, it being a product of fermentation. BONE BLACK. Is the result of the calcination of bones witliout a free ac- cess of air. B’or filtration purposes, the more or less large grains 4\vQ used. The properties of bone black have been known for a half century. Its decolorizing property and its power to remove n jiortion of the solid matter from the juices are utilized in sugar rerineiies. This substance is rarely used in Louisiana, its high ^irice preventing, we suppose. The Station has made no use of .this agent save in the laboratory. The action of this substance is physical rather than cliemical. Many other substances have from time to time been pro- iiosed for the purification of tlie juice, but they have not been ailopted. ACID Sl'LPin’jU; OF ALIAIINA. Is one of the new reageants for the purification of juices proposed by Slibowitz, and is intended to supplant bone black in the refineries. It has been extensively applied in many fas pure sugar 90 lbs. molasses, polarizing 43.8 per cent sucrose — 39.42 lbs xmre sugar .117 lbs skimmings and settlings polariz’gl2.5 p c sucrose=14.62 lbsx>ure sugar Total sugar acconnted for .117.18 lbs pure sugar Total sugar in 1098 lbs juice polarizing 10.97=119.63 lbs pure sugar Amount lost by inversion, waste, etc., ditfercncc. . 2.50 lbs pure sugar EXPEKIMENT Xo. 2. Manuies used — IG| lbs. Cotton Seed Meal, and 8^ lbs. Acid Phosphate. Weight of Cane— 1752 lbs., Yield per acre, 17.52 tons. Weight of Bagassse— .576 lbs., Weight of juice, 1176 11)S. Extraction — 67.10, Bagasse 32.90. EXPERIMEXT XO. 5. Manures used — 30 lbs. Cotton Seed Meal and 15 lbs. Acid Phosx>hale. Weight of Cane— 2246 lbs., Yield per acre, 22.46 tons. Weight of Bagasse— 686 lbs., Weight of juice, 1560 lbs. Extraction — 69.50, Bagasse, 30.50. .Juices of Nos, 2 and 5 wero worked together. TREATMENT OF JUICES. No Sulphur user! ; 4 grammes Lime to gallon of juice ; weather warm aud juice slightly fermented. [ 23 ] LABORATORY ANALYSES. Kind of Product. 5 c p 7c p Total Solids. Sucrose. 7^ o .2 '3 6 Raw juice No. 2 : 7.2 12.9 10.6 81.3 Raw juice No. 5 7.2 13.0 11.0 84.0 Limed juice No. 2 7.4 13.3 10.4 77.2 Limed juice No. 5 7.8 14.0 10.9 77.8 Concentratad juice No, 2 26.0 47.7 35.3 74.8 Concentrated juice No, 5 • 26., 5 48.7 37.8 77 . 6 89.. 5 .... Molasses 41. 77.3 43.0 55 . 6 SUGAR HOUSE RESULTS. All accident occurred by which an unknown quantity of syrup ready for the pan was lost. Eesults obtained, 151 lbs su- gar, and 1161 lbs molasses, were far too low. Without use of sulphur, on such a warm day, maximum temperature 70^ acetous fermentation set in before the raw juice could be treat- ed, hence inversion, which was arrested in cesrcentratioii. EXrERIMEOT XO. 3. Manures used — 7 lbs. Sulphate Ammouia, ) 6 lbs. Dried Blood, 10 lbs. Cottou Seed Meal [> Put out May 24th. 20 lbs. Acid Phosphate, ) Weight of Cane— 2122 lbs.. Yield per acre 21.22 tons. Weight of Bagasse — 616 lbs., Weight of juice, 1506 tons. Extraction — 70.9 per cent., Bagasse 29.1 percent. TREATMENT OF JUICES. Limed to neutrality ; warm weather, without sulphur, caused slight inversion before raw juice could be treated, checked by concentration. [ 24 ] LABORATORY ANALYSES. Kind of Product. Idnv Juice Linied juice Coneentrated juice. Sugar. Molasses i Z 32 'o $ x w g o = 'p i 7.5 24. 10.6! 4.66 !84. 13. 4| 10.9' 1.73: 181- 43.9 35.8 6.13 ^1. i 91.5 ‘ 1 — 77.3! 45.0 : — i !58. SUGAR HOUSE RESULTS. Sugars i)o]nriziug 01.5 x)ei’ cent=97. 74 lbs pure sugar. 07 lbs Molasses polarizing ^5.05 per cent=-43.69 lbs pure sugar. Total sugar in sugar and molasses 141.43 lbs. pure sugar. Total sugar in loOG ll)s. juice ....10.61=159.64 lbs. pure sugar. Skimruings, inversion and loss 18.21 lbs. pure sugar. The skiiuuiiugs and .settlings from above vere not vreighed, and hence loss from inversion cannot be estimated. EXUEKIAIEXT XO. G. Manures used — 30 lbs. Cotton seed, 15 lbs Acid }diosphate, and 15 lbs. kaiuite. Weight of cane— 2229 lbs., Yield per acre 22.29 tons. Weight of bagasse 056 lbs., Weight of juice 1573 lbs. Extraction — 70.6 per cent., Bagasse 29.4 per cent. TREATMENT OF .JL'ICE'^, Xo siilplinrj limed and left slightly acid^ using 3.8 grammes of lime per gallon-; fermentaticn set in before the juice could he conceiitratetl. ICocliicicut of Purity [ 25 ] LA BOKATOR Y ANAL Yi^^ES. Kind of Product, 6 a a V ZJ •=C o 1 Total Solids. 1 1 1 Sucrose. Glucose. —4 o y y o o o R;iw juire 7.2 12.9 , 10.4 1.70 Limed juice 7.4 13-3 1 11.0 1.72 82-7 Concentrated juice 25. 45.9 35.2 7.04 76.6 Molasses 40. 75.3 43.3 » « « » .57.5 Sugar 1 i 96.0 SULAR HOUSE RESULTS. 107 ]li)s aafiar polarizing 96. por ceDt=103 lbs pure sugar. 103 lbs molasses polarizing 13.3 x)er cent— 1-1.6 lbs pure sugar Total in sugar ami molasses 147.6 lbs pure sugar 1573 lbs juice polarizing 10.4 per C0nt=163..5O lbs pure sugar. Loss in skimmings, inversion, etc., 15.99 lbs pure sugar. Skiiiuuings and settlings not weighed. EXPEKIMENT XO. 4. Alaiiiire.s used — 2.3 lbs. Cot. seed meal and 11.] lbs. Acid piiospliate This Experimeut was divided into 3 equal parts. Xo. 1, not desuckered at all, but every facility afforded for suckeriug. Xo. 2, not a sucker was permitted to grow during the season. X'o. 3, the suckers were removed till June 22d, after which they were permitted to grow. See Bulletin Xo. 7, for detail. No. 1 yieldeU at rate of 22.63 tons to acre polarizing 10.6. No. 3 19.32 “ “ 10. No. 2 was worthless and not weighed or gathered. The above was con- verted into molasses. EXPEBIMEXT XO. 7. Manures used — 30 lbs. Cotton seed meal. Weight of cane — 1864 Ihs., Yield i>er acre, 18.64 tons. Weight of bagasse — 594 lbs., V/eight of juice 1270 lbs. Extraction — 63.17, Bagasse 31.91. TREATMENT OF JUICE. Lime used (5.1 grammes to gallon) to neutrality — concentrated in open pan, cooked in vacuum and ceutrifu galled. [ 26 ] LABORATORY ANALYSES. Kind of Product. Degrees Baunic Total solids. Sucrose. Glucose. Co-eflit, Purity Ivaw juice 6.9 12.4 9.6 1.89 77. Lnned juice 7.3 13.1 10.5 1.84 80. Of'ncentrated juice 16.6 29.7 23.2 4.76 78. Mol .asses 33. 61.2 32.6 53. 8ugar. 87 . 6 Ski mm ill os 6.H SUGAR HOUSE RESULTS. lU) lbs. Sugar polariziug 87,6=83.16 lbs. pure sugar. :U lbs. Molasses 32.6=26.56 “ 85 lbs. Skimmings “ 6.8 5.77 “ “ Total sugar accounted for 115.49 “ Total in 1270 lbs. juice polariziug 9,6 pr. ct.=121.J>2 “ Loss by inversion and otherwise 6.43 “ Here the skimmings and settlings were worked three times with great care and yet they finally contained o.77 ]bs. sugar, which was thrown away and were doubtless the cause of a part of the inversion found above. This amount 5.77 lbs. is nearly 5 per cent on the total sugar worked. EXPEKIxMElS^T XO. 8. Manures used — 13 lbs Sulphate ammonia, 23 lbs Acid phosphate, and 4 lbs. Muriate potash, i)ut out May 24th, 1887. Weight of cane — 1902 lbs ; Held per acre, 19.02 tons. Weight of bagasse — 628 lbs., Weight of juice, 1278 lbs. Extraction — 66.9 per cent,, Bagasse 33.1 per cent. TREATMENT OF JUICE. . Lime used, 3.5 grammes to gallon, and left slightly acid. Fermentation slightly occurred before the raw juice could be cooked. [ 27 ] LABORATORY ANALYSES. Kind of Product. Rciw juic 0 Limed juice Concentrated juice Molasses Sugar Skinnniugs 2 cc c c m © 03 6 ■r. c o O f-i U rt © o c c C m / .o 7.9 13.6 p c 10.8 p c 1.46 79 14.2 p c 10.9 p c 1-58 77 45.8 p c 34.70 5.55 76 .... pc . . . pc .. .. pc SUGAR HOUSE RESULTS. An amount of juice estimated to be about 10 gallons, was accidentally lost ^yllich vitiated the accuracy of results. Hence sugar and molasses not analysed. There were obtained however, 80 lbs sugar, 117 lbs molasses, and 0.51 lbs shimmings out of a possible sugar content of 1371 lbs. expekime:n^t no. o. Manares used — 15 lbs. Acid phosphate and 15 lbs. Kainlte. Weight of cane — 1500 lbs.. Yield per acre 15 tons. Weight of bagasse — 504 lbs. Weight of juice 99G Pos. Extraction— 66.4 per cent., Bagasse 33.6 per cent. TREATMENT OF JUICE. Limed to neutrality — using 4.1 grammes per gallon. Hovrever a very ■slight fermentation occurred before the last raw juice could be concentrated. LABORATORY ANALYSES. Kinds of Product. Raw juice Limed juice Concentrated juice Molasses Sugar Skiminiugs Degrees Baumc Total Solids. 1 1 Sucrose. Glucose. Co-cllit Purity 7.2 12.9 10.1 1.83 78. 7.5 13.5 11. 1.85 81. 16. 29. 22.1 4.11 76. 37. 69.2 38!4 89.2 55. 79. 14.2 10 8 76. SUGAR HOUSH RESULTS. 61 lbs. Sugar polarizing 69.2= 54.42 lbs. i)ure sugar. 95 lbs. Molasses polarizing 38.4= 36 28 “ “ ‘‘ 86 lbs. Shimmings, polarizing 10.8= 9.29 “ Total sugar accounted for 100.99 “ “ Total Sugar in 996 lbs. juice polarizing 10.1= 100.59 “ “ “ Gain .40 [ 28 J i:XI>liUlME>'T XO. 10. 3Iauures used- 15 lbs Kainite. Wei^’-ht of cane — 149*2 liis. Yield per acre 14.92 tons. Weight of bagas'e— 494 lbs., Weight of juice 998 lbs. Kxtivie lion— (36.9 per cent., Bagasse 33.1 iier cent. TREATMENT OF JUICt:. l.imed to neutrality, using 4.1 grammes to gallon. T. ABOT? ATOR Y AX AL Y.S ES . Kind of Product. I I I I 6 to O •a liaw juice . . . Errned juice, Con centrated Molas.ses ^^’gar Bkiinmings. . juice. 7.8|14.0 pc|10.7 pel. 72 pc|/G. 8.0 14.4 p c 26. 31 147.7 p e |57.3 p c 11.5 p c l .83 p e! ' 24.0 43. 9i 3.5.2 4.71 80.1 1 1 : 59.31 :i9.2 9 4 ! 66.1 : 9.6! 16. 2i 6.6 40.74 &i:gae house RESULTS. 51 lbs. Sugar polarizing. .................. Vll Ihs, Molas^e^j polarinng 170 Ski mini iigs jrolarizing U u ; (( a T'iji.tal sugar accouuted for, Total sugar in 836 lbs. juLpe polarizing. . U.8---98.64 (i i( u u <{ Loss from inversion. Ac 15-17 (1 it < « Tiie skiiumiugs and .settlings^ an iiiuisiially large aniouiit (170 ibs.) ou aecoiint of condition of weather (warm, damp and ijultry) fermented rapidly and prevented working as contem- idated. The loss of cane sugar by it was very heavy. Tlie jskimmings should have had a co-elficieut of purity nearly as great as the raw juice. With 1G.2 i)er cent of total solids this would have given, with 80 purity co-eflicieut 12.0 percent sugar •cvr a total iu the skimmings of 21 lbs. We hud by analyses oidy 1>.G per cent sugar or a total of 11.22 lbs., showing 10. G8 lbs. as having been inverted in the skimmings ; subtracting this :amount from the total lo€S above and we have 4.74 lbs., due probably to losses iu the manipulation of the sugar. This experiment clearly demonstrated the necessity of working up rapidly tho juice as fast as it comes from the mill, especially if the weather is warm aud sultry aud uo sulphur used. It also shows that the albuminoid matter in scums, under such favorable conditions rapidly invert the sugar present. Farther on we will illustrate the advantages of a filter press in preventing such losses. [ 30 ] expeeime:^t xo. 12 . Manures used — 16| lbs. Cotton seed meal, and 8^ lbs. Floats. Weight of cane — 1574 lbs.; Yield per acre, 15.74 tos. Weight of bagasse — 490 lbs., Weight of juice 1034 lbs. TREATMENT OF JUICE. Limed to nearly neutrality, using 4.2 gram mss per gallon. The juice Avas worked slightly acid. Lx\B01lATORY ANALYSES. 70 lbs. Sugar polarizing lbs. pure sngai.. 70 lbs. ilolasses polarizing a a 68 lbs. Skimiiiings polarizing u .< i i Total sugar accounted for 111.34 It 0 . t Total sugar in 1084 lbs juice 11.2 121.40 0 n Loss by insverion O' < ( ( i The weather Avas quite warm and sultry, with a lainfall of one inch during the day, and therefore fermentation entered our juices iu spite of ef- forts to prevent. EXPERIMENTT NO. 13. Manures used — 23 lbs. Cotton meal and 11^ lbs., Floats, applied May 24tb. IVeight of cane — 1734 lbs ; Yield per acre, 17.34 tons. Weight of bagasse — 560 lbs., Weight of juice 1174 lbs. Extraction — 67.7 percent. Bagasse 32.3 per cent. TREATMENT OF JUICE, Limed in excess, using 6 grammes per gallon. The juice was therefore worked alkaline. [ 31 ] LABORATORY ANALYSES. 81 lbs. Sugar polarizing 9b. = 77.76 lbs. pure sh gar. 127 lbs. Molasses polarizing ‘37.1= 47.12 “ “ ‘‘ 130 lbs. Skiinmings iiolarizing 0.3= 12.09 “ “ “ Total sugar accounted for 136.97 “ Total sugar in 1174 lbs. juice polarizing ..12.4=145.67 “ Loss by iiiYersion, alkalinity, etc., 8.60 “ “ “ Here there was a gain in glucose in the molasses, due to fer- ^ mentation induced by prevailing warm and sultry vreather, of about three lbs. This with the glucose in the sugar, and scums, and the sucrate of lime removed or left in the molasses may account for some of the apparent loss — 95 parts of cane sugar, making 100 parts of glucose or invert sugar. EXPERIMENT NO. II. 3Ianures used — 23 11)S. Cotton meal and 11^ lbs. Floats put out October 19. Weight of cane — 1832 lbs., Yield per acre 18.32 tons. Weight of ])agass6 — 620 1])S., Weight of juice 1212 lbs. Extraction — 66.1 i)er cent, Bagasse 33.9 per cent. TREATMENT OF JUICE. Limed to neutrality, using 6.2 grammes to gallon. Kind of Product. 2 3 s o o fee o Q Totai Solids. Sucrose. Glucose. Co-cfficicnt of Purity Raw juice 7.6 13.9 11.1 1..55 81 .02 Limed juice 8.2 14.8 12.5 4.63 84.40 Concentrated juice 21.0 38.3 31.0 81.00 Skimmings 11.9 SUGAR HOUSE RESULTS. An accident prevented the successful working of this ex- periment and only 57 J lbs. sugar and 78 lbs. molasses were obtained. [ 32 ] EXPEEIMBNT XO. 15. Manures used — 30 lbs. Cotton meal and 15 lbs. bloats. Weight of cane — 2020 lbs., Yield jier ac*re 20.20 tons. V^eight of bagasse — 710 lbs., Weight of juicp 1310 lbs. Extraction — C4.85 per cent, bagasse 35.15 per cent. TREATMENT OF JUICE. Limed to neutrality, using 4.4 grammes per gallon. LABORATORY ANALYSES. Kind of Product. c i i 1 : 8 u fcC , J W- ! 2 1 ^ i H OC 1 Co-elllclont of | Purity .’ Ka V juice 7.6 7.6 25.0 .36.01 13.7 U.5 13.7 11.8 i 4.5.9 38.5 1 64.8 42.1 L 1 92. 1 .80 i.a> ‘ioieio 1.15 2.1-i 83. 86. 84. 65. Lftmed juice. Concentrated juice Molasses. Sugar - Skimmings - r- T.4 1 13.4 10.5 79. SUGAR HOUSE RESULTS. !41 1))S. Sugar polarizing. b6.4Slbs. purcsugar 02 lbs. Molasses polarizing, ..42.1=' 33 73 104 lbs. Ski minings [X'larizing 10.5=^ 17,22 “ Total sugar a-coounte4 for 142, 44> “ Total sugar hi 1310 lbs. juice iKilarizing 11.5=^=3150.65 “ Loss in sugar 8,22 lbs. Since the purity co-efficient, held Up very well in concen- trating this juice an effort was inaile to find out the cause of tliis loss. The following calculations shove that it was not alj inverted. GLUCOSE COMPARISON. 1310 lbs. Juic-e had 94 lbs Sugar ^ 92 Ibe. Molasses ® 164 lbs. Skimm'ngs © . 1.8 per cent ==23 58 lbs, glucose 1.15=1.03 lbs. 19.6=18.03 2.12=3.47 “ Total recovered 22.58 Leaving of original glucose unrecovered. 1.00 [ 33 ] A similar calculation will show a loss also in total solids therefore the conclusion was reached that there had been a loss of syrup somewhere in the cooking’j perhaps in the overflow of the pan. Accordingly a strict watcli was placed on the latter, and to our surprise, occasionally an overflow would occur, es- pecially when the juices were acid or the pan very full, which seriously vitiated our results. EXPERIMENT NO. 10. Manures used — 30 lbs. Cotton seed meal, 15 lbs. Floats, and 15 lbs. Kai- nite. Weight of cane — 1910 lbs, Yield per acre 19.10 tons. Weight of bagasse — C51 lbs., Weight of juice 1259 lbs. Extraction — 05.9 per cent., Bagasse 34. i per cent. TUEA'OIEXT OF .JUICE. Limed to perfect neutrality, using 3.9 grammes per gallon and cc-neen trated in Yaryan’s Vacuum Distilling Apparatus. LABORATORY ANALYSES. Kind of product. o d n o P & Total Solids. Sucrose. Glucose. j K O D ii ® § -ji ; o 11 o''" o 8 cl Raw juice. 8.5 15.4 11.6 1.32 75-3 11.4 Limed juice S.9 16.2 13.4 1.48 82.7 11.9 Concentrated juice 20.0 36.5 30.0 3.88 82.1 12.9 Molasses Sugar 95 . 0 Skimmings 6.4 11.6 8.7 -92 75. SUGAR HOUSE RESULTS. 92 lbs. Sugar polarizing 95. 79.5 lbs Molasses, samx)le not analyzed (lost). 140 lbs. Skimmings polarizing 8.7. The failure to have molasses analyzed prevented a calcula- tion of results. The purity coefficients indicate a successful clarification and concentration. Here for the first time the vacuum distilling apparatus, (single effect), erected by Yaryaii Manufacturing Comijany, of Toledo, Ohio, was used to concen- trate the juice. This apparatus was subsequently used in over 100 experiments, and as far as we could judge from weights and analyses, neither inverted nor overflowed, points of great rec- 3 [ 34 ] ommendatiou. It is very easily worked by any one having even a rudimentary knowledge of machinery. EXPERIMENT NO. 17. Manures used — 30 lbs. Cotton seed meal, 15 lbs. Floats, 15 lbs. Kaiuite, and 10 lbs. Gypsum. Weight of cane— 1806 lbs., Yield per acre 18.06 tons. Weight of bagasse— 612 lbs.. Weight of juice 1194 lbs. Extraction— 66.1 per cent., Bagasse 33.9 per cent. TREATMENT OF JUICE. Limed to perfect neutrality, using 3 grammes per gallon, and concen- trated in the Vary an. LABORATORY ANALYSES. Degrees Baurae. Total Solids. Sucrose. Glucose. 7.9 14.3 10.90 1.17 8.4 15.2 12.15 1.51 23.2 42.5 33.90 4.59 38.0 71.3 44.60 12.15 95.00 1.08 7.7 13.9 9.00 1.13 KIND OF PRODUCT. Raw juice Limed juice. . ...... Concentrated juice. Molasses Sugar Shimmings 6.2 80. 79.7 61.1 64.'? SUGAR HOUSE RESULTS. 82 lbs. Sugar polarizing 85 lbs. Molasses polarizing 126 lbs. Skimmings polarizing. . Total sugar accounted for Total sugar in 1194 lbs Juice % Loss .95. = 77.9 lbs. pure sugar. 44.6= 37.91 . 9. = 11.34 ‘‘ “ 127.15 10.9=130.14 “ “ “ 2.99 y GLUCOSE CALCULATION. 1194 lbs Juice ^ 1.17= 13.96 lbs. glucose Recovered in 82 lbs. Sugar® 1.08= .88 ) 85 lbs. Molasses® 12.15=10.33/ 126 lbs. Skimmings ® 1.13= 1.42) Total Loss in glucose 12.63 lbs. 1.33 lbs. EXPERIMENT NO. 18. Manures — None. Weight of cane — 1626 lbs., Yield per acre 16.26 tons. Weight of bagasse 5'^4 lbs., Weight of juice 1042 lbs. Extraction 64 per cent, Bagasse 66 per cent. TREATMENT OF JUICE. Limed to neutrality, using 2.6 grammes per gallon and concentrated in the Vary an. LABORATORY ANALYSES. Kind of Product. Degree Baumc. i Total Solids. Sucrose. Glucose. Co-efificient Purity. j Glucose per cent Sucrose. Raw juice 8.5 15.4 12.1 1.54 78.5 12.7 Limed juice 8.6 15.5 12.6 1.50 81.2 11.9 Concentrated juice ... 15.5 28.1 23.3 3.29 82.9 14.2 Molasses 39. 73.4 45.5 11.80 cfp.f , , , , T , 93.9 Skimmings 4.9 8.9 6.1 1.01 68.5 SUGAR HOUSE RESULTS. 68 lbs. sugar. 68 lbs. molasses. EXPERIMENT NO. 19. Manures nsed — 30 lbs. Cotton 8e.ed meal, 15 lbs. Floats, 15 lbs. Kainite and 10 lbs. Gypsum. Weight of cane — 1636 lbs.. Yield per acre 16.36 tons. Weight of bagasse — 548 lbs., Weight of juice 1098 lbs. Extraction — 67.1 per cent, Bagasse 32.9 per cent. TREATMENT OF JUICE. Limed to nearly neutrality, using 3.8 grammes per gallon — concentrated in the Yaryan. LABORATORY ANALYSES. Kind of Product. Raw juice Limed juice Concentrated juice Molasses Sugar Skimmings Degrees Baumo. Total Solids. I Sucrose. Glucose. Co-efficient of Purity 1 Glucose per cent ! Sucrose. 8.4 15.1 12.4 1.61 82.1 13. 9.0 16.25 13.8 1.42 84.9 10.6 15.7 28.40 23.7 3.34 83.4 14.1 30. 67.30 43.7 10. 2t 64.9 94.8 1 . 15 6.7 ii.oo 9.7 1.13 80.8 SUGAR HOUSE RESULTS. 75 lbs. sugar. 82 lbs. molasses. [ 36 ] Calculations ou Experiments 18 and 19, are not made be- cause small quantities of syrup were known to liave oversowed ^ during boiling. They are both short of theoretical results by about 18 lbs. But the piirety co-efficients, especially ISTo. 18, indicate a successful clarihcation and concentration. EXPERIMEiNT XO. 20. Manures used — If* lbs. Tanbage. Weight of cane 1640 lbs., Yeld jier acre 16.40 tons. Weight of bagasse 512 bis., Y/eight of juice 11*28 bis. Extraction 68.1 per cent, Bagasse 31.0 per cent. TEEATMEXT OF JUICE. (See Experiments with Filter press.) EXPEKIMEXT XO. 21. ^Manure.s used — 2.3 lbs. Tankage. Weight of cane 1440 lbs., Yieid per acre 14.40 tons. Weight of bagasse .530 lbs., Weight of juice 910 lbs. Extraction 63.2 per cent, Bagaese 36. 8 per cent. TEEATMEXT OF JUICE. Limed to neutrality — using 5.1 grammes per gallcn and concentrated in, the Yaryan. LABORATORY ANALYSES. Kind of Product. 6 5 » CD O o fcc o Total Solids. Sucrose. Glucose. Co-efficieut of Purity. j Glucose per cent Sucrose. Raw juice 8.7 15.7 13.5 1.52 85.9 11.2 Limid juice 10.2 18.5 15.2 1.48 82.1 9.7 Cor.cen tratuO jnir’e 23.0 42.0 35.2 83.8 iMol asses . . 39.0 73.3 49.8 7.96 07.9 Suffar 94.5 .89 Shimmings 8.^ 15.9 12.6 1.03 79.2 [ 37 ] SUGAR HOUSE RESULTS. 78 lbs. Sugar polarizing 94.5= 73.71 lbs. pure sugar, 70 lbs. Molasses polarizing 49.8= 34.86 ‘‘ “ “ 116 lbs. Skinimings polarizing 12:6= 13.61 “ “ “ Total sugar accounted for 122.18 ‘‘ “ Total sugar in 910 lbs. juice® 12.5=122.85 “ “ Loss .67 EXPEKIMEXT NO. 22. Manures used — 35 lbs. Tankage. Weight of cane — 1660 lbs., Yield per acre, 16.60 tons. Weight of bagasse— 5.50 lbs.. Weight of juice 1110 lbs. Extraction — 661- per cent., Bagasse 334 per cent, TREATMENT OF JUICE. Limed to nearly neutrality, using 4.2 grammes to gallon, and concen- trated in the Yaryan. LABORATORY ANALYSES. Kind of Product. Degrees Baumo. Total Solids. Sucrose. Glucose. ‘fH 3 a; 0 0 0 C X X ^ Raw juice 7.9 14.3 11.6 1..58 81.1 13.6 Limed juice 8.6 15.5 12.6 1.50 81.2 11.9 Concentrated jniee 23.0 42.0 34.4 81.9 Molasses 40.0 75.3 52.3 !' ’s.oo Sucar 95.2 1 . 18 Skimminrr.s . 6.1 ii.6 7 . 4 I 1.00 67.2 RESULTS IN SUGAR HOUSE. The fugalman by accident dropped an unknown quantity of masse cuit G in some molasses, and hence results obtained are too low. The following however were actually obtained : 59 lbs. sugar. 84 lbs. molasses. Up to this point our efforts have been exerted in seenring data with which to compare future experiments. Accordingly we have treated slightly acid, neutral and alkaline juices, using lime only, except with Xo. 1. AYe have clearly demonstrated that fresh juices limed to exact neutrality, suffer little or no in- version by concentration in a vacuum, and very little in the open pan. In fact the cosfficient of purity rises with the concentra- tion, provided the solids not sugar which rise to the surface or fall to the bottom, are removed. This is as it should be, since the coefficient of purity represents the proportion of sugar to total solids. Of the latter a portion of those not sugars, are either rendered insoluble and settle to the bottom, or are forced by the increasing specific gravity of the liquid to the top, and are re- moved by brush or otherwise. This liming to neutrality how- ever gives dark colored products, a serious objection, so long as they are bought by color and not by their saccharine content. The rest of the experiments are therefore devoted to different clarifying agents accessible to the Station. EXPERIMENTS WITH LIME AND SUPERPHOSPHATE OF LIME. EXPERIMENT NO. 23. Manures used — 45 lbs. Taul\age, applied May 24tli, 1886. Weight of cane — 1790 lbs., Yield per acre 17.90 tons. Weight of bagasse — 5.76 lbs., Weight of juice 1214 lbs. Extraction — 67 .8 per cent., Pagassc 32.2 per cent. TKEA'OIEXT OF JUICE. Limed to slight alkalinity, using 3.6 grammes per gallon ; settled and made slightly acid Avith superphosphate of lime. Concentrated in Yaryan. LABORATORY ANALYSES . Kind of Product. s introduced into the strike pan to prevent excessive foam- ing. The pulverized charcoal used here and elsewhere, was kind - ly donated by Leeds & Co., of Xew Orleans. EXPEElAlEXTiS^O. 33. Manures used — 23^ lbs* Cotton meal, Ilf lbs. Acid phosphate. Yield of cane — 1724 lbs., Yield per acre 17.24 tons. Yield of bagasse — 636 lbs.. Yield of juice 1083 lbs. Extraction — 63.1 per cent., Bagasse 36.9 per cent. TREATMENT OF JUICE. Sulphured and limed, using 2.8 grains to gallon and left quite acid; concentrated in the Yaryan. LABORATORY ANALYSES. Kind of Product. 6 B o fcC o Raw juice Snlphered juice... Limed juice Concentrated juice Molasses Sugar Shimmings 8.3 8.2 7.6 24. 40. 4.6 15. 14.8 13.7 43.9 o □2 CO O o H o 11.8 1.42 78.6 11.2 1.54 75.6 11.0 1.59 80.3 33.3 5.66 75.8 12 . 13. 14. 17. 75.4 42.1 22.17 ... 96.1 4.6 5.0 1.09 .72 o -1 [ 46 ] SUGAR HOUSE RESULTS. Il>s. sugar polarizing 1)6.1= 75.92 lbs. pure sugar 8.5 11 > 8 , molasses polarizing 42.1= 35.78 “ “ “ 121 lbs„ skimming polarizing 5.0= 6.05 “ “ “ Total sugar accounted for 117.75 “ “ Total sugar in 1088 lbs. juice polarizing 11.8=128.38 “ “ Loss by inversion, etc 10.63 “ “ “ By a theoretical calculation based on laboratory analyses, the amount of iiveTsion was about 10 lbs. EXPEEIMENT KO. 34. Manures used — 85 lbs. Cotton Seed and 15 lbs. Floats. Yield of cane — 1556 lbs., Yield per acre 15.56 tons. Yield of bagasse — 540 lbs.. Yield of juice 1016 lbs. Extraction — 65.3, Bagasse 34.7. TREATMENT OF JUICE. Sulphured and left very acid, using 2.3 grammes of lime per gallon ©(occentrated in the Y'aryan. LABORATORY RESULTS Kind of Product. Raw juice Sulphured juice Coneentfated juice, Molasses Sugar Shimmings Degrees Banmc. Total Solids. Sucrose. i ® tn O o 3 'S D pL. a o 6 o Glucose per cent of Sucrose. 8.5 15.4 11.9 1.24 77.2 10.4 8.1 14.6 11.4 1.50 78. 13.1 22.8 41.7 26.3 5.10 70.2 17.4 28. 71.3 47.6 16.43 05.7 1.78 3.3 6. 2.9 .36 SUGAR HOUSE RESULTS • fS) Ilie. Sugar ^ 95.7= 57.42 lbs. pure Sugar. 102 lbs. Molasses 'g) 47.6= 48.55 “ “ “ lbs. Skimmings '2) 2.9= 2.88 “ “ 'i’otal sugar accounted for Total sugar in 1016 lbs. juice 'g) 108.85 “ 11.9=120.90 “ Loss hy inversion, etc 12.05 “ “ “ Both the reduction in purity coefficient and the increase in glucose per centage of sucrose s.how a heavy less. In this experiment the Kroog’s filter press' was used for fil- tering the shimmings without the intervention of any medium. [47J EXPERIMENT NO. 35. Manures used — 85 lbs. Cotton Seed, 15 lbs. bloats, and 10 lbs. Gypsum. Yield of Cane — 1850 lbs.. Yield par acre 18-50 tons. Yield of Bagasse — 640 lbs.. Yield of juice 1210 lbs. Extraction— 65.4, Bagasse 34.6. TREATMENT OF Jl'ICE. Sulphured and left very slightly jicid, using 2.6 grammes lime ; concen- trated in the Yaryan. LABORATORY ANALYSES. Kind of Product. Degrees Baume. Total Solids. Sucrose. Glucose. 4 ^ 'C Si a 0 . 6 o Glucose per cent of Sucrose. Raw juice ! 8.2 14.8 11. l.,34 74.3 12.2 Sulphured juice 8.3 14.9 11.1 1.41 74.4 12.7 Limed juice. 8.2 14.8 11.1 74.5 Concentrated juice 25. 45.9 33.4 4.86 72.7 14.5 Molasses 38.8 73. 45.6 17.60 62.4 Sugar 97.1 .90 Skimmings 4.5 8.1 4.2 .50 SUGAR HOUSE RESULTS. 77 lbs. Sugar polarizing 97.1= 74.76 lbs. pure Sugar, 94 lbs. Molasses polarizing 45.6= 42.86 ‘‘ “ 201 Iba. Skimmings polarizing 4.2= 8.46 “ “ Total sugar accounted for 126.03 “ “ “ Total sugar in 1210 lbs. juice ® 11.6=133.10 “ “ “ Loss by inversion, etc 7.02 “ Here the loss by inversion was about three .lbs., leaving the rest unac^ counted for. EXPEEIMENTS NOS. 36, 37, 38, 39, 40. Manures used — Stable Manure, with and without Acid Phosphate and Floats. Yield of cane— 1940 lbs. Yield of Bagasse — 770 lbs., yield of juice 1170 lbs. Extraction— 60.3, Bagrsse 39.7. TREATMENT OF JUICE: Sulphured and limed to neutrality, using 3.3 grammes of lime per gal- lon. [ 48 ] LABORATORY ANALYSES. Kind of Product. 6 a s pq xn O bC Total Solids. •osoiong Glucose. 1 Co-cfii’t Purity. O ft XJ O « 2' P.3 © => o . Sulphnred juice ‘ 8.4 15.2 11.5 1.12 75.6 9.7 Concentrated juice 24.5 44.9 33.5 4.63 74.6 13.8 Molasses 38. 71.2 46.5 18.20 65 . 3 96.2 .85 Shimmings 4.6 6.3 6.5 .75 j SUGAR HOUSE RESULTS. 74 lbs. Sugar x’olarizing 1)5.2= 70.18 lbs. pure Sugar.. 91.5 lbs. Molasses polarizing 46.5= 42.54 “ 136 lbs. Skirnmiiigs xiolarizLng 6.5= 8.84 ‘‘ “ “ 121.56 “ “ lo this experiment a small x>ortion of syrup was lost. The inTevsion liowever amounted to li and 2| lbs. This completes Fiat Xo. 2. The size of each experiment ex- cept Nos. 3G^ 37, 38, 39 and 4G, was 1-20 of an acre, these 1-00. The next plat worked was No. 7, and here on account o^ smaller size of the experiments and the lateness of the season,, several field experiments were worked together in the sugar house. PLAT VII. PHOSPHORIC ACID. EXPERIMENTS 1, G, 7. Manures used — On each, 18 lbs, Cotton Seed Meal, and 18 lbs. Kaiuite. Yield of Cane— 2346 lbs., Yield per acre 14.67 tons. Vield of Bagasse — 754 lbs., Yield of juice 1592 lbs. Extraction — 67.9, Bagasse 32.1. TREATMENT OF JUICE. Sulphured and limed, using 3.1 grammes per gallon, and left slightly acid. LABORATORY RESULT. Kind of Product. Degsees Baume. Total Solids. Sucrose. Glucose. Co-efli’t Purity. Glucose per cent Sucrose. Raw juice No. 1 8.7 15.7 12.7 1.13 80.8 8.89 Raw juice No. 6 8.6 15.5 12.5 1.01 80.6 8.5G Raw juice No. 11 8.7 15.7 12.7 1.10 80.8 8.66 Sulphured juice (all) 8.7 15.7 12.6 1.21 80.2 9.60 Limed juice (all 10.6 19.2 12.2 1.50 79.1 10.46 Concentrated juice (all) 26.0 47.8 37.7 5.35 78.8 11.24 Molasses ralD 55.2 15.00 27.17 Sugar ralD 92.4 . 85 .91 Skimmings (all) 7.9 14.3 9.3 .90 9.67 In the above, the limed juice was partially concentrated be- fore sample was taken. SUGAR HOUSE RESULTS. Here a loss of a portion of the syrup prevented accurate calculation, but in the masse cuite obtained and the glucose ratio to sucrose was determined, and applying this to the total amount of sugar in the juice, after that in Skimmings had been deducted, and we have a loss of lbs. by inversion, viz. : Sucrose. Glucose. In raw juice 295.31 25.81 In Skimmings 14.25 1.47 Leaving 281. OG 24.34— ora ratio 6.3 In masse cuite we find 271.47 33.93 — or a ratio 12.5 Loss by inversion 9.59 EXPEIHMEKTS 2, 4, 5. Manures used — Basal Mixture with f, and one ration of Dissolved 53one Black. Yield of cane— 284G lbs., Yield per acre 17.76 tons. Yield of Bagasse — 1069 lbs., Yield of juice 1777 lbs. Extraction — G2.5, Bagasse 37.5. TREATMENT OF JUICE. Sulphered and limed in excess, using 3.8 grains per gallon. [50J LABORATORY ANALYSES. Kind of Product. Degrees Baume. Total Solids. Sucrose. j Glucose. Co offi’t Purity. Glucose per cent Sucrose. Raw juice No. 1 Raw juice No. 4 8.8 15.9 13.2 1.27 83. 9.62 8.5 15.4 11.8 1.30 76.6 11.01 Raw juice No. 5 8.6 15.5 12.3 1.34 79.3 10.89 Sulphured juice (all) 8.5 15.4 11.9 1.29 77.2 10.84 Limed juice (all) 8.4 15.2 11.5 1.30 75.6 11.30 Concentrated juice (all) 25.0 45.9 35.1 4.34 /o . 3 12.25 Molasses Sn crn.r 37.5 70.2 44.0 96. 17.90 .72 62.6 40.68 .75 Skimmings 5-2 9.4 8.6 .94 10-93 SUGAR HOUSE RESULTS. 144.5 lbs. Sugar polarizing 96. =138.72 lbs, pure sugar. 140 lbs. Molasses polarizing 44. = 61.60 “ “ “ 151 lbs. Skimmings polarizing 8.6= 12.98 “ “ “ Total accounted for Total present in the beginning 213.30 “ “ 221.47 Loss by inversion, etc Gain in Glucose 6.17 “ “ “ Loss unaccaunted for The above juice had The above molasses had Containing Potash Soda Lime Phosphoric Acid. Sulphuric Acid 37-57 “ 11.41 “ 2.48 “ EXPEEIMENTS NOS. 3, 8 aud 13. Manures used — None. Weight of cane — 2558 lbs.; Yield per acre, 13.47 tons. Yield of bagasse — 790 lbs., Yield of juice 1768 lbs. Extraction — 69.1 per cent, Bagasse 30.1 per cent. TREATMENT OF JUICE. Sulphured, limed, using 2.3 grammes per gallon and left very moderately- acid. [ 51 ] LABORATORY ANALYSES. Kind of Product. Degrees Baumo. Total Solids. Sucrose. Glucose. Co-efii’t Purity, Glucose per cent 01 Sucrose. Raw juice No. 3 8.6 i 15.5 1 12.1 1.42 78-0 ! 11.73 Raw juice No. 8 i 8.5 15.4 1 11.6 1.36 75.3 ' 11.72 Raw juice No. 11 8.5 15.4 i 12-1 : 1.46 78.3 1 12.06 Sulphured juice [all] Limed juice “ 8.5 15.4 I 11.4 1 1.42 74.0 i 12.45 1 11.4 ‘ 20.6 15.4 ' 2.21 74.7 ! 14.35 Concentrated juice [all] Molasses “ i 30.6 56.6 : 41.6 5.66 73.5 13.60 40.0 : 75.4 i 48.4 17.00 ...... 35.12 Sugar “ : 95.8 ! 1.00 ; 1.04 Shimmings “ I 6.5 1 11.7 1 7.1 ' 1.00 14.05 SUGAR HOUSE RESULTS. Here the syrup coming from the Yaryan was weighed as well as analysed, to test whether there was any loss by over- flow, with follewiug results : 516 lbs. syrup, containing 214.65 lbs. sucrose and 29.20 lbs. glucose, showing no loss in overliow, giving as final results : 136 lbs. Sugar polarizing 95.8 = 130,28 lbs. pure sugar. 168 lbs. Molasses polarizing 48.4 = 81.31 “ “ “ 134 lbs. Shimmings polarizing 7.1 = 9.51 “ Total sugar accounted for. Total in raw juice 221.10 “ 225.67 “ Loss by inversion, etc 4.57 “ ‘‘ The gain in glucose was 5.66 lbs =5.37 “ ‘‘ Total gain unaccounted for. .80 lbs. glucose EXPERIME:NTS XOS. 7, 9, 10. Manures used — Basal Mixtures 1, f and 1 ration, of Acid Phosphate. Yield of cane — 2620 lbs., Yield per acre 17.08 tons. Yield of Bagasse — 834 lbs., Yield of juice 1786 lbs. Extraction — 68.2 per cent. Bagasse 31.8 per cent. TREATMENT OF JUICE. Sulphured and limed to neutrality, using 5.1 grammes per gallon. [ 52 ] LABORATORY ANALYSES. Kind of Product. 'o m ■*s © O (-1 t-t © © CL c; ©02 o © 5 iS © d O rH © o .Haw juice No. 7 ,cR,a\v juice No. 9 ;l?.aw juice No. 10 . .'Snlpliured juice (all) Xtiined juice (a 1) -..Ooziceutrated juice (all)... (Molasses . Sagar .'Bkiinmiugs 8.5 8.4 8. ‘2 8.3 8.8 26.0 36.0 15.4 15.2 14.8 14.9 15.9 47.8 67-3 12.8 12.0 11.5 11.4 13.1 36.2 46.0 95.8 1.06 1.13 1.02 1.18 1.38 4.74 13.78 •55 83.1, 78. 9i 77.71 76.5 82.4 75.7 8.28 9.41 8.87 10.35 10.53 13.09 29.95 55 SUGAR HOUSE RESULTS. A loss of a portion of the syrup and the failure to analyse the Skimmings prevented accurate calculation of results. There was however in the masse cuite obtained a glucose ratio of 13. while in raw juice it was 8.8, showing a decided inversion. 'The al30Ye juice had 44 ash. The above Molasses 5.59 ash. U^jiitaiuing Potash 36.06 Soda 7.32 Lime 2.81 Phosphoric Acid 2.58 Salphuiic Acid 11.94 EXPERIMENTS NOS. 12, 14, 15. Manures used — Basal Mixture with i, f and 1 ration of Precipitated '.Bone Black. Yield of cane — 2206 lbs., Yield per acre 13.79 tons. Yield of Bagasse — 716 lbs., Yield of juice 1490 lbs. Extraction — 67.6 per cent, Bagasse 32.4 per cent. TREATMENT OF JUICES. iSulphured and limed, using 3 grammes per gallon and left acid. LABORATORY ANALYSES. Kind of Product. Degrees Baume Total solids. Sucrose. Glucose. Co-effit. Purity <£■" ■-£ u St ® o- d, ^ 0'S 2 o- ^ O- Raw juice No. 13 8.6 15.5 12.5 1.10 80.6 e.s Raw juice No. 14 8.6 15.5 12.5 1.13 80.0 9 0-f Raw juice No. 15 8.4 15.2 12.3 1.02 80.8 8.13 Sulphured juice fall) 8.4 15.2 12.3 1.24 80.8 10.08 Limed juice (all) 8.5 15.4 12-3 1.45 79.8 11.78 Concentrated juice (all) 27.0 49.7 37.4 5.30 75.2 14.17. Molasses (all) 39.0 73.4 48.3 16.45 34.115 Sugar (alU 92 2 1.16 12.58 Skimmings 9.1 15.5 10.8 1.34 12.4 SUGAR HOUSE RESULTS. Here again in working acid juice our little pan boiled ovei and lost an unknown i^ortion of syrup, wliicli prevents caleula^ tion of results. But the glucose ratio in the masse cuite ol> tained, as well as coefficient of purity, indicated a considerable loss by inversion. Tlie above juice had 58 of asL The Molasses had of ask Containing Potash 34.84 Soda 5.20 Lime 3.91 Phosphoric Acid 2.60 Sulphuric Acid 10.34 EXPERIMENTS XOS. 17, 10, 28. Manures used — Basal mixture with f and 1 Rations Precipitated Acid - Phosphate. Yield of cane — 2342 Ihs ; Yield per acre, 14.66 tons. Yield of hagasse — 822 lbs., Yield of juice 1520 lbs. Extraction — 65 per cent. Bagasse 35 per cent. TREATMENT OF JUICE. Sulphured and limed, using 3 grammes per gallon, and left very slightly acid. LABORATORY ANALYSES. Kind of Product. © B 5 © © F-< tc C G Total Solids. 1 Sucrose. Glucose. Co-efficient of ' Purity Glucose per cent of Sucrose. Raw juice No. 17 Naw juice No. 19 Raw juice No. 20 Sulphured juice [all] Limed juice [all] Concentrated juice [all] Molasses [all] 8.5 8.3 8.4 8.3 8.2 26.0 15.4 15.0 15.2 15.0 14.8 47.8 12.1 11.3 11.6 11.2 12.0 36.2 1.21 1.13 1.17 1.24 1.17 4.74 78.5 75.3 76.3 ! 74.6 i 81.0 1 75.7 j 10.00 10.00 10.08 11.07 9.75 13 09 Sugar [all] 1 1 Skimminss [all], 6.8 12.3 ' 8.1 .85 10.49 SUGAR HOUSE RESULTS. Were vitiated by failure to analyse molasses and sugar, though the glu- cose ratio and the purity co efficient show considerable loss. The above juice had 50 ash The above molasses had — ash Containing — Potash 36.54 Soda 3.86 Lime 1.76 Phosphoric acid 7.19 Sulphuric acid 10.74 EXPERIMENT NOS. 22 24, 25. Manures us *d — Basal Mixture with f and 1 ration of Bone Dust. Yield of cane — 2062 lbs., Yield per acre 12.89 tons. Yield of Bagasse — 650 lbs., Yield of juice 1412 lbs. Extraction — 68.5, Bagasse 31.5. TREATMENT OF JUICE. Sulphured and limed to nearly neutrality, using 2.2 grammes per gallon [ 55 ] LABORATORY ANALYSES. Kinds of Product. Degrees Baume Total Solids. Sucrose. Glucose. Co-effit. Purity Glucose i)or 1 cent Sucrose. Raw juice No. 22 8.8 15.9 12.5 1.06 60.5 8.08 Raw j nice No. 24 8.8 15.9 12.5 1.02 80 5 8.16 Raw jni3e No. 25 8.9 16.1 13.8 .91 85.7 j 6.59 Sulphured juice (all) 8.7 15.7 12.4 1.06 78.9 I 8.54 Limed juice (all) 10.4 18.8 15.0 1.42 79.7 9.46 Concentrated juice (all) 26.2 48.1 38.1 3.85 79.2 10.10 Molasses (a,ll) 38.2 71.8 46.1 13.80 Suga,r (all 95.8 .50 Skimmings 7.5 13.8 9.5 .84 SUGAR HOUSE RESULTS. 117 lbs. Sugar polarizing 95.8 per ceut=112.08 lbs. pure sugar 120 lbs. Molasses polarizing 46.1 per cent= 55.32 “ “ “ 90 lbs. Skimmings polarizing 9.5 per ccnt= 8.55 “ “ “ Total Sugar accounted for 175.95 “ " ‘‘ Total in raw juice 181.36 “ “ “ Loss by inversion, etc 5.41 “ ‘‘ ‘‘ 117 lbs. Sugar ® 5 = .58 lbs. glucose 120 lbs Molasses'S) 13.8=16.58 “ ‘‘ IK) lbs. Skimm ugs 'S) 81= .76 “ Total recovered 17.92 Total in raw juice 13.98 Total gain 3.94 Wliicb is equal to 3.74 lbs. Sucrose, leaving a loss of Sucrose unaccounted for=1.67 lbs. The above juice had 49 ash The above Molasses had ash Containing Potash 39.50 Soda 3.03 Lime 3.66 Phosphoric Acid 4.00 Sulphuric Acid 8.37 EXPERIMENTS NOS. 27, 29, 30. Manures used — Basal mixture with f and 1 rations of Floats. Yield of cane — 2022 lbs; Yield per acre, 12.64 tons. Yield of bagasse — 666 lbs., Yield of juice, 1356 lbs. Extraction — 67.1 per cent., Bagasse 32.9 per cent. TREATMENT OF JUICE. Sulphured and limed, using 1.9 grammes per gallon and left very acid. [ 56 ] LABORATORY ANALYSES. Degree Baume. Total Solids. Sucrose. Glucose. Co-efficient of Purity Glucose per cent Sucrose. , 8.9 16.1 13.1 1.06 81.03 8.09 , 8.6 15.5 12.4 1.18 80.00 9.51 , 8.6 15.5 12.4 1.16 80.00 9.35 8.6 15.5 12.4 1.24 80.00 10.00 , 9.2 16.6 14.1 1.42 84.90 10.07 , 27.0 49.6 37.8 5.10 76.02 13.49 . 38.5 72.4 45.0 16.40 36.42 92.4 1.59 17. 2G’ . 7.4 14.0 7.0 1.00 14. 2S Kind of Product. Raw juice No. 27 Raw juice No. 29 Raw juice No. 30 Suli^Lured juice [all].., Limed juice [all] Concentrated juice [all] Molasses [all] Sugar [all] Skimmiugs [all] SUGAR HOUSE RESULTS. 110 lbs Sugar polarizing 92.4 per cent=101. 64 lbs pure sugar 116 lbs Molasses polarizing 45.03 per cent= 52.23 lbs pure suga^ 105 lbs Slrtmmings polarizing 7.0 per cent = 7.35 lbs pure sugar Total sugar accounted for 161.22 lbs pure sugar Total in raw juice 171.15 lbs pure sugar Total loss 9.93 Inversion by calculation from glucose ratio in masse cuite 6.16 Unaccounted for 3.77 EXPEEIMENTS NOS. 32, 34, 35. Manures used — Basal mixtures witb f and 1 rations of Orchilla Guano^- Yield of cane — 1560 lbs., Yield i>er acre 9.75 tons. Yield of bagasse — 612 lbs., Yield of juice 948 lbs. TREATMENT OF JUICE. Sulphured, limed, using 2.1 grammes per gallon, and left very slightly;- acid. [57J LABORATORY ANALYSES. Kind of Product. 6 » 3 o s " cs o Q Tot.al Solids. d OC O f-i o m Glucose. Coeficient of Purity. Glu’se per ct Sucrose Raw juice No. 32 8.8 15.9 12.9 1.02 81.1 7.90 Raw juice No. 34 8.7 15.7 13.0 1.02 82.8 7.84 Raw juice No. 35 7.6 13.7 11.3 .85 82.6 7.52 Sulphured juice [all] 8.7 15.7 12.6 1.06 80.2 8.41 Limed juice [all] 8-7 15.7 13.0 1.18 82.8 9.07 Concentr’d juice [all] 31.5 58.4 46.0 4.86 78.7 10.. 56 First sugar 41.0 77.3 50.6 13.00 25.69 Molasses 96.0 .79 .82 Skimmings 7.2 13.0 9.1 .80 9.34 SUGAR HOUSE RESULTS. 80 lbs. Sugar polarizing 96.0=76.80 lbs. j)ure sugar 95.5 lbs. Molasses polarizing 50.6=48.32 ‘‘ ‘‘ “ 75 lbs. Skimmings i)olarizing 9.1=6.82 “ 131.94 There is an inversion here of nearly 3 lbs sugar. These experiments conclude our work with sulphur, and they positively show the injurious action of this reagent. Even juices after being treated with sulphur and limed to neutrality lose both in actual sugar house results and in theoretical calcu- lations upon purity coefficients and glucose ratios. This loss from Sulphur increases in firoportion to the acidity of juice worked. The great benefits to be derived from use of Sulphur, are our ability to work our juices more leisurely during warm weather, and to give us lighter colored products, but do these compensate for the losses of sugar sustained ? These losses are from 2 per cent, upward, upon the actual sugar in the juices, and may even be in a very acid juice as high as S or 10 per cent. How this action takes place has been fully explained elsewhere. But while sulphur is to be condemned, especially the reck- less manner in which it is at present used in the sugar houses of this State, have we a substitute for it I To solve this question the next experiments were made with TANNIN, as a purifying agent. Live Oak bark was used to furnish this [ 58 ] reagent. It was ground to a powder and tlie latter treated with, ten times its weight of boiling water, two or three successive times in a clarifier. Each time, the clear solution after settling? was drawn off and used in the juiee. Two ways are suggested of using this reagent. 1st. To let the solution of oak bark run into the juice as it comes from the mill in sufficient quantities to saturate all the imi^urities of the juice. 2d, In the first clarifier heat the juice to about 105° or 110° E., and then pour in enough solution of oak bark to satu- rate the liquid and carry to gentle boiling. Withdraw the steam and the precij)itate settles with great rapidity. Decant the very clear juice and treat with lime. In both instances, only a slight excess of tannin should be used, which can easily be told by the following simple test. Get some white copperas, dissolve a very small quantity in water and to this solution add a drop or two of the treated juice. If an excess of tannin has been used, its i3 resen ce will be quickly revealed by a black coloration (ink). The tannin first unites with all the albuminoids, etc., to form insoluble precipitates, and an excess over and above the amount needed for this purpose, remains dissolved in the juice, and its i:>resence is revealed by the copperas. Either of these methods gives excellent results, the latter perhaps the best, while the former is the most exiie- ditious. EXPERIMENTS NOS. 18, 23,28, 33. Manures used — None. Yield of cane — 25*20 lbs., yield of juice — . Yield of Bagasse — Extraction — . TREATMENT OF JUICES. Solution of oakTjark added in insufficient quantity ; limed to neutrality using 4 grammes per gallon, and made very slightly acid with pure super- phosphate of lime. [ 59 ] Kind of Product . Degree Baume. Total Solids. Sucrose. Glucose. Coefficient of Purity, Glucose per cent Su Close. juice No. 18 8.7 15.7 12.8 1.3 81.5 10.15 IRarr in ice No. 23 8.6 15.5 12.7 1.3 81.9 10.23 JR aw juice No. 28 8.8 15.9 12.9 1.16 81.1 8.99 Eaw juice No. 33 8.4 15.2 12. 1.34 78.1 11.16 Tannic Acid (all) 8.2 14.8 12. 1.21 81.0 10.08 Limed juice (all) 8.5 15.4 12.5 1.45 81.1 11.6 ‘Concentrated juice (all) 26.7 49.0 40.0 4.96 81.6 , 12.4 Molasses (all) 39.0 73.3 43.9 16.40 I 37.36 ■‘Sugar (all) 97.0 .83 .87 .Sei tn m i n o-s ( a 1 1) 8.8 1.27 14.43 .Settlings'’ (all) 4.5 8.1 5.2 1.02 19.61 SUGAR HOUSE RESULTS. 120 lbs. Sugar polariziug 97. =110.40 lbs. pure sugar 112 lbs. Molasses polarizing 43.9= 49 10 “ “ “ 23Sibs. Settlings 5.2= 12. .37 ‘‘ ‘‘ “ 42 Lbs. Skimmiugs polarizing 8.8= 3.09 “ “ Total sugar accounted for 181.02 “ “ Neitlier tlie bagasse uor the weight of juice were recorded and hence no way of knowing the accuracy of our results. Here both purity coefficient and glucose ratio indicate suc- cessful treatment. This juice was treated with oak bark solu- tion Monday morning, but was not concentrated till Tuesday evening. Maximum Temperature for the day 52^ F. A good eveh grain of good size, nearly i)ure white, are the . remarks of the Assistant at the vacuum pan, recorded in the sugar book. The analysis shows it to contain 97 per cent* pure sucrose. The juice contained 47 of ash. The Molasses contained 3.85 of ash Containing Potash 42.30 Lime 5.54 Phosphoric Acid 1.98 ;Sulpliuric Acid 7.82 [ 60 ] EXPERIMENTS NOS. 1C, 21, 26, 31. Manures used — Basal mixtures. Yield of cane — 2^79 lbs, Yield of juice 1535 lbs. Yield of bagasse 744 lbs. Extraction 67.4 per cent. TREATMENT OF JUICE. Raw juice, as it came from the mill, was treated in slight excess with a 10 per cent solution of Oak Bark, then limed, using 3.5 grammes per gallon and left slightly acid. LABORATORY ANALYSES. Kind of Product. Degree Banme. Total Solids. Sucrose. Glucose. ' Coctlicicnt of Purity, Glucose per cent of Sucrose, Raw juice No. 16 8.9 16.1 12.7 .98 78.8 7.71 Raw juice No. 21 9.0 16.3 13.8 .92 80.6 6.66 RaAv juice No. 26 9.0 16.3 13.4 .92 82.2 6.86 Raw iuice No. 31 8.7 15.7 13.1 1.02 83.4 7.78 Tannic acid juice(all) 8.8 15.5 12.9 .85 83.2 6.59 Limed juice (all) 8.4 15.2 12.8 .94 84.2 7.34 Concentrat-"d juice (all) 23.5 43.0 36.8 2.50 85.5 6.79 Molasses (all) 39.0 75.3 46.7 12.44 26.63 Sugar (all) 95.8 .72 .75 Scums (all) 3.2 5.8 4.6 .50 10.87 Settlings (all) 8-7 15.7 10.5 1.02 66.8 9.71 SUGAR HOUSE RESULTS. ’ A small portion of the juice was lost, but there was obtained 119.5 lbs. Sugar polarizing 95.8=114.48 lbs. pure sngai‘ 100.5 lbs. Molasses “ 46.7= 46.93 ‘‘ ‘‘ 117^ lbs Settlings polarizing 10.5= 12.33 “ “ “ 94 lbs Scums polarizing 4.6= 4.32 “ ” 178.06 From the co-efficients of purity and the glucose per cent of sucrose in* the raw juice and the masse ciiite, we found very little inversion. The molasses from this experiment gave 4.76 iierceut ash, containing Potash 36.55 per cent Lime 7.87 per cent Phosphoric Acid 3.62 per cent Sulphuric Acid 9.81 per cent [ 61 ] PLAT VIII. POTASSIC MANURES. EXPERIMENTS is^OS. 6, 11, IG, 21, 2C. Manures used — (18 lbs. Cotton Seed Meal and 15 lbs. Acid Phosphate) Meal Phosphate. Yield of cane — 3160 lbs., weight of Bagasse 1106 lbs. Yield of juice — iiOSI lbs., Extraction 65 per cent. TREATMENT OF JUICE. Solution of oak bark added in slight excess, limed to neutrality, using 4 grammes per gallon, and made acid wdth puie superphosphate of lime (home made.) LABORATORY ANALYSES. Kind of Product. Degrees Baume. 1 Total Solids. o5 OJ o 02 Glucose. Co-etliT Purity. Glucose per cent Sucrose. Raw juice No. 6 9.2 16.6 14. .85 84.3 6.71 Raw juice No. 11 9.2 16.6 13.8 .92 83.1 6.66 Raw juice No. 16 9. 16.2 13.6 1.02 83.9 7.50 Raw juice No. 21 8.3 15.0 11.8 1.21 78.6 0.25 Raw juice No. 26 8.5 15.4 11.8 1.20 76.6 10.17 Tannic Acid juice (all) 7.8 14.0 11.8 .92 80.2 7.79 Limed juice (all) 7.1 12.8 10.5 .92 82.0 8.76 Concentrated juice (all) 29. 53.5 42.2 4.00 78.8 9.47 Molasses (alll. 38. 71.3 42.8 14.10 32.94 Sugar (.all) 95.1 .63 .66 Skimmings (all) 10.1 1.96 19.40 The molasses fromTthese experiments were mixed with that from EXPERIMENTS 8, 13, 18, 23, 28. Manures used — None. Yield of cane— 4348 lbs., yield of Bagasse 15*20 lbs. Yield of juice — 2828 lbs. TREATMENT OF JUICES. Oak bark solution, not quite to saturation; limed to neutrality, using 4.3 grammes per gallon, and made slightly acid with superphosphate of lime (home made). [ 62 ] LABORATORY ANALYSES. Kind of Product. Degrees Baumo. Total Solids. Sucrose. Glucose. Coefficient of purity. *3 3 o ^ i o 2 o o 3 Raw juice No. 8 8.6 15.5 12-5 1.27 bO.9 10.16 Raw juice No. 13 8.5 15.4 12.4 1.27 80.5 10.25 Raw juice No. 18 8.3 15.0 11.7 1.34 78.5 11.45 Raw juice No. 23 8.0 14.4 11.2 1.34 77.7 11.96 Raw juice No. 28 8.3 14.9 11.1 1.30 74.5 12.61 Tanuic acid juice [all] 7.8 14.0 10.8 1.13 77.7 10.46 Limed “ “ 7.5 13.6 11.0 1.21 80.8 11.00 Concent’ted “ 31.8 58.9 46.1 5.50 78.2 11.93 Molasses “ 38.0 71.3 42.8 14.10 32.94 Siurar “ 97.0 .85 .87 Scums “ 6.8 .78 11.47 Settlings “ 1 1.0 1.00 100.00. SUGAR HOUSE RESULTS. Ill the first ezperiments there should he 272.08 lbs sucrose and 20,30 lbs glucose The settlings and scnius coutained. . 37.71 “ “ and 7.33 lbs glucose Of the concentrated syrup there were 510 lbs, containing 218.02 “ “ and 20.76 lbs glucose The glucose per cent of sucrose for raw juice is 7.46 “ “ “ “ “ “ settlings and scums 19.04 “ “ concentrated juice 9.05 In tlie settlings and scums, had there been maintained the same glucose ratio as existed in the raw juice, there would have been 41.74 lbs sucrose and 3.11 lbs glucose, showing an inver- sion of 4.00 lbs sucrose to make 4.21 glucose. Taking this from the raw juice, we have left 230.34 lbs sucrose and 17.19 lbs glucose, which, had there been no loss, should have been in the syrup. But we find 20.7G lbs glucose, an excess of 3.57 lbs, equal to 3.39 lbs sucrose, which, added to the amount found and subtracted from the amount which ought to be present, we have an unaccountable deficiency of 8.93 lbs in the syrup. lu the second exx^erimeiits there should be 338.94 lbs sucrose and 36.65 lbs glucose The settlings and scums contained. . 17.38 “ “ and 4.33 lbs glucose Of the concentrated syrup there were 676.5 lbs, containing 311.89 ‘‘ “ and 37.20 lbs glucose The glucose per cent of sucrose for raw juice is ' 10.8 per cent “ ‘, “ “ “ settlings and scums is 24. 9 per cent “ “ “ ‘‘ “ “ syrup is 11.9 per cent [ 63 ] EeduciDg the settlings to the same glucose ratio which ex- ists in raw juice, and we find a loss of 2.15 sucrose inverted into 2.27 glucose. Subtracting these amended settlings from the raw juice, and we have 819.41 lbs sucrose and 34.54 lbs glucose, which amounts should be found in the syrup. We find, how- ever, only 311.89 lbs sucrose and 37.20 lbs glucose. Taking the excess of glucose, 2.G6 lbs, equal to 2.52 lbs sucrose, and adding to the amount found and subtracting from the amount which should be present, and we have 5.00 lbs deficiency unaccounted for in the syrup. RESULTS IN SUGAR AND MOLASSES. lu first syrup, there were 218.02 lbs sucrose and 20,76 lbs glucose In second syrup, there were 311.89 “ “ and 37.20 Total 529.91 “ and 57.96 “ 143.5 lbs Sugar polarizing 95.1 136. 46 lbs 173.0 “ “ “ 97.0 167.8111)3 48.0 - 97.0 46.56 lbs 419.0 “ Molasses “ 42.8 179. 33 lbs .90 lbs glucose jl.88 .59.07 “ '' Total recovered 530. 16 lbs 60.85 “ “ Apparent gain 25 “ suc'e 2.89 KECAPITULATION OF RESULTS. Cane ground — 7580 lbs, Extraction 65 per cent. Yield of juice — 4882 lbs. Amount Sucrose i^resent in raw juice .611.02 “ “ obtained in first Sugar, polarizing 100°. 350. 83=57. 4 per cent “ “ in molasses, polarizing 100° 179.33=29.4 per cent “ “ obtained in Skimniings 55.12= 9.0 per cent “ “ inverted in “ 6.15= 1.0 percent “ “ from raw juice to syrup 5.91= 1.0 per cent 2 “ unaccounted for 13.61= 2.0 per cent The skimmings, etc., could easily have been worked over, but in this and some other instances we preferred analysing, weighing and throwing away than to mix with the pure juices. EXPEKIMEETS XOS. 7, 9. Manures vsed — Meal Phosphate with ^ and rations f of Muriate Pot- ash. Yield of cane — 2304 lbs., weight of Bagasse 792 lbs. Yield of juice — 1512 lbs.. Extraction 65.7 per cent. TREATMENT OF JUICE. Addition to saturation of oak bark solution ; limed to neutrality, using 4.3 grammes per gallon, and made very acid with Superphosx^hato of Lime. [ 64 ] LABORATORY ANALYSES. Kind of Product. Degrees Baume. Total Solids. Sucrose. Glucose. Co-cffi’t Purity. Glucose per cent Sucrose. Raw juice No. 7 8.8 15.9 12.9 1.06 81.1 8.21 Raw juice No. 9 8.8 15.9 13.0 1-06 81.7 8.15 Tannic Acid (all) 7.4 13.4 11.0 1.00 82.0 9.09 Limed juice (all) 8.4 15.2 12.9 1.02 84.2 7.10 Concentrated juice (all) 24 0 44.0 34.3 4.50 77.9 13.11 Molasses (all) 41.3 78.0 47.2 23.70 50.21 Sugar (all) 95.8 .67 .69 Skimming's (all) 6.4 11.5 4.0 .30 7.50 Settlings (all 9.0 16.2 9.4 .78 8.29 SUGAR HOUSE RESULTS. 128 lbs. Sugar polarizing 122.62 lbs. pure sugar.. 108 lbs. Molasses polarizing 47.2= : 50.97 il u ll 94 lbs. Settlings 9.4= = 8.83 ll (( ll 93 lbs. Skimmings polarizing 4. - 3.72 ll ll ll Total accounted for 186.14 il a fi Total Sugar in juice 195.09 ll ll ll Amount of loss 8.95 ll ll ll Total glucose in cane 16.02 128 lbs. Sugar @ .85 108 lbs. Molasses 'S 25.59 94 lbs. Settlings .73 93 lbs. Skimmings P 3 bC ce < rP bC si -aJ < C£ m ® P ® p ». aap 2 o -M ;-! © p p: p p .p PP 5 .P h:; ^ I p p ^ >.0 cc S p p 5 © O P 3 a -;3 31 o ^ P 'o y; y? ^ ©^ ^ P (H P .s p 'fH ® Pd ^ ^ © p 2 2 2 p 6 ©6 Cu ' 3 :?'§ y ? iP ; y : ©H k/ - p Pi 2'-'^ -^.p P P .• o © ■ & pec P J J m © c-4» © o+w ^ P r-t:5 O ® -2 ©pq ©^ o P a pP J 3 •:p • p ; -s ® 'Oh ^ ^ ^ © . .-2 ® "f — ' 2Q W O S r- P P 3 S x rr P p o o'© o’© ^ - Oh - Oh ^^■ Sco-^cp Hi^O CO O CO , o ^ppq J^co '^co 5 O ©'-I CC ^ c > PI -2 ^ O ^ O p rt .-twO r+tO P P P '•a^ 2=^ p © „ > ? > > > > 0 ».o 0 01 0 (M ox r*l CO (M 0 00 0 00 Cl X 1.0 w {M oi (M rH (oi IP i> CO CO CO >0 ■p" 0 rH (01 g 4 » w Cl di CO t>. CO 00 X (Cl HT rH Cl ci rH 0 0 06 ci i> !>. cc d ci ci 1-H rH I— 1 i-H GC' (X) § c:i 0 (01 X (Ol t'- CO CC H.** TT lO rH 0

Cl >p; (01 0 01 (01 (oi (01 0" ■p' co' CO (oi (oi CO CO o~ ”01“ ^00 ~ "ToT^ d Cl rH 4 ^ Ci 0 0 CO t- t- rH CP 0 0 0 lO t- Hf 06 (oi d rH Cl r— < 0 t- 0 0 10 0 rH tC oi CO rH CO l>i 1.0 d CO d r-^ (01 0 cc CO CO ,09 1 0 CO CO (01 00 0 0 »— t X rr- »o CO CO i- rH rt* tH 0 •n' 0 ut 0 X rr • 1 0 uO 0 00 lio CO 0 rH • 1 iC 0 Cl d ox d rH d c:* CO CO cc 00 CO CO CO cc 0 C 5 w <:© w 01 Cl 0 t- 00 4 ^ ct CO 'p" CO 'P’ •p" Hf ■p" •pioy oiinqdtng •pioy oiiot[dsoqj •sapixo opii ■nin{y piiu oiiJ9^ • 9 ini '7 •-Bpog • 99 ssi ? pp \[ III nsy ■99inp MBji ni qsy [ 72 ] Au inspection of this table will show that excessive doses of potash as manure have increased this ingredient in the juice^ and since there is no known way of removing it, it passes into the molasses. By reducing the above analyses to a similar content of what are really accidental impurities, this becomes^ more apparent. It is therefore that excessive quantities. of qwfash in manures are detrimental to the yield of sugar. An- alyses of molasses do not show excesses of phosphoric acid in the juices, since this substance is removed by lime in defecation.. The sulphuric acid is largest in the molasses where sulphur was used in defecation. MASSE CUITE. The exact quantity of water to be left in masse cuite, so that in the centrifugal it will purge itself — is a question of great importance. It is evidently a waste of fuel to over-cook the cuite and then use a large quantity of water to purge the crystals. A series of analyses of masse cuites is herein inserted. They can hardly be compared with each other, since varying quanti- ties of water were used in the centrifugal. The water used to 100 lbs. masse cuite, was not always on the sugar 5 indeed the greater part was wash water of the pan and centrifugal. [ 73 ] ANALYES OF MASSE CUITE. XI 3 d © X s ® X tc p o pi p p © © o fee 7Z ? ^ © ^ cc ^ ^ © O 3 o r — X REMARKS. W o © Xl o © 3Q o o at) _© § ® a a © — © © a © ^ © sS a •-M ® a c o cc 3 'o CO c3 © Ph ©;n ©1 a X O _a o — < 1— 1 81 75.09 7.89 7.82 9.20 58.0 90.6 50.9 67.8 18.8 83 78 , 47 12.00 6.00 9.00 51.5 96.1 49.5 67.4 7.0 Boiled thick to prevent foaming. 34 70.41 12.31 5.12 12.15 40.6 95.7 88.9 55.2 11.1 St’k thin Si, no water us’d inFugal 85 76.17 11.42 6.00 6.41 49.4 97.1 47.0 61.7 11.8 Washed to obtain a good grain. 36 76.73 12.22 4.00 7.05 49.5 96.2 47.6 62.0 10.7 Washed to obtain a good grain. 2 7(5.75 10.00 4 . 45 8.80 55.5 96 58.8 69.4 9.0 Fugalled 6 hours after .strike. 7 75.00 10.00 7.00 8.00 46.2 95.8 44.3 59.1 16.8 Hard coarse grain— well washed. 8 74.66 8-61 7.87 8.86 48.0 95.?* 46.0 61.6 7.8 12 72.70 11.77 6.00 9.58 42.9 92.2 89.6 58.1 11.5 22 73.00 7.49 6.24 18.27 50.9 95.8 48. s 66.8 3.4 27 75.80 9.84 5.74 8.62 55.1 92.4 50.9 67.1 9.8 82 16 76.52 77.84 8.00 6.44 8.00 7.83 7.48 7.89 48.9 57.6 96.0 95.8 46.9 55.2 61.8 70.9 7.8 6.1 Cut stril^e, ^ fugalled 3 hours after strike gave G-2 per cent .sugar. 18 75 . 68 9.21 6.98 8.18 58.9 97.0 52.8 69.2 2.2 Good even grain of good size. 7 76.53 11.63 8.88 8.46 56.5 95.8 54.1 70.7 8.8 12 76.04 8-30 6.21 9.45 54.7 95.1 52-0 68.4 7.3 17 75.50 9.05 8.85 6.60 57.8 95.1 55 . 0 72.8 11.6 22 71.74 11.28 8.28 8.75 50.9 92.8 47.0 65 . 5 15.6 Cau one tell in advance what will be his return in sugar from his masse cuite f Nothing is more difficult. If this masse cuite was a mixture of i^ure sugar and water the task would be an easy one. But unfortunately in practice our masse cuite contains an unknown quantity of different foreign matters — glucose and mineral salts — beside the sugar and water. It is known that all viscous and gummy matters, dextine, glycerine, gelatine, solu- ble albuminoids, including legumine, colloids of all kinds, restrain sucrose in the molasses. Glucose, by its viscosity also acts in a similar manner. The exact amount, restrained, is yet an unsolved problem. It is variously estimated from once to twice their entire weight. Sulphates and phosphates of potash and soda are regarded as inoffensive, i. e., they do not decom- pose, alter or prevent crystallization. They simply increase the masse without decreasing the actual weight of sugar ob- tained. Chloride of calcium and other deliquescent salts are objectionable, because the water, which they absorb dissolves some of the sugar. Common salt and Chloride of Potassium unite with suoar to form double deliquescent salts, destroying 4 to 6 parts of their own weight of sugar, while caustic Soda and Potash are actual destroyers of sugar by transforming it into lower i)roducts. With these facts before us, who can tell how much sugar the average masse cuite of Louisiana will yield? Working upon cane of different degsees of immaturity ^ and therefore of varying composition, by i)rocesses, almost i)eculiar to each sugar house who can tell the numerous changes which the juices, the most unstable of all vegetable i^roducts, have undergone in their concentration to masse cuite ? Could per- fectly matured uniform canes be grown and their juices sub- jected to identical treatment, then a thorough chemical exam- ination of juices from the mill to the masse cuite' once made might be always applicable. But these are imj)ossibilities in Louisiana and hence we have to make empirical formulas for our worn;, which are often radically inappropriate and inexact. It usual in Louisiana to subtract the solids not sucrose from the sucrose and reckon the remainder as available. This is far from being true in practice. It is further asserted that cold wmter dissolves three times its own weight of sucrose. Apply any of these to our own results above and it will be found that we have greatly surpassed the theoretical yield. Indeed our yield in i)ure sugar is often greater than the supposed soluble influ- ence of the water (alone) would permit. In the beet sugar industry 10 per cent, is the usual amount of water left in the masse cuite. There the glucose is almost entirely absent. In Louisiana, however, it abounds largely in our masse cuite, forming a liquid menstrum in which sucrose can crystallize, therefore it has been found that water can be reduced to a much lower quantity with most excellent results. In fact there seems to be a co-ordinate relation between the glucose and water x^resent. If glucose is large the water can be greatly reduced and vice versa. From our experiments, when the glucose attained about 9 to 10 per cent, (an average amount) the best results were obtained with from 0 to 7 percent of water. AVith such a comx)osition, the crystals purged themelves nicely, requiring the minimum amount of wash water and giving maximum results in sugar. [ 75 ] It was also found that a larger quantity, with better grain of sugar was obtained by permitting the masse cuite to cool from 3 to 4 hoursj heated water exercising a higher solubilty over the sugar than when cooled to a lower temperature. An examina- tion of the table above with that of the ash of the molasses will show that about 4 of the solids not sugars in the masse cuites are mineral salts, aud these, if the juices have been properly .treated, are innocuous. The remaining half may be classed with glucose in its inverting power. When a juice has been treated by processes Avhich give ilittle or no inversion, the amount of these substances not sugars left in the mnsse cuites to restrain sucrose, will amount to about J of the glucose. Therefore in estimating the available sugar in raw juice, it is not far wrong to calculate by the following formula, viz : subtract from the sucrose, one and one-half the weight of glucose and call the remainder available. JUICES FROM 2nd PRESSURE. On December 10th, 792 lbs. bagasse which had already yielded 6G per cent juice was subjected to a second pressure. 'The rolls and the juice troughs were thoroughly cleansed before the pressure. The juice was carefully caught, weighed and analysed. The rolls and troughs well washed and washings weighed and analysed. The bagasse caught on a large sheet, weighed 717 lbs. — showing a loss of 75 lbs. Of pure juice there was collected. . 31 lbs. Of Washings 41 lbs. The j nice contained 13 per cent Total Solids 0.2 Sucrose , .82 Glucose. The Washing contained 70 Sucrose, giving A total of Sucrose of 3.14 lbs. Or a total of about 34 lbs. pure juice— showing an unac- countable loss of about 40 lbs. Another sample of 522 lbs. was taken and similarly treated with almost identical results — Only here the juice showed 17.8 Total Solids. 12.4 Sucrose. 1.02 Glucose. [ 76 ] The jaices from the 1st pressure were both richer in Sucrose, AVhat became of the lost 40 lbs Was it water vaporized in the mill and before weighing of the finely divided bagasse ? The iatter was weighed just as quickly as it could be handled^ after grinding. Weather clear and dry. Maximum TemiDera- ture 650 p, SECOND SUGARS. Several attempts were made to make second sugars, but it was found that in the absence of a hot room, that good results could not be obtained. Again our little centrifugal i^urged with difficulty the crystals of 2d sugar. It was therefore determined to abandon further tests. Th following were the results : PLAT II— EXPERIMENT No. 1. The molasses from 1st sugars were boiled to string — gran- ulated after several days and centrifugalled. From these we have full results, as follows : Experiment No. 1 — 70 lbs. 1st Sugars ® 90^2 14.71 lbs. 2(1 Sugars 'S* 85° 76.3 lbs. 24 Molasses ^ 35.3 117. lbs. Skimmings ® Loss 63.14= 52.7 per cent 12.50= 10.5 “ “ 26.92= 22.5 “ “ 14.62= 12.2 “ 2.50= 2.1 ‘‘ Total 119.68 100.0 Total Sugars 63.2 per cent; 103 lbs. Sugar 'S) 90.2 to the Ton of Cane. Experiment 3, gave by same treatment — 108 lbs. 1st Sugars 91°5 26 lbs. 2d Sugars 83° 66 lbs. 2d Molasses 33.3 Skimmings and loss 97.74= 60.7 per cent 21.62= 13.8 “ 22.07= 13.9 “ “ 18.21= 11.6 “ “ 159.64 100.0 Total 74.5 per cent; 122 lbs. ® 91.5 to the Ton of Caiie. Experiment No. 7, gave — 95 lbs. Ist Sugars 'g) 87°6 lit lbs. 2d Sugars 'g) 83 51t lbs. molasses © 33.5 85 lbs. Shimmings ® 6.8 Inversion and loss 83.16= 68.2 per cent 9..30= 7.7 “ “ 17.26=14.20 5.77= 4.7 “ “ 6.43= 5.2 ‘‘ 121.92 100.00 Total Sugars 75.90 per cent ; 113 lbs. 'g) 87.6 to the Ton of Cane. t i it- [ 77 ] Experiment No. G — LOT lbs. 1st Sugars ® 96° =103.00= 63. percent lbs. 2(1 Sugars ® 83° = 21.94= 13.4 “ “ 68 lbs. Molasses ® 33.3 22.66= 13.8 “ “ Skimmings and loss 15.99= 9.8 “ “ 163.59 100.0 “ Total Sugars 76.4 per cent; 117 lbs ^ 96. to the Ton of Cane. Experiment No. 13 — SI lbs. 1st Sugars® 96. = 77.76= 53.4 percent *25 lbs. 2ud Sugars 80.2 = 20.05= 13.8 “ “ 64 lbs. 2nd Molasses 27.07= 18.6 “ “ 1.30 lbs. Skimmings 12.09= 8.3 “ ‘‘ Loss 8.60= 5.9 “ ‘‘ 145.57 100.0 “ Total Sugars 67.20 per cent ; 94 lbs. ® 96. to the Ton of Cane. LOSS IN SCUMS, SKIMMINGS AND SETTLINGS. Few planters have even an approximate idea of the amount of sugar emptied into the ditches during the grinding season. In the first place, the blanket throAvn away is usually equally as rich in sucrose as the juice from which it comes. The skim- miugs and brushiugs removed in concentration are much richer in sucrose than the juice. The settlings, both from the treat- ment with lime and from the syrup after concentration, are also rich in sucrose. In our work they are all grouped together and called ^^skimmiugs,” unless otherwise mentioned. IS'umer- ous attempts were made to work these skimmings so as to re- cover every pound of sucrose possible. They were worked over in every conceivable way, repeating the operation as often as four times in many instances, and the lowest results obtained in sucrose, thrown away, was 4 per cent of the total amount in the juice worked. This often reached as high as 10 per cent, and where no care was taken to save them reached even 12 and 15 per cent of the sucrose i)resent. This is an enormous loss in itself ; but add to this the sucrose inverted in the process of refining these products and the loss will be even greater. The amount of this inversion depends upon the temperature of the sugar house and the delay in working them. But worked as soon as possible, and at any temperature, analyses will reveal [ 78 ] a greater glucose ratio and a lower purity co-efficient, which are positive declarations of inversion. The total loss from these sources, given by Mr. Spencer in Bulletin ^o. 15, Magnolia Ex- periments, at per cent derived from the results of his work., is regarded by him as far too low. This season’s work fully substantiates the work of Magnolia, and we would say after all our trials, that the loss is certainly between 5 and 15 per cent of the juices worked. How can we avoid this loss? It has been demonstrated that FILTER PRESSES will greatly reduce it, and perhaps, by skillful use, nearly oblit- erate it. A Kroog Hand Filter Press — kindly furnished for a short time for experimental purposes by Mr. Shultze, of the Sangerhausen Works of Germany — was used to test this ques- tion in two instances. In the first. Experiment Xo. 32, three pounds pulverized charcoal were added to the shimmings and boiled for ten minutes and then filtered. With so small a press the operation was a lengthy and tedious one, and therefore in- version took iilace before the work could be finished. There was no way of steaming the cake formed, and hence the latter was not washed. At the end of the operation, however, there was found in the cake formed 2.29 lbs. sucrose from a total of 122 lbs. of the juice, or not quite 1.9 per cent. This, by xiroper steam- ing and washing, might have been reduced to at least 1 iier cent.. Second trial was with Exxieriment No. 31. Here no filter- ing medium was used^ but the mass of shimmings sent directly^ to the press. This operation was a more tedious one, and re- quired oftener the removal of the filter cloths. The inversion was, however, not so great. Here we obtained 2.9 lbs. sucrose in the cake out of 120 lbs. sucrose in the juice, or 2.4 per cent, loss. The cake was not carried to anything like dryness, on account of the difficulty of the hand work. With steam power and steam in the press, the cake might have been made quite solid and sugar contents greatly reduced. From the results of these exx)eriments, there is no hesi- tancy in declaring filter presses as a crying necessity in the sugar houses of the State, to save the sugar now thrown away [ 79 ] in the ditches, if not for use in the adaptation of the William- son & Elmmer^s or Kleeman’s processes in our w ork. On the 10th of November the following experiments were made with what was then believed to be the Kleemans iirocess of treating raw juices, but which has been subsequently shown to be Williamson & Eummer\s: No. 1. — 60 gallons juice (a) received 150 pounds of lime and 100 c. c. su- perphosphate of alumina; without removal of the blanket, 9 lbs. pulver- ized German lignite were added, and the whole mass boiled for five minutes and then sent to Kroog’s jiress. The filtered juice (b) was clear and limpid. In concentrating, a white scum arose to the surface, which had to be re- moved. It was concentrated to 25° B (c) in open pan. In cooling a precipi- tate formed, due mainly to the superxdiosjihate of alumina added. No. 2.-6 gallons of juice («) was limed to neutrality and boiled ten minutes with 1^ lbs bituminous coal and filtered, which gave a clear but dark-colored juice (Z>). No. 3. — 5 gallons juice («) was limed and left acid and boiled for five minutes with H lbs. pulverized bituminous coal aud filtered, which gave a clear and limpid juice {by, concentrated to 22° B (c) in oiren pan, which re- mained clear on cooling. ANALYSES OF ABOVE. No. of Experiments. Degree Baumo. Total Solids. Sucrose. 1 Co-Efficicut 1 Purity. 1 a 8.0 14.5 1 12 5 84.8 1 b 7.6 13.7 ! 13.0 94.9 1 r, 20.0 53.5 44.0 82.2 8.0 14.5 i 12.5 84.8 2 b 8.4 15.2 i 13.7 90.1 3 a 8.0 14.5 12.5 84.^ 3 b 7.6 13.7 13.0 94.9 3 c 27.0 49.7 1 41.7 83.9 2 (&) was concentrated a little in boiling. The increased coefficients of purity indicated the removal of a large amount of solids not sugar. Our supply of pure Ger- man Lignite gave out with one ex^ieriment, hence we could not tell anything about its decolorizing effect, which is claimed for it by Mr. Kleeman, and which is proposed as a substitute for Bone Black. The bituminous coal used here and pulverized [ 80 J charcoal subsequently used, had apparently similar results, causing an easy filtration of the juice from the solids, but ex- ercising little or no decolorizing effects. The method is a rapid one, and quickly disposes of the oth- erwise troublesome scums and settlings. There is no skimming required, and on this account we think it a great improvement over the usual way of clarification. But it is well known, that a portion of the Albuminoids coagulable by heat and lime are rendered soluble by boiling with lime, and the appearance of scums in the subsequent concentration would indicate that these Albuminoids had not been successfully removed. Unfor- tunately at this time, our entire laborator^^ xforce was engaged in the regular work of the sugar house and therefore could not determine, this question by analysis. But we find our suspi- cions corroborated by the experiments of Dr. Spencer, at Mag- nolia, Bulletin 15, page 24. who found only 35.17 per cent of the Albuminoids in the juice removed by this process, while 45 per cent, are removed by the ordinary way of clarification. The Kleeman process, as we have since learned, varies from the above in two essential points. 1st. The juice is defecated as usual, and the clear juice and the scums with settlings, sepa- rately treated witli brown coal. 2nd. The concentrated juice is again mixed with brown coal and filtered, the last operation be- ing performed by gravity. The Station has recently received a beautiful Filter Press from Messrs. Pusey & Jones, of AVil- mington, Delaware, through their courteous agents, Messrs. Kirchoff Bros., of Few Orleans, and will, the coming season, experiment extensively in these processes, accompanying them with analytical work in the Laboratory. It is also receiving samples of Lignite from Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi, for the purpose of finding if possible, a home article which can sub- stitute brown coal. In closing this the report of a series of experiments which involved a great exi)enditure of time and patient, careful labor the Director wishes to return his personal thanks to all persons who so kindly aided him in his work. Special acknowledgements are made to my regular assistant Mr. W. L. Hutchinson, and my volunteer assistants, Messrs. J. P. Baldwin, Jr., and Wm. Shiel, of Louisiana, Mr. B. S. Burton, of Georgia, and Mr. J. D. Stubbs, of Virginia, for their ardur- ous and intelligent labors, both in the sugar' house and in the Laboratory, by which much of the success achieved, is due. [ 81 ] EVAN HALL STTGAR HOUSE. Mr. Henry McCall, tlic eiitei’pri^iug proprietor of Evan Hall Plantation, has kindly ])lacee that pro])er appliances will be secured to avoid imicli of them in the future. It is learned that Mr. McCall lias procured for the next season fdter i)resses, whereby the losses in scums will be greatly reduced. It is hop sition of “ ‘‘ water in “ . 733,417=15.16 per c<‘nt ) masiso cnito. “ “ 1st sugars obtained . . 2,440,678=50.40 per cent of masse cuite “ “ 2nd “ “ .. 47,766 “ “ all “ “ .. 2,488,444=51.4 per cent of 1st masse cuite “ “ molasses froui first masses cuite 2,348,605 “ “ water evapora’d from Ist molasses 436,949 “ “ wa’r left in mo’s obt’d 296,468=15.5 per cent ) Per cent cornpo- “ “ su’r “ “ “ 633,275=33. 1 per cent > lion of “ ‘‘ solidsnot sugar left. . 981,913=51.4 per cent ) molasses obtaind Molas.ses obtained.. 1,911,656 Per cent of sugar obtained of total sugar in juice 68.84 j)er cent Per cent of sugar i!i molasses of total sugar in juice 17.52 ])er cent Per cent of sugar lost n scums, ( tc. . . . 13.64 per cent mo. 00 182 ] RECORD OF WEATHER LOUISIANA SUGAR EXPERIMENT STATION MAY 1887. Date. TEMPERATURE. Compar ison of Daily Rainfall. State of Weather REMARKS. May. 9 A . M . 3 P . M . 9 P . M . Maximum ! Minimum. Wet Bulb. Dry Bulb. 1 7d° 84° 80° 8do 70° 74° 7d° .00 Fair 2 77 84 89 85 d9 75 77 .00 Fair.... 3 77 75 75 87 70 73 77 .00 Fair 4 d5 74 78 75 d3 d5 d5 .53 Fair 5 d9 77 70 79 59 d7 d9 .00 Fair d 75 83 7d 84 di 73 75 .00 Cloudy. 7 75 87 74 89 do 73 75 .00 Fair . . . 8 7d 8d 77 88 dd 75 7d .00 Fair 9 80 88 79 90 d3 78 80 .00 Fair - 10 88 91 80 94 d5 87 88 .00 Fair. . . . 11 7d 88 79 90 70 75 7d .00 Fair 12 70 87 77 89 d4 d8 70 .00 Cloudy. 13 74 84 80 92 d4 73 74 .10 Cloudy. 14 7d 89 78 91 d5 74 7d .00 Fair 15 74 87 73 90 d4 73 74 .3d Cloudy. Id 77 83 74 90 dd 74 77 .00 Cloudy. 17 70 87 71 89 dd d8 70 .00 Cloudy. IS d9 85 d5 88 d4 d7 d9 .00 Cloudy. 19 70 83 71 8d 59 d9 70 .32 Cloudy. 20 74 75 73 8d 59 71 74 .00 Cloudy. 21 7d 87 74 89 d2 75 7d .00 Fair ... 22 73' 89 73 90 d5 70 73 .00 Fair . . . 23 72 87 70 89 d3 72 72 .15 Fair . . . 24 73 91 74 92 d7 71 73 .00 Fair ... 25 70 90 d8 91 dd d9 70 .00 Fair ... 2d 7d 87 73 90 d4 74 7d .00 Fair ... 27 74 89 70 89 dl 70 74 .00 Fair . . . 28 74 90 71 90 d3 73 74 .30 Cloudy. 29 74 89 72 89 d2 74 74 4.50 Rainy. . 30 71 8d d7 87 dO d9 71 .00 Cloudy. 31 71 88 72 89 d3 70 71 .30 Cloudy. Av. 74 8d 75 89 d4 d.5d Highest temperature during month 94'-'. Lowest temperature during month 59^\ Average temperature during month 77'^. Total rainfall during month d-hd. Average daily rainfall .21. OATS AND POTATOES. BULLETIN No. 11 OF THE STATE EXPERIMENT STATION AND Sugar Experiment Station, W^m. C. Stubbs, Ph. D., OIHEOTOR ISSUED BY a"HO]MF*SO]Nr J. Commissioner of Agriculture, Baton Rouge, la. BATON ROUGE : PRINTED BY LEON JASTREMSKI, STATE PRINTER, 1887. [ 2 ] EXPEEIMEIy^TS IX OATS, OBJECTS. Are to test the economy of growing oats at home as a food crop for stock, in iDreference to the prevailing custom of importing annually large quantities at great cost. With these objects in view, efforts have been made to decide the following questions : 1st. Best time to sow I 2nd. Manurial requirements of our soils for growing oats % A third question will next season be propounded — what variety is best for seed This question forces itself ujDon us,, since a large quantity of oats sold in our markets as ^‘Kust Proof” are not true to name; The experiments of last year are repeated at both stations upon the same plats. BEST TIME TO PLANT. This year, sowings were made at the Sugar Experiment Station — on the last day of October, January 3rd and February 1st 5 on the State Experiment Station on October 30th, Decem- ber 3rd and February 7th. The winter was very favorable to the growth of oats, and grave apprehensions were entertained for the safety of the fall oats, lest they might head before the winter was over and be killed, or that they would reach such a luxuriant growth as to ‘Oodge” in the spring. The former were not realized — the latter occurred on a few of the most promising plats. PREPARATION OF THE GROUND. It was turned over in October with a two-horse plow, the* oats and fertilizers sowed by hand, the former at the rate of two- bushels per acre, and both harrowed in together. Good stands- were everywhere obtained. PREVIOUS CULTIVATION. At the Sugar Experiment Station, as soon as the oat crop* was removed last May, all the plats were solved broadcast in cow peas. These were cut and made into forage in Seiitember, leaving only the root residues in the soil. At the State Experi- ment Station the plat in oats last year grew a good crop of crab grass, which was removed for hay. The other plats were culti- [ 3 ] vated in corn by tenants last year, and the ground, when takeiii for these experiments, was excessively foul with rank weeds-^ which required time and labor to eradicate. EXPERIMENTS IX OATS. SUGAR EXPERIMENr STATION, KENNER, LA. PLAT XO. 12. Land broken with two-horse plow ; manures and oats sowed'. October 30th and harrowed in j harvested May 9th j weiglieii May 12th j threshed May 30tli. The yields of last year are aisa^ given for comparison. PLAT NO 12. SUGAR EXPERIMENT STATION. Fertilizers. K o 6 Kind. Amt. P«-r Acre. 1 Cotton Seed Meal / 270 lbs. Acid Phosphate ^ 270 “ Cotton Seed Meal ) 270 “ 2 Acid Phosphate > 270 “ Kainite ) 270 Q Cotton Seed Meal ) 360 “ o Acid Phosphate ^ 180 “ Cotton Seed Meal ) 360 “ 4 Acid phosphate > 180 Kainite ) 270 “ r Cotton Seed Meal / 405 “ 0 Acid Phosphate s 135 Cotton Seed Meal ) 405 ‘‘ 6 Acid Phosi)hato > 135 “ Kainite ) 270 “ 7 Cotton Seed Meal 300 “ 8 Acid Phosphate 150 “ 9 10 Kainite Nothing 150 “ 11 Cotton Seed Meal 1 300 “ Acid Phosphate ^ 1.50 “ Cotton Seed Meal ) .300 ‘‘ 12 Acid Phosphate > 150 “ IKainite ) 150 Yield Per Acre Cost Per Acre 1886. 1887. W’ght of oats in sheaf. Bushels of oats. 5yght of oats in sheaf. Bnsheii? of oatsf- $4.86 3137 lbs 67f 6418 lbs o3 6.80 6673 “ 73 21-32 7563 ‘• 56 2 2-^ 4.86 5564 64 17-32 6000 ‘‘ 58 10-32- 6.80 3127 “ 67 20-32 I 6509 “ 48 17-^. 4.86 4991 “ 55 3-32 4000 39 12-32 6 80 5409 ‘ = 62 28-32 5454 “ 49 12-32 2.70 6095 “ 59 20-32 6162 “ 30 31-32 1.35 5405 ‘‘ 57 30- .32 9189 ‘‘ 50 2-32 1.12 5041 “ 57 6-32 7027 “ 51 13.*^ 5041 “ 57 8378 40 2C4-32; 4.05 3135 ,, 103 6-32 6216 70 30-32- 5.17 5837 “ 70 4-32 8163 “ 60 14-32- [ 4 ] Before discussing the above, two factors which greatly in- terfered with the results must be mentioned ; 1st. The benefi- cial effects of the pea vines, grown alter the crop was made last year. The vines were removed, but the root residues have been instrumental in modifying greatly the effect of the manures used. 2ud. A drouth of over five weeks duration, from March 20th till April 23rd, just at the time these oats were heading, and when rain was absolutely essential for perfect fruitification. This cause seriously modified results, as is shown by the heavy istraw and small percentage of grain. The i^ea vines gave increased growth to all, as is shown by the increased weight of all the Experiments except No. 5, (which was again troubled with defective drainage), and appa- rently rendered useless the large application of cotton seed meal, if we may judge from the results of 8, 9 and 10, where no meal was used. The effect of the phosphate is quite apparent in the increased yield of grain. Judging from these Experiments, we may again say that kainite has added nothing to the combi- nation of acid phosphate and cotton seed meal. The influence of pea vines, both when taken oft and turned under, is almost marvellous upon the subsequent crops. This has been demon- strated by experiments in cane, corn and oats. When turned under we should naturally expect good results, but largely in- creased yields are obtainable even when only the roots are left. Are these good results ascribable to the chemical lood furnished by the decomposition of the roots alone, or to the accumulation of nitrogenous matter in the upper layers of the soil, brought about by the intense shade afforded the soil during the period cf greatest nutrification ? Have these numerous tap roots made the soil more open and porous, and left it better drained and in better tilth ? What are all of the benefits which i)ea vines have upon subsequent crops 'I These questions we propose to inves- tigate the following summer by weighing and analyzing both vines and roots, the latter dug up and washed out to the depth of two feetj at the same time accurately determining the amounts of nitrogen in pea-vined soil and that adjacent not pea- vined. In this way some light may be thrown upon this highly interesting subject. [51 Several of these plats, particularly No. 12, suffered hadly from the rust, notwithstandiug the seed used was of the Red Rust Proof variety. The drouth did the work. . i In the above Experiments, Nos. 1, 2, 7 and 11 were so badly lodged that they had to be cut with sickles, hence their weights in the sheaf are below the others. The following conclusions are suggested by these experi- ments : That pea-vined lands requires a diminished quantity of nitrogenous manures, but full rations of iihosphoric acid, and that kainite is not yet needed on this kind of soil. PLAT NO. 12 {a). This plat was not in oats last year. Cane was windrowed for seed in it in the fall of 1885. It was pea-vined like No. 12 in May, and after that received the same treatment, except no ma- nures were applied at the time of planting, October 30th. On March Gth the manures were applied as a top dressing when the oats were a foot or more in height. Here are the re- sults: Harvested May 12th, weighed May 16th, and threshed May 3()th. PLAT NO. 12 {a). Fertilizers. Kind. 1 Nitrate Soda.: 2 Nitrate Soda ^ 'Acid Phosphate ^ Nothing iNitrate Soda ^ Acid Phosphate ^ I Kainite 5 Sulphate of Ammonia, (j Sulphate of Ammonia. Acid Phosphate ^ Nothing I Sulphate of Ammonia. ® Acid Phosphate iKainite 9 Nothing Yield per acre. d o o c3 o a o c3 O o r—> 92 dt) 4 .^ f-( Ch a 02 o O '*-• .22 O 7c ^ cS » o a W 140 lbs $3.85 5600 lbs 60 17-32 140 140 u (( 5.11 5580 51 8-32- 4070 ‘‘ 34 27-32. 140 140 (( 5.65 7230 “ 45 6-32' 140 (( 150 n 4.50 5778 '• 46 150 150 (( li 5.85 5890 ‘• 44 11-32 4200 ‘‘ 36 24-32 15) t< 150 (i 6.75 6510 “ 62 1-32; 150 u 4588 “ 28 H-32 [ 6 ] Tlie above manures were put out March 5th, and only one ; good rain occurred (March 20th) between its application and .3inrvest. Hence results are uniform as regards straw, but very discordant in grain. In fact some of these experiments gave as low as 20 per cent of grain, due entirely to the effects of the • drouth while heading. PLAT NO. 13. These experiments were sown January 3d, manures put on with oats, and harvested May 11th, weighed May 16th, and threshed June 12th. This plat was similarly manured last .year. From Bulletin No. 4 we take the following : OBJECT. The object of these experiments was to test the value of in- gredients used first on oats and then following with cow peas, i to find what effect the residues of manures left iii the soil would iliave on the latter. The late Dr. Eavenel, of Charleston, S. C., c used a mixture of South Carolina floats (finely ground rock tpliosphate) mixed with kainite as a specific manure for cow peas. By its use an increased growth of peas was attained, which, turned under at the proper time, or permitted to rot on the surface, gave an enhanced fertility to the soil. Using these ingredients as sources of phosphoric acid and potash, alone and combined with cotton seed meal, and in another series substi- tuting Orchilla phosphate (a natural deposit from the Caribbean Sea) for floats, we have tried tjo determine the effects upon these ;plats- After harvest last year, this plat was sown in peas, the lat- removed for forage and the land rebroken and sown in oats January 3d. The result of both years are appended. [ 7 ] PLAT NO. 13— OATS SUGAR EXPERIMEXT STATION, KENNER LA. Fertilizers. Yield Per Acre. Kind. ^3 Cotton Seed Meal ) Orcliilla Plios. / Kainite ) Cotton Seed Meal Floats Kainite Orchilla Phos. Kainite Floats Kainite Orcliilla Phosphate Floats 250 250 125 250 250 12 ) 250 125 250 125 250 250 lbs V d -M O O Amount in Sheaved Oats. 1886. $5.34 5.34 3.19 3.19 2.25 2.25 3860 lbs. 4776 2520 “ 2580 “ 2700 2940 “ 1887. 6278 lbs. 6759 5443 ‘‘ 5696 “ .5696 “ 7346 Bushels in Oats. 1886. 1887. 79 7-32 61 20-32 67 7-32 56 26 32 72 14-32 64 3-32 These oats being much younger and smaller than Il^'os. 12 und 13, did not suffer as severely from the drouth. They were not so high as the fall oats, but were much better headed. The Orchilla seems to have given better results in gain than the Tloats. Here again Kainite appears without effect. The Ni- trogen does not seem to exercise so much influence as last year. PLAT NO. 3— OATS. This plat (in oats last year) was put in cow peas, vines re- moved and land plowed with a two-horse plow and manures and oats sowed February 1st. They started off' well, but were soon checked by the prevailing drouth, developing the rust, which almost demolished it. It recovered slightly under the rains of May and came to harvest with poor yield June 3rd. PLAT NO. 3— OATS. SUGAR EXPERIMENT STATION, KENNER, LA. Fertilizers. Kind. Yield per acre. Qi P. © u © Wq oats in slieaf .*3 O 2 o ci f-t Pi to © o -tJ g CC O o 1886 1887 3 23 4S0 ; lbs $4.32 5686 lbs 19^88 ( ( 15 17-32 1095 Ii 8 18-32 10 16-32 480 ' 96 u ii 5.18 • « • • 1345 (( 96 192 C( i c 2.30 2594 <( 960 ii 9 10-32 2834 860 ii 6 17-32 480 192 a i i 5.76 4890 << 1422 ii 14 14-32 96 ii .86 3295 <( 1056 ii 10 6-32 • • • • 2353 (( 768 ii 5 7-32 192 ii 1.44 2305 i ( 576 ii 4 28-32 480 ki 96 a 6.62 2883 li 1345 ii 13 2-32 192 i i 2449 (1 461 ii 3 16-32 480 ii 96 ii 6.62 3170 (( 1056 ii 9 2-32 192 a Cotton Seed Meal. Nothing Cotton Seed Meal. Acic Phosphate. . . Acid Phosphate. . . Kainite Nothing Cotton Seed Meal. Kainite Acid Phosphate. . . Nothing Kainite Cotton Seed Meal. Acid Phosphate. . . Kainite Nothing Cotton Seed Meal. Floats Kainite No comment is needed except to say that the entire plat was a most prodigious failure. It was planted February 1st, and during this month there were six rains on six consecutive days, from 17th to 21nd, giving 5.23 inches. On March lst.it was quite vigorous and iiromising. It rained on the 7th and 20th of March, and from the latter date not a drop fell till April 23d, when there was a good shower, too late to repair the great injury done. After this no rain fell till May. It was harvested June 3d, weighed June I4th, and threshed June 21st. Uorj^eriments in Oats at State Exiieriment Station, Baton Rouge, La. PLAT NO. 1— OATS. This plat was in oats last year. After the oats were re* moved it grew up in crab grass which was cut and made into hay. It was plowed with a two horse plow October 29th, 1886, and manures and oats sown and harrowed in on October 30th. Harvested May 10th, 1887. [ 9 ] PLAT XO. 1 OATS. STATE EXPERIMENT STATION, BATON ROUGE, LA. c Fertilizers. Yield Per Acre. o Bushels Per Acre X 4 > ® . Ph o Weight ; in Sheaf. <.-1 o c Kind. . M 3*^ “ 35 29-32 44.3 Cotton Seed Meal ) 300 “ 3 Acid Phosphate > 150 “ 5.17 3000 “ 3567 “ 41 5-32 39.3 Kainite ) 150 4 Acid Pnosphate f Kainite ) 150 “ 150 “ 2.45 2820 “ 2427 ‘‘ 38 5-32 24.7 5 Cotton Seed Meal \ Kainite S 350 “ 175 “ 4.46 2553 “ 2496 “ 30 16-32 28.56 Here the mixture of acid phosphate and cotton seed meal lias given the best results. PLAT XO. 2— OATS. This plat was in oats last year. The crab grass which grew on it after the removal of the oats was made into hay. It was broken by a two-horse plow and oats sowed and harrowed in on October 30th. On March 15th manures were applied as a top dressing to the growing oats. [ 10 ] PLAT NO. 2— OATS. Fertilizers. Kind. Nitrate of Soda Sulphate of Ammoni Nitrate of Soda Acid Phosphate Nothin^ Sul. of Ammonia Acid Pbosiihate NPrate of Soda Acid Phosphate Muriate Potash Sul. of Ammonia. . . . Acid Phosphate Muriatic Potash.... o a 200 150 200 200 lbs 150 200 200 200 100 150 200 100 $5.50 4.50 7.30 6.30 8.80 7.80 Yield per acre. Weight in sheaf Bushels. 1886 1887 1886 1887 3853 lbs [4900 lbs 43 20.32 3713 ‘‘ 3750 “ 42 19.32 43 4-32 4213 “ 4550 “ 42 25.32 41 863 “ 2000 “ 14 19.32 21 31-32 3638 “ 3900 “ 41 6.32 43 16-32 4648 “ 4450 “ 49 26.32 56 21-32 4645 ‘‘ 3900 “ 48 15.32 45 3-32 Highest yield in 1886 49.8 bushels Highest yield in 1887 56.7 bushels Last year tliis plat was sown in the spring, this year in the fall, and hence results should have been much better, but the drouth already alluded to seriously vitiated the yield. PLAT NO. 3— OATS. As soon as the Lonisiana State University and A. & M. College came in possession of the U. S. Garrison with its lands, arrangements were at once begun to transfer the Station with the College. A piece of land of about seven acres, which had just grown a crop of corn and which had been left very foul with weeds, was selected for sowing in oats. After much labor in removing the weMs, it was broken with a two horse plow and divided into two parts. One was seeded to oats on December 3d, the other February 7th. On both the same fertilizer was used, which consisted of 200 lbs. Cotton Seed Meal and 150 lbs. Acid Phosphate per acre, put in with the seed, and both har- rowed in. [ 11 ] That planted December 3d was harvested May 17th to 20th, and gave in sheafed oats 5122 lbs. and threshed 59.2 hushels per acre. That planted February 7th gave 2250 lbs., and threshed G.5 hushels per acre. Both were injured by the drouth, but the latter most seri- ously, producing rust badly. In all of our experiments the ^^Ked Bust Proof” variety of oats were used at the rate of two bushels per acre. But none of these oats proved true to name, since they all, more or less, during the drouth, succumbed to the rust, which in several in- stances seriously injured the crop. This suggests the propriety of paying more attention to seed, and buying only such as are guaranteed to be ^^Eust Proof” and not of the variety of ^‘Eust Proof.” CONCLUSIONS. It is rarely wise to draw conclusions from the results of two years only, but when we consider the peculiar and almost oppo- site conditions which prevailed in these years, we think we can safely assert that oats in sufficient quantities to supply all our wants can be economically grown in Louisiana. The winter of 1885-G was very cold, destroying all winter sown grain — with an unusually wet spring. The winter of ’8G-87 was a peculiarly dry and open one, with an excessively dry spring. Yet in both years very fair crops of oats were made from fall sowings The average of fall sowings at Kenner for 1886 was 65.4 bushels per acre “ “ “ “ “ “ 1887 was. .. .52.6 bushels per acre “ “ spring “ “ Baton Rouge for 1886 was. 38.1 bushels per acre “ “ “ fall “ “ “ “ 1887 was. 38. 6 bu‘ossible. If dug in sunshine, empty at once into well ventilated barrels and haul immediately to the shade or cover with vines. Potatoes will not endure exposure to the sun. Handle carefully and avoid bruisiug. When bruised add to the culls, shake well the barrel, press the head upon its contents and cooper strongly. SECOND CROP. The culls from the rq)est field may be used for seed of sec- ond crop, and should be stored in a cool, dry i)lace. They may be covered with very dry sand or put away in crates. Just be- fore planting, if exposed for a day or two to warmth and mois- ture, sprouting may be hastened and a better stand secured. The time for planting the second crop is about August 1st. If the eyes have sprouted, the tubers should be cut, otherwise planted whole. Deep and thorough pulverization, with heavy manuring is more essential to second crop than the first in order to obtain maturity l^efore frost. The seed from this crop can be used to idant in the spring. EXPERIMENTS IN POTATOES. Made at the Station were of two kinds. 1st. To determine the variety best adapted to this climate, soil and markets. 2nd. To determine the fertilizer best suited to a large and early growth of potatoes. [ 17 ] FIEST— VARIETIES. Only live varieties could be obtained in Baton Kouge. These were secured and planted. 1st— -Peerless—A large yellow potato, smooth, medium ma« turity, with large vines ; a good bearer. 2d — Canada Victor— A large red, smooth potato, of good quality, small vines, little earlier than No. 1. 3rd — Burbank— Good size, round smooth potato, slight pink* ish tinge, with distinct pink eyes. An early variety of great promise. 1th — Early Rose— Bemarkably early; potatoes large, but not numerous ; slight' rose tint. 5th-^Jackson White — Old variety; very productive ; color white ; shape oblong ; not very early. These varieties were planted February 2nd in connection with different fertilizers — the fertilizers running North and South and the varieties East and West. The fertilizers were i)ut in the drill, a scooter run through them, and potatoes cut to two eyes, dropped at intervals of 12 inches and covered with the plow. EXPERIMENTS IN VARIETIES AND FERTILIZERS. Fertilizers used per acre. Average of all manures in bushels. ' No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Varieties used 100(» lbs cotton seed meal. i 1 500 lbs Acid Phosphate. 1 500 lbs Kain- i ite. 1 500 lbs kainite and 500 lbs Acid PhosTe. 1000 lbs cotton seed meal 500 lbs kainite 1000 lbs cotton 1 seed meal 500 acid phos. 1000 lbs cotton sd meal, 500 lbs acid phospliTe 500 lbs kainite Peerless 96.5 bu 53.5 bu .53.5 bu 38.3 bu 30.0 bu 103.3 bu 100.3 bu 67.9 Canada Victor. . . 100.0 bu 25.0 bu 38.3 bu 40.0 bu 43.3 bu 106.6 bu 110. Obu 66.2 Embank .... 86.6 bu 45.0 bu 38.3 bu 70.0 bu 60.3 bu 103.3 bu 120.0 bu 74.7 Early Rose. . 8J.3l)u 33.3 bu 16 . 6 bu 43 3 bu 36,6 bu 13.3 bu 100 0 bu 44.7 Jackson White. , . 106.6 bu 6().0 bu 30.0 bu 76.6 bu 70.0 bu 76.6 bu 135 0 bu 79.2 TIir above were dug April IDtli, wluni tlie Early Rose was ripo — tio Embank nearly matured — the Canada Victor next, with the Pcoilcss and Jackson White quite green. [183 SEOOlSn— FEBTILIZEKS. Grounds prepar(xl ill beor acre' ' 1 ! t i ! iu bushels in T j j t niorchantible 70.6 101.6 76.3 '56.6 129. (86.6 |14l. i 90. 132- iioe.a potatoes. |_ I i i ! j 78.6 1 I Yield per acre t~ i i I in bushels of 1 16.6 20. 12.6 1 11.3 , ill. 7 |l6.3 7.6 1 10.3 ! 14.6 j 8. small potatoes 1 i i- 1 1— i ! 1 Total yield per acre in l)U8li. i i 67,2 121.6 1 BS.ajoi.a 140 . 3 I IKK). 3 ) ! U57 , 3 i I 9T.6 |142.3 I 93,2 U14.6 liEMAKKS OX Ano\ E. The soil upon which the above Wixs planted was a brown loam, whose previous culture had been of an execrable character It was prepared as best we could, but was far from being in ex- cellent order. Except those plats in which Kaiuite was use. I excellent stands were obtained. The Kaiuite injured greatly llte germination of the potato by abstracting from it the water and leaving the setts a dry honey combed mass of blackened matter. Hence the caution already given of never using this salt on po- tatoes at planting, but on the land, broadcasted, at least two months before. These experiments were planted Feb. 2d, and harvested April 19th. They started off well, were iioed and plowed Feb. 25th and March iSth. After that time a drouth of [ly] iiimsual (Inrfvtiou set in, wliicli Qjnised tlie vine-s to torn yelto aiKl droo]). Tlie x^otatoos iicvt^r reached full maturity and ermients any accurate conclusions, llowevcr, it seems that a mixture of cot- ton seed meal and acid x>hosp]iat^ has ]>roduoehosphoric acid, and this in time is aided in its productive cai)acity by the mldition of acid phos- idiate. The injury to the stand wherever kaiuite wihs used, leaves it still an open (juestion whether potash is needed for fer- tilizers for potatoes. VAUIETIES. The Marly liose was the earliest variety jdanted. Tlie tu- bers were of fair size, very smooth, with very few small ones. The yield was, however, small — a great objection. The quality of this potato is excellent, and its api>rcciatiou is shown by its commanding, during the x>ast season, at least 50 cents per barrel more than the white varieties. It would seem advisable to let this variety form a xmrtion of the crop for very early shipment. The llurbank was next to the Early Rose in maturity and in quality, with greater producing capacity. It has many qual- ities recxunmeuding it to the Boutliern truck grower. The ( 'auada Motor is a fine potato in size and quality, me- dium in maturity and very objectionable in color— very rod. The dacksou White gave us a large number of tubers, with ^^ery few large ones — due, probably, to Immaturity when gath- ered; it is too late for early marketing ; (jnality go(>d. Tlie IhMwless Is a large producer, growing a great quantity ot very large tubers, medium in maturity and very poor quality. It is ail excellent vaiiety for late shipments. Ordinarily, the first shipments of fully rixie potatoes coru: maiid the highest iwices t^accordiiigly, tliis year, as soon as it [ 20 ] was discovered that the drouth had prematurely suspended the growth of our crop, it was gathered and shipped. Subsequent- ly it was founxl out that this year was an exception to the usual rule, for potatoes continued to advance in value until the crop was exhausted, and even now are commanding excellent prices. On the day that we dug, the local market in Baton Eouge quoted potatoes dull at $1 25 per barrel. We therefore determined to shii) to the various markets. Thirty barrels were packed care- fully and shipped, ten each to Cincinnati, St. Louis and Kansas City. Those consigned to the last place were shipped by rail over the Mississippi Valley road — the others by steamboat All reached their destination without injury. The freight, commissioiij etc., per barrel by steamer to Cincinnati was. 51] “ “ “ and insurance per bbl by steamer to St. Louis. 48 “ “ “ etc., per bbl by rail to Kansas City was $1 17 The potatoes sold in Cincinnati at $2.50 per bbl “ “ “ “St. Louis at 2.31 “ “ “ “ “ “ Kansas City at 2.85 “ “ “ “ netted in Cincinnati 1.97 “ “ •“ “ “ “ St. Louis 1.83 “ “ “ “ “ “ Kansas City 1.68 “ “ The plat in potatoes raised at the rate of 30 barrels per acre — a very small yield, owing, as before stated, to the drouth. The seed, 4 barrels per acre, cost $ 0.00 The fertilizers used (.on a part) cost 7.43 Total cost for seed and fertilizers $16.43 The thirty barrels sold, nett 54.80 Leaving for labor, barrels and proht, per acre $28.37 The cost of preparing, planting, cultivating and harvesting a crop of potatoes will depend greatly upon the character of hind and price of labor. It should not exceed $15, and can be reduced to $10. The seed (4 barrels to the acre) will cost usu- ally from $2 to $2 50 per barrel. The manures, using 1000 lbs cotton seed meal anfl 400 lbs acid i^hosphate per acre, will cost about $14. The yield should not be less, with this manure, than 50 barrels per acre, ami if the land is rich in vegetable matter even more. Adding the costs together, we have : [ 21 ] Seed $ 8.00 to 10.00 Labor 10.00 to 15.00 Fertilizers 1 4.00 to 14.00 Total cost ..132.00 to $39,4)0 Should 50 barrels be raised to the acre, the cost will then be 64 to 78 cents per barrel, and the profits realized per acre will be $11.00 to $16.00 when potatoes sell for $1.00 per barrel* 22.00 to 32.00 when potatoes sell for 2.00 per barrel The potato crop is taken off early enough to permit a growth of a second crop, with the soil in excellent condition from the cultivation received by the potatoes. On the Station a fine crop of cotton is now growing on the laud from which the potatoes were taken in April. I learn from Hon. Theodore S. Wilkinson that he has grown early potatoes for market this year between his rows of cane without any detriment to the latter. When pea vines have been turned under for the planting of cane, and rows seven feet wide, this practice promises success, especially if the potatoes be properly and heavily manured. The residue left by the i^ota- toes, and the cultivation given the potatoes, would both be highly beneficial to the cane in its after growth. CONCLUSIONS. With the abundance of stable manure to be found on every plantation and to be had from the stables of New Orleans for almost nothing, together with the ease and cheapness that we can grow pea vines, there is no reason why our soils cannot be converted into the finest garden loams, upon which, with the aid of i)roper commercial fertilizers, maximum crops of potatoes can be grown. Stable manure is used by truck growers in large quantities — often as high as 100 tons per acre. It should be held in higher esteem by our gardeners. It is useless to attempt to grow large erops upon poor soils, or upon soils badly pre- pared or cultivated, or even upon soils improperly manured. One aere of potatoes upon a rich, well drained soil, properly maniiml and judiciously worked, always brings more i)rofit than many acres upon poor, unmanured soils, badly cultivated. Therefore, every one desirous of growing trucks, especially po- tatoes, should apply whatever home manures that is obtainable, turn under a good coat of pea vines, and supplement them both liberally with cotton seed meal and add phosphate, bands for successful truck grt>wing must be many times richer than ordi- nary farming or plantation soils. With rich lands, well selected seed, good cnltivmtion Jiiul carefid preparation for market, hand- some profits are always to be expected in liouksiana from truck growing. Attention is called to the following letter from Mr. J. Mc- Quade, one of a large number of planters who was induced to try the cnltivatfou of oats, from the results obtained by the Sta- tion in *80 and published in Bulletin Xo. 4. He used the for- mula therein recommended. Parish of East Patox Rouge, T.a,, I July 18S7. y Prof. Wm, C. Stnbbs, DireckH ; Pon.r Siu— On Nov. ‘Jlth, 18S6, f sowed 30 acres of verv iliin lainl in oatr, It was in 1865 in 8 tiil)))l 0 cane wliicli was killed l>y the Iroe/e in January, i^ate in the spring the land was broken and planted in corn, which was \"ery b.adly cultivated. I pi;t according to your rocomnieud.atious, four huudicil pounds per .acre of two p.arts of Cotton Seed Meal and one part of A.cid Phosphate. 1 harrested 8000 Ihs. of sheaved oats per acre, which gave when threshed 66 per cent, of grain or about 65 ? biisliels per acre. I left sev- eral spots upon which I put no fertilizer and gofe lu) o.ats. 1 did not even cut them. I liave sold Mr. Wm. ffarig, of Raton Rouge, a lot of these oats and he estimates a saving from their use of at least three dollar® per week, with seven head of stock. Voiirs truly, J. Mc’Quade. C23 3 RKCOJiD OF WEATHER lA^tJISIANA 8TTOAR EXPERIMENT STATION, FOR JUNE 1887. 9 1 2 89 83 84 i 94 70 .3 89 90 88 i 94 70 4 86 90 80 j 94 72 r 84 89 77 to 6 HI 87 80 j 89 68 7 84 iH) 84 ! 91 69 K 81 i 93 79 1 94 70 1.63 9 80 1 90 82 93 ^ 69 j .40 JO 79 1 89 79 91 67 1 11 74 1 1 88 79 ! 90 i 65 j 1 ..50 12 74 ! ! 87 Tti 1 90 ’ I 65 i 13 78 1 87 i 1 69 ! 89 1 i 62 ' 14 76 : 88 I : 7fi ' 88 62 ! 15 I 83 i 90 1 80 90 i ! 64 1 1 16 84 89 i K) : 91 1 i i 17 75 1 i i 1 1 1 69 ! 18 71 1 ' 89 1 H9 j 70 19 79 ! 90 79 1 ;w i 69 .20 73 87 , 71 i 89 j 1 '1 i .95 21 75 77 76 j 79 70 1.79 22 82 87 1. 88 ! 70 23 8.3 81> 83 90 j 70 24 80 : 88 82 91 1 71 1 25 84 93 1 94 72 { 26 83 91 8;2 j 93 ; 70 27 8(* , 82 83 i 70 ; 1.50 28 I 75 1 80 i 72 1 80 70 f 1 ..5.5 29 1 , 79 85 : 72 86 : 68 1 1 .36 :io i 78 ; 75 1 73 i 78 71 .67 Average. 1 83.8 1 90.7 ! 78.3 ! 10.35 Maximum temperature 'rotal rainfall for month 10.35 inches. Minimum temperature 62' Average daily rainfall .3:15 X ?. ■' I ' ' ;, ">'h,'i'v ' •i.: . ■/' \ r%.l I v’‘.ir' SORGHUM. BULLETIN No, 12, OF THE Wm. C. Stubbs, Ph. D., IDIKECTOH KEXXEK, LA„ JAXUAEY, 1S8S. • ISSUED BY H:HOTvir»so]N .r. siKO. ■'OOMMISSIOXEK OF AC. KICULTUKE, BaTOX EOL'GE, LA. BATOX ROUGE ; PBIXTE'D BY LEOX JASTRKMSKI, STATE PRlXTfZR, 1888. SUGAK EXPJ':RLVrE]v'T STATION, ? Kouner, La. ^ Major T. J. ELixl, Ctwtuiesiomei’ of Afenculture., Baton Enuse, La.: Dtdr Sir — I hand you bercAvith a Bulletin oii Sorghiun, giving resiiltfc' of experiments made on this Station during the past year, and also a review of the progress of the Sorghum Industry in the United States. The lattei' was prepared by retpiest for the State Agricultural Swiety and read at its> last annual meeting in Shreveport. I^spectfnlly, C. S'J'UBBS, ]>irectoiv I SORGHUM. Three and a half decades have passed since Leonard Wray^ the great pioneer of sorghum iudusti’y, introduced into the United States Chinese sorghum and African Imphee. Along with the seed, came printed statements of the value of these plants and their adaptability to the economical production of sugar. Since that time they have had a checkered career. Buring the war, sorghum was largely cultivated in the South. It was manufactured in a crude way into a very indifferent syrup, which was highly prized by the Confederate soldier^ From its discovery up to the present time, granules of sugar have been occasionally found in barrels of sorghum syrup, and many predictions as to its becoming a valuable sugar making, plant, have been based alone upon these observed facts. In China, however, we are authoritatively told that though grown for several thousand years, it has never been used for either sugar or syrup making. The attempt to make sugar from sor- ghum has been almost exclusively confined to Americans. It is curious to find such contradictory opinions and opposite views positively asserted by the earlier writers on sorghum. Kothing definitely was known until 1878, when the Department of Agri- culture at Washington undertook the investigation of the plant and its products. Since that time, these investigations ' have continued with varying fortunes, until the grand culmination at Fort Scott, has announced such a decided success, as to create again the hope that the United States can grow all the sugar it consumes. It is even proposed from our Southern cane, sorghum and beets to produce sugar not only for home consump- tion, but an abundant surplus for export. That sorghum contains sucrose which under certain condi- tions, can be eliminated in as pure a form as that from sugar cane has been demonstrated time and again in the most authentic manner. Dr. Collier, the chemist who made the first investiga- tions in sorghum early became such an enthusiast that his ac- V [ 4 ] tioiis exasperated Ids chief and caused a separation. Con- vinced by the results of his official experiments, he boldly per- usisted that sorghum sugar could- be made for one cent per pound. Emboldened by these investigation, the States of New Jersey, Illinois, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Kansas, started at once factories for the manufacture of sugar from sorghum. Minnesota and Wisconsin were north of the sugar latitude, and only syrup could be made. Their seasons are too short to per' mit of that maturity so essential to the elaboration of sugar in the plant. Excellent syrup in large quantities continued how- ever to be a product of these States. The first results at the large sugar works at Champaign with their vacuum pan, hot rooms and centrifugals were so encouraging that a perfect thrill of delight permeated Illinois and remained till a subse- quent season demonstrated the capacity of only 40 lbs. of sugar to the ton of sorghum, when disappointment displaced delight, and her people and her factory “shut up.” In Kansas and New Jersey, where liberal State bounties were paid, the industry was more persistent. In New Jersey it has outlived the State bounty which expired by limitation two years since, while we find its' factory doing excellent work the past season under the able ad- ministration of Dris Cook & Neale. The Rio Grande Works near Cape ^lay, New Jersey, has been a series of failures. Starting eight years ago, with a paid up capital of $250,000, it modeled its works after those used in the manufacture of sugar torn cane. A few seasons of financial failures demonstrated, the folly of such works. The roller mills failed to extract one half of the juice in the sorghum, and disaster was inevitable. 'With courageous zeal, the intelligent managers, abandoned these works in the midst of sugar making, purchased a ditfusion plant of the Franco- German patent for beet roots, and tried to adapt it to sorghum. Result, another disastrous failure. Undaunted, they made another trial. Seeing the sorghum gradually grow- ing in sugar each year, and yielding under scientific influences ^to climate and soil, they knew that machinery coi Id be devised by which it could be profitably extracted. Experiments had. shown that diftusion extracts dark colored and bitter tasting compounds from the leaves and sheaths of unstripped canes., Avliicli make the products almost unsalable. Accordingly ma- chines were devised and coni^iructed b 3 ^ Avhicli the cane was rapidly stripped^ cleaned, cut and shredded. Such machines are now pronounced essential to the successful working of sor- ghum into sugar. The average yield per acre for five years up to last 3 "ear has been onl^^ 308 lbs. of sugar. Last y^ear it reach- ed an average of 1400 lbs., with a maximum of 1970 lbs. of first sugars, and llii gallons of molasses. The sorghum plant in China is poor in sngar^nd sensitive to frost. At Eio Grande it has been acclimatea so that it Avill stand (piite a severe frost with ice, and been educated to imbibe five times its normal dose of sugar. Such results so deservedly merited from the persistent energy of its intelligent managers, is exceedingly" gratifying especiail.y when it is remembered that State bounty was with- drawn two years ago. Encouraged by the prospects of diffusion extracting all the sugar from cane, the citizens of Ottawa, Kansas, led on by lion, AV. L. Parkerson, established at that point a few y-ears since a large and complete factory". It is merely necessary* to say- here that it failed, after the promise of great success. Convinced that only" a few more persistent and intelligent efibrts Avere needed to. Avrest from sorghum the sugar Avhich it contained this same Mr., Parkerson, repaired to Port Scott, and there erected the Parkerson Sugar Works, Avhosename and fame are iioav Avritten and spoken in e\^ery tongue. AYith national aid, liberally bestoAved, Avith scientific skill bending its energies upon one single accomplishment, Avith improved machinery erected for a sole purpose, the Parkerson Sugar AA^orks of Port Scott, Kansas, sounded its determined attack upon sorghum early- in the fall of ^ 80 , and millions of souls aAvaited the issue Avitb intense solicitude. The interest deepened as time Avore on, and the dailies with intelligent correspondents at the seat of Avar, Avere denounced for Avithholdiug the neAvs from Port Scott. Poreign countries^ had sent embassadors to iiiA-estigate and report upon this strange plant Avhich under the infiueiice of diffusion Avas to revolutionize the sugar world, add the name of Fort Scott to the commercial sugar marts upon tlie blackboards of sugar excbanges, aud make all Kansas rich and happy. It a pity to say failure to all these high hopes and bright anticipations, but the truthful chronicler of history has so recorded, and the chemist in charge has officially announced ‘^tlie absolute failure of the experiments to demonstrate the commercial practicability of manufacturing sorghum sugar’^ which fell upon our intelligent Commissioner of Agriculture ‘dike a wet blanket/’ to sny nothing of the chagrin and grief, amounting to almost discouragement Axhich followed. “Human fortitude is equal to human calamity” was one of the impressive sentences contained In the “farewell address” of Lee to his army at Appomattox, and its truth has been fully verified in the history of the Parkerson Sugar Works. Un- daunted by fiiilure, aud urged to renewed exertions by the un- just attacks of carping critics, the courageous managers calmly surveyed the field of disaster, reviewed the causes as far as known, and calmly resolved upon another trial. Defective and superiluops machinery was removed, uncertain or useless pro- cesses were eliminated, pet theories were abandoned and sim- plicity and pure science left to conduct a campaign, which has attained a success that finally -places sorghum sugar making among the profitable industries of this country. The success of ’87 at Fort Scott is due 1st, to the almost complete extraction of the sugars from the cane by difiusion. 2nd. The prompt and proper treatment of tlie juice in defecating and evaporating. 3d. The efficient manner in which the sugar was boiled to grain in the strike pan. According to the report of General Manager Parkerson, the- Gost of labor and fuel per ton of cleaned cane was $ 1 . The esti- mated cost of salaries, wear and tear of machinery etc., another dollar, making a total of two dollars per ton for manufacture. “Upon this basis with the same yield of cane and product se- cured this year, it requires but little figuring to show that we have developed a business of great interest and profit to our t5tate and nation,” is the conclusion of Mr. Parkerson. The total cane worked into sugar 2,643 tons ; tlie total sugar made 235,826 lbs.; or per ton of cane worked 8h.2 lbs. Xo second sugars were made — 'The sugar sold for 5J cents and netted 813,559 98 The State bounty was 2 cents per pound 4,71G 52 Total 17,276 50 'There were also 51,000 gallons (estimated) molasses at 20 cents 10,200 00 ^eed valued at 7,000 00 Value of total product 831,476 50 EXPENSES. Paid for cane and seed 8 9,614 00 Labor 5,737 16 Fuel 1,395 77 Salaries 3,500 00 Insurance, etc 1,500 00 Total expenses $21,746 00 Total value.. $34,476 50 Total expenses 21,246 93 Xet $13,229 57 Had the factory been in the South, and made the same yields, the account would have been different in the following : Xo State bounty ; an increase of cost of fuel, and a probable decrease in the price of molasses. There is however one feature of the above account which it is hard to realize : The cane with seed cost $9,614 00 The seed is valued at 7,000 00 iMakiug 2,643 tons cane cost only $2,614, or not quite $1 per ton. The financial success of the above, while highly gratifying to the manager, is not apparent upon close examination. The molasses and seed remain, and are estimated at $17,000. Since the company, as we learn, has closed its works for the coming season, it is fair to presume that some of its stockholders do not regard the enterprise as profitable. However, the prob- lem of making sugar from sorghum is solved, and the <|uestioii rs now only a commercial one. The following is an outline of the process at Fort Scott : 1st. The topped cane is delivered at the factory by the iarmers. 2nd. It is cut by a macliiiie into pieces 1 J inches long. 3d. The leaves and sheaths are sex^arated from the cut cani;" by fanning mills. 4th. The cleaned cane is cut into line chi'xis. oth. These chix)S are diffused in iron tanks with hot ivatexv dth. The defecation of juice by lime. 7th. Concentration to syrup in double effect. 8th. Cooked to grain in a high vacuum strike x^an, Oth. Purging of masse cuite by centrifugals. AVith the excexttion of the works at Sterling and Hutchin- son, Kansas, which were also failures, mention has been made of all the sorghum sugar factories in the Korth. SORGIIU3I IX THE SOUTH, Many speculations have been made as to the adaxffability of sorghum for sugar making in the South, but no systematic attempt, so far as the writer knows, has been made previous to the exxieriments began two jmars since on the Sugar Experiment Station, near Kew Orleans. The following are some of the con- clusions derived from two years of careful experiments : That sorghum, as a plant, is specially adapted to Louisiana, the (xuinea corn, a true sorghum, growing wild almost everywhere, without cultivation, fully attests. Several hundred analyses made on different varieties of sorghums grown on this Station show a much larger amount of sucrose, a smaller amount of glucose and a higher coefficient of x^Ri’ity than the x^^blished analyses of the cane grown Korth. Indeed grown here are remarkably high in sucrose and low in glucose. It is i)os. sible also of growing two crops a year, as has been done, by using the seed of some of the earlier varieties. The Station has-' groAvn ten different varieties, and has found that they vary in. tonnage, sugar content, period of ripening, and l)abitsof growth^ The Early Amber and Chinese varieties are too small to be prof- itable. The Honduras yields an enormous tonnage x^oor in sugar. Link’s Hybrid, India, Enyama, and Early Orauge^ are varieties which yield fair tonnage and large sugar contents. First and last, the Station has made a good deal of sugai - from sorghum, but it has eucoiiutered man}" difficulties, which only a careful scientillc investigation will overcome. Sorghum juice extracted by the mill is very impure, con- taining much starch, dextrine and kindred [)roducts, which are very objectionable and render the ordinary process of working sugar juices totally inapplicable. Starch is transformed by acids at all temperatures into dextrine and tlien into glucose/ Is only i)artially x^recipitated by lime. Dextrine is not i>recix^i- tated by any of the reagents used in the sugar house. In the l)resence of albuminoids ferments, fatty matter, etc., it causes a decomx>osition of the sucrose, x^roduciug fermentation of the lactic, butyric and viscous order. It is not crystallizable, but on the contrary accomx^anies the sugar to the strike pan, aug- menting the masse cuite and restraining the sugar from crystal- lization. The excess of dextrine in the sorghum juices, most of which, it is believed, comes from starch, whose grains ar(‘ rux^tured by the x^ressure of the mill ux^on the cane, is a standing obstacle to the successful manufacture of sugar all the way from juice to masse cuite. It x>i’events thorougli clarihcation by lime. It hinders filtration in the filter })ress, either when the scums alone or mixed with lignite, are treated. It x^i’Gvents crystallization in the x^^^^b excex)t ' at a high vacuum and low temx)erature, and it almost successlully resists the purging of the sugar crystals after the masse cuite gets cold. With mill juices^ therefore^ some defecating agent juust be discovered whereby these imx)urities can be removed before sorghum juices can be economically treated for sugar. Diffusion fails to extract anything like the same amount of im- Xmrities and its juices are much easier worked, exhibiting how- ever the same marked peculiarities, though in much lower de- gree. It may therefore be asserted that new and imxtroved methods of working sorghum are earnestly desired and will doubtless be soon forthcoming. Till then diffusion seems to be the only practicable method of extracting the juice. Fair clari- fication may be done with Tannic Acid and Lime. Concentra- tion should be done at once in vacuo, and cooking to grain must be done in a high vacuum and a low temx)erature. The crystals [ 10 ] are more easily purged wlien liot, taking even then twice or thrice tlie time required for cane sugar. EXPEEIMENTS IN SORailUM AT THE SUGAR EXPERIMENT STATION IN 1887. Seven varieties were used, viz : Honduras, Link’s Hy- luid, Enyama, White ]\Iammotli, White India, Early Orange and White Seeded variety, from Ephraim Link, of Greenville, Tenn. Last year a very early planting gave matured cane in July and August. Accordingly tliis year planting was deferred till April 2Ist at which time also the following manures well mixed, were applied to the plat of H acres: v 400 lbs. Cotton Seed ^NTeal, 300 lbs. Acid Phosphate, 100 lbs. Kainite. A fair stand was secured, but the excessive rains in June prevented further cultivation than a mere thinning of the plants, and one good plowing. August 1st analyses of the dif- ferent varieties began, which continued till grinding. Pesults are appended. [ 11 ] ANALYSES OF SORGHUMS. Variety. £ N r- 'c. 5 3 r I c: Sucrose. Glnco.se. Purity Coefficient. Glucose R.atio. Reni.ai'ks. Jloiiduva.s Aw]*- 1 9.6' i 4.8' 50. ISelected stalks “ Anjr. 17 11.1 1 6.6 3.8 59.46 .57 . 57 1 Cl u Alio-. ‘23 11.7 7.63.8 164.95 5(». Cl “ Aiifi’. ‘24112.8 1 8.34.88’64.84 22.65 Sept. 9ill.9 1 7.212.66 60.50 36.94 Cl ii Sept. SOilO.l 1 5. 312.. 50 j52.47 49.22 Mill juice Jjink’.s Hybrid Aui^’. lill.9 ! 5. (5 47.05 n An O'. 3 11.9 I 8.94.45 74.79 16.29 cc i ; An O'. 9 14.4 i 8.2 4.70 56.94 20.73 «... i c Au}>'. 10! 1*2. 61 10. 8 ! 1.14 85.71 10.5,5 cc i c Ang. 12!i1.3 8.04.33 70.79 16.62 cc i i Aug. 16115.7 42.3 .90 78.34 7.31 «J Cl Ang. 17llG.2;13.2 .74 81.48 5.60 cc Cl Aug. 24115.3,12-5 1.05 81.69 8.4 1 C i Sept. 944.7 11.41 .91 77 . 55 7.98 cc “ Sept. 24 14.1 ;10.61 .94 75.17 8.86jMill juice White Mniiiiiiotli Aug. 1 14.2 8,3 ,58.45 ISelected stalks “ Ang. ‘2344.6 11.0 2.00 75.34 18.18 ! “ cl Sept. 944.4 10. 8j 1.50 75 . 13.88! i Cl C i Sept. 27 43.7 9.64.21 70.07 12,C0!Mill juice India Ang. 114. 4 9.7! 67 . 36 iSeleet^d st.allcs Ang. 20^12.21 9.5l i!64 77.87 17.26! Cl Cl • Ang. 2442. 2* 9.3' 2. ‘20 76.23 23.65! c c cl Sept. 944. 842-1 1.10 81.75 9 . 99l Cl “ Sept. 2814.6|10.14.04 69 . 17 10.29 Mill juice Eai'ly OraDO'e Ang. 1 1 1 7, 6.5 55 . 55 . . . . . Splf^fted Kt-alks * iC Ang. 24|l3.5il0.5 1.40 77.77 1 3,33 1 C i Cl Sept. 9 15.842.0i2. 66 75.95 ‘22.16 cc Ci Sept. 2943.71 8.9! 3,20 64.96 35.95 Mill juice E n Y a 1 M a An O'. 146.6:10.5! 63. ‘25 Selected stalks An O'. 2345.8111.9 2.70 75.31 22.69 cc Sept. 9 16.h113.5' .90' 80. 95 6.661 cc 'Wiiite Seeded Sept. 943.91 9.8‘ .98! 70.. 50 10. i cl [ 12 ] From above, wc lind a great difference in the time of in a- turity of tlie varieties used as well as in the content of sucrose and glucose at maturity. The falling off* in sucrose of the same varieties from their sugar content of last year is also very nota- Me. This was very astounding in the Honduras. Last year it polarized as high as 14.2 per cent in selected stalks, and 0.7 per cent in the mill juices. Sept. 14th. This year the highest polari- zation was 8.25 per cent in selected stalks, and only 5.3 per cent m mill juice, Sept. 30. AVas this due to the late planting and the excessive subsequent rains which quickly pushed them to ma- turity. AA'hatever the cause the fact remains that the average sugar content this year is fully 33|- per cent below that of last year. Only small (jiuantities of Enyania and Link’s AVhite Seeded were planted, and hence analyses were made ot these only on se- lected stalks. The other live varieties Avere each passed separately through the sugar house, AA’itli the folloAving results : SU( i All HOUSE EESULTS. link’s hybriu. Yield per acre, 12 tons. Alill extraction, 01 per cent. Seed tops of stripped cane, 7.5 per cent. Alasse cuite not Aveighed. Masse cuite yielded 55 per cent iiuAvashed sugar, aaEIiOi polar- ized 94 per cent. It aanis grained in the strike pan by withdraAA - ing the heat, forming a large number of small grains. WHITE MAW3IOTH. Yield per acre, 12.50 tons. Alill extraction, 00.50 per cent. Seed tops of stripped cane, 3.00 per cent. Masse cuite per ton. 143.00 lbs. Masse cuite yielded 47 .20 per cent of unwashed sugar. Grain- ed in pan like Link’s Hybrid. INDIA. Y’^ield per acre, 11.25 tons. Mill extraction, 5i) per cent. ■ Seed tops of stri})ped cane, 7.8 per cent. Masse cuite not AAmighed. Alasse cuite ^gave 57 per cent of unwashed sugar. Grained i;i pan like above. [ 13 ] EARLY ORANGE. Yield per acre, 12.25 / Mill extraction, 00 per cent Seed tops of stripped cane, 8.8 per cent. Masse cuite not weighed. HONDURAS. Yield per acre, 15.01 tons. Mill extraction, 05 per cent. Seed tops of strii)j[3ed cane, 0.0 per cent. The sugar was so low in this, that it was made at once into syruj), which sold at 37 cents per gallon. Our trouble in the sugar house arose from the large amount of dextrine and starch present, which prevented clarihcation, hin- dered filtration, irritated the sugar boiler in his attempt to grain ill the pan, and almost defied successful purging in the cen- trifugal, especially when the masse cuite became cool. With the exception of the Early Orange, which was overripe, all the va- rieties made into sugar were exceedingly low in glucose. In- deed with high inirity coefficients and low glucose ratios, it was almost exasperating to encounter unexpected difficulties all Xhrough the manufacture. The small area in sorghum and the limited number of experiments, prevented any extended eftbrts in eliminating our difficulties. Much information was gained wffiich will be of iiractical benefit next season. Our largest yield "was about 70 lbs. sugar to ton of cane upon a 00 per cent ex- traction. A goodly quantity of sugar was made first and last, but much of it was wasted in our improvised efibrts to expedite manufacture. Will sorghum then be a sugar producing plant? We an- swer yes. There are many varieties of sorghum, some of them, quite rich in sugar. This plant easih’ assumes new varieties under changed conditions. Let the best varieties be selected and crossbred with the single purpose of making sugar, saving no seed except from stalks showing a high per ceutage of sugar and low per centage of other solids. Use such manures and such cultivation as will aid in the attainment of our end, and we verily believe a true sugar bearing and sugar yielding sorghum of fixed habits may be obtained. Thus the sugar beet has and is being developed. ..'v/ ■ • , .' Vi- , f. •/■ I ■V •»!.'■ \ u ■ \ i - 1 COTTON AND ITS PRODUCTS. BULLETIN No. 13 OF THE Ixtieriinent Itatioii BATON ROUGE, LA. ■\YM. C. STUBBS, PH. D., Dieectoe. ISSUED BY THOMPSON J. BIRD, €ommissioner of Agriculture, Baton Rouge, La. LA. STATE UNIVERSITY & A. & M. COLLEGE, ? Batox Rouge, La. Major T. J. Bird, Com. of Agriculture, Baton Rouge, La. Dear Sir : I hand you herewith a Bulletin on Cotton, covering the essay read before Louisiana State Agricultural Society at its late meeting in Shreveport, together with results of experiments and some suggestions as to the use of Paris Green in destroying the cotton worm. I also include a re- ceipt for making the compost, so frequently called for. The issue of this Bulletin as you know, has been unavoidably delayed. Respectfully submitted. WM. C. STUBBS. COTTON. Cotton belongs to a large class of i^lanrs, known to tbe botanists as Malvacae. Of this class, beside cotton, we have in cultivation the okra and the hollyhock. There are said to be many species of cotton — two of which only are cultivated in the south — the one upland or common cotton ; ‘-Gossipium Herba- ceum,” the other “Sea Island cotton,’’ “Gossipium Barbadense.'” The latter is cultivated only on the coast or neighboring islands, while the former constitutes the chief staple of the Southern States. The bloom of upland cotton is white or cream colored the first) day, turning red on the next and falling on the third,, leaving a small boll enveloped in the calyx. This boll contin- ues to develop until it reaches the size and shape of an egg,, when on maturity it splits into three to five cells, containing the seed, wrapped in a tomentose wool. This wool constitutes the lint or fibre which clothes the world. HABITUDES. Cotton is emphatically a child of the sun and flourishes only in warm latitudes. Its heliotropic tendencies are even more marked than the poetical sunflower. Its leaves receive the first glow of morning light and following the king of dny, dismiss it at eve in the west with dewy regrets. With us it is an annual herb. Further south it appears to be a shrub, while under the tropics it is a small tree, enduring many years. It is en exogenous plant, with two seed leaves and a long tap root. Among our field crops it stands w ithout a fellow — alone — and peculiar in its habits and characteristics. Its nearest relation among our cultivated plants, as before mentioned, is the okra, with which it crosses, to form some of the many evanescent va- rieties oI‘ okra-cotton, now' on the market. By its long, deep tap 4 inotj it is eoabled to withstand droughts and to pump up from t lie lower layers of the soil, plant food, unavailable to fibrous rooted plants, which is quickly assimilated by its large leaf sur- face. Hence it thrives better on poor land than any other land than any other field crop. Formerly cotton wms not grown north of the isothermal line 30 degrees, but under the influence of phosphatic manures, its cuitlvatiou in late years has been extended several degrees be- yond this line. The region best adapted to successful culture is included between the 30th and 3oth degrees of north latitude. >’crth of this belt the seasons are too precarious, while south of it, excessive rains and depredations of the caterpillar greatly interfere with large production. PLANTING AND CULTIVATION. The soil best adapted to cotton is yet not fully decided. ( ; ay loams, well drained and sandy loams, resting upon clay subsoils are both highly recommended. Both should contain a fair amount of vegetable matter. The width of the rows and the distance apart of the stalks in the row^, must depend upon the fertility of the soil and the rain supply. In poor lands or on soils subject to drouth during fruiting season, thin planting must be practiced to obtain the largest results. Mr. David Dickson, the great cotton planter of Heorgia, now no more, always contended that cotton needed distance onlj^ one way. If, therefore, the rows were wide, it could be crowded in the drill and vice versa. Deep and thorough preparation of soil, followed by pulveri- ization should always precede planting. The planting should be done by some of the excellent and cheap cotton planters now to be everywhere found, since only the machine will give that uniform and straight stand, which so facilitates the subsequent chopping. It furthermore economizes the seed, a point of great importance, when the true value of this article as a manure and feed stuff is appreciated. The first plowing of cotton may be as deep and thorough as possible, but all subsequent workings ought to be as shallow aa the character of the land will permit, since root-breaking to this plant is almost a disaster. After every heavy rain the soil should be stirred and during drought a shallow implement run just deep enough to break the coutiii- uit3' of the pores of the soil and to form an upper laj'er, wliieh shall act as a mulch to conserve the moisture in the soil, has often been found highly' benehcial. GRASS is an enemy of the cotton planter and should never be permitted (if possible to prevent) to oldain possession of his fields. In cotton as in all other crops the hoe should be used as little as possible. It is an element of cost excessive to bear and with this plant often causes the disease known as sore shin-’ bj^ break- ing or removing the epidermis of the tender stalk in the effort of the hoemen to remove the last spire of grass. When to plant must be decided b}" the climate and by tie character ot the soil. When the ground is warm enough to promptly germinate the seed and give a vigorous healthy plant, then the seed can be wisely trusted in the earth. This is usually the case in this latitude in April. Planting in May is often hazardous, on account of the delay in germination, due to the prevalence of drouths at this period. When May planting is i^racticed, the seed should be covered rather deeplj^ and firmed with a light roller. A practice prevails among some of our progressive planters to plant late and highly fertilize. By this means they claim a crop of grass, which so frequently infests an earlj- planting, is destro3"ed, the costly" hoe labor avoided and the plant pushed quickly into vigor b}^ the underlying fertilizer, soon occupies th& ground and renders the after culture both simple and inexpen- sive. As a rule, it is best to plant poor unfertilized lands earfy and rich or highly fertilized lands late. The manures for cotton. The composition of cotton is uet;r cent, of ammonia, ten per cent, of available phosphoric acid, and two per cent, of potash is specially adapted to cotton. These ingredients in the above proportions are furnished in the best form by a mixture of 100 bushels of cotton seed, 100 bushel^ of stable manure, one ton of acid i^hosphate, composted in the lo’oper manner. In fact, the intelligent and i)rogressive farmers of (Georgia and Alabama prefer this to any other fertilizer. It not only supjdies the above ingredients in most available forms, but restores to the laud a considerable amount of humus so essential to large production. Compost, compost, is the word. The modern Olympus is a oompost heap and the God enthroned on it is called Jupiter Ammoniac. In the absence of cotton seed and stable manure, the above ingredients maybe furnished in the mixture of 700 pounds of <.*otton seed meal, 1,100 pounds of acid phosphate, 200 pounds of kainit, which is fally the equal of the best guanos on our market and may be obtained either mixed or unmixed at any of the factories in New Orleans. Experiments in Louisiana, made at the station, and by planters, under the direction of the station, have proven the adaptability of the above mixtures to our soils. On lands badly worn and very deficient in vegetable matter? 7 the seed and meal can be advantageously doubled. While on lands, with a tendency to excessive weed, they may be decreased even to obliteration, using only ucid phosphate and kainit. Varieties of cotton. There are many so-called varieties of cotton on our market and each year adds to the already extended list. Some few have great merit, while others are utterly worth- less. Last year the station grew twenty-two so-called varieties and carefully compared, first, the yield per acre ; second, weight of 100 bolls j third, the per centage of lint, and fourth, length ofstaple with actual market value. The utter absence of merit of any kind was the conspicuous feature of most of them. In yield there was no decidedly marked difference. The weight of 100 bolls varied from sixteen to twen- ty-five ounces. The number of seed per bushel was from 95,000 to 140,000. The per cent, of lint varied from 24 to 37 per cent. The valuable lesson of these experiments, which are published in full at the end of tliis Bulletin, is the difference in the yield of lint, showing the folly of growing a variety which will yield only 24 i^er cent of lint, when a yield of 37 per cent is obtaina- ble by another variety. In length of staple the difference was quite small, as attested by the New Orleans market, where each variety was carefully sold on its merits, bringing 8|^c. and lO^c. as the lowest and highest prices. CONDITIONS FOR A GOOD CROP OF COTTON. Thorough drainage, fair stock of vegetable matter in the land, excellent preparation of the soil, good seed properly planted, judicious manuring, both in quantity, quality and mode of appli- cation, early culture, deep and thorough, after culture frequent and as shallow as possible for good work, a laying by as early as is consistent with cleanliness and good condition and worms quickly poisoned as they appear. All these things being accom- plished, nature will do the rest, and a reasonably large crop may be confidently exiiected. The following, taken from the Atlanta Constitution, shows what has been done in Georgia the past year. Can’t Louisiana with her fertile soil do as well ? .8 We print this morning tJie list of awards in the third annual contest for }ueininms offered by Geo. W. Scott & Co. These i)reiuiuin8 are of the best five acres in cotton, the besfc single acre in cotton, and the best single acre in corn — all to be fertilized with Gossypium Phosj)ho. The awards show that Mr. Robert G. Kay, of Douglas county, raised 9,G88 pounds of cotton on five acres ; George W. Truitt, of La Grange, 8,666, and Mr. J. T. Wyatt, of Jasper county,5050. On a single acre 2dr. James W. Mason, of Palmetto, raised 2677 pounds; Mr. R. G. Ray, 2556; Mr. George W. Truitt, 2,087 ; Mr. J. H. Widuer, of Coweta county, 1,775, and Mr. Small- price, of Sumpter county, 1,682. Mr. Mason and Mr. Ray took over five bales of five hundred pounds each from a single acre. Now, what does this mean ? Mr. Ray raised twenty bales of cotton of five hundred pounds each, on five acres. The average througdiout Georgia last year was one bale to three acres, so that the average Georgia farmer occupied sixty acres with a crop to get what Mr. Ray took from five acres. The average farmer had to plow, plant aud cultivate sixty acres, while Mr. Ray cultivated five acres and got the same amount of cotton. He used fifty-one hundred pounds of fertilizer on the five acres, which cost him ,f70. The cotton yielded him $970. Not only was he saved the labor of cultivating fifty-five surplus acres, but those acres were either lying fallow or were put down in grass or other crops. Mr. Truitt, who this year took eighteen bales of five hundred pounds each from five acres, is cultivating less land than he cultivated five years ago. He got more cotton from it this year than ever befoie, aud has three hundred tons of ]^y for sale besides. These farmers have reduced their cotton acreage from sixty acres to five, and have put the other fifty-five acres into other crops. This, it seems to us, is the secret of successful farming. COMPOSITION OF THE COTTON PLANT. A five hundred iiound bale of lint cotton will require fifteen' hundred pounds of air dried seed cotton.” Of the latter one- third, or five hundred pounds is lint, another third or five hun- dred pounds is hulls and the remaining five hundred pounds is- kernels. To produce this fifteen hundred pounds of seed cotton, there will be required five hundred pounds of leaves, fifteen hundred pounds of stalks, five hundred i:)ounds of roots and five hundred pounds of bolls and burrs. In other words to produce a five hundred pound bale of lint cotton, an acre must produce forty-five hundred pounds of vegetable matter, or two and a quarter tons. To produce this amount the following mineral ingredients will be required : Phosphoric acid, j)otash, lime, magnesia, sulphuric acid, oxide of iron, chlorine, soda and silica. ' 9 lu other words a soil must furnish the above ingredients be- sides a goodly amount of nitrogen to make a five hundred pound bale ot cotton. But fortunately most soils hold large contents of all these in- gredients and supply them abundantly to all plants, except phosphoric acid, jiotash and nitrogen. To supply these needed ingredients is the prime object of manuring. But when the cot- tcm planter makes the proper disposition of the products of cot- ton, let us see how far he needs the aid of manure to maintain the original fertility of his soils. The leaves and capsules should be permitted to fall to the ground and not removed, as is usual, by the depredations of half starved cattle. The stalks should be knocked down and plowed under instead of being destroyed by fire. The seed should be returned to the soil, or else when sold to the oil mill their equivalent in a first class com- mercial fertilizer should be purchased. When all this is done only the trifling loss of about one-half pound of phosphoric acid and two pounds of potash is sustained to each acre. Theoreti- cally, then, cotton is’the least exhausting crop grown, but how is it in practice! Unfortunately the decennial census returns cry out in thunder tones against us and tell the world in convincing- figures that our acre yields are fast decreasing under constant cropping in cotton. Our soils are being rapidly depicted and exhaustion will sooner or later come, unless we stop the numer- ous leaks now found on many cotton plantations. Wisdom and economy Avould suggest the careful return to the soil of every product of cotton save the lint. But there are two incidents in cotton growing which tend in themselves to soil depletion, which are usually overlooked by the agricultural chemist, ^and rarely appreciated by the planter. First. Cotton is planted in early spring and harvested in late fall, its period of growth extending through the entire summer and much of the fall. During this period of growth with clean culture under hot suns, nitrification is most intense and with it a rapid oxidation of the vegetable matter of the soil. This partially explains why cotton is the most profitable crop on poor land, but it also tells in plainer language, that the vegetable mould ^‘humus,” so essential to fertility, is fast disappearing and with it soil nitrogen. Even 10 onr rich alluvial lands once thought inexhaustible, from this cause, coupled with the baneful practice of selling cotton seed, are now responding in gratifying returns to the well directed use of nitrogenous manures. A croi^ of pea vines turned under every second or third year would aid materially in restoring this lost humus. Second — Cotton is removed in late fall and our lands are left naked, unoccupied and exposed to the drenching rains of our semi-tropical winters, and much of the finer material, which furnishes the plant food in all soils is washed away, and a good- ly quantity of plant food is carried so far down into the soil as to be forever beyond the reach of plants, even the tap root of cotton. The first loss is very severe in rolling or hilly lands, as is shown by the numerous furrowed hillsides which everywhere meet the eye of the traveller through the South Atlantic States. The second loss is greatest in sandy lands and least in clay. It has been clearly demonstrated that a loss of soil fertility will always occur whenever lands are left in bare fallow. A i^lant suitable for occupying the ground between the gathering of one crop and the planting of another, would be an inestimable boon to the cotton planter. Oats sown in the cotton in August or September and lightly harrowed in ; or planted in October and November, after the cotton has been harvested affords only a partial remedy. UTILIZATION OF THE PRODUCTS OF COTTON. The cotton fibre can be bred up just as a breed of horses can be improved,” says Mr. Thomas Pry, who has been for eleven years studyiug the cotton fibers in the cotton fields of China, India, Arabia, Egypt, Mexico and America, and there is no apparent reason why our staple should not improve each year. Instead of that, little or no effort is made at improvement, and dirty cotton, badly packed, is to-day as common as years ago. This should not be. Care is necessary all through a cotton crop, and will pay here as everywhere else. Perhaps this indiff* erence arises from a knowledge of the vast amount of specula- tion between the planter and consumer. A rehearsal of a few 11 may be apropos to this occasion : First, our compulsion to use the patent heavy iron bands made by a monopoly stock compa- ny, with millions of capital, upon which they pay enormous div- idends, when neat steel wire bands, at one-fourth the cost would secure our cotton ; second, putting up our cotton in loose, large, and ungainly bales, that every factor in every city through which it passes may get his pound or two of sample, and the compress its fee for compressions. Follow a bale of cotton from the planter to the consumer, through the number of rings which fatten on it, drag it through the mud and slush with an ignorant careless drayman, expose it to rain on rail and boat, dump it on a muddy, unsheltered wharf, store it in some dirty warehouse until the call of the inspector of some factory, who takes it in hand, cuts the coverings, removes the outside soiled cotton until all is as white and clean as lint from the gin, and samples again this much sampled bale 5 then the cotton is weighed, the weight of covering, ties and soiled cotton deducted, and the consumer buys at this weight. Be not deceived farmers and planters, when you think you are getting paid for your bagging and ties and mud and water on your cotton. Far from it ; the middle^men know too well the shrinkage and peculation in which they share, to pay just enough for your cotton to cover all deductions and leave them handsome profits, Mr. Edward Atkinson who has carefully studied the subject, declares that there is a loss of 10 per cent, in waste between the planter and consumer, in the manner of handling our crop, or upon our present crop, over $30,000,000. Were political carpet-baggers robbing us of ten i)er cent, of our pro- ducts, a howl of indignation, followed by a i^olitical revolution, would spread over this State. Yet we submit to this extensive loss, with scarcely a murmur of complant. Great reforms are needed in the improvement of the lint, the proper preparation of it for market, and more than all, the proper marketing of it. COTTON SEED. Each 500 pound bale of cotton gives 1,000 pounds of cotton 5 eed. Estimating our present crop at 6 , 000,000 bales, gives us 3,000,000 tons of seed. Formerly these seed were permitted to 12 rot at the ginhonse, till au accident revealed their mauurial qualities. Later, oil mills sprang into existence and the oil was expressed from the kernels. These oil mills, while they have been bonanzas of i:>rofit, have yet been in the past the only in- structor of the farmer as to the value of seed. Deprecating their value for home purposes, they have managed to obtain seed at prices far below their value. However, the value of the pro- ducts of cotton seed are now so well known that the time seems near when the seed shall equal the lint in price. Every ton of seed yields 22 pounds of short lint at 8 cents, 81.32 ; 35 gallons of oil at 32 cents, 811.20 • 700 pounds of meal at 81.00, 87.00 j 1,000 pounds of hulls at 83.00 5 total per ton, 822.52 ; cost of seed in Xew Orleans, 812.00, or nearly 810.52 for each ton man- ufactured. To a mill working 100 tons per day, surely a hand- some profit. The mills in New Orleans pay 812.00 per ton for seed delivered. What the farmer receives depends upon his lo- cation and accessibility to market. But what are they worth to him as a manure? Cotton seed contains 3 per cent of nitrogen, 1.4 i^er cent phosphoric acid, and 1.14 per cent of potash. Ap' Ijlying the commercial tarifi' adopted by the association of offi- cial chemists in the South, we have a mauurial value of 811.01 per ton. In other words, if he sells his seed and buys commer- cial fertilizer he would have to pay this much, by this tariff, for the ingredients contained in it. But the seed contains about 30 per cent, of oil which is of no value as a manure, and when' ever they are used as such, the oil is simply lost. True patri- otic economy would therefore suggest that the oil be extracted. In doing so however, two conditions should be imperatively ob- served. First, that the farmers should share in the heretofore enormous profits of the mills, and second, an equivalent in plant food to the seed sold, should be annually replaced in a good commercial fertilizer. Observing these, 875,000,000 could an. nually be added to the wealth of our country by the sale of five- sixths of our seed, after reserving one sixth for planting, and na detriment would accrue to our soil fertility. The large amount of oil in the seed makes it objectionable as a cattle food, and no combination with other foods can reduce it to the amount required for a perfect ration, w^hile one of its. 15 products, cotton seed meal, is the l>est supplement known for foods deficient in x)rotein and fats. This, our English farmers have long known, and the ];)rice of our oil cake is regulated by the demand of English stock raisers. Highh' instructive to the thoughtful planter is the seemingly paradoxical lesson taught us across the ocean, that the manure from a ton of cotton meal is worth more than the meal, the distinguished English chemist giving the value to the farmer of 827.G0 per ton, while the latter is delivered at $25.00. The cattle have added nothing to the meal, on the contrary, they have extracted what was necessary to make flesh and blood, and voided nearlj^ all of the fertilizing ingredients in a form easily assimilated by plants. True econo- my Avould therefore suggest the use of cotton meal first as a feed stuff’ and then as a manure. When the cotton planter realizing what a bonanza of wealth there is in his seed, shall add to his X)lanting the more profitable business of stock raising, there will come that day of i^rosperity which the poet in fancy has painted and which the true student of agriculture has i:)redicted as the legitimate natural inheritance of a land so peculiarly blessed as ours. Cotton seed meal is largely used as a fertilizer, either alone or mixed with phosphate and potash. Experiments have demon- strated that the nitrogen of meal is fully the equal of that in any other form, and to-day thousands of tons of commercial fer- tilizers are vended with meal as their only source of nitrogen, Neither as a manure or as a food stuff should it be used alone, but in proper combinations it is a specific almost without a rival. There are now nearly one hundred oil mills in the South turning out annually about 30,000,, 000 gallons of oil. The query arises, what are they doing with this vast amount ? The recent move- ment against the great corporation which a year ago bought up nearly all the oil mills in this country, have thrown a world of light on this interesting subject. The pork packers of the West have loaded this monopoly with invectives, and thrown the in- fluence of their great w^ealth against it, because, forsooth, they made them pay five cents per gallon more for their oil with which they adulterated their lard. Messrs. Armour & Co. are reported as using annually as much as 8,000,000 gallons alone in their 14 business. The result to us is a large number of rival oil mills ^ increased prices for our seed and cheap lard. Cotton seed oil is almost identical in composition with olive oil, and is largely used to adulterate it. So great has been this adulteration that the Italian government a year or two ago levied a heavy tariff on the importation of cotton seed oil ; since which time our olive oil has been made in New York. This oil is largely used in the South and West as a substitute for lard. Only prejudice can object to it since it is pure as olive oil and much purer than lard from hogs which have been unnaturally fed for adipose tissue. It iSy however consoling to know that those whose refined tastes and delicate stomachs, will not tolerate cotton seed oil in their foods will have hereafter to raise their own hogs in order to obtain pure lard, and such a prejudice may after all transfer our smoke houses from the West to the South, where they ought always to have been. This adulteration of Northern lard with Southern oil has aroused Northern indignation, and already petitions have been presented to Congress, for a law to prevent it, while their righteous souls can find no harm in mixing Northern glucose with Louisiana molasses and sugar, and vending the mixture under the name of the latter. Cotton seed oil is used as a burning oil in mines and as a lubricant. After treatment it is used as a paint oil, its drying properties equaling linseed oil. It is also successfully used in replacing olive oil in i^harmaceutical preparations. Hulls, which constitute one-halt the seed, are burned under the boilers and furnish more fuel than is needed. Used with cotton seed meal they furnish a complete ration for cattle and stockmen assert that the two properly combined will add two to four pounds a day to a full grown beef. They are also used as a litter in stables. As a fertilizer they are inferior, containing a small amount of nitrogen and large excess of woody fibre, which prevent early decay in the soil- When burnt, they give an ash rich in ijotash, and with a fair proportion of phosphoric acid. These ashes are in considerable request as a fertilizer upon the soils of New England and New Jersey, where potash manures are badly needed. Upon the tobacco fields of Connecticut they are eagerly sought and highly prized. They are* little used in 15 the South, our supply going mainly to the Korth at low prices. The cotton plant produces other valuable materials besides those already mentioned. The bark of the stalk makes a fibre of great beauty and high tension. The stalk makes an excellent pulp for coarse paper. Even the plant, after the seed has been picked might be cured into a rough hay. It has been proposed to ensilage the ground stalk with green fodder, with the expec- tation of the latter dissolving the former. The root yields a medicine described in the Pharmacopoea, well known to our untutored negroes. A dye has also been obtained from the same source, which is said to be of great promise. And now, in conclusion, permit me to say that no other crop has, within it so much promise and potency as that which we of the South have so long deified as king cotton. It clothes the world with the cheapest and best garments; it furnishes the lard for our kitchen, the oil for our salad, the butter for our bread, the soap for our toilet, and the candle for our bed-room. It feeds our Jersey cow, it fertilizes our garden and field-crops. It paints our houses, dyes our hosiery and makes our ointments. It fur- nishes us with paper, delicate enough to receive the sweetest strains of whispered love, or strong enough for the wheels of the ponderous locomotive. It gives us thread as fine as the spider’s silken web, or strong enough to lash the navies of the world together. Such, now, is this wonderful plant, and who can deny the magnificent possibilities of its future ? MANURES FOR COTTON. The experiments begun in 1886 have been continued with slight modification through 1887, though not with the success expected. The excessive rains of June destroyed the cotton on some plats which were badly drained and prevented an accurate comparison of results. The following were the questions pro. pounded to our experiments : 1st. What ingredients of commercial manures do our soils need for the successful production of cotton. Having determined this we have. 2nd. What form of these ingredients was most beneficial to cotton. 16 3rd. What quantity produced the best results. The first question is asked directly in plat 5 and incidentally in them all. The second and third questions are answered as to nitrogen in plat 5, as to phosphoric acid in plat 6, and as to pot- ash in plat 7. Plat 5 was devoted to nitrogenous manures, using the following as sources of nitrogen, viz : Nitrate of soda, 15 per cent, nitrogen ; sulphate of ammonia, 21 per cent, nitrogen ; dried blood, 10 per cent nitrogen *, cotton seed meal, 7 per cent, nitrogen j fish scrap, 10 per cent, nitrogen, and tankage, 7 per cent nitrogen. The first and second are minerals, the fourth vegetable and the rest animal forms. Besides the above, a mixture of nitrate of soda, sulphate of ammonia and cotton seed meal, called mixed nitrogen ” is also used. Such quantities of each are used alone and in combina- tion as to represent equal quantities of nitrogen and each are used alone and in combination in quantities representing lOJ and 21 pounds of nitrogen per acre. The following are the experi* PLAT Y. NITROGENOUS MANURES (calculated to the acre.) No raauure. 140 lbs. Nitrate of Soda. 100 lbs. Sulphate of Ammouia. 210 lbs Dried Blood. 300 lbs Cotton Seed Meal. 210 lbs Fish Scrap. 280 lbs Acid Phosphate. 80 11)S Muriate potash. 300 lbs Cotton Seed Meal 280 lbs Acid Phosphate. 300 lbs Cotton Seed Meal. 80 lbs Muriate Potash. No Manure. 280 lbs Acid Phosphate ? 80 lbs Muriate Potash ^ 70 lbs Nitrate Soda. ' Mixed Minerals. 140 lbs Nitrate Soda. Mixed Minerals. Mixed Minerals. ( 50 lb Sulphate of Ammouia. I Mixed Minerals. 100 lbs. Sulphate of Ammouia. Mixed Minerals. Mixed Minerals.. No Manure. ments : Expt. No. 1. Expt. No. 2. Expt. No. 3. Expt. No. 4. Expt. No. 5. Epxt. No. 6. Expt. No. 7. Expt. No. 8- Expt. No. 9. Expt. No. 10. Expt. No. 11. Expt. No. 12. Expt. No. 13. Expt. No. 14. Expt. No. 15. Expt. No. 16. Expt. No. 17. Expt. No. 18 Expt. No. 19. 'Mixed Minerals (see page 22) 17 Expt. Expt. Kxpt. Expt. Expt. Expt. Expt. Efc:pt. Expt. Expt. Expt. Expt. Expt. Expt. Expt. Expt. Expt. No. 20. No. No. No. No. No. No. 21 . ' ( 'M. 23. 1 i 24. 25. 2G. No. 27. No. No. 28. 22 . r No. 30. (■ 105 11)R. Dried Blood. Mix d Minerals. 210 ibs Dried Blood. Mix( d Minerals. Mixed Minerals. 1.50 lbs Cotton Seed Meal. Mix si Minerals. 300 lbs Ccrtton Seed Meal. Mix d Minerals. Mixt'd Idinerals. 105 bs Eisli Scrap. ;Mix» d Minerals. 210 bs Fish Scrap. Mix d Minerals. Mixed Minerals. No Man nr© . 24 lbs Nitrate Soda ^ Iti ll'.s Sulphate Aaiimonia .50 lbs Cotton Seed Meal ( Mix; d Minerals j Mixed Nita’ogcn, f 47 1 bs Nitrate Soda -,yr I 33 os Sulphate Ainmoiiia J\o. oi. Cotton Seed Meal [Mix 'd rdinerals No. 32. Mix d Minerals. ^ .,o S 150 bs Taukag'o. iMO. .) 0 . ^ -gQ bs Muriate Potash. .1 I 3(K) bs Tankage. INO. ^ Muriate potash. No. 35. 300 1 ,)s Tankage. No. 36. No I aunre. ] ) Mixed Nitrogen, J The d estruct on of a iiortiou of the above experiments by the excess ive rail s, prevented an accurate comparison of the seemingly discort ant results. lienee the latter are not given. It was quite evident however, that the organic nitrogen gave better results the a the mineral forms on this soil and crop. The excessive rains st em to have leached the latter beyond the reach of the roo: s in tli* early growth of the plant. Dried Blood and (’otton Seed 31 ea fsppe’ared to have pTOdneed slightly better re- sults tliaii the otl er forms of Organic Nitrogen. The present year, plats better d ained have been selected for a continuation of these experime its, and they will be repeated both at Baton Bongo and Oallioan. There yere slightly increased. ix^snlts where doubh^ (piantities of Hitrogen were used j iierliaps not enough to justify increased expeilse. '^Mixed Minerals aboye always mean 280 lbs. Acid ITiosphatc, 80 lbs. Muriate I’otasli. 18 PLAT VI. niospiiORic ACID MANURES, (calciilateil to the acre.) No Manure. 280 11)8. Dissolved Bone Black. 280 lbs. Acid Phosphate. 280 lbs. Bone Meal. 280 lbs. Charleston Floats. 300 lbs. Cotton Seed Meal, ^ ^ nr- i. « 80 lbs. Muriate Potash, _ ] > Mixture. 140 lbs. Dissolved Bone Black. Basal Mixture. 280 lbs. Dissolved Bone Black. Basal Mixture. Basal Mixture. No Manure. 140 lbs. Acid Phosphate. Basal Mixture. 280 lbs. Acid I’hosphate. Basal Mixture. Basal Mixture. 140 lbs. Precipitated Dis. Bone Black. Basal Mixture. 280 lbs. Precipitated Dis. Bone Black Basal Mixture. Basal Mixture. 140 lbs. Precipitated Acid Phosphate. Basal Mixture. 280 lbs. Precipitated Acid Phosphate. Basal Mixture. Basal Mixture. No Manure. 140 lbs. Bone Meal. Basal Mixture. 280 lbs. Bone Meal. Basal Mixture. Basal Mixture. bs. Charleston Floats. 1 Mixture. Basal Mixture. 90 lbs. Gypsum. Basal Mixture. Basal Mixture. No Manure. The phosphalic nianui’es used above were represented by Dissolved Bone Blatk, Acid Phos))hate, Precipitated Dissolved Bone Black, Precipitated Acid Phosphate, Bone Meal and Charleston Floats. The same quantities of each were used. * Basal mixture in this plat always means: 300 lbs. Cotton Seed Meal. 80 lbs. Muriate Potash. Here too results we're seriously vitiated by excessive rains, but there was quite an amount of evidence showing the superioi ity of the soluble forms of I’hosphoric Acids over all others. There was no ai)preciable difference be- tween the results from Dissolved Bone Black and Acid Phosphate. Expt. Expt. Expt. Expt. Expt. No. 1. No. 2. No. 3. No. 4. No. 5. Expt. No. 6. Expt. No. 7. j Expt. No. 8. 1 Expt. Expt. No. 9. ^ No. 10. Expt. No. 11. 1 Expt. No. 12. 1 Expt. Expt. No. 14. 1 Expt. No. 15. 1 Expt. No. 16. Expt. No. 17. 1 Expt. No. 18. 1 Exi>t. Ex]d. No. 19. No. 20. Expt. No. 21. 1 Exi>t. No. 22. 1 Expt. No. 23. Exjff. No. 24. 1 Expt. No. 25. 1 Expt. No. 26. Expit. No. 27. j Ex]it. No. 28. 1 Expt. Expt. No. 29. No. 30. 19 PLAT vir. PoTA.Sisrc Manures. (Ciilculated to the Acre.) Expt. No. 1. No Manure. Expt. No. 2. 230 lbs. Kainite. Expt. No. 3. 00 lbs. Muriate Potash. Expt. No. 4. 120 lbs. bulphatd Potash. Expt. No. Expt. No. Expt. No. ( meal i uospuai/C. Expt. No. 11. No Manure. Expt. No. 12. Meal Phosphate. Expt. No. 13 Expt. No. 14. Expt. No. 15 Meal i ao&pha e. Expt. No. 16 No M anure. ■^Meal Ph( ■sphate i \ this PI it is always 300 lbs. Cotton Seed Meal, uc 0 lbs. Acid Phosphate. Here potash is fiirnishcl in the form of Kaiiiite (1.2 per ;eiit. potash), sulphate (24 per uenfc. potash) and muriate (oO pei . eiit. potash). Kesults here show that no form of potash has appreciably hen- eflted cotton ou this soil. \ ARIET1ES OF COTTON. Twenty-two varieties w ere '^rown as nearly under like i: edi- tions as possible. These, were separately picked and wek hed. At the close of the seasoi. they were again weighed and gi nied upon an excellerd gin, an 1 tl e lint and seed careful y vrei;riied. The varieties neare.st alike b staple were baled together and each bale was sent to 'New O- leans and sold on its merits. Be- sides the above, each membe ’ of my agricultural class, car ? 'ally selected fifty bobs from both the middle and top of each variety, weighed them carefully, gin ned them by hand and weighi * re- sulting lint and seed. In this wmy the percentages of line and seed, weight of erne hundred seed and number of seed per l iishel were calculated. The same experiments were duidicated by my- self and farm superintendent. The results obtained varied 20 ^^reatly with some varieties, while nearly constant wirh others. It was curious to note the differences in weight betwee i one hun- dred bolls picked from top and middle, also i i yield of lint of some varieties, while on the other hand the re ailts which eacdi experimenter obtained on a few varieties, were surprisingly con- cordant. I append results results of sixteen vi rieties : Per Cent, of Lint. Per Cent, of Seed. Weight .)f 100 BolL. Ntwiios of Yaxiety. s «E’ K O pq By Hand. C >1 fQ p. o H -i rr^ 3 .Number of ®ee4 t>o the Busbel of 3i pounds. .37.63 37.30 62.37 02.70 Oz*. 20 Ozs. ’0 140.320 31 38.70 62 ^*9! |03.30 71.50; 24 23 IS 1.830 137.180 iktyd’s ProHtSe 31.17 28.fi0 08. 23 .?2 Alienas Staple. ... 3:^.9! S^LIO 67.09 07.rK> S5 24 118.20.5 Teiuwiese^ Silk 'i9.62 2S.40 70.38 71.00 17 JO 119.200 MaIUiir Prolifir :13.90 32.30 mi. IQ 67.70 194 18 0 115.420 Ileiion<>: 1^3.30 32.60 00.70 07.40' lO" 12 .500 Jones’ ijuproved 34.10 3.3.. 30 0o.9() oti.no 17 >2 9. .970 .lowers Improved S. li, Maxey’s :3r).9i 34.40 o4.(>9 05.00 \Q 12. .890 31.00 :^2.oo 08.40 08.10 17 8 119.790 Cherry’s Long Staple... 3i.‘>9 31.36 07.71 08.44 14 13. *-810 Slime’s Early ■27.24 28.50 72.70 7l.5(» 24 .12 114.350 Griflin’s Improved 31.70 30.50 08.30 69.50 22 20 95. 100 Taylor’s Improved 31.00 29.00 09. oe 70.40 20 19 li:.920 Bancroft’s Her ong :I3.42 32.80 r)t)..58 67.20 17.^ 18 122.590 Sea Island 22.74 23.00 77.20 70.40 12 10- .750 The above cottons brought in the Xew Orleans market from SJ to lOJ cents, per pound. THE COTTON WORM. llow" to destroy it. Paris gre.en^ London purple and white arsenic, all compounds of arsenic are used for he|des Tuction of this pest. Since all of the above are poisoi ous to man and best, they must be handled with great care aiic caution. The almost unanimous opinion of far..teisaud planters is that of the above, Paris green is by far the 1 3St poit on. It is used in three wniys, first, in liquid suspensior ; mix one pound oi’ pulverized Paris green, with forty gallons of water an 1 put this on one aei'e, by and with a large w atering po ; or from the bar- rels placed in a wagon, by use of spray pump 5. In either case the mixture must be kept well stiived, since Paris green is not soluble in wniter, but is held mechanically suspended^ a little ffour 21 just soured in a bucket of water and then added to the mixture, gives it greater adhesive power. Second, dry, mixed with some deluent as cheap hour, j^ellow ochre, fine clay, plaster or ashes. A little dextrine is sometimes added to increase adhesiveness. One pound of Paris green is mixed with twenty-five pounds of the deluent. This mixture, used during showery weather is sifted over the plants by hand, through coarse sieves. Third. The finely ground Paris green is dusted from an oblong sack, made of course muslin, attached to the end of a long pole, carried by a man on horseback. In this way it is easily and cheaply distributed f the only objection is, that as ordinarily performed, more Paris green is used than is necessary. Care should be taken to keep man and beast on the side from which the wind is blowing, so as to avoid inhalation of arsenical dust. Either of the above methods can be used with certainty of success, if proper care in following directions be exerted. HOW TO MAKE A COMPOST. “ Compost and compost, again is the word. The modern Olympus is the compost heap and the God enthroned on it is called Jupiter Ammoniac.” Below is appended the formula best suited for cotton. 100 bushels Cotton Seed. 100 bushels Stable Manure. 1 ton Acid Phosphate, high grade. If the above is to be used on very sandy lands, one-half ton of Kainite may be advantageously added. Dissolve in water and use the latter to wet the compost. Since the success of a compost depends materially upon the proper manner of preparing it, full directions are here inserted: DIRECTIONS FOR MA.KING COMPOST. Take an equal part of the Stable IVtanure, say ten bushels, and spread it out in a level place, under shelter, to the depth of 22 three inches. Sprinkle over it 100 pounds of Acid Phosphate. Next spread over this ten bushels of Cotton Seed, made thoroughly wet. Then another sprinkle of 100 pounds of Acid Phosphate. Continue this rotation till the quantities are ex- hausted and then cover with a rich earth, from the fence corners, five inches deep. Permit it to remain until ready for use, four to six weeks will do, and cut vertically down with a mattock. Mix well and apply from 300 to 1000 pounds per acre in the drill at the time of planting. Be careful to wet the Cotton thoroughly and buy only a first- class Acid Phosphate. SUGAR CANE. ( F 1 E LI ) E XP EP I .Al ENTS. ) BULLETIN No, 14, OE THE ■Wm. C. .Stubbs, Ph. D., 1 > ll^KC a^OH KEXXKK LA„ JAXIXVRV, 1888. ISSUED r.Y HHIOZMl^SOTST .J. 1511^0, tCoMMis.^ioxr.ij OK AouiorLTriJi:, B.vtox Kot'ge, la. BATON BOrOE : ^PRINTED HY I-KOX JASTUTUL^KI. STATE PRIXTER, SUGAR EXPERIMENT STATION, f Kenner, La, % Major T. J. Bird, Commissioner of Agriculture, Baton Rouge, La.: Dear Sir — I Land yon herewith for publication Bulletin No. 14 — coTejinis: experiments in Sugar Cane, made during the past year on this Station. Respectfully, WM. C. STUBBS, Director. ERRATA. On page 8, in table 3, under the head of No. of Sprouts, omit all decimal poiuts. On page 39, line I, read primaril-y for permanently. On page .51, line 3, after table, 37 and 44, should read 37 to 44. On page 52, 5th line from bottom, read time instead of vines, and on same page, 2d line from bottom read tap instead of top. On page 60, line 11, read germination instead of fermentation. On page 61, 18 should be 19 and 19 should be 18. On page 66, 9th summary, 24 amd 48 should read 24 to 48. On page 69, in the lower table of No. of parts of cane, the second next to lower fourth, should read lower fourth. On page 71, Milladeu should read Milladon, Posey & Jones should read Pusey &. Jones. On page 72, line 6, read purgery instead of purging. Field Experiments In cane during the past year were of four kinds, viz : 1. Germination questions. 2. Physiological questions. 3. Varieties best adapted to Louisiana. 4. Manurial requirements. These are but the continuation and in many instances the enlargement of the work of the previous year. GERMINATION QUESTIONS. The following from Bulletin ^^o. 7, explanatory of our ob- ject, is herein inserted : ^‘It has long been a question among planters whether to plant the tops, the entire stalk, or only the matured part. The practice of planting the green iiumatured tops is the one sug- gested by economy, since these contain little or no sugar, and are frequently thrown away. This practice is, however, severe- ly criticised by some, upon reasons drawn from known princi- ples of vegetable physiology. The cane, say they, has only sterile flowers, and consequently give no seed or grains. There- fore the eyes of the cane are intended to replace the true seed or grain. In all seed bearing plants, those seed germinate and fruitify best, which are permitted to reach perfect maturity. Therefore in imitation of this natural law, we must seek that part of the stalk which contains the largest and best developed eyes, in order to secure seed which will produce the most vig- orous plants. It is further claimed that w'here tops are univer- sally used as seed that a degeneracy of the cane will follow, since the latter is always reproduced with those parts of the cane where the juices are the poorest in nourishment (sugar) and the eyes tht^ most imperfectly developed. Hence it is a practice with some of our planters never to plant fall cane until the polariscope .•^hows at least 10 per cent, sugar in the eane. Per contra there are others who claim that the planting of the tops is justifiable -froui purely scientific reasons, besides the economy involved. They regard tlie cane planted as ‘^cuttings’’ rather than true seed, and the eyes as, buds to be developed under x)roper conditions. They say that the fiorist when he wants to root new plants, never uses the old or mature wood, but rather the young and succulent portions. Therefore in planting" cane the youngest and most succulent portions will secure the best results. Which is right has not yet been decided by science. Experiments in the field have demonstrated that eyes from both the ‘mature and immature parts of the stalk will germinate. But which are the best, i. e. which will insure the best aud surest results under the varying conditions of our sea- sons, soils and rainfall ! ” To determine this question, the following experi- ments were instituted with a Aiew of continuing them through a series of years in order to eliminate as far as possible all the modifying factors, incident to one year’s experiment. Great pains were taken to select healthy stalks of uniform length. These Avere cut up into short pieces beginning with the green immature top. Two eyes were left upon each cutting and each stalk was selected so as to give eleA"en cuttings. ScA-enty five of these cuttings containing 130 eyes were devoted to each experiment. The land Avas in excellent order, haAing had a large crop of l^ea vines turned in early in the fall with a four horse ploAv. The cuttings Avere carefnll}- deposited in each row and coA^ered by a hoe. The following are the experiments : PLAT (1— GKPMIXATION QrESTIOXS. Experiment No. u a U i i ii LC - ii ii ii i i c. a a a ti a a a 1 — 75 white imniatnre joints of 2 eyes encli. 2 — 75 joints next to No. 1 partially wliite, 2 eyes each. 3 — 75 “ “ “ 2 full red “ “ “ 4— 75 5 — 7 5 (5 — 75 7 — 75 8 — 75 a— 75 ]U— 75 11—75 <( U i( U O (, ti (( t .- .( (< .1 f( i I (I ."j ti 1 1 li ii ii i( ii ii i. ii i, ii ii ii ii g ii ii ii ii i. 9 u bntts. 2 eyes each. a ii a a ii a U U iC iC ii ii ii ii i. ii ii U i. ii ii These experiments were planted February 9th, and occa- :sional obseiw-ations Avere made, and the stalks upon each row [ 5 ] carefully counted, until suckeriiig begau. At liarv’est eacli row was weiglied, the stalks counted, the juice separately expressed and carefully analj^zed. Table Xo. 1 contains the number ot stalks up at each observation, the number harvested with weights, the average weight of each stalk, the yield and number stalks per acre. Table Xo. 2 gives the chemical analyses of the juices, with coeflicient,” ‘^glucose ratios*' and availal)le sugar x^er ton. TAllLE 1. PLAT O— GERMINATION QUESTIONS Plniitiii}'’ ] littfieiit I’arfs (U* the St.ilU.s of Cane Feljruaiy Otli, 1887 Nuin1)er of stalks from 150 eyes planted counted. Part of tl)C Stalk Planted. 1- i i f\ 01 d-hW <2 ?? c: 71 At Harvest Nov. 3 AVeigbtlAverngv of 1 V riglit Stalks, of each 1 1 o * 1 l"x)per white joints “71 Oi 24 24 24 20 34 97 247 Ihs. 2.54 lbs. 18.14 14.287 *2 Next to “ 12’ 39 41 41 45 45 140 407 2. 91 “ 32.00 21.050 3 “ “ No. 2. 10145148 54 (53 09 105 485 n 2.94 38.1s ■25.987 1 “ 3. 4 271 34 39 45 51 1.52 428 u 2.82 33.75 23.940 5 4. 1 27 30 15 51 53 154 442 u 2.87 “ 34.80 24.255 0 “ “ 5 1 25 35 43 52 58 149 420 iC 2.86 “ 33.50 253.407 7 “ (). 0 19 20 125 33 10 i47 •lOO a 2.72 “ 31.4^123.152 8 “ “ 7. 0 13 18 23 27 3,2 133 320 21 1 “ 25. 24 120. 947 1'19 23 l28 514 39 130 340 2.01 “ 20.82' 20.552 lb “ “ 9. 0il2 14 120 2(5 30 97 214 a 2.21 “ 10.88 15.270 11 Butts'^ Olll 15 120 4li41 73 100 n 2!i9 “ 1 12. 02! 11. 520 This row was seriously injured in the suininer hy X)roxiniity to a Fig Tree. TABLE 2. PLAT O.— FIELD AND SUGAR HOUSE RESULTS NOV. 3. Number aud kind of Exx)eriments. Yield per acre in tons. ANALYSES. -4— = sE Ph ® 6 j Iba. available su^ar upoQ '0 1> c. extiac. P - 7/d B Total Solids. c Glucose o ^ Per ton Per acre 1 Upper white joints 18.14 7.4 13.31 10.3 1.24 77.38 12.04 118 2141 2 Next “ ' “ 532.00 7.8 14.01 11 2 11.35 79.94 12.05 128 4104 3 “ to No. 2 538.18 7.0 13.71 10.3 11.28 75.12 12.42 117 4107 (t K ‘ < 3 33.75 7.3 153.21 TO.O 1.00 75.70 10. 99 3341 5 “ “ ‘<4 514.80 7.5 153.01 ilO.O l.OO 73.47 10. 99 53445 0 “ “ 5 33.50 7.8 14.01110.9 1.535 77.80 12.38 124 4101 7 “ 0 31.48 7.3 13.11 110.5 1.28 80.09 12.19 120 3777 8 “ “ “ 7 25.24 7.8 14.01110.0 1.35 75. ()5’, 12.73 120 53029 q u i< u 20.82 8. 14.41 10.5 1.515 72.80 12.85 119 3192 io “ “ “ 9 B>.88 7.9 14.31111.5 1.535 81.530 11.753 1,353 2245 11 Biitts*^ 12.02 8.4 15.01 112.0 1.21 79.94 10.08 1453 1805 ^Injured hy shade. [ 6 ] One fact was apparent early in the season, viz, that the upper half of the cane germinates much more quickly than the lower half. The dry weather which prevailed during March and Ai)ril, also demonstrated the incapacity of the young sprouts from the green immature part of the caiie, to withstand severe drouths since many on this row i^erished during these months, while on no other row was there any loss. This fact led us to investigate the dead jdants seen occasionally in our fields, and in nearly every instance they were found to be shoots from im* mature tops. These green immature joints were the i^arts of the cane usually thrown away in the tops, and contained only partially developed eyes — which early sent forth shoots— many of which perished during the drouth for want of sustenance which the joints did not contain, and which the dry weather prevented the young and very tender roots from absorbing from the earth. Whether these sprouts would have lived had a fa- vorable season prevailed, or had the joints not been detached from the stalk, are questions at present, only of conjecture. Barring the upi)er immature tops, our experiments clearly show that the upper portion of the stalk is the equal if not the superior of any other portion for seed, so far as germination, tonnage and available sugar are concerned. Experiment No. 3 — the first full red joint gave the largest number of sprouts, ma- tured canes, tonnage, and available sugar on the plat. The butts in No. 11 give by analyses the largest sugar content; how far this is due to the butts, per sc, or to the interference of the tree is unknown. Tho experiments to be described further on also throw light on this interesting subject, and a recurrence to this question will then be made. HOW MANY STALKS OF CANE TO PLANT ? Another question of equal importance to the one just dis- cussed, was made the basis of a serieone experiment, tlie middles to another, and the butts to a third. There being ground enough left in this plat for another ex- periment, the following was tried, duplicated alike with plant and stubble seed : Unslaked lime at the rate of three tons per acre was spread evenly over the top of the row, after the cane was planted and covered, to see if the heat generated by the natural slaking of the lime would not induce early germination and ultimately to test the value of large applications of lime to our soils. The following are the experiments in full : No. 1 — One cane with a lap, cut in the row. 2 — Two canes with a lap, cut in tlie row. “ 3 — Three canes with a lap, cut in the row. 4 — Four canes with a lap, cut in the row. “ 5 — One cane, no hi]), uncut. “ 6 — Upper halves of canes, two and a lap. ‘‘ 7 — Lower halves of canes, two and a lap. “ 8 — Upper thirds of canes, two and a laj). “ 9 — Middle thirds of canes, two and a lap. 10 — Lower thirds of canes, two and a lap. 11 — Unslaked lime, three tons per acre. [ 8 ] These experiiueuts were planted Feb. 10th, and the plants carefully counted twice before suckering began. At liarvest, each experiment was weighed, stalks counted. Jiaiee separately extracted and carefully analyzed. Tables 3 and 4 give the results. TABLE 3. PLAT O, GERMINATION QUESTIONS, GATHERED NOVEMBER 4, Number and kind of Ex- periments. March 13 Ma^ r 25 Noveui her 4 No. of Sprou ts. •No. of Sprouts. Plant Stthhle No of Stalks CO Tons per Acre No of Stalks 02 \ o t 32 i ^ 8-3 Plant o 3 m 1 1 cane (cut) .35 .50 .89 .77 371 1114 33.42 420 1109 33.27 2 2 ‘‘ .87 .83 1.72 1.54 409 1232 36.96 413 1338 40.14 3 “ “ !!!!!!!! 1.36 1.44 2.20 2.14 430 11144 34.32 440 1336 40. OB 4 4 “ 1.2U 1.58 2.. 50 *2.79 409 129() 38.88 479 14,10 42.30 5 1 “ uncut .30 .48 .53 1 .77 357 1146 34.33 413 1132 3;L96 () Upper halves 1.08 1.06 1.48 b.54 421 1360 40.80 436 1292 1 38.76 ■ 7 Lower halves .53 .57 1.23 1.09 38-i 1334 40.02 402 980 29.40* 8 Upper thirds 1.39 1.01 1.68 1.47 420 1278 38.34 344 918 '27.54^ 9 Middle thirds 1.00 1.09 1.65 1.80 385 1276 38.28 310 860 ,25.80* 10 Imwer thirds 1.17 .46 1.77 1.04 407 1134 34.02 296 740 i22.20* 11 Unslaked lime. . . . ! , 1.14 1.03 1.65 1.55 396 1184 35.. 52 273 605 118.15*- ^Injured more or less Iby sliade of a live oak tree. / ro] TABLE 4. PLAT O— GERMINATION-QUESTIONS CONTINUED. Number and kind of Experimemt. Yield per acre in tons ANALYSES. - Co-efficieut Purity. Gliu'ose Ratio | lbs. available siieai- □ 1)011 70 p. c. extrac^ be p r-i ^ Total Solids. Sucrose. Glucose. j 1 Per ton. Per acre. 1 1 Cane cut, ])lant 33.42 7.05 12.71 9. oil. 77 77 . 89 17.87 101.5 3392. 11 “ “ .stubble 33.27 7.3 13.24 11. 3| 1.57 85.35 13>.88 125.30 4169. 2 2 “ “ ])]ant 36.96 7.4 13.39 10.2 1.84 76.17 18.03 104.16 3850. 2 2 “ “ stubl)le 40.14 7.4 13.49 10.2 2.24 75.61 U .96 95.76 3844. a 3 “ “ plant 34.32 7.3 13.19 10.1 1.92 76.57 19.00 101.08 3469. 3 3 “ “ stubble 40.08 7.5 13.69 10. 3| 1.90 75.23 18. 4i 104.30 4180. 4 4 “ “ ])]ant 38. 8S 7.5 13.r.9 9 . 9 ! 2 04 73.58 >0.60 95.76 3723. 4 4 “ stultble 42.30 7.5 13.59 10.9T.90 80.21 17.43 112.70 4767 . 5 1 “ uncut plant 34.33 7.3 13.24 10.8*1.90 81.57 17.59 111.30 3821. 5 1 ‘‘ “ stubble 33.96 7.4 13.49 10.4 2.00 77.83 19.23 103.60 3418. () Up’rbalves i)lant 40.80 7.3 13.24 10.8 1.90 81.57 17.59 111.30 4541. () “ “ stubble 38.76 7.5 13.69 10.2!2 00 74.50 19.60 100.80 .3907. 7 Lower “ i)lant 40.02 7.3 13.19 10.8 2.14 81.88 19.51 106.26 42.53. 7 “ “ stubble 29.40^ 7.4 13.49 10. 3 1 2.00 7(). 64 19.41 102 20 2004 . 8 Up’r Thirds plant 38.34 7.3 13.14 10.41 1.90 79.90 18.26 105.70 4053- H “ “ stubble 27.54^ 7.6 13.89 10.6 2.00 77 . 03 18.86 106.40 2930. 9 Middle i)lant 38.28 7.4 13.44 10.5 1 90 78.12 18.09 107.10 4100. 9 ‘‘ “ stubble 25.80-^^i 7.6 13.89 10. L 2.0G 75.59 19.04 105.00 2709. 10 Lower “ idant 34.02 1 7.6 12.74 10.0 1 .86 78.49 18-60 101.00 3436. 10 ‘‘ ‘‘ stulible 22.20'^ 7.9 i 14.29 11.2 1.82 78.37 16.25 118.58 2521. 11 un’kd lime plant 35., 52 8.4 1 15.24 12.4 1.40 81.36 11.29 144.20 5122. 11 ‘ “ stubble 18.15^^ 8.3 1 15.09 12.9 1.74 85.42 13.48 144.05 2615. *Iiijiirod by proximity of Live Oak. The cane used in the above experiments was excellent, and the subsequent seasons were all that could be desired. The re- sults secured may not be obtainable every season. However, these experiments strongly point to the coi elusion that with good cane in well prepared soil and with good seasons, two canes and a lap furnish an abundance of seed, and the largest profits. This will be more itlainly seen by deducting from the tonnage made, the tonnage required to plant as follows : Plant. Stubble. Tonnage made per Acre. 5 tf. p, « a if. c g pH i) V ? P ® 8 P 0 ' 1 Tonnage | planted, j Net Tonnage per Acre. 1 stalk. . . 33.42 2.00 31.42 33.27 2.00 31.27 2 stalk. . . 36.96 4.00 32.96 40.14 4.00 36.14 3 stalk. . . 34.32 6.00 28-32 40.08 6.00 34.08 4 stalk . . . .38.8^ 8.00 32.88 42.30 8.00 32.. 30 [ 10 ] H'ere two stalks and a lap give the largest net yields both with plant and stubble, omitting entirely the expense and labor of handling the extra cane necessary in planting four stalks* True economy would therefore x>oint to a concentration ot en- (‘igy in a careful preservation of seed, thorough preparation of soil, and planting not over two stalks and a lap. It was a source of pleasure 'while growing to watch the con- trast in the raiiidity and number of suckers between the thinly and thickly planted exj)eriments. One stalk grew and matured 282 suckers upon jilant. and 343 ux)on stubble, against 159 and tin respectively, with four stalks. The sugar content was about the same in each. Another fact is noticeable in these experiments, viz : That the “one stalk uncut’’ has in both instances proven the equal of “one stalk cut.” These exx^eriments show little or no difference in the yields from x:)lant or stubble cane. In fact, contrary to expectation, where the experiments were not modified by the x^i’^sence of trees, the stubble seed shows a slight superiority both in ton- nage and sugar content. An inspection of the tables will further confirm the experi- uients described elsewhere, that the nx^per x^^^rt of the cane is as good if not better than any other portion for seed. Elsewhere will be found evidence of their inferiority in sugar to the lower X)ortion of the cane. Theory would then suggest the utilization of the ux)X>eT thirds ot all of our cane as t.eed, and the lower two-thirds for the making of sugar. It is well known that at least one-fifth of the entire cane croxi is now devoted to seed, an immense loss to the sugar xfianter. Cannot some feasible be adopted whereby the tox:>s only shall be xfianted and the re- mainder so much richer in sugar, be sent to the mill The lime in the last exx^eriment has given an increased sugar content and a larger amount of available sugar, without seriously effecting the tonnage. This is a suggestion well Avorth further investigation. PHYSIOLOGICAL Ql^ESTIONS. Influence of Sucl'ers . — A very great diversity of opinion pre- vails as to influence of suckers “side shoots,” which spring up iiround the base of the original sprout. This opinion has been based partly upon poorly conducted experiments^ and partly upon the erroneous impression which this wrongly used term -•sucker’^ has produced upon the mind. Some think it an ab- normal growth, a live i)arasite i)reying upon the nutriment of the main stalk and thus depriving the latter temporarily ot its vigor, at a time when rapid growth is so desirable, and there- fore thej’ should be removed. It has been found on the other hand however, that these suckers, if permitted to grow, reach maturity almost as soon as the iiarent stalk, is equally as large, and quite as rich in sugar. They also add largely to the crop, and when a thin stand is obtained, the multiplication of suckers rapidly closes the gaps and gives in the end fair yields. Some planters thus ascribe to suckers the' greater part of their crop, and encourage their growth b^^ awaiting for their full develop- ment in the spring before lu’oceediiig to a vigorous cultivation of their crop. They further claim that the suckers give stubble the next year, while the original or central stalks do not ratoon well, if at all. All these discrepancies of opinion arise from a misunder- standing and misuse of tlie term ‘^sucker.” The habit usually denominated siickering in cane, is not suckering at all, but a process common to all graminaceous plants and known usually as ‘^tilleriiig.’^ It is a natural means of increase and of pre- serving its own existence in the battle of life. By this means, grasses and small grains are enabled to occupy the entire ground to the exclusion ef other plants, and thus secure increased har- vests. This “tillering^^ is an underground development charac- teristic of cane and wheat, and springs from underground buds specially prepared for this process. Simultaneous with the de- velopment of the sucker is a set of roots of it own, springing directly from it and in no way interfering with the roots of the •original plant. The extent of tillering or suckering depends therefore upon the healthy growth, the thickness of the stand, and the time it has to sucker in. Abundant tillering is an evi- dence of thriftiness and an index to increased root develoi)ment The cane however truly “suckers’^ but fortunately such occur- rences are rare. By true suckers, is meant, the development of [ 12 ] (jyes above ground, Avhicli produce stalks liviug at the expense of the parent stalk. This occurs whenever the upward growth of the plant is checked, or the stalk is bent down from any cause, followed by very damp weather etc. This process is very common to some varieties of sorghum after its main stalk has- reached maturity. It is also found in oats, which frequently send forth branches from the axils of leaves Avhich bear grain. In both instances the seed unequally ripens. True suckers in cane are therefore very objectionable and should be prevented if possible. The above from Bulletin Xo. 7, prefaces the results of at- tempting to ‘^desucker” cane. The experiments therein given were so conclusiA^e against any attempt to prevent cane from suckering that the following suggestions were offered which are here repeated. From the aboA^e it is perfectly plain that the “tillering’’ [suckering] of cane is a natural process of great benefit, and should be restricted Avith great care. To Avhat extent and when a too great a tendency to this process sliould be corrected is a question for the individual planter to decide. Cane planted too thick, in thin soils, iu badly broken, or poorly tilled land, and very late in season, tiller but little. The tendency iieAxrtheless exists, but root groAvth is checked and AAfitli it the prosi)ects of a crop. Hence the aim should be to attain the healthiest and richest type of the plant, and such is to be found only when the conditions exist for its freest and fullest deA^elopmeut of all it? parts in a manner devised by nature. This suggests then, care in ifiantiug, not to secure too lieaA^y a stand in the beginning for the fertility of the soil ; i)roper manuring, iji quantity, qual- ity, and mode of application ; deep plowing in the preparation of land, and early culti\^ation of crop, and shalloAv culture there- after to 1) revent disturbance of increased root groAvth, early planting Avith Avell selected seed, and iq)on inelloAV well drained soil. A close attention to the above and the process of sucker- ing can be encouraged Avith hope of highest results. Whether the stubble comes only from the suckers, can be positively determined next year, since these plats Avill be re- served for that purpose. [ 13 ] These plats were preserved aiul watched through the sea sou with considerable interest. Tlie plat upon which no suckers were permitted to grow, presented a few stripped, straggling, scattered, sugarless stalks, long after the regular crop Avas har- vested. These were cut down and throAvn on the bagasse pile- late in January. Early in February suckering began, and in a few weeks the best stand of cane on the Station was to be seen upon this plat. It seemed as if all the energies of the plant,; re- strained for an entire year by artificial iirocesses, Avere suddenly let loose and concentrated upoi\ suckering. So successfully did it accomplish its purpose, that a yield of over 30 tons per acre AA'as obtained, yielding a juice containing 12.4 per cent of sugar. It is therefore conclusiA^ely ])roven that stubble comes from the original stalks as aa^cII as from the suckers. VARIETIES OF CANE. In 1880 the Station received and planted Avhat Avas thought to be 17 A^arieties of cane. Upon gathering and carefully com- paring, these AA’cre reduced to five distinct a arieties, which aa cic again planted. ^Mention AAvas iuade in our last report of the courteous request of Commissioner Coleman, at 'Washington, upon the IT. S. Consuls in the various sugar groAving countries, to send to this Station, samples of all obtainable A^arieties of sugar cane. This request has been liberally complied AA'ith and since last April this Station has receiA’ed dd samples of sugar cane from 10 difierent countries. The folloAAing is a complete list of the cane receiA^ed. FOREIGN VARIETIES RECEIVED. Name of Cant . by Whom Sent J. Where Froii D Receivec 1 Color. Oonditioi*. 1 Not given. . R 0 Williams Havana Apiili Green Good 2 Not given. u n YelloAv 46 3 Not given. 66 it •Red 66 1 Cristalliua stubble .... . Dr Alvaro Rey noso 11 ii 22 White Excellent. 2 Cristalliua plant it 66 1 a li a 3 Blanca D’Otaite . . 46 it it 66 ■ it ^ PoTtie H i 6 it 66 il- 5 Louc’ r . . . << 66 a 66 i (. 6 Bambu n t( it 7 Caven ciiie it 66 a Red 1 Plant cane W F Fuqua Lhnngston Guataniala May 23 Green Dea^di 2^ Stubb e . . . ii << ii 6^ 6f 1 Batavian . . . U S Consul Antigua June 18 Striped 6 6- 2 Bourb n . . . 66 it White 6 6. 3 Caledonian it Queen it 66 Green 66‘ 4 Batavian i' purple violet 66 K ii Purple 6 6- 1 Violet Jamaica July 2 66 *2 Mont Blanc i 6 a White 66 3 Ribbon 66 66 1 Not given . . 66 St. Domingo “ 6 Green 6 6 1 Native Cre- ole a Gnadaloni)e July 13 Green Fail- 2 Batavian cane 66 it Striped 66 3 Salanger . . . 66 6 4 1 White transparent Moses 11 SaAvyer Trinidad White 66 2 Green Rose Ribbon Green Poor 3 Otiiheite (plants) 66 ) ( { Striped 66 4 Bourbon . . . " 1 “ White 66 5 Otaheite ra- toons ‘‘ i ( f Striped Good; 6 Congo 6 6 66 7 Giant scar- let 66 it 8 Not named. O < i i 4 66 6 6 ‘‘ Red If 1 “ UnknoAvu j 2 “ “ , Steamship Bar- ITukiioAvn July 13 Dead 3 “ “ J aconta to N Y & ^ < ( foi-Avarded by 1 “ “ ' rice &. Lynch J Port an 2 “ “ 1 K W Thompson Prince 1 i)ec. 1887 66 3 “ “ |1 [J S Consul :i FTayti 1 Kanio t 1 H Putnam ;] ilouolnlu t lug. 25 1 Light Excellent 2 Amakea .... < < 1 “ J Hark 3 Caledonia . . a 6 6 1 ^alc Yel. u 4 Ottamatre.. 66 “ ] ^ed il 5 Rose bam- boo 1 66 I h’ukish li 6 Elephant. . . (< 6 6 “ 1 !*iir. str’p 1 i 7 Uwala u 66 “ 1 iose li S Ohia ft i 6 “ I led li 9 Pupnba f( 6 6 “ E Tukish il 10 Akilolo .... n 66 “ . G r’n & pur il It Mannlete. . il 66 1 ’urple il 12 Honuaula . u 66 “ I )ark red il 13 Papaa ..... i( 66 il ii 14 Eabaina. . . (( 66 li Y 'elloAV il 15 Not named. it 66 II il 19 Kok»*a ' t( il li [ 15 ] Some of these reached the Station in excellent order', Others in execrable condition, in fact every eye perfectly dead. However, of the 55 varieties shipped, 29 are living and ten have furnished seed for another year. The Station is under grateful obligations to Hon. T. F. Bayard, Secretary of State. Hon. N. J. Colman, Commissioner of Agriculture, Dr. Alvarez Keynoso of Cuba, the U. S. Consuls who have forwarded the cane, and the generous planters in the various countries who have furnish- ed it. Out of this large number of varieties received, it is hoped that some may prove beneficial to the sugar industry of the State. The following letters and extracts may be interesting to our readers : i COPY— TRANSLATION. Experimental Field of Dr. Alvaro Keynoso. Ramon O. Williams, Lsq^., Havana : My Dear Sir — In the desire to please you, I beg these re- marks, informing you that I have complied with your request for the furnishing of the sugar canes, and then amplify them under the belief that you are desirous of the increase of the cul- tivation of that plant in Louisiana. 1st. A^ariety of canes cultivated in the Island of Cuba. The only canes cultivated on a large scale are those of Ota- haiti, known as the white and crystalline [blancay cristalina.] The white cane is planted in virgin soil, and the crystalline in all other lands. At first Creole cane, [cana criolla] was cultivated in Cuba to make sugar, and its planting was continued afterwards for eating. But for severul years past it has not even been pre- served for this purpose, and that now sold in the market for eat- ing is the white cane of Otahaiti. The purple and yello’w ribbon canes [cana de ciiitas morada y amarilla] were formerl}^ much cultivated here, but were after- wards abandoned because it was discovered that in dry and not very fertile lands they yielded little juice and were ver}^ woody. Xevertheless, these canes when well cultivated are of excellent (jualities. Green ribbon cane of the same variety was also cultivated but it was abandoned on account of being too delicate. Alany varieties of cane have been introduced in Cuba from Porto Kico, Jamaica, Trinidad and Mauritius, but of these little remain, none of them having been cultivated on a large scale. The elephant cane [cana elefante] was somewhat cultivated but afterwards abandoned because of its brittleness, and not ripen- [ 16 ] iiig: well, being besides too tbiek to grind it with regularity in the sugar mill. • IMany persons have uprooted it. The crystalline cane in its normal state is of a green apple* color., but gives many varieties according to soil, exposure, methods of cultivation or atmospheric influences. The most no- table variations in this cane are that of acquiring a peculiar yel- low'Colordn certain soils which makes it. resemble the white- cane of Otahaiti ; and another variation is that taking a more, or less purple color which makes it resemble other canes of dif- ferent colors or shades, above all that of the purple ribbon cane' [cana de cinta morada]. IS'evertheless those canes, notwith- standing their variations recover their genuine original charac- ter if planted in pro])er lands. The number of different varieties of cane supposed to, do not exist 5 but their variations are nu- merous. I send you, marked A three crystalline canes the ends of which have been dipped in heated wax. This cane is the result of an experiment which I will further describe in treating of the multiplication of canes through their subterranean shoots, [rat- toons]. B Are three wliite canes of Otahaiti whose ends are also covered with melted wax. I would have desired to have been able to send you better samples; but the canes I have, are not yet well matured. It will be easy for me further on to furnish you beautiful samples of cane cultivated in cleared forest soil: So far your recpiest has been complied with, and I will now make a few remarks : 2nd. Cane tho most fitter for cultivation in Louisiana. The canes that I consider best for this purpose, owing to their great precocity for rattooning, are those called ^‘Cavenge- rie-’, Portii, ‘^Loncier”, ‘‘Bambu ’’’’ and ^^Black cane from Java’’ [Xegra de Java]. 1 do not send the latter because I know it exists in great quantity in Louisiana and that it is being expe- rimented upon. A. The ^^Oavengerie’’ comes from Mauritius; it grows rap- idly, rattoons, and matures extremel.y well. In order that this cane may be fully oppreciated, I will say that I cut thirty canes, leaving numerous rattoons. From these thirty canes I sepa- rated three useless ones, and the other 27 are put up in a pack- age well prepared. It will be noticed that these canes have grown from one only eye [una sola yema] which was put in the ground on the 1st of October, 188.7. I ought to have cut these canes in the month of November or December, of the year 188(1, because they were already comjiletely mature, and they have lost in quality and growth by leaving them standing too long. The 27 canes mentioned weigh 186 pounds. B. Is ‘^Portii” cane from the Mauritius Island; it was highly praised b}’ the manager of the botanical garden when he sent it here. In effect it is an admirable cane. It grows rap- [ 17 ] idly, rattoous well and its juice Aveiglis more than 12^ Baiime. ■One bunch grown from a single root gave me 28 beautiful canes, weighing 238 pounds. I have here to state, as before, that I should have have cut these canes in December of last year but having left them standing they have lost much of their merit on account of having shed their upper sprouts. This bunch of ■canes was also iiroduced from one single root. Of these I send yon 5 canes weighing 59 pounds. €. Is the ‘‘Loucier” cane from Mauritius, and possesses the same excellent qualities. This bunch gave me 34 canes, weighing 188 pounds. I .should have cut it last year. Of these I send 5 canes weighing 41 pounds. D. Is the ^‘Bambu’’ cane. It came from Mauritius. In my •opinion this cane grows and rattoous faster than any other. 1^^'eyertheless, I do not dare to give it preference over the others above mentioned, until after it shall have been experimented upon for the reason that its shoots are much developed forming many upper sprouts which tend to diminish the yield of sugar, at least for some time You have observed the difficult conditions under which I 'experiment, and you will readily understand that under better circumstances the results would have been extremely more fa- vorable. Should it be determined to experiment upon these varieties in Louisiana, I can send you a quantity of them, particularly in .January of next year, to plant there. 3d. multiplication or canes through their subterran- ean ROOTS. This matter is treated of in a general manner in the three numbers of the “Journal des Fabricants de Sucre’’ which aeeompany herewith. The French translation is not altogether correct, but is sufficiently so to give a fair understanding of the -iniportauce of this subject. All the experiments which I have made confirm, in the most positive manner, the merit of subterranean roots over the eyes of the cuttings taken from the upper part of the cane. In other words the subterranean stalk as a multiplier is as good as the %'eiy best eyes that can be obtained. One single experiment will suffice to prove this. On Thursday, the 25th of February, 1880, I washed a crystalline cane well in water to clean oft the earth and then cut the small roots with a pair of scissors. I then separated the roots dividing them into small pieces having- only one root, and planted them. [ 18 ] On Monday, the 22d of March, of the same yenr, I took up one shoot from the plantings and put it into the best place I could find. I did not expect to obtain a very favorable result, because the conditions under which I operate are by no means favorable^ having been obliged to proceed in an incorrect manner. I was pleased, however, to a certain extent, because its results were better than could have been expected, under such unfavorable conditions. On Tuesday, the 12th of April, 1887, 1 cut all the shoots on a level with the ground and obtained : 1 More or less developed canes 22 2 Sprouts of different sizes 21 3 Small sprouts 6 4 Canes damaged by accident 5 Total 54 The above mentioned 22 canes weighed 112 pounds. After cutting off* the bunch of canes I pulled up the stock of roots, leaving the earth around them, and placed into the box in which I send it to you for forwarding it to Louisiana. As soon as this box arrives at Xew Orleans, and in order to study and appreciate tlia foregoing statements it will be neces- sary to take this stock of roots out of the box and remove all the earth from it with any sharp instrument and put it into water. The roots should be cut off so as to permit of an examination of each of the subterranean stalks and the condition of the roots. This examination will completely prove that it suffices to plant one subterranean stalk to obtain an excellent bunch of canes equal to the best to be obtained by planting the most se- lect upper eyes. After experiments shall have been made of the foregoing method I would desire that a complete statement of the same be sent me and, if possible, also photographs to add to my collec- tion of observations, in order, thus to complete the history of this trial, which I consider very important, in every respect, and Avhich has only now been made for the first time. After all this has been done the subterranean roots may be separated the one from the other, and planted. I will finish, by saying that this experiment has been made under unfavorable auspices for the development of the stalks,, and if I had had a better opportunity for operation the result would have been far superior respecting the growth and weight of the cane. However, the fact of having obtained 112 pounds^ [ 19 ] of cane from one root alone, at this season of vegetation, is sat- isfactory enough. I would have desired, Mr. Williams, to have been able to serve you better in this matter, but trust, however, that I have manifested my good will to attend to it. Should you desire further details respecting the cultivation of cane and the manu- facture of sugar I shall take great pleasure in furnishing them. I have the honor to be. Your obedient servant. Dr. Alvaro Reynoso. Havana, April 14, 1837, Cabzada de Buenos Ayres No. 11. The above letter was not received until after the stubble mentioned above had been planted in the usual way j too late to be disturbed. Extract from a letter from U. S. Counsel Moses H. Sawyer, Trinidad B. W. Indies : “They are numbered and named as follows : No. 1 — 3 canes, Otaheite, plant. “ 2 — 3 canes, Otaheite, ratoon. “ 3 — 3 canes. White Transparent, ratoon. “ 4 — 3 canes, (xieen Rose Ribbon, i^laut. “ 5 — 3 canes. Red Giant Scarlet, plant. “ G — 3* canes, Congo, plant. “ 7 — 2 canes. Bourbon, plant. “There are six varieties, and none others are generally planted on this Island. Of all the many kinds that have been tried none others have done well and only two of these are gen- erally planted. Otaheite is the king cane of this Island and Bourbon comes next. Indeed tliej' are much alike. “Planters generally idough up for Otaheite once in 10 or 12 years, but in good soil this extraordinary cane has rattooued here successfully for 23 years. The Transparent, Giant Scarlet and Congo, are hardy, and the Rose Ribbon grows straight up which entice the planter to plant them in some quarters ; but the great cane fields of Trinidad are mostly covered with Ota- heite and Bourbon. It should be remembered that Trinidad is drenched in profuse rains for two-thirds of the year, making the soil very wet, which is not the case in Louisiana j so that the canes that dp so well in Trinidad might not do well in Louisi- ana, or vice versa.” [ 20 ] The following letter to Consul J. H. Putnam, from Mr. W. (Jr. Irwin, of Spreckles Co., who undertook the task of collection describes the varieties sent : Honolulu, H. I., Aug. I, 1887. Sir — In accordance with your request we have obtained from one of our plantations, thirteen varieties of sugar cane. The canes are carefully packed and will go forward per steam- ship Australia, to morrow. The iLackage labelled Xo. 12 contains four varieties of cane imported by us, from Queensland, Australia, viz : Ottamatie, red with faint dark stripes. Rose Bamboo, pinkish yellow. Yellow Caledonia, pale yellow. Elephant, purple with pale green stripes. These four canes do very well with us, more especially the first mentioned. The canes labelled Pupuha, Manulele, Uwala, Ohia, Akilolo, Ilonuaula and Papaa are indigenous to these Islands. These canes, on lands situated at any altitude between 1,500 and 2,000 feet, are, trom the fact of their being exceeding- ly hardy, the hxvorite varieties of our planters for such lauds. The twm packages labelled respectively, Kanio and Ainakea, came originally from IMauritius, where they are as the light and dark Bourbon canes. These two canes yield well on our high lands. Lahaina cane, Yo. II, Avas brought here by Capt. Par- don Edwards, from the Marquesas Islands; and was iirst plant- ed at Lahaina, whence its name. This cane is preferable to all others on lauds near the sea level to an altitude of 1,500 feet. Its introduction into this Kingdom has increased the yield of sugar, at least 50 per cent. Inconsequence of its heavy stooling, this cane should be planted not less than six feet be- tw^een the hills. Kokea, Ko. 13, does fairly Avell on side hills and dry lands, but is not a fa^mrite. AVe are sir, , Yours truly, AAAi. G. Iraa^in a Co. To J. IT. Putnam, II. S. Consul Gen’l., Honolulu, H. I. Besides the above foreign Avarieties, the Station also re- ceived the folloAA ing : One hogshead of cane from Air. Raphael Beltran, Kew Or- leans. One bundle of cane from Air. H. Le Sassier, Kew Orleans. One bundle of cane from lion. L. B. Claiborne, Poiute Coupee, La. [ 21 ] One bundle of Creole caue from 3Ir. E. L. Perkins, Jef- ferson, La. The following analyses were made of such sanii)les as at- tained before frost a size large enough to justify planting. The samples from Cuba were planted in Ai^ril and attained a very hue size by Xov, 14, at which time they were cut. The Caven- gerie i^articularly, gives luoinise of a line yield, and special adaptation to our soil and climate, so far as growth is concerned, but is rather low in sugar. The Crystallina and Louder which are the highest in sugar, did not reach a large tonnage. I TABLE 5. PLAT I— VARIETIES— HARVESTED NOVEMBER 14. •uora !^a80 J9(I 0 ^ nodn uo; jad jtjS -ns aiq'ByinA'B spano^j (TJ-^-^itOCOiMOOC^O^OC^lOO O OiMXCOOO GO CO QO l>. lO 05 3^ 05 1'. CC rH --ji O CO CO C.r^coi-it^05!X'3' oc -^Looioieo 05 QC CO CO iO CC (M O CO 00 05 CO CO CO CO i“H »“t T— 1 rH i-H T— 1 rH r-* rH t— ( rH r-H •oryna; asoonyj^ 05 T-H CO O) O ^ -O' Tf i>. 00 X» ^ .C005Q0t-05O':J^»OTH0da0C0 CO 05 O 05^ ^ ^ ^ ,H .-1 00 oo oo CO T-^ •^y^9Tog59o^ it:yunj »OOi— lOOOO^t^COt^i— iC005i>. T-I 't^0>(X)COl>»-O CO 000i0®00 o rrt < J?; •9soony£) UO CO t-H CO QO O 1 0 CO lO oo O I'- 00 OO — < O) OO5O5T-HOO0OICOlu0C0CO'Q0t- CO COOt-OOCO ^ rH ^ r-^ ^ ^ rH rH rH ^ rH r-J ^ r— •DSOJOUg 0 0500000000000 o ooooo 00'OOlOr-lOOCO'>cfCOQ0 05GCOO CO r-iOCOLO»-0> '^'^T-iCO^COrH^O^Q6o5i'^ l>.OOuOOO^ rHi— I t— ( i— I t-Ht— ( i-Hi— (i-Hr-l t— 1 r-ii— 1 •spiTog inyoj. 0005-^-:tiCOt-t^l>.l^t-t-t- Tj* -iTiiOOOOOCOs COC:5r-i(MOOT-HCOOD'^COOO'^00 CO 05COOOO OL.O-^OOiOO'rt^'^'H'CCCOC^ i-t rH rH rH rH tH rH rH tH rH i-H rH rH rH rH rH rH rH r^ rH •aninn^ 99 jS9q >o C0X0DOO'^L0 0lO05C0'Cf-00 COO5i-HCO00 OOGOl^ 05 05 00QOOOOOJ^t'-O^CO CO COl>icOCOJ> ANALYSIS OCT. 27. ’9SOIOllg OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO O O CO CO oo 00 00 CO CO uo 05 rH O CO O -T »0 05 05 •spiyog iKcyoj, 05 05 05 05 05 05 cr. c:5 05 05 05 05 05 05 Hf t- o 05 C000C000OOJC0C0 01OvJ0OlC0OCC00'^rH05 01 iOlCuO-rHlOCO-hOJCOCOoioOrH,— .-iCOC^rHCOrH tH rH rH tH rH rH rH rH tH rH tH rH rH rH tH rH rH rH rH •aranng saaiSaQ lO 00 05 o 05 HTi ..V OC' CO OI CO J> 05 0> 00 CO OOOOOOt^XOOOCOr>-CO>tHCO’cOCOCOi>COCOt^CC noqA i CC rH rH • 'o::^ p-. > ^ ^ ^ ^ - fH- Q V. s. Ci OIh'T V. V. V. » >. ^ S. C3 ^ ^S s- = rz ^ % Si a c .C o ^ ^50 c 2 '5 7 ^ c o 0 CO ? 1 .r C2, ^ o. 1 it- |J.S Insoluble Matter. 79.87 77.52 74.21 Soluble Silica .(»! .01 .01 potasli .31 .20 .13 .23 Soda .48 .19 Liiiio .46 . 57 .52 .03 Magnesia .04 .03 V i rl p, of T roii — A 1 n m i n n 6.37 6.74 6.63 Phosphoric Acid .12 .11 .10 .03 Sulphuric Acid .04 .04 Organic Matter 10.50 14.50 16.24 Carbonic Acid — Chlorine and Loss 2.30 .09 1.87 100.00 100.00 100.00 An examination of above shows that so far as the mineral ingredients are concerned, that these soils are almost identical. The organic matter increases as we go from the river. These soils are deficient in physical qualities rather than chemical in- gredients. The former limiting the available supply of the lat- ter, and requiring the application of manures for large crops. To test the kinds and quantities required, has been the object of [ 24 ] tlie series of experiments which follow. It should be remem- bered that any physical amendment to a soil, such as imder^ draining, deep plowing, subsoiling, etc., is in itself a manure, since it enables the roots of a plant to forage over^an increased area and thus obtain larger supplies of available food. The Station had 7 plats devoted to manurial requirements, three of Avhich may be designated as strictly scientilic, and the rest as popular. The three scientific plats were devoted, 1st, tO' Nitrogenous; 2d, to Phosphoric Acid; 3d, to Potassic manures^ The objects of these plats are : 1. To tell the requirements of these soils for each ingre- dient. 2. To tell the form best adapted to cane. 3. To tell the quantity most profitable for cane. Accordingly all the available forms of these ingredients have been used in varying quantities. To test the requirements of a soil for any particular ingredient, every other ingredient must be T)resent in excess. Hence each particular ingredient tested has been combined with an excess of other ingredients. The first ground Avas — PLAT VI — Nitrogen Manures first year stubble; oft-barred March 5th, with 4-horse plowi. hoed April 1st ; manures applied and middles broken out ; sub- sequent cultivation with disk cultivator ; laid by with 4-h orse plow. The ^‘nothing’’ experiments AA’ere given the centre of the idat, an advantageous position in every instance, especially m black lands, but no better arrangements could be made, and it Avas preferable to err in favor of no manure, rather than in the fertilizer used. The object of this plot AAms : 1st, to test the requirements of this soil for nitrogen ; 2d, the form of nitrogen best adapted for cane; 3d, the quantity of nitrogen most desirable. Accordingly all the available forms of nitrogen haA^e beeist used, both alone and in combination with phosphoric acid and potash. A full ration of nitrogen has been taken at 72 lbs. t© the acre, and it has been furnished under each form in siidh [251 quantities as to give 24, 48 and 72 lbs. to the acre, or one- third, two-thirds and three-thirds rations. The plat was four acres deei>, the soil increasing in tenacity and stiffness from the front. All of it was black land. It was divided into eight groups of five experiments each, the former running across and the latter with the plat. Each groui^ consisted of: First, an experiment with the normal amounts of phosphoric acid and potash (mixed minerals) without nitrogen; second, of an exjieriment with no manure; third, fourth and fifth, of mixed minerals, with one- third, two-thirds and three-thirds rations respectively of nitrogen. In the above ‘buixed minerals” means always 450 lbs. acid phosphate and 120 lbs. muriate potash. Eesults are ai)pended. Kesults are appended. A diagram of the plat with manures usedj yield of cane, analyses and available sugar, is also given. RESULTS OF PLAT NO. ()— NITROGENOUS MANURES— STUBBLE CANE. Remarks. • ® fi o w cc fl P ® S o £ p6( -M «« c ® 03 H [ Soda Grouji Sulphate ol S Ammonia Group i Dried Blood Group. CO pojsaAJBH ^ uaqAi ® O o a Cl 05 CO 00 00 00 CO CO o CO CC d 05 CO d CO d CC eg 05 O Cl 05 05 t- i'. VO CO CO o rf o o C5 o ::: bci-' o I-H (M 05 Cl t- 05 VO vO 05 CO t- o '<# 00 d C5 o <35 c3 p o ::: d Cl r-< Cl tH r—i d rH 1— 1 d 1— 1 d ■rH CO d CO 1— 1 CO t- O VO lO o o o 00 ° 2 t- IC Cl O CO d o Cl CO vO 'll* CO (d o d o 00 O i noj r>i 00 ic U lo 05 CO rH Cl cd CO CC CO Gi cc CO ci uC ^ X J9d 05 05 00 o CO i>. 05 rH d rH o GO d rH t— — . c3 s ® tH rH T— ( rH rH rH rH rH OIJTJH o o o o o O o o o o o o o 00 05 iM vO r>- 00 00 asooiiTf) lO d t- O CO o o VO d VO 00 CO d CO CO d CO IC vC tH 1-1 CO CO 05 CO rH VO CO C5 d vO i> VO vO d d Cl d Cl Cl d d o> rH rH d rH d O O O to o o o o o o t- 00 o VO CO CO o CO CO L- CO O o o t>. VO CO 00 CO 00 o o CO Ol CO d A4un3 O O t- Cl VC 05 d vd CO CO d 00 CO cd CO CO cd t- I'- 1^ 00 00 00 00. 00 00 00 00 o' O IC o lO o d lO o vO o o uC VO o o o 1^ CO cd suox tH d rH o o t- o d tH d o <01 o o o o Ul 9.T9y d »-H 00 00 rH 'T*'. o i> CC d o o o 00 Ol .I9d P|91X 00 00 O d <35 o 00 rH cd CO rH VO) <35 tH o cd t- cd 1-C d d d d r-l d d rH d c* tH d d rH d d rH I ,(1x3 JO -o^ I Oi CO IC w 13.19 | 7.8 lU.OO 111. 10 11 . 8079.28 01 S 02 O 52 is m ^ o oe 15 o g|l N. — — 1 ^ '■■ Of cc lO o CO 05 CP CO GO o lO 00 ,—1 ip CO O IP 1-1 CO 05 t- 00 1 -H GO CP M 05 PI CO C 5 iP CO Pi CD '!*< 00 rH P> '»i 5 CP o <>. 00 05 00 05 kP i> CP PI O) M M (M ot PJ p> PI p> CO ^ P) ^ PI P< 7.601 o CO o o (M CO o s O 00 o o o PI cp' ' CO CO CO lO o o ■rH kP <> 1 > ■rr ■«H l^i i> O •rH CO (M CO CP ' 3 ' PI rf lO TT CO CO CO CO -H CO 1 -H >— 1 1 — ' 1— 1 I — 1 ■— ' I— ' •-^ rH 1 — ^ 1—1 1— 1 i-H 1— 1 1— 1 tH f— < QO CO no IP CO 05 o 00 CO o 05 l>- o CO Pi O M tH CM 00 GO CP l>i 'e' 05 p» 00 CP 00 PI CO CP t- CP Pi CP CO tp 00 pi 00 pi pi o 05 1 -H pi CO rf CO rH lO I — 1 I— < 1—1 1 -H r-- ^ ^ ’-H rH •rH CO rH GO o ■rf CP rH ■rH 05 CP CO CP CP Oi CO hH kP 1 > o rH CO Pi CP ■TH T-t CO CP CP CO ■5 O pi CO pi -H CO o i-H O Pi CO O __ao 00 00 GO _ao_ 00 00 GO oc CO 00 ■00 TO 3' OC 00 00 CP Pi o CP tH o "cd“ 8 kp >P CP o CP O CP -rH O -TH CP 00 o krj rH CD kp CO Pi ■rH kp kp 00 CP 00 kP 00 T-^ PI rH rH rH rH tH 1-1 1— ( 1— I 1— I 1-H I-H o o o CP 05 PI tH ■rH t- kP kP 05 CO CO CO 1-H CP 00 ^ pi d Ol CO OI rH d d pi rH CQ Oi C^l tH rH 1 -H T-H rH rH rH rH — rH rH rH rH rH rH rH o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o CO <>• CP 00 kp 00 CP o 00 CO CP 00 kp 1-H rH CO CO O 'Tf CO CO Hf lO "Tf 'Tf i-O -rf 'H kp kp ip kp kp 1-H r— 1 1-H rH rH rH rH rH rH rH 1-H r-* r-^ rH rH rH 05 CP kp Pi CP Pi 00 Pi kP rH Pi O -H -H kP IP CO i>i i> 00 00 GO 00 l> 00 00 GO 00 GO 'X 00 X 00 00 in o CP o o CO o Pi 05 o O O -H CO O -H kP CO CO CP CP o CP Pi CO o pi d o> d CP pi CO d pi GO ■rH (M 00 r: rf Pi o> 1— ^ P! Pi rH Pi rH rH rH rH rH c3 0) © © 02 -2 d :5 O © O; *- = S O ® 15 u: ^ 5 : ^ ■ 'Z I ^ _S « ' © © I— I s 15 iq 8 ® : ; © o 6.Z.S m ^ ce 5 c5 s ^ s§ qi 1-^ ;- ^ . a n O ^ ii^ 'g J X © ® 33 © 33 ^ ® ti ^CO'P g ‘"■si © . . . I 3! 33 ao c3 “ -= rO 3 33 _ee ce c Te c © *3 CS o © 3 S a 3 ^ <3 © © o gc e 3 r- ^ ® o ^ ® X o X --(«>© t: ^ S, 5 fl ,— I «3 ^ X ^ X © 5 ce = i.... ^^ccQl 5 . . . CO 00 _ 2 £ 3-:S 3= r3 qi "o 2-5 c» O ® OQ 33 33 33 3 P © © be bC o o .i:!; o o c; © ^ ^ iO ^ ^ jg .q o o o .q ^ O 00 ^ T-l Ol o o o o o lO (M CP O O — ' 1—1 rc PI 0'> 5 ^ ^ |22 << OJ '>> (M (M NAMES. [ Forms of Nitrogen alone. Nitrate of Soda Group Sulphate of Ammonia Group. I>ried Blood Group. Cotton Meal Group. Fish Scrap Group. Mixed Nitrogen Group. Forms Nitrogen alone. PLAT No G. — Forms of Nitrogen. FHOIVT. (1) (Q) (3) (4) (S) Nitrate Soda. Sulphate of Ammonia Nothing, Dried Blood. Cot. Seed Meal. 2S.51 28.14 20.44 22.82 19.81 11.90 13.00 13.20 12.50 9.00 9.00 10.10 10.20 9.00 2.:50 2.27 2.20 2.15 2.40 2192 lbs. 2209 lbs. 1946 lbs. 2228 lbs. 1498 lbs. «5) 1 { 7 ) (8) (O) (lO) Mixed Minerals Mixed Minerals Nothing. Mixed Minerals Mixed Minerals Nitrate Soda i Nitrate Soda f Nitrate Soda 3-3 20.16 27.40 18.00 21.77 26.50 ’ i:i.2o 1.3.40 13.20 12.30 13.40 9.90 10.60 9.60 8.80 10.10 2.:i5 2.00 2.50 2.42 2.15 1798 lbs. 2913 lbs. 1474 lbs. 1576 lbs. 2550 lbs. (11) (la) 1.90 1.60 2.32 1809 lbs. 3203 lbs. 1992 lbs. 3006 lbs. 1912 lbs. (Sil) (^a) (•-23) j (^24) Mixed Mineral.^i Mixed Minerals Nothing. (Mixed Minerals Mixed Minerals Cotton Meal J 1 Cotton Meal § Gotten Meal 3-3 13.19 19 18 15. .57 22.40 22.36 14.00 14.60 14.30 13.70 13.60 11.10 12.20 12.00 11.60 10.90 1.80 1.45 1.66 1.82 2. 00 1552 lbs. j j 2695 lbs. 2074 lbs. 2780 lbs. 2473 lbs. (SG) ! ! (S8) (30) Mixed Minerals iMixed Minerals Nothing, Yixed Minerals Mixed Minerals Eisb Scrap Fish Scrap § Fish Scrap 3-3 12.40 17.70 12.77 20.33 22.70 14.80 15.50 14.80 14.60 14.00 12.20 13.10 12.40 12.70 11.50 1.56 'l.ll 1.60 1..56 1.66 1719 lbs. 2816 lbs. 1788 Ib.s. 2948 lbs. 2^65 lbs. (31) (3:2) (33) (34) (325) Mixed Minerals Mixed Minerahs Nothing. Mixed Minerals Mixed Minerals m'd Nitrogen m’d Nitrogen || u’d Nitrog’n 3-3 13.12 16.69 12.71 18.60 24.60 14.80 15.30 14.60 14.80 14. .50 12.50 12.90 12.30 12.. 30 11.70 1.35 1 .25 1.46 1.50 1 56 1920 lbs. 2575 lbs. 1798 lbs. 2621 lbs. 3235 lbs. (3<>) (3r) (38) (39) (40) Fish Scrap J- Fish Scrap J Nothing. Mx’d Nitrog’u Mx’d Nitrog’u J 12.60 18.21 13 33 14.70 17.01 15.10 15.10 15.30 15.30 15.00 12.30 12 10 12 60 12.80 12.10 1 80 1.60 1.84 1.50 1.84 1663 lbs. 2450 lbs. 1835 lbs. 2171 lbs. 2223 lbs. N'o. of Experiment. Manures per acre. Viehl in tons per acre.. L'otal Solids. Available Sugar per No. of Experiment. Yield in tons per acre, i'otal Solids. Xo. ot Experiment, Yield in tons, i'otal Solids, Xo. of Experiment. Y’'ield in tons per aci’e. total Solids. Xo. of Experiment. Yield in tons per acre, total Solids. Xe. of Experiment. Manures per acre. Yield in tons, total Solids. tons per atve. total Solids. Xo. of Experiment Mautires per acie. tons per acre, t otal Solids. [ 29 ] Comparison of results will answer tlie tliree questions asked. 1st. Does this soil need l^itrogeu ? Taking the plat as a whole we find the following averages : Yield per acre in tons. Sucrose. Glucose. lbs available sugar per acre upon 70 p c extraction. No manure 15.02 11.35 1.81 1828 3Iixed minerals 15.27 11.30 1.83 1794 Nitrogen alone 20.17 10.80 1.99 2088 Mixed minerals with ^ Nitrogen 21.37 12.00 1.57 2800 3Iixed m.nerals with § Nitrogen 23.13 11.30 1.81 2050 3Iixed minerals with 3-3 Nitro. 24.70 10.40 ! 1.97 2579 l^xcess of Nitrogen alone over 1 No manure 4.55 ! 1 255 Mixed minerals 4.90 i 289 Excess of mixed minerals Avith ^ Nitrogen over 1 1 No manure 5.75- ' i 978 Mixed minerals 0.10 i 1012 Nitrogen alone • 1.20 723 Excess of Mixed minerals Avitk f Nitrogen over 1 No manure 7.51 828 Mixed minerals 7.80 • 802 Nitrogen alone 2.90 573 Excess of mixed minerals with 3-3 Nitrogen over No manure 9.14 i 751 Mixed minerals 9.49 i 785 Nitrogen alone 4.59 ! 490 Doth Nitrogen alone and coinhined with mixed minerals have increased the tonnage and available sugar, the largest in- crease coming from Nitrogen combined with mixed minerals. The 2nd question must be answered by comparing each group with its own ‘‘nothing” and “mixed minerals.” By taking ■the mean of the three experiments of nitrogen in each group and [ 30 ] subtracting from it first the “nothing’^ and then the ‘hnixed min- erals,” and comparing results, we have the following : Excess of mixed minerals with nitrate soda over — Nothing Mixed minerals Excess ot mixed minerals with suljjhate of ammonia over — Nothing Mixed minerals Excess of mixed minerals with dried blood over — Nothing Mixed minerals Excess of mixed minerals with cotton seed meal over — Nothing Mixed minerals Excess of mixed minerals with fish scrap over — Nothing Mixed minerals Excess of mixed minerals with mixed nitrogen over- Nothing Mixed minerals Average of above increases over — Nothing Mixed minerals © ngqAV O O o o_ o 1 ^ © g 'JOE on CO 03 (M o o o'" co' rr Cl ’ — r, L.O ' 03 ' co ' co" CO 'co“'co'“ “co"' a d CO CO CO CO rH Of) CO CM (M CO o 03 CO t- 00 d o a J9J o h- o 00 CM fM CM 00 oc i-r CO CO CO CO CO O 03 cc d a O -M 03 (M CO CO CO CO CM JM _ CO cc CO _C1_ _co_ CO Cl d CO OQ t- © lO rH a a ^ o CO lO Cl d o t- iC © © ©4^ uox CO 03 00 m 03 CO O) rH CO CO o rH -H lO 00 rH cd CO -2 rP R- X jgj t-H C3 03 o rH rH o rH' Cl CO CO rH (M a © rH tH rH rH r-i tH r-« —4 rH rH rH 1—1 -t O o (M o o 00 O ' "co Cl' ' co'' CO o ~ rH~ lO rH "O -H lO Oi lO o CO o o CM CO 03 t- ■ o ir. o o 00 o lH O •OT!JT?a: lO 03 Ir. 00 00 t- L-r Ir. 00 00 00 00 00 GO t- 00 "o' o lO ■o" “o . -^- Cl "'co ”o "co" "co" '"co" tr. "t^ "03""C0 "ci'^ CO 03 o 00 CO lO o o CO L- - ir. I'r Cfj L- L- i- tr^ GO 00 tr 00 CO 00 00 00 X lO CO “di" »o "oT "raV cq 03 ~o "o' ~"co "l-tT '"CTr" rH tH rH ~id""d'” ^SUUJ, o 03 O rH 03 GO 00 ■rH Cb 03 CO CO o 03 00 CO 03 CO CO oi ni 9I0V J> t- QC GO rH CM 00 oq rH o ic o 03 CO cd cd cd jad pi9rx Csj (M CM CO CM (M rH (M CO Cl Cl rH d d rH d Cl C3 ® SSo S3® •3 aS ® Op , c3 CS CQM o ® k S "o 2 2ph 3 ^ be g g a QQ •2^,^ ra c8 2o Z ca ys CJ © -M cJ c3 ra aJ OD 02 o O . ® -a © g3 © * ‘ a a r-! r? >^.2'^ ^ o : h‘3 *^'3 ^ l^'a'a^ 5^0*3^ 'I ^ S »s ^ 2 ■a^ a 02 -= a '-' o 2’&2 a© a 2 .2^ 2 ’s=^ 2 2 a ^ a "© a g ‘© P,©-M©-+e4^© :gi^-aPH-a-3f^ bii-aPn g c3 &( CD O a! PU cep p'^aa^be'_. gaccaM^aoDpa a,— C^r-l,i,-Hl— - GO O 3 plU lbs Precipitated Acid Phospbate j TABLE 7—CoHtmucfl . 00 to t- to 05 l>- o 00 Pl O TT) h- (N CO 00 o* CO CO 05 to 05 00 CD to CD rj* CO to JhiX CO CO O? CO CO CO CO (M CO 05 CO 05 CO 05 05 rH 05 >• ® l'* o CO 05 CO o» 00 o »o to o 05 Q 00 3 QO o o Till UO ■'S' tr- t- t- to )0 CD to CD t>. CD to CO to CO O -t-j tH tH t-H rH tH tH Jh 1— ( tH rH rH t-H rH £3 P ® .T 9 d ( 0 ) 00 (M lO on tO (M CO o CO 05 CD o O O 05 Hf OTl'RlT CO o CO lO 00 CO (N CD 05 o 05 to Tf< 00 CO CD CO to 05 9 S 09 n{J[) 00 00 o 1 — i 1-H 00 O* tH QO 00 00 00 iT^ to CD 3 00 l>. J CD tH (M (M 00 00 fH CD O 05 CD CO (M O 1> QO an 9 ioTii 9 or> '<3' 00 CO, Oi 05 CD to rf rH CO O cc* T . ytr ^k/ Tj< CO lO iO tH 00 o o' CO lO 05 CO to CO 00 rH 05 05* oo 00 00 00 00 00 00 05 05 00 C» t'- 00 00 00 00 t- 00 00 It- i> ■rf 00 t- GO -H 05 to to o GO o o o o CO 00 rH rH o o Oi o o O o CO tH o rH rH o 00 00 00 00 O oo 98oonyo rH T-^ rH rH ,-( rH tH rH T-l rH rH . lO CO CO CO 1 > o tH r» rH to 05 05 00 to CD rH CD ® ® •98OJ0ng OJ (M (M oi CO 'Tin Cl CO .05 CO d CO CO 05 05 o d .-4 ® >5 tH rH rH H-( rH rH rH 3 a 00 00 05 iO to CO CO 5> 00 tH o 00 05 ■«:*< 05 cn 00 •spnog iO 1C >o to iC to to to d lO d lO 05 to -H T'R^ox tH rH rH tH t-H rH rH rH tH . *9mui?a <0i r ■~o6“ 05 QO l> 05 to 05 899jS9(]; 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 05 00 t- 00 00 t>. (Oq CD t- 00 rH CO 05 to 05 00 05 05 CD 05 •rii CO t- • 8 U 01 ni 9101 ? Oi o CO (M CD (M CD CO o 05 00 05 05 05 50 CO CO o Tr\/f i^rri lO >0 lO CO 3 05 Oi c^i oi CD 05 d o' to CD rH to oi C^ Ol CO ?0 CO CO c PLAT VII.— Phosphoric Acid Manures. Ground October 14th. No. of Experiment 1 2 3 4 5 Yield per acre tons 27.05 27.96 18.02 28.42 31.95 Total Solids 14.20 13.70 13.90 13.70 14.20 Sucrose 10.50 10.00 10.00 10.50 11.00 Glucose 1.60 1.95 2.00 1.85 1.65 lbs av. sugar per acre. . . . 3067 2768 1766 3069 8812 No. of Experiment 6 7 8 9 10 Yield per acre tons 22.89 28.88 19.49 24.99 30.90 Total c-olide 15.20 13.60 14.10 13.70 13.90 Sucrose. 12.50 11.00 11.20 10.50 10.80 Glucose 1.50 2.00 2.04 1.61 1.72 lbs. av. sugar per acre . . . 3285 3230 2220 2823 3584 No. of Experiment 11 12 13 14 15 Yield per acre tons 25.36 26.36 19.07 24.99 24.81 Total Solids 14.90 14.60 14.20 14.20 14.40 Sucrose 12.60 12.40 11.30 12.00 11.90 Glucose 1.23 1.36 1.66 1.56 1.43 lbs. av. sugar per acre. . . 3802 3794 2365 3379 3386 No. of Experiment 16 17 18 19 20 Yield per acre tons 23.31 23.94 18.65 23.62 27.23 Total Solids 14.80 14.50 14.50 14.89 14.89 Sucrose 12.40 11.90 10.50 11.20 12.50 Glucose 1.47 1.37 1.69 1.46 1.52 lbs. av. sugar per acre... 3326 3303 2076 2976 3893 No. of Experiment 21 22 23 24 25 Yield per acre tons. ..... 25.27 25.02 15.36 23.27 26.68 Total Solids 14.80 14.80 14.40 14.40 14.90 Sucrose 12.50 12.30 12.30 12.30 12.20 Glucose 1.04 1.08 1.27 1.42 1.08 lbs. av, sugar per acre. . . 3870 3740' 2242 3313 3849 No. of Experiment 26 27 28 29 30 Yield- per acre tons 19.21 19.63 12.37 22.05 26.24 Total Solids 15.50 15.40 15.50 15.30 15.30 Sucrose 13.70 14.00 14.10 12.70 13.10 Glucose. 1.01 1.02 1.05 1.35 1.17 lbs. av. sugar per acre. . . 3270 3335 2173 3307 4171 No. of Experiment. ..... 31 32 33 34 35 Yield per acre tons 14.84 22.19 12.28 17.22 20.79 Total Solids 15.70 15.80 15,10 16 00 15.80 Sucrose 12.50 13.20 12.90 13.40 13.80 Glucose 1.00 1.18 1.10 1.00 .80 lbs. av. sugar per acre. . . 2285 3550 1940 2876 3659 No. of Experiment 36 37 38 39 40 Yield per acre tons 15.96 16.59 11.34 15.33 12.07 Total Solids 16.20 15.40 12.90 15.30 14.80 Sucrose 12.70 12.50 10.60 12.10 11.60 Glucose .80 .83 .88 .91 .84 lbs. av. sugar per acre. . . 2570 2621 1474 2300 1581 Dissolved Bone Black Group. Acid Phosphate Group. Precipitated Dissolved Bone Black Group. Precipitated Acid Phos- phate Group. Bone Dust Group. Rock Phosphate or Floats Group. Orchilla Group. Gypsum Group. ^ a [ 36 ] Ey compariDg iu each group the ^^basal mixture” with the ^ ‘basal mixture mixed with the phosphate” we obtain the benefit derived from the phosphoric acid, and by comparing them with the unfertilized experiments, we obtain the increase due to the manure. It must be noted however, that the “nothings” occu- pied the center of the plat and from their location were natu- rally better than the rest of the plat. This natural advantage was recognized before planting, but no better arrangement could be devised. By insjDecting the diagram it will be found that the basal mixture occupied the extreme left of the plat, adjoining the “tiled drained plat.” In fact the tiles ran within a few feet of the row and some of the results of this basal mixture must be assigned to tiles. We thus account for the unusually small dif- ferences which occur here but not elsewhere on the Station, between the use of basal mixture and basal mixture and phos- phates. Taking each group up separately we have for Group 1 Dis- solved Bone Black. GROUP 1. 50 C o H 'S S - si52 Yield of iiotliiug per acre 18.02 1766 Yie]d of Basal Mixture 27.05 3067 Yield of 1.3 ration Dissolved Bone Black 27.96 2768 Yield of 2-3 ration Dissolved Bone Black 28.42 3069 Yielfl of 3-3 ration Dissolved Rone Black 31.95 3812 Increase due to 1-3 ration over Basal Mixture .91 Increase due to 2-3 ration over Basal Mixture 1.37 2 Increase dne to 3-3 ration over Basal Mixture 4.90 745 Increase Basal Mixture ovei* nothin e* 9.03 1301 Increase 1 -3 ration over nothing 9.94 1002 Increase 2-3 ration over nothing 10.40 1303 Increase 3-3 ration over uothino- ’ 13.93 2046 [ 37 ] Cemparing each group iu this way we have : GROur 2. ' Tons. tk Increase Basal Mixture over nothing 3.40 9.. 35 5.50 11.40 1065 lOlO 603 1364 Inerease 1-3 ration Acid Phosphate over nothing Increase 2-.3 ration Acid Phospliate over nothing Increase 3-3 ration Acid Pliosphate over nothing GROUP 3. Iiicrease Rasal Mixture over iiothinjx Increase 1-3 ration Free. Dissolved Bone over nothin?; Increased 2-3 ration Free. Dissolved Bone over nothing Increased 3-3 ration Dissolved Bone over nothing 6.2R 7.29 5.92 5.74 1437 1429 1014 1021 GROUP 4. Increase Basal Mixture over nothing Increase 1-3 ration Free. Acid Fhosphate over nothing Increase 2-3 ration Free. Acid Fhosphate over nothing Increase 3-3 ration Free. Acid Fhosphate over nothing a o 2 2 4.66 1250- 5.29 1227 4.97 900 8.58 1817 GROUP 5. Tons. — CZ ^ '-o .o Increase of Basal Mixture over nothin 9.91 1628 Increase of 1-3 ration Bone Dust over nothing 9.36 1498 Increase of 2-3 ration Bone Dust over nothing 7.91 1071 Increase of 3-3 ration Bone Dust over nothing 11.32 1607 [ 38 ] GROUP 6. Tone. lbs. availa- ble sugar. Increase of Basal Mixture over nothing 6.82 1105 Increase of 1-3 ration Floats over nothing 7.24 1262 Increase of 2-3 ration Floats over nothing 9.66 1134 Increase of 3-3 ration Floats over nothing 13.85 1998 GROUP 7. Tons. lbs. availa- ble sugar. Increase of Basal Mixture over nothing 2.56 345 TrTr,rp,a,sft of 1-3 ra.tion Orohilla over nothing 9.91 1610 Increase of 2-3 ration Orchilla over nothing 4.94 936 Increase of 3-3 ration Orchilla over nothing 8.51 1719 GROUP 8. Tons. lbs. availa- ble sugar. Tnerea.so of Basal Mixture over nothing 4.62 1096 Tnerea,se of 1-3 ra.tion Gypsnm over nothing 5.25 1147 Increase of 2-3 ration Gvpsum over nothing 3.99 826 Increase of 2-3 ration Gypsum over nothing .73 107 It is evident from above that phosphates have increased the tonnage, but the sugar content is not increased proportion- ately as was to be expected. The tiled draining assisted doubt- less the maturity of the basal mixture. This plat was ground Oct. 14th, most too early for large sugar contents. Large quan- tities of phosphates have again not proven remunerative. Of the forms of phosphoric acid used the soluble in dissolved bone black and acid phosphate, and the insoluble in floats and or- chilla have given best results. That in bone dust has given no increase over basal mixture alone. Gypsum too seems to be without effect. , [ 39 ] PLAT 7III— POTASSIC MANURES. STUBBLE CANE— HARVESTEB NOVEMBER 1-3. This plat was designed to test permanently the require- ments of this soil for potash, and then to determine the form and •quantity best adapted to cane. There has been used the muri- ate, sulphate, nitrate, carbonate and kainite, and such quanti- ties of each have been taken as to represent 60, 120 and 180 lbs of pure potash per acre, or 1-3, 2-3 and 3-3 rations. These are excessive quantities, but they are used with the hope of deter- mining whether potash in any form or quantity effected the ton- nage or sugar content of cane. This plat was off barred with 4-horse plow March 2d, hoed March 28th and 29th, and fertil- izers applied March 31st, 1887, and middles split out. Subse- quent treatment with disk cultivator. Laid by with 4-horse plow. TABLE .8 RESULTS OF PLATNO. 8— POTASSIC MANURES p 9 !^S 9 AJ'BH uaqAV | | A d 0 ^Pi ZG p; ® ® _o 0 -2 2'S s g Pi P ® §£;=■ 'B "3 ‘5 ^-£1 'So® 1 ^ cS p P W PL| c3 i-i 0 0 > ^ o 12 ; - c 5 y " g z: bc ^.2 o , ■ao'B J 9 J Cl lO 'T uo cq (M O O CO tH CO CO o O CD 1-1 rr oq Tt ^ CD CD Cl O CO 00 Cl CO Oi uo CO 'Tfi OJ lO CO OD CD TT LO tH Tf lO CO O# ;> X P L- 0 (-< C TI 04 0 CD lO kO X 0 CD CO rH CD CO CO CD Cl kD GC ^ c t J 9 J tH 0 Dl CD rf c: CO cx ci X Cl d CD Cl d lO J> p ^■'^J CD ID kO CD 10 CO lO X CD CD CD CD CD X kD PP ce C Cl T-^ tH t-H rH 1 — 1 rH t-H 1 — 1 rH rH rH •OUL'H Oi t- X t- CD t>. kO X kO 'Tin DT CD 8 9 scoiim CO CO L'- CO CD ''H CO LO CD t- 0 X rH ' ‘ rH CD Cl Cl 0 Cl X 0 p (M ci d CD Cl QO 0 d d CD 0 l-H r-i rH ’-H !^n 9 T 0 lJJ 900 0 Cl (M -rr CD Cl 0 0 0 lo CO Oi X CD O' Dl oq CO rH 0 0 0 ■' 3 < 0 CD 0 CD Cl CO X kO 0 DJ A' 4 TIllc[ CO lO »o '-H Ol ID X r-H CM 0 X X d LO Cl kO GO X X’ X X X X X X Cl X X X X X X X ID 10 0 Di X DJ 0 8 0 X (M kO qr (Oi (OJ oi rH 01 oq rf CM Cl CM CM CO CO 0 a X 9 so 9 n{D T— i -4 ,-1 rH rH rH rH rH r 4 rH w •gsoiouQ CO LO CD •<*1 05 X X kO kO kD i- X 0 cc CO CO CO CO CO d X rH on on CO CO CO CO CO T — 1 1 -H ■*-H rH rH r-i T-^ rH rH rH rH rH rH r-< C 3 t: t- }> t- rH rH rH 5 ' spnog 00 0 CM X X Dl CD CO Oi CD ■rr X CD 10 uO LO 0 CD lO ID 10 kO 0 kO 16 >0 kD 10 CD LO 1 -H T— ^ tH rH rH rH rH i-H rH rH rH rH rH •gmii'ug 0 00 CD Cl -rf* kO DT CD 0 X CD kO kD X X 899 J.o 9 n QO QO 00 06 x X X X cxi c» Cl X X cxi 06 00 Cl X snoT Cl 00 0 uO 1 (M X kO kO Cl 0 0 ni 9.1 DV CO D 1 0 CD i> CD cq CO 0 0 Cl (M tPiT •CD 06 rH d 1 LO ci rH LO CO d d CO CD cc tc c o*^ 0,0 cc _ 3:3 . bJD^ . ^Ch 03 ,DJ ,a . p,P 4 ®a .. rts!'~'zScbT'eiOcSe^T' 'o®0®0®®Oq®0®'^®®0 cod Ot— iCqCO'':?' LOCO rd t» c 5 - 4 -J o pH d ® 4 i CS l-P Zp ■“ r^. '~' ' -P P P -'5 CO C o brg^ • c.pui ^ ■3 ^ 00 Cl rP 00 rt 4 - o Ph o C 3 ^ g «-Pi P^-^ W 9 g O OQ O pu mP-i I— I f— I p Z' p ® o ® ® I ^1 cn Cv O O ^ . bC p^ j.s- ® ^ o 'Meal Phosphate ) ' ,165 lbs. Carbouate Potash \ ^25. 10 o. ©o —I o 12; P^ :: :: - X) 'cr “CD^ ‘^co’^ »H CO o c- GTi CO X CO CO co_ _co_ Ci X tH 05 t- o (oi o 05* CO lO CO t- CD o CO LO <— 1 1— ( 1— c »— 1 1— ( rH 1-H »-0 X LO o CO CO 'JT o D1 X C5 x 05 o X 1— ( rH CO (M CO 05 O CD i> CD lO Oi i> rH X X X X 00 1'- X Oi X X LO LO T— i (Gi {>» Ol DI CO o rH l-H rH -H 1-H 1-1 ri t- uO t- lO CO CO CO OJ oi 1—1 rH rH t-H 1— ' 1-H tH rH rH 1— ( cc X CO lO CO lO lO CD iO ID lO LO t-H 1— i rH X i> O X »C CD LO X x' 05 x X* X x « a ® CO ^ -M O -a ^ 'T j g'p,^ o“=gz fl cog^ . CCJ . PWra>-Hp^ CO afL( CO ^'~''-Hr-i;2!a'— ce^ic« c3'^:3

® ®iOq ®0 gss_s2^afe o ca j'. oc ci 5^ <7> !M -S ® CO • On CO « 'T ® 55 >»!-( o bo V, [ 42 ] PLAT VIII. — PoTAssic Manures. No. of Experiment.. .... Yield per acre in tons. . . Total ^lids Sucrose Glucose. No. of Experiment. Yield per acre in tons Total Solids Sucrose Glucose lbs. available sugar 70 per No. of Experiment Yield per acre in tons. . . Total Solids Sucrose (xlucose No, of Experiment Yield per acre in tons. . . . Total Solids Sucrose Glucose lbs. available sugar 70 per- No. of Experiment Yield per acre in tons. . . . Total Solids Sucrose Glucose lbs. available sugar 70 per cent extraction per acre 6 7 8 9 10 26.39 28.28 21.26 30.65 * 15.97 15-57 15.17 15.17 16.07 13.40 13.30 13.00 13.00 13.50 1.25 4259 1.25 4525 1.40 3044 1.22 4778 1.17 11 13 13 14 15 35.62 19.78 14.87 27.65 15.27 * 15.27 15.37 15.67 12.60 13.10 11.70 12.40 12.90 1.28 1.22 4043 1.47 1631 1.20 4103 1.00 16 17 18 19 30 21.21 25.45 13.34 27.09 * 16.37 15. 91 15.61 15.41 15.41 14.80 14.00 13.80 13.50 13.. 50 .90 3994 1.28 4304 1.22 2236 1.37 4586 1.37 31 33 33 34 35 19.00 23.90 16.24 25.10 * 15.81 16.41 15.61 15.91 15.71 13.50 14.70 13.30 13.90 13.70 1.07 3165 .95 4443 1.37 1558 1.17 3918 1.28 36 37 38 39 30 19.00 22.85 16.41 27.51 * 16.31 15.81 15.31 15.57 15.31 14.10 13.50 12.70 12.00 12.50 1.22 3364 1.28 3704 1.28 2476 1.35 3843 1.05 Muriate Potash Group. Eainite Group. Sulphate Potash Group Group Nitrate Potash Group [ 43 ] By combining as we did under Plat 7, we have GROUP 1. Tons. [43 & .2 Increase of Meal Phosphate over nothing 5.13 1215- Increase of 1-3 ration of Muriate over nothino" 7.02 1481 Increase of 2-3 ration of Muriate over nothing 9.29 1734 GROUP 2. Increase of Meal Phosphate over nothing . . . Increase of 1-3 ration of Kainite over nothing Increase of 2-3 ration of Kainite over nothing 5.84 1412 7.87 1472 GROUP 3. Tons. lbs. availa' ble sugar- Increase of Meal Phosphate over nothing 7.87 1758 Increase of 1-3 ration Sulphate over nothing 12.11 2068 Increase of 2-3 ration Sulphate over nothing 13.75 2350 GROUP 4. - Tens. lbs. availa- ble sugar. Increase of Meal Phosphate over nothing 2.76 607 Increase of 1-3 ration Carbonate over nothing 7.66 1885 Increase of 2-3 ration Carbonate over nothing 8.86 1360 GROUP 5. oo a o H lbs. availa- ble sugar. Increase of Meal Phosphate over nothing 2.59 888 Increase of 1-3 ration Nitrate over nothing 6.44 1228 Increase of 2-3 ration Nitrate over nothing 11.10 1367 [ 44 ] From the aboA^e it will be seen that every form of potash has increased the tonnage more or less over meal i^hosphate Avithout enhancing the sugar content. This will readily be seen by inspecting the columns of ‘^yield per acre” and ‘^available sugar i)er ton.” It will be seen too that increased quantities have given increased yields. This is decidedly perplexing, for our experiments elsewhere this year and last year shoAA ed no increase due to potash. The results are also contrary to those obtained at the Barbadoes Agricultural Experiment Station for 1886. In the summary of conclusions arrived at on the action of the manures, in the report of this Station for 1886 we find ; 6. ^^The addition of potash to manurings of superphosphate and nitrogen may not increase the yield of total produce to any very marked extent but from its tendency to increase the deA^el- opment of the cane causes a large increase in the amount of of available sugar in the juice. 7. The presence of potash in the manures in rather high relative i)roportions apparently tends to increase the amount of sucrose in the canes. This point is Avorthy of further investi- gations. 8. The presence of an excess of potash in the manures does not injuriously effect the purity of the juice by increasing the glucose or appreciably the amount of potash salts contained in it. An inspection of our results will show that potash has in- creased the tonnage to a marked extentj in one instance I7o. 29 as much as 8J tons over No. 26 meal and phosphate, and the lowest No. 7, 1.89 tons over No. 6 meal and phosphate, but there is no large increase in aAmilable sugar per ton, where potash was used Again increased quantities of potash have not given increased amounts of sucrose in the canes. This Station concurs in the first part of the 8th conclusion, Adz., that excess of potash has not increased the glucose in the juice, but dissents for the present from the last part. Our lab- aratory experiments in the analyses of ash from juices from this plat for this year are not yet complete. They Avill be ready for our Bulletin on the Sugar House”, Avhich will appear later* But our experiments of last year indicated that excessive quan- tities of potash in manures are probably detrimental to the yield of sugar. See Bulletin No. 10, pages 71 and 72. [ 45 ] Oar conclnsiou from tliis plat is that potash has simply iu- creasecl the tonuage of cane without effecting the sucrose or glu- cose. Whether this increase is due to the potash per se’^ or to its indirect action as a solvent of plant food already in the soil is yet an unsolved i)rohlem. It is known to all agriculturists that certain manures stimulate only, i. e. act as a reagent to disintegrate and bring in solution the plant food already con- tained in the soil. Under this head come gypsum, lime, salt, etc. These excessive doses of potash were applied to these identical plats in 188G and 1887. They were without appreciable effect in 1880. It may be that these good effects in 1887 are to be ascribed entirely to their solvent influences upon this stiff black land, acting through nearly two years, bringing in solu- tion large quantities of nitrogen from the organic matter i)res- ent, which has given an increased growth to the cane. This subject Avill receive full iuA'estigation in the future. For the present, it suffices to know that potassic manures used in large quantities upon these black lands, did produce an increased tonnage. PLAT XY— PLAlS'T CANE. In the spring of 1880 this plat was sown broadcast in cow peas. A luxuriant growth of vines was obtained. In September the plat was divided into two equal parts. The pea vines on the west side were removed, cured into hay, and fed to the stock. The entire plat was then turned over with a 4-horse plow. There was thus presented a basis for an experiment with and without pea vines, to test the value of first, the roots alone, and second, the roots and Aunes. A portion of this plat was planted with plant and the rest with stubble cane. It was also divided into 5 groiq^s of 4 experiments each. First and second groups next to the river were fertilized at the time of planting, the fourth and fifth groups furthest from the river, in the spring, and the third or middle group was not fertilized at all. Each group had thus two experiments with l^ea vines turned under, add two with vines removed. The ma- nures were duplicated on both. In group 1, cotton seed meal, acid phosphate and kainite were used as manure. In experi- [ 46 ] ment 1, the meal and phosphate were combined in proportion of 2 to 1. In experiment 2, in equal quantities. The kainite was constant in both. Group 2 was manured like Group 1, except the kainite wa& omitted. Group 3 was unmonured. In Group 4 experiment 1, the nitrogen was supplied in form of nitrate soda, sulphate ammonia and cotton seed meal. Of the whole amount of nitrogen supplied f was in form of nitrate soda, f in sulphate of ammonia, and 2-8 in cotton seed meal.. This was combined with acid phosphate and kainite. Experiment 2 of same group, had all its nitrogen in form of nitrate of soda, which was also combined with acid phosphate. In Group 5, experiment 1, dried blood and sulphate of am- monia supplied the nitrogen, while sulphate of ammonia alone was used in experiment 2. Both had also acid phosphate and kainite. The following are manures used : [ 47 ] PLAT XV— PLANT CANE. Experiment 1- Experiment 2- Experiment 3- Experimeut 4- Experiment 5- Experiment 6- Experiment 7- Experiment 8 — Experiment 9- r 300 lbs Cotton Seed Meal I 150 lbs cotton Seed Meal ^ 100 lbs Kainite I 200 lbs Cotton Seed Meal 1 100 lbs Acid Phosphate f 300 lbs Cotton Seed Meal I 300 lbs Acid Thosphate <{ 100 lbs Kainite 1 200 lbs Acid Phosphate [200 Ibe Cotton Seed Meal Like (1) without Kainite. Like (2) without Kainite. No manure. No manure, f 100 lbs Nitrate Soda I 70 lbs Sulphate Ammonia I 300 lbs Cotton Seed Meal \ 300 lbs Acid Phosphate I 100 lbs Kainite ( 100 lbs Nitrate Soda t 70 lbs Sulphate Ammonia ^ Applied Oct. 18th. Applied June 3d. Applied Oct. 18th. I Applied June 3d. Applied March 18. ■ Apjdied June 3d. C 300 lbs Nitrate Soda ] 300 lbs Acid Phosphate ] 100 lbs Kainite [300 lbs Nitrate Soda 100 lbs Sulphate Ammonia 200 lbs Dried Blood 300 lbs Acid Phosphate 100 lbs Kainite 100 lbs Sulphate Ammonia { 200 lbs Sulphate Ammonia 300 lbs Acid Phosphate 100 lbs Kainite 200 lbs Sulphate Ammonia I March 18th. Applied June 3d. March 18th. Applied June 3d. Experiment 10 — The following is the table of results, and diagram of plat. ^ Applied March 18th. Applied June 3d. PLAT NO. XV. •pnnoif) d; rt " c3 t> c ^ -S eg ao O . ® O ^ ^ O) giDU I J QJ I r no; I J9J 1 (M OJ CO O CO CO CO CO GO CC CO CQ TJI Oi O t- CO CO VO CO ■<^< CO CO CO o o 05 X) X X CO CO iH X O VO rH CO CO CO •OTJ-BJI 0SOOU|0 C5 X 22 lO 11.60 12.50 21.85 13.33 iH X (M 05 X CO CO X rf G. rH Tf X X X -gi 'gi X 'g^ -g* t- t- 62.64 71.48 74.59 c- o o o CO o X O X X X X X X ir: vo CO •T CO 'g* X O 05 X X X rg o •98O0iqJ9 V— 1 1-H 1—1 d 1—1 0> 1— 1 1— 1 1— 1 d d d o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o CO 9SOJOIlg CO o o CCi Oi X VO X i> Oi X (M o o» X ® CO t-4 5 r-*4 T— I rH T— i iH 1— 1 l-H 1—1 1—1 1— 1 CO CO o O X X X i-H i>. j> 1'. a •spiios •!? VO Oi CO (M X 05 i-H O t- X X 1> GO X tp 00 d d d X i>i d l> o X o X O (Ol X X VO t- X X enoj, ni 9I0Y CO X CO X o T— 1 05 X X vO X -g* X X ■g" X X d d VO d X X X X X 1> d X aod CO X •T CO X rj* X X X X X X X X h:; soniA 'BOJ JO noi;]SodsiQ ..2.S.9.0 O g *0 ® o ® o 2 S 2 S g S a ® S O P3 ® Ci o ® o 02 CPh^S O . •4-3 •— o C? c3 o -H CO CO Jdxa JO 'OX I Ot C^CO COrr>«tiiOlOCOCO 4 [ 50 ] PLAT XV.— Plant Cane. Pea Vines Turned under Pea Vines Removed. Ho. of Experiment... 1 2 1 2 Yield per acre in tons 38.60 40.60 38.88 1 *? /IQ 41.38 J-O . ^0 1 f\(\ J.U • , 1 d AA 14.50 xu.uu 1 Ad lU . uu 11 .20 lbs. av. sugar per acre 4825 1 . 4U 4507 1 •ol 4160 1 .30 5462 Ho. of Experiment.. 3 4 3 * 4 * Yield per acre in tons 39.07 40.91 1 Q AQ 35.14 33.30 lo • Oo 1 A f^d 14.43 15.23 Glucose 1 AC\ lU . ou 1 Ad 10.80 0 OA 11.30 2.33 3630 lbs. av. sugar per acre 1 • 4962 1 • 4U 4746 y .00 3584 Ho. of Experiment . . 5 6 5 6 Yield per acre in tons Tntsl Anlifl.si ....... 33.92 36.36 33.59 .33.45 Snp.rnsft 14.37 14 .17 13 .91 15.07 11.20 Glucose. 10 70 10.60 10 20 lbs. av. sugar per acre 2.00 3663 1 .96 3890 1 .93 3426 1.93 3880 Ho. of Experiment _ 7 8 ■ 7 8 Yield per acre in tons Total SoHfls ......... 37.97 12.77 8.00 2.36 2354 39.45 37.36 38.39 SlIP.f’fVftA - 12 87 12.87 13.17 Glucose 9 .60 2.08 3353 9.20 2.18 3101 9.20 2.30 3110 lbs. av. sugar per acre Ho. of Experiment . . 9 10 9 10 Yield per acre iji tons Total Solids 42.30 13.33 10.60 1.84 4653 43.83 12.83 9.00 1.95 3726 41.48 11.93 8.00 2.00 2904 37.70 12.43 9.10 Sncrnse .............. Glucose lbs. av. sugar per acre 1 .84 3355 * Injured by proximity of large pecan tree. § ,0 02 GKOUP 1. GROUP 2. Without Potasi?, GROUP 3. Ho Manure. GROUP 4. GROUP 5. [ 51 ] It may be interesting to know tbe exact contents of eacb ingredient per acre in eacb ex];)eriment. A table is bere given Upon Nos. 8, 9 and 10^ excessive quantities of nitrogen were used to demonstrate tbe fact that large tonnage low in sugar always results : Experiment No. ( ( a ic i( (( u (( n i( c< . t u u lbs. of nitrogen per acre. lbs. of phospho- ric acid per acre. lbs. of potash! per acre. average tons pei': acre. j Average availa- ble sugar pr. acr. 1 35.00 .52.. 50 i22.00 .38.74 4493 9 35.00 90.00 22.00 40.99 4985 3 35.00 52.. 50 10.00 39.07 4962 4 35.00 90.00 10.00 40.91 4746 2728 7 81.00 54.00 |18.00 37.66 8 84.00 45.00 !i2.00 38.92 3231 9 66.00 45 . 00 12-00 41.89 3778 10 84.00 45.00 12.00 40.76 4004 One fact is bere clearly demonstrated by tbe last four expe- riments, viz, that excessive quantities of nitrogenous manures' induce large tonnage imor in sugar. Here we bave 37 and 44 tons of cane to tbe acre with tbe available sugar running as low as 2354 lbs. per acre. It bas been shown under nitrogenous manures that a ration containing from 24 to 48 lbs. of nitrogen was abuadant for best results. These experiments confirm those in a most positive manner. Has kainite benefitted this cane either in tonnage or sugar content % Comparing group 1 with 2, we find no sui^eriority in weight or sucrose. Tbe por- tion of this plat planted with plant bad no advantage over that I)lauted with stubble except the former earlier came to a stand. Tbe main question asked of this plat is what benefit is to be derived from turning under tbe pea vines. To answer this question a comparison of results must be made. Tons, lbs avail, sugar. Sum of experiments with vines turned under 393.01 40.482 Sum of experiments with vines removed 370.67 36.612 Difference due to vines 22.34 , 3.870 Average increase per acre due to vines 2.23 387 Omitting experiments 3 and 4, which were modified by the presence of a large pecan tree many feet away, we bave average increase per acre due to vines 1.08 tons and 138 lbs available . [52] , ‘Sugar j quantities quite small in view of tlie large amount of Tines turned under. Perhaps in view of the large amount of fertilizers applied to a imrtion of this plat, it would be best to compare only those •experiments upon which no manure was applied. Doing' this we have an increase per acre due to vines turned under of 1.02 ■tons of cane, and 123 lbs. of available sugar. • ANALYSES OF PEA VINES AND ROOTS. The great difference of opinion among farmers and planters as to the value of pea vines as a green manure caused the Sta- tion to institute the above experiments together with those that are about to be described. All admit the great value to the .succeeding crop of cane, of a crop of peas, grown either alone or with corn, but it is strongly contended by some that the vines can be removed for feed without injury to the subsequent crops, that the roots alone, after the vines are permitted to shade the ground through the summer, are valuable as plant food. Others assert that the turning in of green vines in the fall is an absolute injury, and if turned in at all, it should be done only in the spring after they have served' as a mulch through the winter. Such differences of opinion arise largely from the char- acter and condition of the soil, seasons and subsequent cultiva- tion. To test the absolute value in plant food of a crop of vines and roots, the following experiments were instituted here during tbe past summer. In a piece of land upon which the cow pea. Clay variety, sown broadcast was growing, a small plat 10 by 10 square, was selected, and the vines carefully cut with a scythe in the usual w^ay. .These vines were weighed at once, taken to the labora- tory, thoroughly dried and analyzed. Around this plat a ditch 18 inches deep was dug, and with a strong force spray pumi) the roots were carefully washed up, weighed, dried and analysed. The vines were reaching maturity, had i)assed the vines when they sliould liave been cut for hay, had very few pods on them, and as the analj^ses shows contained much woody fibre. The top roots contraiy to expectation, were quite short, rarel}* going below 8 inches. The lateral roots were very numerous, peue- [ 53 ] tratiug the soil iu every direction, growing a network of root&- and rootlets wonderful to behold, and proving conclusively that no amount of labor could artificially iucori)orate vegetable mat- ter so completely and perfectly with the soil. Some of these lat- erals were also quite large, approximating in size, the tap roots at a few inches below the soil. To this mechanical separation and disintegration of the soil, must be ascribed some of the good effects of peas ui)on the alluvial lands of south Louisiana, to say nothing of the aid to drainage which these vegetable fibres soon converted into ducts or small tiles, engender. Leaving out of consideration at present, the mechanical effects produced in our stiff lands by a crop of peas, let us ask the question what amount of chemical food do they possess, both vines and roots. The following are the results of the work done September 12th, 13th and 14th, calculated to the acre. Amount of ^reeu vines removed per acre. . . .2l.:i4r) lbs Amount of rmts washed up per acre 3.464 “ Amount of vines after l)ein Since pea vine hay is so universally used as stock food in Louisiana, it may not be amiss to give the analyses of it when cut very green and fully ripe. ANALYSES OF PEA VINE HAY. When cut ripe. When cut green. Albuminoids 10.63 17.01 Cellulose 32.60 21.68 Fat 3.20 2.90 Carbohydrates 43.83 45.98 Ash 9.74 9.43 The above shows that for hay the pea vines should be cut green i. e. just as they begin to form green peds. Before leaving this subject it may be of interest to state that there was washed up with the roots of the pea vines, coco roots, equal to 3158 lbs. (dried) per acre. They have not yet been analyzed. PLAT II— STUBBLE CANE. Off barred Feb. 3d, and hoed and middles split out Marcli 1st, manures applied March 29th and 30th. Subsequent treat- ment with disk harrow. Laid by with 4-horse plow. The object of these experiments is to test the efficacy of certain popular manures, together with the quantities most de- sirable for most productive results. Accordingly varied quan- tities of cotton seed meal and acid phosphate, cotton seed meal and fioats. Tankage alone in various quantities and combined with other substances, cotton seed alone and in combination, etc. Besiilts are appended. pO!; 88 AJ 13 H .ii 9 qAV A ^ ^ ^ ^ 2 ^ fcc '^.2 ;> X O — , cs :3 © ■JOT? I 9 J no^ J 9 d: tH G C-l t-i pb O m •oi|«a 980911 ^^ (^11910 gij 900 A^Ulld osoon^o ' 9 S 0 J 0 Ug spnog • 9 niu'ug 899 J. 89 Q snox ni 9ioy J 9 (I pioiy rH Oi 4 f a CM CM 0 > CM (M > > ?> > > o o o o O :z; ^ • c Cl a a X (M 0 (M X 0 »o oi ^ !M o t- a Cl 01 X o> o CX d 4 T 1 a 43 d a d a a o ■'I' a X Cl rH X o 4 f a Cl 43 X Cl X CO'i t- ' 3 ' 4 t 'TT* -tH 4 tH X 4 }H 43 X _x_ X X O Cl oi o * i> t- t- ”a 43 X ' x^ oo X X CM t- CM a Cl X Cl X rH cc a 1 - t- G ci cd rH C 5 CO —3 X X a a X X t- t- i-H 4-1 4-1 4-1 43 rH rH } 4 . CO o X CM CM 43 43 X X 0 0 fO X X 4 H X 0 X a CO 0 lO ci o’ o ci d Cl d 43 X* d a 4 -( 4-i a k.O X a 0 i> X kO rH 43 lO rH X t>. Cl t- 0 a X. kO oi (M ■a 4 tH 00 j> CO rH d CM a C 5 X X i 4 t- X X oo_ X X x__ o 1 — 1 X • O X ' ‘ ' x" CO 43 a“ rH X CM T— t CO ^-4 o Cl a 43 X X G G 4 H l-H 43* -3 o o o o O o 0 0 0 0 0 0 Cl CO 43* 4JI o 431 a X 43 43 a a 44^ (M 1—4 oi 01. (M 43 43 X cd 1-H t-H tH 43 rH rH o CO X CO 0 a a a a a a tH Cl GO a lO CO 0 0 0 a X X ca 44 'i' -H -3 a a d a a kd 4-1 t-H —4 4-1 4-1 4-1 4H 43 1-3 rH rH 1 — 1 Cl X Ol 4H 4-1 CO X X ^4H 0 OD X _x X X x’ od od X ’x X* x’ X 0<> X o o X 43 a a Oi 0 a Ci C>J X CM CM X 0 CM X X CO CI) CO d d 00 d d d x’ rH -M X X _co (M (M X (M (M 43 M G o a O r- 5^ a o a r-- ® rr ccQ ^2 ^ ^ a-- ^ s (i; S 2 a? ® a cli 3^.5 •ii *a 4 ^ .r^ 3 O V ,r- o-<; ■43 ® ^ 2^11 ci r^ ^ ® ^ 2 - S og g ■§^^ -2 ^ o’© o-g 0 00 ■rr> oo tH 05 05 >-1 05 X X CO CO Tp 05 cc 05 CO lO lO O 50 lO -P X 05 o CO rH O 50 Ol o> o ci 05 05 00 on 'tP (T5 CO t- CO q6 o CO rp 05 O 05 tH- X it) lO CO 00 05 50 CO 05 CO uo CO Ol Tp rH CO X X Ci Ci 00 05 lO CO 05 ^ X CO 05 X o CO t- CO t> o< CO ■rf -+l oo CO CO ■'I* tP Tp -p CO tP 50 Tf- o o 05 O CO CO CO CO TP CO CO o Tp X CO 05 CO ' tP ' •“ O CO 05 1—1 oo o 05 TJI rH X CO X 05 o 05 X 05 CO 05 o 1—1 o’ 05 05* CO* t>-* 50 05 TP 05 CO 05 CO 5.0 05 uO CD »o o t- X CO Tp o X CO X tH 1-^ ^-1 1-H 1 — ( ^ rH 1 -^ ^ rH rH rH tH !M SQ CO oi CO O O CO O CO 50 CO o X o 1— ^ X s (M iO CO 00 CO X tP rH 05 TP tH CD Tp Ol 1> 05 'JD 1> q6 CO CO CO lO 50 CO 50 CO 5 0 tH- 5^ CO CO 50 tH^ i-H wO CO CO t- oo X 50 CO 05 i>- X 05 X CO lO CO 5^ r^P TP T— ( t- CO T— ( t- 05 CO O O rP 05 O rH CO o CO 05 05 05 rH lO (M 1-H 05* CO CO tP X X TP 00 05 oi oi i> x 05 rH 00 00 00 00 _Q0 X x_ X X X X X X t'- o <05 X X X 05 00 o ‘ CO "T “^tP tP CO TP o CO ‘ Tp X Tp CO- o 00 Ci 05 o X X 05 1- 5^ X X X X 05 05 05 05 o r-i o lO o 00 o o CO I'' CO t- 5.0 X o o ■05 o CO lO CO o tP CO CO* oj CO Ol 00 00 CO CO TP CO TP CO CO 05 Ot tP CO rp Tp TP '—1 y—i rH l—l I— 1 r-t r-( I-H rH r-( tH tH rH rH tH rH tH 'O CO CO CO -o CO CO CD CO CO CD CO CO CO CO CO CO CO rH oo CO t-H Ol t- X O CO CO X TP o 05 CO 'rP X o lO lO lO >-0 »o UO 50 CD CO O O ID lO lO 50 5 .0 50 50 CD 50 rH r-< 1—* 1-H T—t ' — ' r-H rH tH rH rH rH rH 1— J rH 00 lO K5 'TP X 05 05 CO X 50 L't CO -p CO 50 X 05 CO 00 o6 ^ oo oo _Qd_ __0^ 00 05 00 00 00 _9p'_ 00 X* CO CO X X 00 o CO OJ CO o rP X CO O X 05 05 CO 05 Ol 05 X 05 Ol Ol 00 CO iC -o' rH CO CO CO lO 05 rH CO tP CO o o It HH 05 05 CO 05 05 lO X CO 05 50 d 50 tr 05* CO _OI_ - O J oi t-H oi rH 05 05 rH 05 05 CO 05 Ol 05 05 Ol Ol oooooooo oooooooc: I--. CO CO CO CO Tx\B1jE iO — Continued, •S5[I'Bai9^ j •p9:).89AJ'BH neqAV lbs availa- ble sugar upon 70 pc extraction ion 1 I9Cl 3870.66 3516.24 4660.91 i UO'). J9(i 176.26 147.00 165.27 1 1 9soonT0 6.71 j 8.33 7.04 (^uoiogjooo 89.97 79.15 87.07 CO o CO f 9800nj^ .94 1.00 .93 •9Soiong 14.0 12.0 13-2 •spiiog 1^30 J, O CO i O I-H 1.0 lO >o j •oiuuna 899.lS9(J CO CO GO 00 I'sno!}. Ul 9X01] 1 PPTA 21.96 23.92 28.20 i -ox § I g o S 5 S 6^ S M aj 2 K cc c3 r2 ^ ^ ^ ^ o o o o o 1-5 o o o o o i'- CO i- CC O) [•59] PLAT II.— Stubble Cane. Harvested November 8th — December 2d, 1887. No. of Experiment 1 2 3 4 5 Tiekl per acre tons 2:1. 28 28.22 33.38 30.20 30.20 Total Solids IG.IO 14.97 14.83 14.00 14.56 Sucrose 14.90 12.30 12.10 12.40 11.53 Glucose .80 1.2i 1.18 1.30 1.13 lbs av. sugar per acre 4405 4143 4500 4418 4140 No. of Experiment 10 9 8 * 6 Yield per acre tons 20 ..82 21 20 32.00 27.34 28.78 Total rolids 10.50 10.00 15.00 15.00 14.60 14.40 14.10 12 . 30 12.50 11.90 Glucose .40 .04 .93 1.13 1.04 lbs. av. sugar per acre. . . 3990 3911 4895 4130 3905 No. of Experiment 11 12 13 14 15 Yield per acre tons 18.70 21.90 17.40 24.83 27.32 Total Solids 10.30 15.80 15.80 15.40 15.30 Sucrose 13.50 13.50 1.3.. 50 12.83 13.00 Glucose .81 .81 .84 .94 .98 lbs. av. sugar per acre. . . 3210 .3777 2981 3959 4410 No. of Experiment 20 ■ 19 18 17 IG Yield per acre tons 19.03 20.18 19.14 27.40 29.56 Total Solids 10.00 15.80 .15.70 15.20 15.76 Sucrose 13.70 13.70 13.00 13.70 j 12.30 Glucose .74 .94 .80 .84 1 1.00 lbs. av. sugar i)er acre. . . 3300 4505 3299 4388 j 4469 No. of Experiment 21 22 23 24 25 Yield ner acre tons 22.00 25.08 18.72 20.. 52 27.96 Total Solids 10.40 15.00 15.80 15.40 15.76 Sucrose 14.. 50 13.80 14.00 13.00 13.90 Glucose .74 .80 . i i .84 .80 lbs. av, sugar per acre. . . 4237 4498 3300 4359 4960 No. of Experiment 30 29 28 O 2G Yield per acre tons 27.02 25.. 38 20.42 25.02 32 12 Total Solids 15.80 15.40 15.00 15.20 15,00 Sucrose 14.00 13.00 14.50 12.00 12.00 Glucose -94 .98 .94 .92 :80 lbs. av. sugar per acre. . . 4703 4310 3742 4024 4816 No. of Experiment 31 32 33 34 35 Yield per acre tons 29.02 20.72 21.90 23.92 28.20 Total Solids 10.01 15.09 15.50 15.10 15.16 Sucrose 14.40 14.30 14.00 12.00 13.20 Glucose .70 . 1.00 1.00 1.05 .93 lbs. av. sugar per acre . . . 5387 4788 3870 3510 4601 o The iuspectiou of above table will show that many of the popular mauiires are exceedingly valuable; that the dilferent forms of nitrogen in cotton seed, cotton seed meal, tankage and sulphate ammonia, and dried blood, are about equally efficacious as sources of nitrogen, and that large tonnage is not always productive of largest sugar yields, and therefore manuring should be done judiciously both as to quantity and quality. PLATS IV AND V— SPRING PLANT CANE. Planted March 3d upon freshly prepared land which had been for years in succession cane. The drouth prevented early fermentation and hence it was May before the sufficient stand was obtained to permit of cultivation. The following are the manures used per acre on each i)lat; No lY untiled and No. identical: Exi^erimeut No. 1 V tiled; otherwiso the treatment was- a ( 500 lbs. \ 500 lbs. ( 500 lbs. ^ j 500 lbs \ 500 lbs 3 — Nothing. ( 500 lbs 4 _ ) 500 lbs ( 500 lbs 500 lbs ^ 500 lbs 6 — Nothing. ( 500 lbs 7 _ > 500 lbs ( 500 lbs Q I 500 lbs \ 500 lbs 0 — Nothing. t 500 lbs 10 — \ 500 lbs ( 500 lbs ^ . ( 500 lbs \ 500 lbs .Cotton Seed Meal. Acid Phosphate. Kainite. Cotton Seed Meal. Acid Phosphate. Cotton Seed Meal. Orchilla Phosphate. Kainite. Cotton Seed Meal. Orchilla Phosphate. Cotton Seed Meal. Bone Dust. Kainite. Cotton Seed Meal. Bone Dust. Cotton Seed Meal. Floats. Kaiuite. Cotton Seed Meal.. Floats. [ 61 ] % 12 — Nothing. ( 500 lbs Cotton Seed Meal. 13 — ) 500 lbs Ashes Cotton Hulls. I 500 lbs Kainite. . f 500 lbs Cotton Seed Meal. \ 500 lbs Ashes Cotton Hulls. 15 — Nothing. 16 — 500 lbs Cotton Seed Meal. 17 — 500 lbs Acid Phosphate. IS — 500 lbs Kainite. 19 — Nothing. The treatment of this plat was the same as others already given, except it was not laid by till July. # p9!^SaAJBJ£ naqAV i --5 c3 d 2 ® O 2 T^ -2 C- X •JOT? J0J no:^ J9J ot;t?jj 9800n|f) •(^nop^goQ ftKOOTlIf^ •osojong •gpipg •9UUM?g[ 899.1,(^90 •siiox ni 9.T0V .T->rt P19r^\ (-1 T* CO o ^ 0> (>> O 00 ^ QO 1C CD CT CO CO Cl CO 1C T— I 1C 00 CO CO CD CO CO C'J iC l'- CO CO’ o o CD CO tH CO 00 o l-H Cl OD-r-(lCO-rt(t^-r*(-+OC:'C2C:CDOOOD CCCOt^^COOCOOCl'rJ^OCll^l-.Ci ^XCC^O'll^iCCDrtlCTi'^i— ICCCO CO CO Cl Cl Cl CO’ Cl d CO CO d Cl CO XXXrHXXXXOOOOCC XXXt^-HXCDO'^CDt-X^CD CD CO TP CO 1C CO O Ci CO 1^ CO ^ 00 X X O X 00 oo^ CD lo’ ic CD' 1C O IC ~T iC DO O CDCDOCOCCDOOOOX Cl d Cl (—1 CO d Cl Cl Cl d CO Cl Cl Cl d CO d Cl CO CO tP uO d d tP CO -p uo ic iC Tp 1C IC 1C iC CD CD IC 1C iC ■ TpCOCllC'^CDdCDCOCiCD •C0COC01>C0 tPCOCD1.0C5 tTOtPCI X’XXXXXXXXl^X xxxxxxxxxxcoxxxx Cl O O TP 1C ! •[^(1x3 JO 'O • a ■ D . 0) 5 41 . 0” o ac: o ac^ a:;:; c a.-D a:;^ o a. or acr o a'__ ”d CO TP ic ' cD i>» X C0”O — I ci CO ' tP iC CD ^rr^. fcCr C 5 Jifr- * ice. • icitw ■a.pjoC'TrD'^cra'^a^'orr'^.rr'^T.rr ■•o ''■' " ©-)-= <1/ ^ ®TCP -pp* ® r-H rt r- 1< W C5 '•-O ^ ,-1 O O GO CO ^ O CO 00 lO CO CM (0) c; CO )0 J> 00 GO O CO lO CO (M CO ^ lO CO ^ (O) LO CO 05 ■ -rH Vw '05 -1 03 -M 05 +5 •'m rr o \ \ PLAT lY — Untiled and V Tiled. UNTILED TILED No. of Experiment Yield per acre in tons. . . Total Solids Sucrose (ilucose No. of Experiment Yield per acre in tons. . . Total Solids Sucrose (Jlucose lbs av. sugar per acre. . . No. of Experiment Yield per acre in tons. . . Total Solids Sucrose (xlucose lbs. av. sugar per acre. . . No. of Experiment. . Yield per acre in tons Total Solids Sucrose ( Jlucose 11)3. av. sugar per acre No, of Experiment. Yidld per acre in tons Total Solids (ilucose lbs. av. sugar per acre. No. of Experiment i ig Yield per acre in tons Total Solids ound and this quantity clarifies 200 gallons of Juice. Samples of the sugars and molasses madeliy this process have been carefully preserved for future examination. The scums and settlings from Tannic extract were easily filteered and the cakes made, are to-day i)ertectly sound, showing no sign of fermentation, while those made otherwise have long since whitened with decomposing matters. The filter press made by Posey & Jones, and kindly lent the Station was again, used this year to demonstrate the loss occasioned by the waste- -ful process of throwing the scums and settlings in the ditch. EXPERIMENTS WITH DECOLORIZING AGENTS. Kleeman’s process of filtering juices and scums was fre- quently tried during the season, using two varieties of German lignite, Alabama lignite and charcoal. Both the scums and whole juices were each separately tried with the above lignites, treating them successively, acid, neutral and alkaline. The per centage of each lignite to the juice used most desirable for good work, was also determined. Both the •German and Alabama lignite filtered well and strongly decol- orized, preference being given by all present to the latter. Charcoal was very inferior. The best work was accomplished with 5 lbs. lignite to 30 gallons of juice. Alabama lignite was successfully used also in brightening black molasses. ' Ten tons of this Alabama lignite has been donated for fil- tering purposes on a large scale to parties in ISTew Orleans, and hopes are entertained of its successful introduction into the sugar industry of Louisiana. Full details of above experiments will be given in our Bul- letin on the sugar house. COXCLUSIOXS. In the last quarter of a century wonderful progress has been made in machinery for making sugar, so that the yield per ton of cane has been gradually increasing until to-day the start- ling announcement is made that by difi'usiou upon Magnolia ; [ 72 ] plantation 231 lbs. of sugar per ton of cane has been obtained,- Such progress in a few years is almost incredible. The open kettle has been supplanted by the vacuum strike pan ; the cen- trifugal purges in a few moments and in a much more satisfac- tory manner, the masse cuite that once drained for weeks in the purging. The evaporation “in vacuo” by the simple, cheap, and economical double, triple or quadruple effect, is as far superior to the oi^en pans, as this is to the iron kettle. The three roller mill banished the two vertical rolls, to be in turn overshadowed by the five roller. Even these, with a shredder attachment, is now subordinated in its efficiency to the diffusion cells, a recog- nition of the superiority of chemical effect over mechanical power. Such has been the marvellous march of mechanical improve- ment in the manufacture of sugar. Has the agriculture of sugar kept pace with its mechanics ! By no means ! The reasons for this, numerous and incontrovertible, need not be given here. Suffice to say, that in the next quarter of the century a large portion of our time must be devoted to an education of the cane plant. It must be sent to school and be made to imbibe in large quantities those ingredients which shall cause its cells to dis- tend with saccharine life. The action of manures, the func- tions of the soil, the differentiation of varieties, and the vicissi- tude of the seasons, must engage the intelligence of our plant- ers. In the field and in the laboratory must be the worn of those who wish to advance the . science and art of successful sugar growing in the next generation. It is therefore with par- donable pride that this Station presents this Bulletin to the pub- lic, the record of the first systematic work in the agriculture of sugar cane done in Louisiana, and invites a careful perusal of its contents, and such an earnest moral and pecuniary support as to enable it to amplify its work and extend its investigations. [ 73 ] RECORD OF WEATHER LOUISIANA SUGAR EXPERIMENT STATION, FOR JULY 1887. f Date. TEMPERATURE. Rainfall. ■ 1 July. 9 a. m. 3 P. M. 9 P. M. Maximum Minimum. Inches. 1 82° 75° 75° 82° 70° 3.29 2 80 80 — 80 71 .80 3 81 80 79 92 / 68 4 85 82 78 92 72 5 87 88 80 94 73 ' 6 84 81 78 92 74 .33 7 85 86 77 92 73 .61 8 83 88 79 92 74 • 9 85 91 81 92 74 10 87 80 — 93 76 11 86 89 76 94 74 12 87 81 80 94 71 .09 13 87 82 77 89 72 .09 14 86 83 76 93 71 .33 15 85 85 80 93 71 16 85 90 86 91 73 17 85 86 80 95 76 .10 18 86 87 78 95 73 19 88 92 82 93 76 20 89 92 79 95 77 .10 21 85 78 78 93 77 .92 22 85 89 82 93 75 23 83 84 79 93 75 .13 24 88 78 76 93 74 .46 25 84 87 78 93 72 26 83 75 76 88 72 .31 27 82 90 83 91 i 72 28 87 89 84 96 1 i 76 29 90 92 85 95 : 77 30 89 85 80 97 i .30 31 89 92 84 94 ' 76 1 Average. 85.4 86.7 I 79.4 j i 7.86 Maximum temperature 97° Daily rainfall .253 Minimum temperature 68° N. KECORD OF WEATHER LOUISIANA SUGAR EXPERIMENF STATION FOR AUGUST 1887. c5 TEMPERATURE. i 1 Rainfall. Q 1 - 1 0 a •4^ % CO CO M 1 • s a ra So . o Ph* < 05 CO O ! S l’ 83° 78° 77° 91° 79° .65 2 86 85 82 1 92 72 .3 89 83 80 95 76 .17 4 88 83 8S ! 93 73 5 81 76 76 * 89 77 1.67 6 » 84 79 76 1 91 73 .58 7 86 89 81 i 93 74 8 86 ! 89 8P 95 74 9 83 ’ 79 82 1 91 74 .40 10 88 75 73 I 86 73 .44 11 83 ! 84 78 1 89 70 .49 12 84 j 88 81 1 89 72 13 84 87 1 77 ! 91 72 14 84 86 80 I 89 70 15 84 '89 79 1 90 70 16 84 1 84 80 1 90 72 17 84 i 81 79 ! 91 74 .25 18 84 86 80 1 89 75 J9 81 j 89 80 90 75 20 84 1 88 — — 75 21 85 84 1 80 92 75 22 85 90 82 92 71 23 87 j 93 ! 81 94 76 24 84 ' 89 81 i 90 75 25 85 ' 93 78 i 93 74 1.43 26 84 1, 8*^ 77 ! 90 74 .5 27 77 1 83 4 O 1 i 83 74 28 81 83 74 1 83 70 29 80 85 74 86 69 30 80 84 i 76 85 j 70 .12 31 78 j 82 74 82 72 — Average. 84 85 78.4 • 1 6.70 Maximum temperature 95° Dailj^ rainfall .216. Minimum temperature 69° [ 75 ] KECORD OF WEATHER LOUISIANA SUGAR EXPERIMENT STATION FOR SFPTEMBER 1887. 6 Q TEMPERATURE. Rainfall. OJ -O a -M OJ 02 9 A. M. S Ch' CO pi Maximum ! Minimum. | Inches. 1 80° 82° 73° 83° 70° 2 81 83 71 85 68 3 80 86 74 86 67 4 80 87 74 87 67 5 81 86 75 86 67 6 81 83 71 86 66 7 83 89 76 89 66 8 83 91 77 91 74 9 81 92 80 92 69 10 82 92 82 92 74 11 85 92 83 92 74 12 85 84 78 88 75 .47 13 78 86 76 89 70 14 81 87 75 87 70 15 82 90 78 90 71 16 83 91 77 91 73 17 80 89 77 89 72 18 76 79 77 79 72 .62 19 76 75 73 79 71 1.62 20 73 79 75 79 71 . .29 21 75 81 77 81 71 22 82 86 80 86 74 23 80 86 75 86 69 24 72 77 67 1 77 66 25 70 80 68 80 60 26 70 77 74 80 64 27 70 79 69 80 67 28 70 75 j 64 75 62 29 69 75 ! 63 76 57 30 70 79 1 63 79 56 Averaoje. 78 84 74 3.30 Maxirawm temperature 92° Daily rainfall .11 -Minimum temperature 56° [ 76 ] RECORD OF WEATHER LOUISIANA SUGAR EXPERIMENT STATION, FOR OCTOBER 1887. d a o TEMPERATURE. Rainfall. October. 9 A. M. CO d o a S3 g ’h eS S Minimum. Inches. 1 74 80 73 80 57 2 70 80 74 83 60 3 77 84 74 84 69 4 80 83 73 84 70 . 5 75 82 74 82 1 65 6 80 85 74 85 65 7 78 81 73 82 65 8 81 85 73 85^ 65 9 81 86 73 86/- 66 10 1 • 82 83 73 85 66 11 ! 74 70 66 76 70 12 i 57 66 59 66 54 . 13 1 62 71 65 73 54 14 ! 68 76 65 76 58 15 i 71 77 71 77 57 16 70 76 65 76 61 ' 17 72 71 81 « m 72 71 81 3.2 19 72 68 82 61 3- 20 70 76 67 76 61 .0(> 21 63 69 60 69 61 22 1 62 59 70 55 23 i 71 79 ^ 68 79 56 24 i 84 74 84 63 25 1 77 63 59 74 65 .07 26 58 60 58 60 54 .06 27 60 63 1 62 63 56 28 63 66 60 66 58 29 62 72 72 54 30 52 55 47 55 49 31 52 60 40 . Average. 67.8 75 65.7 6.39 Maximum temperature 86° Daily raiufall .206 Minimum temperature 40° [ 77 ] KECORD OF WEATHER LOUISIANA SUGAR EXPERIMENT STATION FOR NOVEMBER. DATE. . Rain Fall. November. Maximum Minimum Inches November 1 74 42 “ 2 70 42 “ 3 70 44 4 72 46 b 71 45 ‘‘ 6 53 “ 7 75 53 “ 8 69 64 “ 9 69 64 ‘‘ 10 71 64 “ 11 73 49 12 73 39 “ 13 73 ‘‘ 14 50 15 78 52 “ 16 77 50 “ 17 77 50 “ 18 61 59 19 64 52 “ 20 70 21 30 22 71 “ 23 76 55 “ 24 77 56 25 76 59 “ 26 78 60 27 80 60 .11 “ 28 59 44 29 60 37 “ 30 62 44 ' .11 Maximum 80° Minimum 30° Daily Rainfall .003. [ 78 ] RECORD OF WEATHER LOUISIANA SUGAR EXPERIMENT STATION FOR DECEMBER 1887. Date. TEMPERATURE. Raiufall. 'a December 9 A. M. S Ch CO Maximum Minimum. 1 57 61 52 i 44 2 63 70 66 1 70 55 3 71 76 66 i 76 63 .91 4 72 77 62 1 77 60 5 59 65 57 1 65 57 6 57 69 62 j 69 50 7 70 71 66 76 60 .66 8 63 64 55 1 64 60 9 60 60 ! 52 1 60 ! 52 10 54 t 60 i 50 61 . 43 11 57 64 ! 56 1 64 43 12 54 55 S 51 55 51 1.42 13 54 60 1 .. 1 60 45 14 55 56 i 56 j 56 52 .16 15 56 59 1 55 1 59 53 • 16 50 58 1 50 ! 58 42 .24 17 44 47 1 42 i 47 36 18 51 58 ! 40 60 45 .94 19 55 61 1 53 61 49 20 53 58 ! 47 36 21 38 41 i 40 4i 33 .95 22 36 40 40 41 55 23 43 44 1 42 44 39 1.86 24 40 43 1 40 43 33 25 43 46 48 ' 39 26 48 61 63 40 27 47 65 63 67 45 28 48 51 40 51 30 29 35 43 40 43 34 30 42 52 59 71 39 . 31 71 72 66 73 49 Average. 53.2 58.3 52.4 7.14 Maximum temperature 77° Daily rainfall .23° Minimum temperature 30° [ 79 ] CONDENSED WEATHER RECORD OF SUGAR EXPERIMENT STATION FOR THE YEAR, 1887. MONTH Average Temperature Maximum Temperature Minimum Temperature Rainfall in Inches. January 57° 82° 22° 3.31 February 65.4 80 30 5.23 March 58.2 81 40 3.27 April 71.7 89 57 2.21 May 78. 94 59 6.56 June 84. 94 62 10.35 July 84. 97 68 7.86 August 82.5 95 69 6.70 September 79. 92 56 3.30 October 69.5 86 40 6.39 November 60. 80 30 .11 December 54.6 77 30 7.14 Average Temperature for the year 70.3° Maximum “ “ “ 97° Minimum “ “ 22° Total Rainfall 62.43 Inches. RICE. BULLETIN No, 15, OF THE KENNER LA. W'm. C. Stubbs, Ph. D., DIRECTOR — ISSUED BY XHOMiRSON jr. BIRD, Commissioner of Agriculture, Baton Rouge, la. i BATON ROUGE : printed by LEON JASTRBMSKI, STATE PRINTER, 1888. SUGAR EXPERIMENT STATION, > Kenner, La., , \ Maj. T. J. Bird, Commissioner of Agriculture, Baton Rouge, La.: Bear Sir — I hand you herewith Bulletin No. 15, covering a few experiments made in Rice upon the plantation adjoining this Station, owned by Mr. Wilkinson. I also include a valuable paper on Rice, read before the Jefferson Agricultural Associa- tion by this same gentleman. Respectfully, WM. C. STUBBS, Director. RICE. The Botanical name for our common rice is ^^Oryza The word oryza was coined by the Greeks from the Asiatic word eruz^ and our modern nations have modified it into rice, riz, and reis. There are four species of rice described by botanists, though it is probable that they are only varieties. Oryza Sativa our common rice, Oryza Mutica, Dry or Mountain rice, Oryza Praecox, Early rice and Oryza Glutinosa, Clammy rice. The common rice is the only one grown in Louisiana, so far as the writer’s information goes. The antiquity of rice is v^fry great as the origin of its name indicates; and its native habitat is unknown. It is cultivated largely in India, China and Japan and also sparingly in Europe, In Carolina it has long been a staple commodity, its introduction into this State being made as far back as 1698, by a small bag of paddy given as a present from Dubois, treasurer of the East India eompany to a Caro- lina trader.” It is also said that a Dutch vessel from Madagas- car brought rice subsequently to the same State and to this is attributed the presence of two kinds there now. It is said that there is a mountain rice growing in J ava and Cochin China called “ Paddy Gummy,” which thrives in dry light soils, even grow- ing upon the Hima layan mountains up to the snow edge, re- quiring no more moisture than the usual rains, which are not frequent during the season of vegetation. If this be true it may be expected that this rice will prove a valuable acquisition to the upland cultivators of this cereal. The following admirable paper read before the Jefferson Agricultural Society by one of the best and most intelligent rice planters in the State, Mr. H. S. Wilkinson, of Jefferson parish is herein inserted without apology, for the benefit of the rice planters of the State. ESSAY BEAD BEFORE JEFFERSON PARISH AGRICULTURAL AS- SOCIATION BY H. S. WILKINSON. The rice crop first assumed noticeable proportions in this [ 4 ] state, when the abandoned plantations after the war, suggested the possibilities of rice growing on a large scale, and the success attending the first enterprising ventures caused others to follow, until it is to-day, one of the large industries. The plan adopted by the leaders in this industry, and which has been closely followed by their successors as long as the new plantations lasted, was to lease the land for 2 or 3 years, at first 3 years was the limit, after this the plantation was abandoned and a new one leased. This abandonment of valuable land was not owing to any want of fertility, but because the methods used in grow- ing the crop, were just what were required to develop the water grasses, the seed of which, are not only in the land, but are added to each year, in the water we use for irrigation after the harvest the lands were allowed to remain in whatever condition they happened to be in, ditches filled up, etc., until another season opened. It took only a few years of this treat- ment to get the field so foul with grasses, that it was impossible to make a profitable crop. The supply of new land being now exhausted, the rice grower — I use the word grower advisedly — has now to learn how to deal with the double difficulty of clean- ' ing his land, that is getting rid of these grasses and restoring it to its original fertility, as it has undoubtedly been impover- ished by constant cropping and neglect. While the attempts to get rid of grass have only secured failures, enough has been found out to permit me to say that it can be thinned out con- siderably, but from the variety we have to contend with em- bracing as they do, seed that germinate in February to seed that germinate in June, it is hardly possible, under the present methods to destroy it entirely. The principal source of supply for these grass seed comes from the suckers that shoot out from the old stalk, which is cut with the rice. In 15 days after a field is cut, these suckers, which grow with wonderful rapidity, are “in seed^^ again. I have met with some success in destroy- ing this supply, by following up the harvester with a mowing machine, cutting everything down, allowing it to dry and then burning it. To do this enough time must elapse before the mowing machine is started to allow the sucker to send out new leaf, so that when cut there will be enough straw on the ground . to burn. Mowing without burning is almost useless, the fire is what does the work, destroying not only the seed but the root itself, thus effectually preventing any further suckerings, any seed that are left by the fire are exposed and will germinate during the first warm wet spell, and be destroyed by the first frost. A great objection to this plan is that it leaves the land perfectly bare, to be impoverished by the parching August and . September sun, and baking it so hard it is difficult to plow it. This objectiou would condemn it as a practical failure, and we have yet to find out some better plan of destroying this supply of seed, before we can ever hope to succeed in establishing ■ permanent rice plantations. If these grass seed are not des [ 5 ] troyed in the fall, they are scattered broadcast by the wind, protected from heat and cold by the luxuriant growth and only germinate when the continuous warmth of spring, penetrating the ground, causes all vegetation to start. I thought these seed might be destroyed in winter, by keeping them under water, and on one occasion, having a place well located for that pur- pose, I kept a field under water all Avinter, when it was drained in the spring for plowing^ the straw, and in fact, all vegetable matter had rotted, leaving the land perfectly clean, but a few days exposure to the sun brought out a first class stand of grass. They will not rot without germinating, and they Avill not ger- minate in cold water. Having thus seen, that by the methods suggested these seed cannot be destroyed profitably before spring, the best plan to adopt will be to burn off, as soon as possible after the grass is killed by ice^ by this means, some of the seed are destroyed by fire, some by ice, and the balance being exposed, will feel the warmth much earlier, and will germinate in time to be destroyed by plowing, provided the plowing is delayed long enough. This method is almost as objectionable as mowing and burning in the fail, as the plowing ing is delayed until March, the planting is late, and all the benefit of the August market is lost, but it is still in my opinion, the most advantageous plan. The grass seed are in the ground, producing a hardier and more prolific plant than rice. The man who calculates they will not come up, finds out his mistake too late to remedy it, except at considerable cost. Hand weeding is out of the question, being too slow and expensive for the large planter. One of the great advantages of hand- weeding consists in pulling the grass up by the roots, which, while it effec- tually destroys the grass, loosens up the land, and when prop- erly done is equivalent to a thorough working. This requires considerable slight of hand and care, and is a kind of work that cannot be gotten out of inexperienced hired labor. Rice comes nearer to being a cultivated crop in the lower part of Plaque- mine parish than in any other part of this State. It is claimed down there, that rice never thrives until after it is weeded, and we can readily see the reason, for in tearing up these roots, the land is loosened, and put into such a condition that the rice roots can penetrate and furnish the plant with a bountiful sup- ply of nutriment. But this tind of cultivation is too expensive for the large planter, and his only resource, if caught with a grassy crop, is to scythe everything, and trust to the rapid growth of the rice, to smother out its slower growing rivals. This it generally does, but its race for life absorbs all of its energies, gives it no time to sucker, and thus materially reduces the yield. When our lands were new, 15 bbls. to the acre, was about an average yield on a large place, while noAV we consider 10 bbls. to be about the standard . This great falling off in a few years, is not owing so much to the exhaustion of the soil, as it is to the grass crop, we raise [ 6 ] witli our rice, wliich chokes out the stand, and prevents what is left from suckering, and to the neglect of drainage in the fall and winter. As I stated before the most successful meuns I have used for keeping my field clean, is to burn off early, and let the grass come up before ifiowing. If a “ clean stand can be secured, it will not be necessary ^^ to scythe,^^ as the few weeds, &c., can be cut out with a cane knife, the crop can be harv^ested fullj^ two weeks earlier and a better yield obtained. While grass is the first and principal difficulty a rice planter has to overcome, to insure a good yield, he must have a good healthy growth, and this cannot be obtained unless the land is in such a condition that the roots may develop. It is about as difficult to get rice land in this condition, as it is to get it clean, but thorough drainage in the fall and winter, and in fact at all times except when water is necessary for irrigation, will help it, and is absolutely necessary. Our low swampy lands, that are constantly under water become soft and and remain so, but the bulk of the rice crop is produced on what we call high land, the water does not lay on it long enough to soften it, and there is as much difference between drained and water soaked rice lands, as between drained and water soaked cane lands. If thoroughly drained, rice lands when plowed, and are allowed to remain long enough, ivill pulverize and keep in good condi- tion until continuous irrigation settles it down, but water sobbed land, it you ever succeed in pulverizing it, will be run together by the first rain, and get as compact as ever. The water may penetrate through it after irrigation commences, but will never soften it sufficiently for the root of any plant raised for the benefit of man, to get much out of it. Land should be well plowed, and as deep as possible. We have seen from the ex- periments made by Prof. Stubbs, that cane roots did not pene- trate below the depth that the land was xffowed ; how much more would this apply to rice roots, which have to eke their subsis- tance out of land abused from the time it is first turned into a rice field. A xdentiful and fresh sux)ply of water is also indis- pensible, and in summer the deet>er it can be got the better the plant thrives. The constant hot sun heats it, so that while the X)lant is not exactly scalded, it does not thrive, and the temper- ature can only be ke^ff down by running in a fresh supx)ly. While fall plowing is advantageous in turning the land up, and giving it chance to drain, it is equally disadvantageous in covering u^) not only the grass seed, but the shattered rice, and protecting it through the winter. I have tried this repeatedly with 4 horse plows, and failed in every instance to derive any benefit. It seems to me, however, if we could obtain the yield from oats, reported by the Sugar Experiment Station that the best method of keeping our . rice lands in good condition, would be to idant them in oats in October. This could easily be done and the croi> harvested in time to be followed by rice— sometime in May — even if the oat crop only paid exx)enses, the difference [ 7 ] in the yield of rice would pay a profit over the possible in- creased expense of artificial irrigation. The same condition that produce the germination of oats, would bring out the grass, and shattered rice, while the fall plowing and drainage necessary' for oats would give the land a chance to dry. Or even if the whole field could not be planted in oats, one-half, or one- third, would enable a planter to clean his field thoroughly every tfiree years, keep his land up to the standard of excellence, and give a l)ermanent crop, in place of what is now simply a speculation, METHODS OF PLANTING. The method of planting pursued in Louisiana, is to sow the rice broadcast, using from 1 to 3 bushels per acre upon w^ell pre- pared lands and harrow in, the ground being prepared with ditches and embankments for inundation at will. It is sown from March till June. The methods of flooding after the rice is sown vary with different planters. Some flood immediately* after planting, letting the water barely cover the ground, with- drawing it as soon as the grain begins to swell. Some permit the rice to germinate thoroughly without water. While others even sprout the seed (by soaking bags of rice in ponds of water) before scattering it broadcast over the land, which is shallowly covered with water. It is aftewards covered with a large wooden harrow with very short wooden teeth. All flood when ttie rice has attained a height of three or four inches, leaving the top leaves a little above the water. The water is kept on the rice until a short time before harvest when it is withdrawn to give the stalks strength and to dry the ground for the conve- nience of the reaper. UPLAND RICE. Like other cereals, rice adapts itself to the soil, climate and mode of cultivation. Therefore all varieties of rice can be grown on uplands, while all have been found to succeed best when in- undated, variety has yet been discovered which yields as much out of the water as it does in it. Small crops of upland rice are grown in the piney woods of Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana, not for x>rofi table export, but for furnishing a home supply of a healthy and nutritious food. It is planted in rows and cultivated with plow and hoe. A variety with a long grain [ 8 ] aud red chaff is said to succeed best on uplands. There is an increasing tendency to grow upland rice and at the solicitation of many farmers, the Station will next year conduct a series of experiments in upland rice, to test the manurial requirements of this crop as well as the best modes of cultivation. DISEASES OF RICE. The only disease which has been noted by writers bn rice, is a blight or failure of the head to fill with grain ; this is called hrusone and is usually prevented by changing seed. The real cause is unknown. In Louisiana it frequently occurs on first year new ground. USES OF RICE Kice is largely used as an article of food in India and China, and is daily on the table of the Carolinian and Louisi- anian, who constantly extol it as superior to other vegetables. Elsewhere in the United States it is used only to a limited ex- tent, either as a diet for invalids or as an ingredient of pastry, to be served with condiment, spices and fruit. It has been suggested that it would be to the interest of the rice planter, to send agents to the Western and Northwestern fairs and expositions who would teach the visitors the peculiar method of cooking rice, making each grain stand off to itself, instead of the usual glutinous mass found on northern tables, and thus by making it palatable to the taste, enhance consumption and demand. MANURES FOR RICE. Eice is not a great impoverisher of the soil, especially if the straw and chaff were regularly returned to it. To find out the manurial requirements of this cereal, this Station has been for two years past, conducting a series of experiments upon the ad- joining plantation of Mr. H. S. Wilkinson, who kindly placed his land at our disposal and aided us in their conduct. Exactly how to apply manures to rice, in order that they may accomplish the greatest good possible, when the rice is soon to be inundated, is yet an unsettled question. For the past two years the various fertilizers have been scattered broad- cast over the soil before being broken. The soil was then in- vertedj harrowed, and rice sown. This mode of application has not been satisfactory, the increased results, while sometimes apparent, were not large. Last year by a misunderstanding, the plowman inverted one plat before we reached it with ma- nures. Accordingly in this ISTo. 8 the increase was quite satis, factory and has perhaps furnished a key to the successful meth- od of application of all manures. EXPERIMENTS IN RICE MADE ON ADJOINING PLANTATION OF H. S. WILKINSON— SEASON 1887. 150 lbs. Acid PlPsphate ) 2872 1236 7.63 5 No manure 2802 1379 8.51 6 300 lbs. Cot. Seed Meal / 50 lbs. KainPe S Lost Lost 7 150 lbs. Acid Phosphate ? 50 lbs. Kainite S 2724 1254 7.74 300 lbs. Cot. Seed Meal ) ^8 150 lbs. Acid Ph’sphate > 4017 2082 12.85 50 lbs. Kainite ) 9 No munure 2730 1271 7 84 *This manure was spread on the surface of the plowed ground just before harrowing in the rice — the others were spread on the ground before being broken by the plow. REMARKS ON ABOVE. Manures mixed April 18th and 19th, and put out 21st. Ma- nures applied before the land was plowed, except Xo. 8, which was plowed but not harrowed. Rice sown April 21 and 23. Nos. 1 and 2, cut August 31st. Nos. 3, 4 and 5, cut September 1st. No. 6, cut September 2nd. No. 7, cut August 31st. No. 8, cut August 29th. No. 9, cut August 30th. Nos. 4, 5, and 6, were thin stands, the otliers good. [ 10 ] 1b the above experiments all the fertilizers except No. 8, seemed to have been placed too low in the soil, beyond the reach of the fibrous surface roots of rice. Only on No. 8 were the results at all satisfactory, and here alone was the fertilizer applied near the surface. This fertilizer gave an increase of 5 barrels of rice over its neighboring unfer- tilized plat. No. 9. Advantage being taken of the results of this crop, next season our experiments will be directed with more intelligent ideas of the needs and necessities of this plant. CONCLUSIONS. At present, the Station is unable to positively recommend any fertilizer for rice, but from the experience of several planters together with deductions drawn from its own results, it is in- clined to suggest that a mixture of two parts, of Cotton Seed Meal and one part of Acid Phosphate, mixed and applied broad- cast upod the land just before the rice is harrowed in, will meet the requiremeuuS of this plant on black lands. On sandy lands Kainite may be added at the rate of 200 lbs. to the ton of above mixture. POTATOES, TOMATOES, PEAS — AND — SMALL GRAINS. BULLETIN TVo. 16, OF THE State Experiment Station; BATON ROUGE, LA. WM. C. STUBBS, A. M. PH. D., 13 TO R. Issued by ,T. B1RI3, COMMieSIONHK OF A.GRICULTURK, BATON ROUGE, LA. BATON ROUGE: ADVOCATE STEAM BOOK AND JOB J'RINT. 1888 . Baton Rouge, La., October — , , T. J. Biko, Ooratuisaioiwc «?f A^fiiculture. Baton Rouge: Dear Sir — I band you iierewith the report of Mr. D, N. Barrow, luy ais !' T III; State Experiment Station, BATON ROUGE, LA. ( VViM. C. STUBBS. A. M. PH. D.. I j i c' r o K . Issued by r 1 j o t* o ,i . 1 11 1 > , L’OyfMls>IO-N It OF A-GltlCll/K.ltlC, P.ATUS 110 LG E. Lu\. r.ATOX KOUGE: .M-\0AATK J500K ANl> .lOU 1*KI.S’T. 1888. Louisiana State University and ^ Auricultural and Mechanical College, > Baton Bouge, La., October 1888. ) Major T. J. Bird, Cominissiouer of Agriculture, Baton Rouge, La.: Dear Sir — I hand yon herewith Bulletin No. 17, containing experiments in Ensilage, with results of chemical investigation by Professor B. B. Ross. Respectfully submitted, Wm. C. Stubbs, Director. ENSILAGE, ✓ Or, the preserving of green substances in pits, or silosj has become of such frequent occurrence in parts of this country that no well regulated stock farm is without its silos. In the South, where our winters are of such short duration, the neces- sity for green food is not so imperative as further North. Will it not, however, pay every owner of stock, even as far South as Ix)uisiana, to build silos and have ensilage, as a part of his stock rations, even during our short winters!” is a question often asked by our most enquiring farmers. To solve this question, tbis Station undertook the following experiments. It must be understood, however, that while any green crop, such as grass, clover, pea- vines, sorghum and corn, can be pre- served in pits, the latter crop is the one universally used for ensilage. It possesses many superior (|ualities. It can easily be grown. It produces large tonnage. It is relished by all kinds of stock, and is easily and cheaply handled. In the Spring of 1887, two acres of land were taken: thrown up into rows five feet apart, furrows opened, corn drilled and covered with a harrow. After it was well up, it was thinned to a stand of one stalk to three or four inches. After that the cul- tivation was the same as with field corn. One acre of this was ensilaged, and the other cured into fodder. While the. corn was growing, a cheap and useful silo was constructed on the bank of the bayou, in the following manner; A pit 8x10x12 was dug, with i>eri)endicular sides. Prom the bottom of this pit a ditch was dug to the bayou, to let the water off. A permanent drain was made by nailing two six-inch boards together and inverting them in the ditch and filling with soil. Into the walls of this pit — at the bottom, middle and top — were sunk scantlings 2x8, parallel with bottom of pit and with each 128 other. Upon these were placed common ceiling, projecting above the pit about one foot. The pit was now ready for ensilage. On the oth of »Iuly, after the corn had reached its roasting-ear stage, and the grains began to glaze, it was cut down and hauled l>y wagons to the pit. Here a Boss ensilage cutter received the corn, and after cutting it in desired lengths, (one-half to three- fourths inches), emptied it directly in the pit. An occasional tamping and leveling of the chips was necessary. After the pit was fillO'b a little dry oat straw was placed over it, and then covered with twelve-inch boards sawn so as to fit, lapping the planks so as to break the joints. When thus covered, it was weighted with barrels filled with sand. A cheap cover over the pit compietetl our work. On the 7tn of December, (hiring the session of the Louisiana Oentraf Fair Association, it was opened, and save a thin layer on the top and sides of the pit the fodder was well preserved. It was tested by both cows and liorses, and from the readiness with which they devoured it, the iinauimous verdict of uiany visitors was that it was good. The pit was then closed and not opened again until February, when its contents were distributed to the farmers, for use, the Station having uo cattle of its own. That ensilage is a valuable forage for a dairy, has been abnndantly proven j aud though few cows take readily to it at vfirst, all vill eat it aud and after a wliile become foud of it. In filling a ailo, it is no longer deemed aecessary to rush the green fodder directly to the pit, fill the latter as fast as possible cover with dispatch. On the contrary, the corn cut in the iiiorulng IS permitted to lie in the siin all day, and then ensilaged. IDven rapid filling of tlie pit is objectionable, and two or three days' respite while filling is now deemed advisable. In fact, those who practice ensilage on a large scale, now usually have several pits. They partially fill and go on to the next, leaving several days’ interval between their work at each idt. In this way, the. first stage of fermemtation, together with tfiie heat pro- duced, is over before the pit is closed. So, too, after the pit is filled it left for several days before it is covered. 129 It is not necessary for its preservation to cat tlie corn, bat it is far more economical. Ensilage catters are cheap, and the power required to cut the corn is not great. The most valuable variety of corn for ensilage is yet a mooted (piestion. In the Xorth and West, our Southern fieki corn is largely sold for ensilage purposes; and it has, doubtless, on account of size of stalk, superiority over Northern corn. But have we not a variety, or varieties, which have, in themselves, a sux)eriority over our common corn, for ensilage? This year there were grown upon the Station many varieties of corn — among others, two of Mexican corn. The latter were very conspicuous on account of large stalk and immense height. Several stalks were over thirteen feet high and measured one and one-half (IJ) inches in diameter. A trial will be given these varieties next year. That corn can be kept in pits in a good condition, in Louisi- ana, is now abundantly demonstrated. Whether it will be economy to establish silos, is a (piestion which the farmers must decide. Pits can be built in barns, above ground as well as below the ground. The former has the preference always, with those who have had experience with silos, since they are much easier fed from. The fact that ensilage can be successfully practiced in Louisiana, coupled with the further fact that corn bfere grows enormous]}" large and tall, makes the potentialities, large as they were before, even now greater of raising all kinds of stock profitably in this State. Samples of the ensilage and of the cured fodder were given Professor B. B. Boss, who kindly investigated their chemical properties and digestibility. 1 herewith insert his able report: Louisiana State Universita^ and ^ Aqricultural and Mechanical Colleoe, > Baton Rouge, La., October — , 1888. ) Prof. W. C. Stubrs, Director Experiment Station, Baton Rou^ e, La. Dear Sir — I herewith hand you report of examination of the samples of corn fodder and ensilage submitted to me for' analysis. \"ery respectfully, B. B. Ross, Professor of Chemistry. V 131 ANALYSES OF SAMPLES. The sample of ensilage was carefully drawn from the silo^ and weighed immediately in order that the amount of water present could be accurately determined. After being well air- driedj the sample was cut up very finely and the size of the particles further reduced by thorough grinding and pulverizing* At the same time a sample of fodder was obtained, cut at the same stage of growth as the ensilage sample, which was likewise prepared for analysis by a process of thorough pulver- ization. The ensilage, when first taken from the pit possessed the characteristic odor of acetic acid (vinegar), showing that acetous fermentation had set in, although it doubtless had made comparatively little progress, as in closed silos the gases produced in incipient fermentation check any further tendency to decomposition. After being completely air-dried, however, all traces of this odor disappeared, the dry sample having the very agreeable smell possessed by fresh clover, and quite in contrast to the musty odor of the corn fodder, itself. The methods followed in the determination of the proximate constituents of the feeding stufis, were essentially those adopted by the ofiicial Association of Agricultural Chemists, at their last annual meeting. Below is given the x)6i’^J6iitag’e composition of the ensilage and dry fodder, not only for the air-dried and completely dried substances, but in the case of the former the analysis of the fresh substance is also given ; ANALYSIS OF FRESH ENSILAGE. Per cent. Water 74.94 A-ib 2.61 Crude Proteiti - 2.04 Far^i 0.64 Ca riK>i>y(liate8 12.26 »*stib1e Piotoiii AIK ])KIED SUBSTANCE. EN 6 ILA(rF.. Foddek., Per ceiit- Per cent. 10.50 9.20 5.87 7.19 . 8.59 2.24 1.52 48.77 26.45 24.75 . .. 100.00 100.00 5.22 5.61 ANALYSIS OF 'FttE COMPLETELY DRIED SUBSTANCE. KN.sjr.AGK. rODDEK. I’ercei.i. Percent 10.. 12 6. 50 8.14 9.(50 2.04 1.G9 48.94 51.50 •29.90 27.05 Ash Protrill . . . . Fa N ( ' .riiobyOraie' . . . . (Or.di' Fi'i-f 9'otal 100.00 100.00 Di,esiib!c Protiiii 5.91 0..T1 Per eeiit of lot J Protei i (liL'esl i I0(' 72.(50 05.94 'True IToii ill (5. 19 7.82: 15 I (‘d)t. of 'rrito Protein to Crime i^iotein.. .. 70.04 81.40 EXPLANATION OF ANALALSlvS. Ill the analysis of feed stalls the proxinnite and not the- nltiinate (or elementary) constituents are generally determined. It has been found that in order to arrive at the relative merits, of fodders, etc., for feeding purposes, it is only necessary in most cases to ascertain the percentages of ash, albuminoids for protein), fats, carbohydrates, and woody fibre, or celluiose. It is also of the utmost importance that the proportion of water present in the sample be correctly determined, as tiie percentage of this, substance in feed stuffs is so variable that no proper comparison of theii' relative nutritive values can be instifuted until the pro 133 portion of tlie constituents jiresent in the dry substance can be ascertained. The amount of dry matter can be determined by heating the substance at a temperature of 212 degrees, Fahrenheit, until the sample shows no further loss of weight; the difference in weight lepiesenting the amount of water present. Upon ex- posure to the atmos[rhere the dry sample will re-absorb a consid- erable projmrtion of moisture, usually regaining the amount previously contained in the air dried feed stuff*. The ash contains the mineral constituents of the feeding stuffs, and its jiroportion is ascertained by burning out the combustible ia)rtions, with free access of air. These mineral substances consist chiefly of potash, soda, lime and magnesia in combination with hydrochloric, carbonic, phosphoric and sul- phuric acids, and also silica, together with a little unconsumed charcoal. As tin se mineral substances generally occur in sufficiently abund-^nt (luantities in most forage jilants, the amount of ash is considered of little importance in estimating the feeding value of ffxhler. (.h’inh->. protein (or albuminoids) constitutes the chief bulk of the nitrogenous substances present in feeding stuffs. The term is quite comi)reheusive iu its scope, and includes such substances as the casein of milk, fibriu of flesh, and albumen of blood and the egg, which are considered as modifications of a primary substance (protein), these diff'ereiit forms bearing a general resemblam'e to each other in composition and properties, and convertible into each other by processes carried on iu the animal body. Tiicse album iimids substances coutaiii carbon, hy- drogen, nitrogen, and oxygen, and frequently a small proportiou of sul[)liur. Indeed, the exact chemical composition of the dif- ferent modifications of albuminoids has not yet beeu defiuitelj’ determined, but it is known that nitrogen is one of the least vai iable (in quaiitity) of their constituents, and that the average proportion of that valuable elemeut is about sixteen per cent. So that, iu the analysis of feed stuffs, the rule generally adopted in ase.ertainiiig the t)ercentagc of albuminoids is to first determine the i»erceutage of nitrogen ]U’eseut and then multiply this per- 134 \ centiige by G.25 (16x6.25-100). This does not give us the exact but only the approximate amount of albuminoids present, as all albuminoids do not contain sixteen jier cent., nor is all the nitrogen in the feed stuffs combined in the form of albuminoids. However, in the statement of the percentages of the proximate constituents determined, the proportion of crude albuminoids given is in each obtained by multiplying the nitrogen present by 6.25. This has been done because it approximates very closely the true percent- age, and because all of the standards of comparison to which we can refer in determining the relative nutritive values of fodders, give albuminoids as determined in the same manner. The true albuminoids in both the ensilage and the fodder have been deter- mined, however, and in the statement of analysis the percentage is given together with the proportion of true albuminoids to crude albuminoids. The albuminoids are regarded as the chief constituent of value, as, without undergoing any very considerable alteration, they are utilized in the animal body, in the formation of animal albu- minoids, such as the fibrin of muscles and tendons, and the albumen and casein of blood and milk ; and not only contribute to the growth of the animal, but tend to repair and replace the worn out muscles, membranes, tissues, etc. The term fats includes all matters extracted from the dry fodder by ether, and the proportion of fats is generally less than that of any other proximate constituent. Vegetable fats are utilized in the animal economy, either in making fat or in fur- nishing heat to the body by the oxidation of their carbon and hydrogen this process of oxidation being perfectly analagous to the ordinary processes of combustion. The class of substances called carbohydrates are, in con- junction with the fats, also of great utility in i)roducing and maintaining animal heat, but practical experiments, within recent years, have led scientists to believe that fats have two and one-half (2J) times the value of carbohydrates in the pro- duction of heat by their oxidation. Carbohydrates, as the name implies, consist of carbon together with hydrogen and oxgen, in the relative proportions in which they exist in water. Under 135 this term are included starch, sugar, gums and other bodies closely allied in chemical composition and properties. The cellulose, or fibre, constitutes the most insoluble and, gen- ' erally, the most indigestible portion of feeding stuffs. Although pure cellulose (as lint c6tton) is identical in composition with starch, in its physical proi:)erties and chemical deportment there is the widest difterence. It was formerly considered almost, if not wholly, indigestible j but experiments have shown that quite a large percentage is digested by animals, and may be turned to accoiHit either as an auxiliary or as a substitute for fats or carbohydrates, in furnishing oxidizable and heat-producing con- stituents to the blood. In order that each of the principal constituents of feeding stuffs may be utilized to the greatest j)ossible advantage, in the performance of their several functions in the animal economy, it has been found essential that they exist in certain relative pro- portions, just as in the application of commercial fertilizers to soils the relative percentages of their three essential constituents must be taken into consideration. It has been ascertained by carefully conducted experiments in cattle feeding that in estimating the comparative feeding values of fodders, there should be determined what is known as the nutritive ratio — or, the ratio of digestible carbohydrates to digestible albuminoids — -just as in the operation of a steam engine there is a ratio between the cost of fuel and the cost of the materials of repair. In determining this nutritive ratio, fats must also be taken into consideration, and as they are assumed to have a value of two and one-half (2J) times their weight of carbohydrates, the amount of digestible fat, after being multi- plied by two and one-half (2J), is added to the digestible carbohydrates. In calculating the nutritive ratios of the fodder and ensilage analyzed, the percentages of digestibility of the carbohydrates and fats were taken from the rssults of practical digestion exi)eriments on corn fodder in Europe, while the percentage digestibility of albuminoids was determined by means of artificial digestion with pepsin solution.^ It was found that there was 136 almost a perfect coincidence in the nutritive ratios of the two feeding stuffs: the ratio for ensilage being 1:0.26, while that for the fodder was 1 : 6.43. DIGESTION EXPERIMENTS. The digestibility of the albuminoids in the feeding stuffs was determined by treatment with pepsin solution corresponding closely in composition and solvent or digestive power to the gadric juice, the most important of all the animal digestive fluids. The principal constituents of this Juice are lactic and hydrochloric acids, and a substance called i)epsiu secreted in the lining of the stomach and possessed of wonderful digestive or peptonizing properties, especially as regards albuminoids. Pepsin is at present largely prepared from the stomach of the pig {pepsina pord), and is frequently administered medici- nally to aid or promote digestion. The pepsin solution used contained ten (10) grams of pe[)sin in two (2) litres of water, acidulated with ten (10) grams of hydrochloric acid — (Sp. gr. 1.1075) — and the finely ground material was kept at a constant temperature of 104 degrees, Fahrenheit, for two periods of twelve hours each, one- tenth (0.1) percent, of hydrochloric aeid being added at intervals of three hours, so that at the end of the twenty-four hours (24) one (1) per, cent, of the rcid would be present. As the principal function of the gastric juice is to digest al- buminoids, only the result of the digestkin of albuminoids is given in the statement of analysis. It was found, however, by analj^sis that the cellulose was completely indigestible in the pepsin solu- tion, and only a comparatively small proportion of the fats and carbohydrates were digested. It will be seen on reference to the table of analyses that 65.94 per cent, of the albuminoirls in the fodder were digestible, and 72.6 per cent, of albuminoids in the ensilage, while the results of a large number of practical trials in feeding animals show that an average of 73 per cent, of albu- minoids in corn fodder is digestible. ■ ' I : ' / \ - 'y . ‘•V- f. I, . ' ■ y' ' i. I \ »■ '. - ■-♦v ’ / 'v , - /' ■) ■ir A f r" . N / 'v.;. ■ s / \ I ■ f .'V ;■- V,' m t A N AL YSES X/^f COMMERCIAL FERTILIZERS BULLETIN No. 18 OF TO K State Experiment Station WM. C, STUBBS, Ph. D., Director. — Issued by — THOMPSON J. BIPD, Commissioner of A o hi culture, BATON ROUGE, LA. BATON ROUGE: PRINTED BY THE ADVOCATE PUBLISHING COMPANY 1888 . OfVKJE BUKKAC OI' AcailCUT/lTTRE, '( Baton Rougo, La., October — , 1888. I To E is Excelienoy Francis T. Mcliollt-, Uovcrnoi’ of Louisiiina autl Prosult-nt of the State Bnrcaii of Agriculture: Sir:— In compliance w ith the provisions, of Act ol, of 188t>, herein please hud the analyses made hy Dr, W. C. Stubbs, Director and Official Chemist; also, the list of Commercial Fertilizers sold in the State during tbe season of 1887-88, tlie brands of the fertilizers, their guaranteed analyscw^, names of the dealers to whom licenses have been issued, etc. The demand for fertilizers during the last season has decidedly increased. The general character of the article offered for sale has been fairly within the guarantee giveu. The costs of the different brands have varied but little from that of the previous season, and indications are that no material changes can be expected this season. T. .1. IBRD, Commissioner Bureau of Agriculture. LouisiAXA State University and A. & M. College, ) Baton Rouge, La., October — , ISrid. ^ Major T. J. Bird, Commifisioner of Agriculture, Eaton Kouge, La.: Dear Sir — I hand you herewith tbe Analyses of Commercial Fertilizers made since our last report, together with the Fertilizer Law, with the request that you publish the same as Bulletin No. 18: Refjpectfully submitted, WM. C. STUHBS, Director. REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR. 'J'he analyses (*untained in this report iire of four kinds: 1. Of samples selected at the discretion of the Commis- sioner of Agriculture. 2. Of samples drawn by the purchaser, under regulatioiiB prescribed by the r^ommissiouer of Agriculture. Tlu‘ above are required by law. d. Of samples used by the Stations. 1. Of samples sent by private parties. W^ljile the Station is not required by law to work for privab* parties, yet all samples sent by individual citizens of the State will be analyzed without charge j provided,, the means of thi^ Station will permit; .and provided, always, that in the discretio!! of the Director such analyses will be conducive to public welfare. The Fertilizer Law^ is herein inserted for the guidance of the public: Under it, every citizen of the State is amply pro- tected from fraud and imposition by unscrupulous dealers, and there exists absolutely no cause for distrust in the purchase of commercial fertilizers, if the farmer will but claim the protec- tion afforded him. The sellers of good wares are also protected. MS aiiq)le facilities are afforded them of properly advertising their goods. Only eotton-Heed meal, land plaster, .salt, ashes, lime, and hones not specially treated, are exempt from the provisions of this law . Bones yroimd to a powder by machinery, as well as hones treated tvith acid, are included in the law', since they have been hpccially treated. The following is the law: 8ec. 2. Be it further enacted, etc., That it shall be the 141 e it Ibrther enacted, etc., That every person proposing to deal in commercial fertilizers shall, after ftling the statement above provided for, with the Commissioner of ^Agriculture, receive from the said Commissioner of Agriculture a certihcate stating that he has complied with the foregoing section, which certificate shall be furnished by the Commissioner without any charge therefor. That the said certificate, when furnished, shall authorize the party receiving the same to mauii facture for sale, in this State, or to deal in this State in com- mercial fertilizers. That no person who has failed to file the statement aforesaid and to receive the certificate of authority aforesaid, shall be authorized to manufacture for sale in this State commercial fertilizers. And any person so manufacturing tor sale, in this State, or so dealing, without having filed the aforesaid statement, and received the certificate aforesaid, shall be liable for each violation to a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars, which fine shall be recoverable before any court of competent jurisdiction, at the suit of the Commissioner of Agri- 142 , culture, or of any citizen, and shall be disposed of as hereafter j)rovided. Sec. 4. Be it further enacted, etc., That it shall be the duty Ot the Bureau of Agriculture, or its Cominissioners, at the opening of each season, to issue and distribute circulars, setting forth the brands of fertilizers sold in this State, their analyses as claimed by their manufacturers or dealers, aud their relative and (if known) their commercial value. Sec. 5. Be it further enacted, etc.. That it shall be the duty of the Commissioner of Agriculture, under the regulations of the said Bureau, to cause to be prepared tags of suitable material, with proper fastenings for attaching the same to packages of fertilizers, and to have printed thereon the word ^‘guaranteed,’’ with the year or season in which they are to be used, and a fac simile of the signature of said Commissioner, The said tags shall be furnished by said Commissioner to any dealer in or manufacturer of commercial fertilizers, who shall have complied with the foregoing provisions of this act, upon the payment by said dealer or manufacturer, to the said Com- missioner, of fifty cents for a sufficient number of said tags to tag a ton of such commercial fertilizer. Sec. 6. Be it further enacted, etc., That it shall be the duty of every person^ before ofiering for sale any commercial fertilizers in this State, to attacli or cause to be attached, to each bag, barrel or package thereof, one of the tags herein befort^ described, de^gnating the quantity of the fertilizer in the bag, barrel or package to which it is attached. Any person wiio shall sell or offer for sale, any package of commercial fertilizijr which has not been tagged as herein provided, shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, aud, on conviction thereof*, shall be fined in the sum of two hundred and fifty dollars for eacli offense, and the said person shall be, besides, liable to a penalty of one hundred and fifty dollars for each omission, which penalty may be sued for either by the Commissioner of Agriculture or by any other person for the uses hereinafter declared. Any person who shall counterfeit or use a counterfeit of the tag Ijrescribed ,by this act, knowing the same to be coiiiiterleited, or who shall nso t horn a second time, shall be guilty of a misde- meanor, and on conviction thereof shall be fined in a sum not to exceed five hundred dollars, one-half of which fine shall be paid to the informer, v»'hich fine shall be doubled or trebled at each second or third conviction, and so on progressively, for subsequent convictions. Sec. 7. Be it further enacted, etc., That all fertilizers oi chemicals for manufacturing or composting the same, ottered foi sale or distribution in this State, shall have printe^l upon, oi attached to eacli bag, barrel or package, in such manner as the Commissioner of Agriculture may by regulation establish, the true analysis of such fertilizer or chemical as claimed by the manufacturer, showing the per cent, of valuable ingredients such fertilizers or chemicals contain. Sec. S. Be it further enacted, etc.. That the ( -ommissionei of Agriculture may obtain, or cause to be obtained, at his dis- cretion, fair samples of all fertilizers sold, or offered for sale, iiii this State, from manufacturers or dealers, and shall have them analyzed by the otticial chemist, and shall publish the analysis for the information of the public. Sec. 9. Be it further enacted, etc., That it shall be the duty of every person who sells a lot or package of commercial fertilizer, upon the request of the purchaser, to draw from same, and in the presence of the purchaser or his agent, a fair and correct sample, in such manner as the Commissioner of Agricul- ture may, by regulation, establish. Sec. 10. Be it further enacted, etc., That the copy of the official chemist’s analysis of any fertilizer or chemical, certified to by him, shall be admissible as evidence in any court of this State, on the trial of anything involving the merits of said fertilizer. Sec. 11. Be it further enacted, etc.. That the Bureau of Agriculture shall adopt needful rules and regulations providing for the collection of the money arising from the sale of tags, or from fines imposed under this act, and shall require the same to be deposited with the Treasurer of the State, and only to be drawn therefrom upon the warrants issued by the Auditor of the State 144 upon the requisition ot the Commissioner of Agriculture, made in pursuance of such rules and regulations; and the said Com- missioner of Agriculture shall be entitled to receive no fees for collecting or disbursing said money, except his salary as provided for by law; but he shall be allowed a clerk at the salary to be fixed by the said Bureau, and to be payable out of the fertilizer funds; and all sums of money arising from the provisions of this act shall be known as the “ Fertilizer Fund,’^ and shall be kept by the Treasurer separate from other public funds, and shall be exclusively used, as far as they may go, to defray the expenses of developing agriculture by making practical and scientific experiments in relation thereto. Sec. 12. Be it further enacted, etc., That for the purpose of making practical and scientific tests or experiments, it shall be the duty of said Commissioner, subject to the approval of said Bureau, to enter into contracts specifying the duration and con- ditions thereof, with a competent chemist and expert in experi- mental agriculture, to perform the duties of official chemist and to carry on and to conduct the experiment station established by said Bureau at Baton Eouge; and with the Louisiana Scientific Agricultural Association, having an experiment station in the Parish of Jefferson; and, in making such contracts, the said Commissioner shall provide that experiments be made for the development and benefit of agriculture, especially in relation to the standard crops of the State, such as cotton, sugar, rice, corn, the cereals and grasses, and the like. Sec. 13. Be it further enacted, etc.. That as conipensation for the conduct of such experiments, the Commissioner of Agri- culture be and he is hereby authorized to apply the net result trom the sale of tags, and from fines or penalties imposed for violations of the terms of this act, to the two stations, and, if necessary, parts of other sums that may be appropriated by law, and subject to the control of himself or said Bureau ; provided, That said contract shall not give more than one-half of the result of the sale of tags, and fines, to any one of said stations ; and provided further, That the said stations undertake to perform for and on behalf of the Commissioner of Agriculture, under 145 such regulations as may be agreed on. all analyses required under this act free of any charge whatsoever. Sec. 14. Be it further enacted, etc., That the Director of the State Experiment Station shall be considered as the official chemist of the Bureau of Agriculture. He shall also attend such chemical and agricultural conventions as may be necessary ; the traveling expenses incident to such attendance shall be chargeable and collectable from the revenues derived from the sale of tags. Sec. lo. Be it further enacted, etc., That the Commissioner of Agriculture shall keep a correct and faithful account of all tags received and sold bj" him, showing the number sold, to whom sold, and, as far as practicable, for what fertilizers they were intended to be used, and the amount of money collected therefor, and all money arising from fines, under this act. S,ec. IG. Be it further enacted, etc.. That the term com- mercial fertilizers,” or “fertilizers,” where the same are used in this act shall not be held to include lime or land plaster, cotton seed meal, ashes or common salt, or raw bone, not specially treated.’ The following, taken from a previous Bulletin, is herein inserted as explanatory of the terms to be subsequently used: COMMERCIAL FERTILIZERS. The ingredients which give value to all commercial fertilizers are, 1st, Nitrogen (Ammonia); 2d, Phosphoric Acid; 3d, Potash. A fertilizer may contain one, two, or all of these ingredients. When all are present, the compound is usually styled a complete manure”; when only one or two are present, it is a partial manure.” Partial manures may consist of: (1), Nitrogen (Ammonia) alone ; (2), Phosphoric Acid alone : (3), Potash alone ; (4), Nitro- gen (Ammonia) and Phosphoric Acid; (5,) Phosphoric Acid and Potash: (6), Nitrogen (Ammonia) and Potash. No. 6 is rarely found in Southern markets; the others are common wares. 146 (1.) NITROGEN MANURES. Nitrogen is the most costly ingredient in manures. It is ottered to the trade in three forms : a . — Mineral Nitrogen — in Nitrate of 8oda and Sulphate of Ammonia. h . — Animal Nitrogen — in Dried Blood, Tankage, Azotin, Ammonite, Fish Scrap and I^eather. c. — Vegetable Nitrogen — in Cotton Seed, Cotton seed Meal, Linseed Meal, Castor Poma^^e and Peat. Blood, Tankage, Fish Scraps and Oil Meals are highly active fertilizers, while Leather and Peat are slowly available. The result of decomposition of organic forms of Nitrogen is either Ammonia or Nitric Acid; fourteen parts of Nitrogen yielding seventeen parts of Ammonia, or twenty-eight parts of Nitrogen forming, by nitrification, one hundred and eight parts Nitric x\cid. The mineral forms of Nitrogen are highly prized in the North and England; but in the South, on account of the ease with which they are washed from the soil, they should be used with great care. Cotton seed Meal contains, besides Nitrogen, small amounts of Phosphoric Acid and l^otash. A fair sample of meal, free from hulls, should yield 7 per cent. Nitrogen, 3 per cent. Phos- phoric Acid, and 2 per cent. Potash. This is a cheap source of Nitrogen, and experiments have demonstrated that it is, peihaps, the best form for Southern Agriculture. In buying it, however, caution is necessary to see that it is well decorticated, L o., free from hulls. Samples containing 30 per cent, of hulls have been found on the market. (2.) PHOSPHORIC ACID MANUJ^.ES. These are generally phosphatic rocks treated with Sulphuric Acid. Sometimes pure bones or bone black, or bone ash, arc treated with the same acid, and the resulting mixtures styled Dissolved Bones or Superphosphates. When made from phos- pliatic rock, bone black or bone ash, they contain only Phos- phoric Acid. When i)ure bones are used, 3 to 5 per cent, of 147 Amnionia is also found. Tlieso phosphatic manures usuall3" con- tain their Phosphoric Acid in different forms. Some of it is readily soluble in water, and is highly available as plant food; some of it is only soluble in acids, and is, therefore, only slowly, if at all, available to plants, while another portion is interme- diate in solubility between the water soluble and the acid soluble. The chemist uses Citrate of Ammonia to dissolve this form; and hence it is denominated as Citrate Soluble Phosphoric Acid. It is believed b^^ man}" that this form of Phosphoric Acid has resulted from a chemical action of the water soluble upon the acid soluble, and hence it is often called reverte(y’ reduced^-^ etc. The water soluble is readily available on all soils and by all plants; the citrate soluble in soils containing vegetable mat- ter is believed to be available to many plants, while the acid soluble is immediatel}" useful only to certain plants and upon certain soils. The water soluble and citrate soluble are usually taken togetlier and called Available Phosphoric Acid. In buying phosphatic manures, preference should be given, first to the wa ter soluble, then to the citrate soluble. If there is much Acid Soluble Phosphoric Acid present, inquiry should be at once made as to its origin, for the Insoluble Phosphoric Acid from bones is more easily transferred into plant food than that from rock. TTiese three forms of Phosphoric Acid are usually called “solu- ble,” “reduced” and “insoluble.” ( 3 .) POTASH MANURES. These are now obtained aJrnost exclusively from Leopoldshall and Stassfurth, German}', and are largely sold in this country as faj Kainite, which is a crude product of the mines, and con- sists of Potash, Magnesia, Soda, Sulphuric Acid and Chlorine. This form of Potash is now extensively used in the South, either in the compost of stable manure, cotton seed and Acid Phos- phate, or mixed with Acid Phosphate and cotton seed meal to form a (jomplete manure. Whether our soils need Potash can only be determined exi)erimentally. After careful experimenta- tion the right quantities can be easily determined. It is a cheap and an excellent source of Potash. 148 fh) Sulphate of Potash, a refined product coutaiuiug a large amount of Potash in a very desirable form, is extensively used in some countries upon certain crops, notably tobacco and Irish potatoes. f c) Muriate of Potash, another refined x^roduct containing a large percentage of Potash. This salt furnishes x:)otash in the cheapest form. (4.) NITROOEJN’ AND PHOSPHORIC ACID. Formerly bones, treated with Sulphuric Acid, were fre- ipiently' found upon our market; recently, however. Potash, in some form, has always been added to them. Whether this addition has been made by the demands of the soil or by the inclination of the manufacturers, is yet to be determined. Potash is the cheaiiest ingredient in fertilizers, and any demand for it is readily met. At present we find on our markets a manure of this class which is being extensively used under sugar cane, viz : Tankage, This is a variable goods, containing, usually, from 5 to 12 xier cent, of ^litrogen, and from 6 to 20 per cent. Phosphoric Acid. This latter is in the insoluble form; but, being of animal origin, ujion certain soils is slowly available. (5.) PHOSPHORIC ACID AND POTASH. To make Acid Phos[)hates suitable for composting, many dealers have recently added Potash. This addition necessarily lowers the percentage of Phosphoric Acid. Manufacturers in and around Charleston, S. C,, have adoiited the custom of calling this class of goods Acid Phosphates,” and those which contain no Potash, “Dissolved Bones.” These are extensively used for the compost of stable manure and cotton seed. (6.) NITROHEN AND POTASH. The great and crying want of Southern soils is Phosphoric Acid; hence no manure without it has hitherto met with favor. Accordingly this class of manures is wanting in the South. 149 COMPLETE MANURES, Are those which contain Nitrogen, Phosphoric Acid and Potash. For different crops these ingredients should exist in different proportions. Before purchasing any fertilizer, the farmer should study well the wants of his soil and his crop, and buy accord- ingly. Before buying, get from the d(‘ahu‘ replies to the following (juestions. How much Water Soluble Pliosphoric. Acid do you guar- antee 1 How much ( /itrate Soluble Phospliori** Acid do you guar- antee ? How much Ammonia do you guarantee ? How much Potash do you guarantee ? In a plain Acid Phosphate at least V2 per cent, available Phosphoric Acid should be guaranteed. In cane fertilizers, 3 per cent Ammonia and 7 per cent. Phosphoric Acid, and in cotton fertilizers 2 per cent. Ammonia and jan* «*ent. of Phosphoric Acid should be found. EXPLANAl ION OF ANALYSES. Nitrogen, Phosphoric* Acid and Potash are the three ingre- dients whicli give value to commercial fertilizers, and arc the only ones determined in offiicial analyses. Nitrogen is the most costly as well as the most valuable fertilizing ingredient. Tt occurs as Organh*. Nitrogen in animal and vegetable matters — easily decomposed and quickly available in blood and meat, slowly disintegrateil. and of doubtful value in leather or })eat unless specially treated. All Organic Nitrogen is first converted into Nitric Acid or Ammonia, in the soil or compost heap, bel'ore it can be used by plants. Nitric Acid and Ammonia are furnished in commerce, the «)ne in the forms of Nitrates of 8oda and Potash, tlie other as Sulphate of Ammonia. Soluble Phosplioric .Vcid r«*tcv!s only to such i)hosphates as are ^mlublc iu piiio \\alci- •.iitd is mad* in ireatiug bones, bone 150 ash, boue black, or mineral phosphate with sulphuric acid. It is the chief ingredient of Acid Phosphates, Superphosphates or Dissolved Bones. By Reverted Phosphoric Acid, i cference is made to that form of Acid which, though insoluble in watt*r, is freely soluble in certain salts, particularly Citrate of Aininonia. Insoluble Phosphoric Acid refers to that form that is soluble only in Acids. Potash is the ingredient usually found in ashes, and should be soluble in water. VALUATION OF FERTILIZERS. The commercial value of a Fertilizer is regulated hy the prices demanded in commerce for the different forms of the three ingredients, Nitrogen (Ammonia), Phosphoric Acid and Potash. These i^rices fluctuate according to the (lemand and supply. In the North, Nitrogen is assigned a separate valuation for each of the forms — that in Nitrates and Ammonia Salts receiving the highest figure, and that in leather and peat the lowest. In Connecticut or Massachusetts, a determination of the forms in which this ingredient occurs must be made before its , commercial value can be calculated. All the forms of Nitrogen have heretofore been considered of equal money value in the South, and but one price assigned. This, of course, precludes the existence of Nitrogen in form of leather dust, or powdered horn, forms regarded as unavailable and of little money or agri- cultural value. The soluble and reverted forms of Phosphoric x\cid have together been styled as ‘^available,” and assigned one value. The insoluble Phosphoric Acid has received no valuation. All forms of Potash soluble in water have been regarded as of equal value. At a convention of Southern State Chemists, held at xVthens, (xa., in 1886, the following tariff of prices was adopted : Ammonia, 16 cents per pound. Nitrogen, 19^ cents per pound. 151 Soluble Phosphoric Acid ceuts per pound. Reverted Phosphoric Acid, ceuts per pound. Potash (soluble in water), 5 ceuts per pound. The writer, though not present at the convention, deems it best, for the sake of harmony in State valuations, to adopt this tariff for the present year, though he wishes to dissent from the opinion that Reverted Phosphoric Acid is of equal value as the soluble form, or that Nitrogen is of the same money value in all its forms. The above are commercial values, that is what these ingredi- ents, properly mixed and sacked, can be purchased for in the markets of the South. The above tariff, when applied to fer- tilizers bought in New Orleans, will be found to give values be^^oud the actual selling prices. For example, goud cotton-seed meal contains 7 per cent. Nitrogen, 3 per cent. Phosphoric Acid and 2 per cent. Potash j neglecting the Phosphoric Acid and Potash, and estimating its value only on its content, there will be obtained for one ton 140 pounds of Nitrogen at 19J cents. — 127.30. It is well known that this fertilizer could be bought at anj" time in the year, in New Orleans, at about $20 per ton. This form of Nitrogen comes eutirel}^ from the South, while all others are products of /Northern or foreign climes. Home consumption takes only a small i)ortion of the output of our mills, the greater part finding its way to the North and to Europe. This export demand regulates the price, and hence we have the cheapest form of Nitrogen presented to us in our own home product, viz.; Cotton Seed Meal. By applying the above to a fertilizer of known composition, and comparing the result with the actual selling price, the con- sumer can easily tell whether he is getting value received. HOW TO COMPUTE THE VALUE OF A FERTILIZER. A fertilizer is purchased whose guaranteed analysis recorded on the sack as follows : Nitrogen, 3 per cent. Soluble Phosphoric Acid, 6 per cent. 152 Keverted Phosphoric Acid, 4 per cent. Potash, 2 per cent. Wliat is its commercial value ? IN ONE TON WE HAVE: per cent. Nitrogen 60 lbs. at 19.} cents $11.70 0 per cent. Solub’e Phosphoric Acid. .. 120 lbs. at 7| cent's 9.90 t per cent. Reverted Phosphoric Acid . . 80 lbs. at. 7} cents 6.00 2 per cent. Potash 10 lbs. at 2 cents 2.00 Comuiercial value, per ton $28.70 Py comparing the above with the amount paid, the 4*onsumei <*a.u easily calculate whether he has paid too much. The work done in the Laboratory, since our last report, may be classified as follows : 18 Ammoniated Superpliosphates and (Jua»ios. 6 Acid Phosphates. 5 Cotton -seed Meal. 7 Tankage. 5 Phosphates. 3 Bat Manures. 1 Fish Scrap. 1 Bone Meal. 1 Dried Blood. 1 Sulphate of Ammonia. ^ 1 Nitrate of Soda. 1 Lignite. 1 Oyster Shell Lime. The relative commercial values are prot^en only to the* Ammoniated Superphosphates and Acid Pho.sphates. ."Jince under existing tariff no value is assigned insoluble Phosphoric Acid. The Ammoniated Superphosphates and Guanos include the various fertilizers sold in this State for cotton, cane, rice, etc. They contain all three of the chief fertilizing ingredients, and may be classified as Complete Manures. Made for different crops, these ingredients are hy no means constant, but vary 153 according to the manufacturer's ideas of the demand of each particular crop for each particular ingredient. AMMONIATED SUPERPHOSPHATES AND OUANOS. Station No. 117. — Guaiio; sent by Millard Bosworth, Oypremort P. O., La. Station No. 118. — Guano; sent by Millard Bosworth, Oypremort P. O., La. Station No. 120. — Oat Fertilizer; sent by Lucien Soniat, Tchoup- itoulas Plantation, La. Station No. 121. — Sugar Cane Fertilizer ; sent by Lucien Soniat, Tchoupitoulas Plantation, La. Station No. 147. — Peach Tree Fertilizer; sent by Planters’ Fer- tilizer Company, New Orleans, La. Station No. 152. — Guano; sent by McCall Brothers., Donaldson- vilh , La. Station No. 153. — Guano; sent by Planters’ Fertilizer Company, New Orleans, La. Station No. 159. — Guano; sent by Planters’ Fertilizer Company, New Orleans, La. Station No. 161. — Guano; sent by Planters’ Fertilizer Company, New Orleans, La. Station No. 163. — Guano ; sent by Cartwright Eustis, New Or- leans, La. / ^ Station No. 164. — Cotton Goods; sent by Planters’ Fertilizer Company, New Orleans, La. Station No. 166. — Guano; sent by McCall Brothers, Donaldson- ville. La. Station No. 167. — Guano ; sent by McCall Brothers, Donaldson- ville. La. Station No. 168. — Guano; sent by McCall Brothers, Donaldson- ville. La. Station No. 170. — Guano; sent by T. D. Miller & Co., New Or- leans, La. Station No. 171. — Guano; sent by T. D. Miller & Co., New Or- leans, La. station No. 172.— Guano; sent by Hon. Edward J. Gay, New Orleans, La. Station No. 173. — Guano; sent by Trosclair & Robichaux, Thib- odeaux, La. 154 ANALYSES OF AMMONIATED SUPERPHOSPHATES AND GUANOS. Station. I Soluble Phos- pborilc Acid. Reduced Phos- phoric Acid. No. 117 7.87 0.27 << 118 7.21 0.31 << 120 4.61 2.04 (( 121 5.76 2.05 (( 147 5.10 0.42 a 152 8.17 1.74 << 153 10.94 0.16 <( 159 6.87 1.96 <( 161 5.76 1.54 163 4.61 0.70 164 8.25 1.30 << 16(> 7.68 0.70 (< 167 10.75 0.74 168 6.14 0.65 (( 170 7.10 1.79 n 171 6.33 4.29 if 172 2.30 6.74 173 5.56 3.15 Insoluble Phos- phoric Acid. Total Phos- phoric Acid. a §c p S 0.12 8.26 3.15 0.38 7.90 3.43 0.26 6.91 3.71 0.25 8.06 3.08 0.24 5.76 2.11 0.44 10.37 3.22 0.67 11.77 2.38 0.38 9.21 3.15 0.19 7.49 1.96 1.02 6.33 4.69 1.10 10.65 2.38 2.56 10.94 2.55 0.41 11.90 2.10 0.89 7.68 3.57 0.51 9.40 3.0# 2.62 13.24 1.61 4.41 13.45 3.01 0.89 9.60 3.78 a o s 2 1 Potash- RclatiTc Com- mercial Value, 3.82 2.69 $25*77 4.17 2.89 26.06 4.51 24.40 3.74 23.68 2.55 7.71 20.29 3.91 1.06 27.93 2.89 2.91 27.35 3.82 1.05 25.98 2.38 3.86 20.50 5.70 1.47 26.93 2.89 1.73 24.43 3.09 2.60 23.76 2.55 2.70 26.74 4.34 2.70 25.42 3.74 1.64 26.12 1.95 1.44 22.89 3.65 0.54 25.51 4.59 0.96 28.23 An inspection of the above will show the high character of the various brands now sold on our market. ACID PHOSPHATES Are Phosphates made soluble by treatment with Sulphuric Acid, and contain usually only one ingredient, viz.: Phosphoric Acid. This ingredient should be in a soluble or available form. There is a current belief that Phosphoric Acid from Bone is more valuable than that from Bock. This is true only in regard to the insoluble forms of Phosphoric Acid. Soluble and reverted Phosphates are of equal agricultural value, whether from Bock or Bone; and a good Acid Phosphate, whatever its source, should contain little or no Insoluble Phosphates. 155 ACID PHOSPHATES. Station Ko. 141. — Sent by Planters’ Fertilizer Co., N'ew Orleans. Station No. 142. — Sent by Planters’ Fertilizer Go., New Orleans. Station No. 150. — Sent by Planters’ Fertilizer Co., New Orleans. Station No. 155. — Sent by I). K. Calder, New Orleans. Station No. 169. — Sent by Hon. Edward J. Gay, New Orleans. Station No. 175. — Sent by Leon Godchaux, New Orleans. ANALYSES OF ACID PHOSPHATES. Station . Water Soluble Phosphoric Acid. Citrate Soluble Phosphoric Acid. Acid Soluble Phosphoric Acid. Total Phosphoric Acid. Potash Relative Commer- cial Value. No. 141 15.17 0.73 0.22 16.12 $23.85 ii 142 13.92 0.70 0..54 15.16 21.93 ( i ir)0 16.27 0.31 1.66 18.24 24.87 i< 155 10.69 2.85 0.41 13.95 20.31 U 169 14.01 1.93 0.38 16.32 23.91 u 175 14.21 0.83 1.47 16.51 22.56 COTTON SEED MEAL. This is onr cheapest and best source of Nitrogen. It is largely used all over Louisiana, as a fertilizer. Being a feed stuff, it is excluded from the provisions of the Fertilizer Law. Hence, great care is necessary in its purchase to see that it is well decorticated, i. e., free from hulls. Pure, undamaged meal should be dry, pulverulent, and of a bright yellow color. Hulls in the meal can easily be detected by close examination, or by running a small quantity of the meal through a common kitchen sifter, when the hulls will separate. Damaged meal has a dark color, and while it is probably unlit for cattle food, it is rarely injured as a fertilizer. The commercial value of cotton seed, reckoned by onr tariff’, is far in excess of its actual value in New Orleans. 150 The best meal should always contain 7 per cent. Nitrogen, 3 per cent. Phosphoric Acid, and 2 per cent. Potash. COTTON SEED MEAL. Station No. 119. — Sent by E. Milliken, New Orleans, La. Station No. 129. — Bought by Station from Maginnis Oil Works, ’ New Orleans, La. Station No. 151. — Sent by Trosclair & Eobichaux, Thibodeaux, La. Station No. 160. — Station No. 174. — Sent by J. N. Pharr, Berwick City, La. ANALYSES OF COT ON SEED MEAL. Station. Total Phosphoiic Acid. A o bC p j 1 a < ets O No. 119 6.09 7.40 “ 129 3.77 7.12 8.64 i'.m “ 151 2.40 6.16 7.48 1.93 160 2.50 7.35 8.93 1..58 “ 174 3.64 7.42 9.01 1.35 TANKA.OE. This fertilizer is growing in popularity in this State, and its extending use attests its supposed i>rofitable results. It varies greatly in composition, as the analyses below will show. It is a refuse product of the slaughter house, and consists essentially of bone and meat which collects at the bottom of tanks in which the wastes of slaughter houses are (iooked to extract the grease. When bone predominates, the Phosphoric Acid content is large and the Nitfogen small, and the action of both is slow. When meat is the chief ingredient, the per tent, of Nitrogen is large and the Phosphoric Acid low, and the action (especially of Nitro- gen) is quite satisfactory. ; 157 The followiug samples were analyzed : iMo. 124 — Sugar Experiment Station, bought in New York. No. 138 — D. Thompson, Calumet Plantation, Patterson ville, La. No. 139 — D. Thompson, Calumet Plantation, Patterson ville, La. No. 140 — D. Thompson, Calumet Plantation, Patterson ville, La. No. 154 — Leon Godchaux, New Orleans, La. No. 162 — McCall & Legendre, McManor Plantation, Donaldson- ville, La. No. 165— McCall Bros., Evan Hall Plantation, Donaldson ville, La. ANALYSES OF TANKAGE. 1 Station. Pboaphoric Acid, jj !i i 1 Nitrogen. 1 Ammonia. j ' _ 1 S a S .2 ® 1 W *5 No. 124 12.48 7.00 8.50 “ 138 15.89 5.18 6.29 “ 139 10.78 6.44 7.82 “ 140 17.58 5.04 ' 6.12 “ 154 12.10 2.24 2.72 162 13.24 5^88 7.14 “ 165 7.29 8.26 • 10.03 PHOSPHATES. Under this head are included Orchilla Guano, Basic Phos- phate Slag, and Bone Black. Orchilla Guano is a natural deposit made by birds in a rainy climate. The Nitrogen and Soluble Phosphates have been removed, leaving only reduced and Insoluble Phosphates behind. It is essentially a phosphate of lime mixed with carbonate of lime. Basic Phosphate Slag is the scoria which floats on the surface in the Thomas Gilchrist process of dephosphorising pig iron. It is essentially a phosi)hate of lime mixed with lime, and on account of its porosity is susceptible of being ground into a very fine powder. It has proven of high agricultural value in some places. 15S Bone Black is the carbonized residue of bones which have been subjected to destructive distillation. It is largely used in sugar refineries, and, when spent, is sold to the manulhcturers of commercial fertilizers, for treatment with acid. It is rarely applied without treatment to the soil, since each grain of Phos- phate is surrounded by a thin layer of carbon which protects it from the solvent power of the soil. PHOSPHATES. station No. 123. — Orchilla Guano; donated to the Station by the Agents. Station No. 137. — Basic Phosphate Slag; from David Bryde, Glasgow, Scotland. Station No. 145. — Basic Phosphate Slag; from A. A. Maginnis, New Orleans. Station No. 143. — Bone Black ; from J. G. Morris, New Orleans. Station No. 144. — Bofie Black; from Planters’ Fertilizer Oom- l)any. New Orleans. ANALYSIS. Station. 0 P-, ^ 1 Insoluble Plios- pboric Acid. ; 1 Total Phosphoric Acid. i 1 ,1 No. 123 4.22 1 5 . 31) 19.58 Orchilla “ 137 5.37 11.14 15.51 Basic Slag. “ 145 5.48 7.12 12.60 .( .( “ 143 28-42 Boue Black “ 144 27.10 BAT MANURES, The ordure of Bats, found in caves, roofs of houses, etc. When pure, it is an escellent manure; but the supply is always limited. The following samples were sent by E. Viterbo, Luliug, La., and are from Texas : 159 ANALYSES OF BAT MANURES. Station. I Phosphoric Acid, i • 1 g .2 '3 o a a < 1 i Potash. ! 1 1 I No. 150 8.92 4.90 5.95 1.59 “ 1.57 4.70 9.24 11.22 1.25 “ 1.58 9.02 4.90 5.95 1.13 BONE MEAL. Bob es ground to a powder are largely used in some countries as a fertilizer, and are held in higii esteem. They are not popu- lar in the South. The more finely ground they are, the higher their commercial value. Hence, in estimating their value, both a mechanical and cliemical analysis are necessary. The sample analyzed was purchased by the Sugar Experiment Station, in New York, and cost $32.50 per ton. ANALYSIS. station. Phosphoric Acid. Nitrogen. Ammonia. No. 122 20.93 3.78 4.19 And was in excellent mechanical condition. FISH SCRAP Is the dried and ground residue from the numerous works scattered along the Atlantic coast, engaged in extracting oil from fish. It contains a goodly percentage of both Nitrogen and Phosphoric Acid, and is often used to ammoniate many of the guanos, or complete fertilizers found in commerce. It is a cheap source of Nitrogen. The sample analyzed was obtained in New York, and cost, there, $35.00 per ton. 160 ANALYSIS OF FISH SCRAP. Station. Phosphoric Acid. Nitrogen. Ammonia. No. 3.52 7.14 8.67 The mechaDical condition of Fish Scrap largely determines its agricultural value. To accomplish the best results, it should be very finely ground. DRIED BLOOD Occurs in commerce as black and red blood. The former has been prepared by drying the blood of slaughter houses by super- heated steam, the latter at a lower temperature. The former is often lumpy, and should be thoroughly pulverized before use. They both contain from 8 to 15 per cent. Nitrogen, and are usually sold upon a guarantee of so many units of ammonia. This is a most excellent source of Nitrogen. Field and labora. tory experiments have shown a slight degree of availability in favor of the red blood, due doubtless to its finer pulverization. The sample analyzed was black blood, and was bought by the Station from Mapes Fertilizer Company, New York. Price in New York, $47.50 per ton. ANALYSIS OF DRIED BLOOD. Station. Phosphoric Acid. Nitrogen. Ammonia. No. 126 0.70 13.79 16.75 SULPHATE OF AMMONIA Is a by-product in the manufacture of gas from bituminoui coal, and usually contains from 20 to 21 per cent. Nitrogen. It always carries a small amount of moisture. It is an excellent gource of Nitrogen, but on account of its ready solubility in water, its use is restricted to the immediate wants of a plant j hence, like Nitrate of Soda, it is specially applicable as a top dressing to spring grains and grasses. Our sample was obtained by the Station from Mapes Fertil- izer Company, New York, and cost, in that city, $07.50 per ton. 161 ANALYSIS OF SULPHATE OF AMMONIA. Station. No. 130 Nitrogen. 20.59 Ammonia. 25.00 Equal to Sulphate of Ammonia, 97.06 per cent. NITRATE OF SODA Is a product of the mines of Peru and Chili, and is often called in commerce, Cubical, or Chilian Saltpetre. It is refined before shipment to this country. It contains, usually, about 16 per cent. Nitrogen. Small quantities of common salt and water, amounting to about 2 or 3 per cent., usually remains in this Fertilizer, reducing the Nitrate of Soda to 97 or 98 per cent, purity. Larger amounts of impurities would suggest adultera- tion or defect in refining. This Fertilizer is largely used as a top dressing for grains and grasses in the spring. It has also been successfully used for same purpose on cane. Its efficacy is always enhanced by addition of Acid Phosphate, and sometimes also by a salt of Potash. The Sample analyzed was purchased of Mapes Fertilizer Company, New York, and cost, in that city, $47.50 per ton. ANALYS S OF NITRATE OF SODA. N itrogeu . 16.23 station . No. 136 Equal to Nitrate of Soda, 98.53 per cent. LIGNITE, Or Brown Coal, was used in the sugar house for filtering cane juices. The sample analyzed came from Wood’s Bluff, Clarke county, Ala., and was donated by Judge II. Austill, Mobile, Ala., to the Station, fyr trial, in 1886. An account of its action on cane juices has been published in a former Bulletin. The following is its (joinpositioti : 162 Moisture Volatile Matter Fixed Carbon . . Ash 28.75 per cent. 29.45 per cent. 28.85 per cent. 12.95 per cent. Total Sulphur present 100.00 per cent. 0.55 per cent. OYSTER SHELL MARL. A barrel of this marl was kindly donated to the Station by Mr. Keaney, New Orleans, to test its value in defecating cane juices. It is made from oyster shells, and can be sold to the planters for a price considerably below that usually paid for sugar lime. It is a remarkably pure lime, and excluding the partially decomposed shells, of which there was removed by a sieve an amount equal to 17.03 per cent., it served excellently in the defecation of juices. The following is its composition : Shells removed by sieve 17.02 per cent. Moisture 1.20 per cent. Carbon Dioxide 12.70 per cent. Lime 68.10 per cent. Magnesia 12 per cent. Insoluble Matter, Phosphoric Acid, etc 85 per cent. Total 100.00 per cent. More completely burnt, or even finely pulverized after burn- ing, would make this an excellent lime for defecation in the sugar house. .fii/. i. s^ER OF AORICULTURE RY DEALERS AND MANU )R SEASON 1887-8. JFACTURED. !88 . . - ’ds, Chicago. . it tt tt tt c ind . . . c 7i O a A o '5 Nitrogen. I'HosPHORic Acid. QQ ◄ H O Oh 1 1 Soluble. Reverted . Insoluble. 200 2 to 4 7 to 9 2 to 4 li to 3 200 2 to 3 6 to 8 3 to 4 2 to 3 200 12 to 16 1 to 3 200 14 to 18 1 to 2 200 4i to 5 2i‘to*24 200 12 to 14 100 3i to 4 7 1 ■ 2 to 3 100 24 9 1 2 100 4| to 5 6 1 li to 2 100 4i to 5 6 1 1 to 2 100 ' 4 to 5 5 1 4 to 5 100 5 to 6 4 5 200 .82 to 1.64 8 to 9 *3*to’4* 2 16 to 3.24 200 2.47 6.50 2.50 2.25 3.50 200 1-85 7 3 2 1 200 2i to 2i 5.50 to 6.50 3.50 to 4 H to 2i H to 2i 200 .75 to 1.50 7 to 9.50 3 to 4 1 to 2 1 to 2 200 8 to 9 5 to 6 2 to 2.75 200 7.50 to 8.50 4.50 to 5.50 1 to 2-50 2 to 3 200 1.64 to 2.46 5i to 6i 2^ to 3 2 to 3 200 1.64 to 2.46 5i to 6| 2i to 3 24 to 3i .54 to 1.0^ 200 1.64 to 2 46 5i to 6i 2i to 3 2i to 3i .54 to 1.08 200 2i to 3 9 to 11 2 to 3 200 6 to 8 12 to 14 200 3^ to 4 28 to 30 200 2.06 to 6 6 2 2 168 7.4 11 2 200 10 7 2 rCl Ct o a o -M $25.00 25 00 25.00 28.00 23.00 : 28.00 1 GUARANTEED ANALYSES OE COMMERCIAL FERTILIZERS, AS RENDERED TO COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE I?Y DEALERS xVND MANU- FxVCTURERS TO ^VHOM LICENSES HAVE BEEN ISSUED FOR SEASON 1887-8. o o X Phosphoric Acid. Potash. Soluble. Reverted. Insoluble. 2 to 4 7 t.o 9 2 to 4 H to 3 2 to 3 6 to 8 3 to 4 2 to 3 12 to 16 1 to 3 14 to 18 1 to 2 4i to 5 21 to 24 12 to 14 3i to 4 7 1 2 to 3 24 9 1 2 4i to 5 6 1 1* to 2 4i to 5 6 1 i to 2 4 to 5 5 1 4 to 5 5 to 6 4 5 .82 to 1.64 8 to 9 3 to 4 2 16 to 3.i 2.47 6.50 2.50 2.25 3.50 1-85 7 3 2 1 2i to 5.50 to 6.50 3.50 to 4 H to 2^ li to 2i .75 to 1.50 7 to 9.50 3 to 4 1 to 2 1 to 2 8 to 9 5 to 6 2 to 2.75 7.50 to 8.50 4.50 to 5.50 1 to 2.50 2 to 3 .64 to 2.46 .5^ to 0^ 2i to 3 2 to 3 .64 to 2.46 ol to 6i 2i to 3 2i to .54 to l.( .64 to 2 46 5i to Oi 2^ to 3 2i to 3i .54 to l.t to 3 9 to 11 2 to 3 6 to 8 12 to 14 3^ to 4 28 to 30 .06 to 6 6 2 li 2 7.4 11 2 10 7 2 or Fertilizeu or Chemical, Soluble Guano Ammouiatetl Raw Bone Superpliosjihate. . Acid Phosphate • Stern’s Dissolved Boue Stern’s Pure Ground Boue Sieru’s Kainit Sugar Fertilieer Cotton “ Oats “ Rice “ Fruit Tree" Vegetable “ Sol. Stern’s Fertilizer Soluble Pacific Guano, sugar grade Cotton Grade Guano Gossipium Phospho Scott’s Animal Ainmoniated Guano Scott’s High-grade Acid Phosphates Scott’s Potasso Phospho National Bone Dust Ammoniated Dissolved Bone Garden City Sujierpliosphato Studnitzka’s Standard Sugar Fertilizer.. Hog Tankage Powdered Raw Bone Atlantic Soluble Guano Peruvian Gnano Atlantic Dissolved Bone BY WHOM REPORTED. Standard Gnano and Cheni. M’l’g Co ter’s Fertilizer Man if’g Co Sol. Stern . i W. P. Richardson, for Gliildeii & Curtis. G. W. Scott Manufacturing Company Northwestern Fertilizer Company Henry Studnitzka & Co Pelzer, Rodgers &. Co.. C. C. Crawford Pelzer, Rodgers &Co.. 14 Union Street, N. O 113 Magazine Street, N. O 78 Decatur Street, N. 0. 33 Caron.ielet Street, N. O aulats (Nos. 9 and 10) at the Sugar Experiment Station were })lante(l in sorghum. PREVIOUS CULTURE. No. 9 had been continuously in sorghum since 1886, .and No. 10 in corn, PREPARATION OF LAND. The land was broken in the spring with 4-horse plows, thrown into beds five feet apart, and seed sown and lightly har- rowed in. Only a partial stand was secured, germination being prevented by a prevailing drouth. It was thinned, wherever it was thick enough, to three stalks to the running foot. The cultivation consisted of oft-barring with a 2 horse plow, a hoeing, and returning the dirt with a 2-horse plow, and breaking out the middles with a large one and a three-quarter Avery advance double mould-board plow. The excessive rains began in May and lasted till the middle of July, and prevented further cultivation. The varieties planted on these plats were : 1. Honduras, seed grown at the Station. 2. Honduras, seed grown on the Teche. 3. Link’s Hybrid, seed grown in Kansas. 4. White’s Mammoth, seed grown, at the Station. 5. White India, seed grown in Kansas. 6. Enyama, grown by J. P. Baldwin of the Teche. 168 7. Early Orange, grown in Kansas. 8. Kansas Orange, grown in Kansas. 9. New Orange, grown in Kansas. 10. Golden Kod, grown in Kansas. 11. Honey Drip, grown in Kansas. 12 . Texas Honey Drip, seed bought of Gumbrell, Eeynolds and Allen, Kansas City, Mo. 13. Planted with seed from Department of Agriculture, but none came up. 14. White Minnesota, amber seed, grown in Nebraska. 15. Early Amber, seed grown in Kansas. 16. Early Amber, seed furnished by the Department of Agriculture. 17. Kansas Orange, seed from Kansas. 18. Link’s Hybrid, seed grown at the Station. 19. Early Orange, seed grown at the Station. Several of the above varieties were sent to the State Experi- ment Station, Baton Kouge, La., and to the North Louisiana Experiment Station, Calhoun, La.; and experimental plats were planted at each station. The varieties planted at Baton Bouge were Early Amber, Early Orange, Link’s Hybrid and Honduras. They were planted in rows four feet wide, and seed lightly covered. The cultivation was the same as that given to corn, after thinning it to a stand of one stalk to every four inches. The storm of 19th of August completely prostrated the canes, and on September 12th the held was green with a luxuri- ant growth of suckers. The varieties grown at the North Louisiana Experiment Station, Calhoun, La., were: No. 1. Minnesota Early Amber, seed from Nebraska. .No. 2. Early Amber, seed from Department of Agriculture. No. 3. Early Orange, seed from Department of Agriculture. No. 4. New Orange, seed from Kansas. No. 5. White India, seed from Sugar Experiment Station. No. 6. Link’s Hybrid, seed from Sugar Experiment Station. No. 7. Golden Rod, seed from Kansas. 169 These were planted ou April 18th, thinned to a stand, and cultivated in its order with the corn crop. Here flat cultivation was exclusively practiced during the season, while at the other two stations high ridges were required for drainage. These plantings were made with a view of testing, by mill and laboratory experiments, the adaptability of sorghum as a sugar crop to Louisiana. If sugar can be made profitably from sorghum anywhere in the United States, it should be done in Louisiana. Chemical analyses show a larger percentage of sugar and a smaller quantity of glucose in sorghum grown in Louisiana than anywhere else in this country. At least the published analyses now at hand verify this assertion. Again, could our sugar planters be persuaded that sorghum could be made to yield a profitable quantity of sugar, say even 1000 pounds per acre, they would soon aboi)t it as an adjunct to the cane crop. Once establish the fact that sugar can be profitably made from sorghum, and it will become exceedingly popular with all cane- growers, for the following reasons: 1st. By planting different varieties and at different times it can be made to ripen in Louisiana at any time from July to [N^ovember, thus giving employment six months to an expensive machinery, which is now engaged only sixty days in grinding the cane crop. 2d. The cost of seed required to plant a crop of sorghum is vvery small — quite insignificant compared with the large amount required for cane. 3d. The ease and cheapness with which this crop can be grown. 4th. The value of the seed for forage — a by-product without cost, save the expense of carefully housing. Again, there are vast tracts of rich alluvial lands in the middle and northern portion of the State which are too far north for cane and which will grow excellent crops of sorghum. These lands are now in cotton, but could it be demonstrated that they could grow sorghum profitably, central factories would spring up in every direction and this crop would supplant cotton in part, if not entirely. 170 With these possibilities in view, the Director has persistently planted sorghum for three years upon the Sugar Experiment Station, and has attempted every year to make, successfully, sugar from it by the milling process. Chemical analyses have shown that our juices were rich in sucrose and low in glucose, but our sugar-house experiments have failed to extract it successfully. We have made the masse cuite full of grains, but our centrifugals failed to purge. All this was due to the starch present in thre juice (extracted by pressure with the mill), which, during the subsequent process of concentration, was oonverted into dextrine^ and this substance, our hete noir^ prevented the elimination of the sugar. Our past experiments have demonstrated the inapplica- bility of the crushing mill to sorghum. They have also shown that high temperatures must be avoided. Therefore, new meth- ods of extracting the juice and processes of cooking in vacuo must be resorted to before we can successfully extract sugar from sorghum. Fort Scott, Kansas, and Eio Grande, Kew Jersey, have both demonstrated that diffusion was applicable to the extraction of juice, and goodly quantities of sugar had thus been obtained. After planting the above crops, thei Bureau of Agriculture, which has immediate control of the stations, received a petition in the form of a series of resolutions from the Ascension branch of the Sugar Planters’ Association, asking that it make an appropriation for the purpose of erecting a diffusion battery for sorghum, and to continue the exjieriments so auspiciously begun at Fort Scott and Bio Grande. The planters were anxious to know if the flattering results obtained in Kansas could not be realized here. The Bureau having received at one time the deferred half of the annual Hatch appropriation, decided to grant the request, so far as the limited means at their disposal would permit. Accordingly it passed a series of resolutions appropriating money for the enterprise, and authorizing the Director to proceed at once to obtain the necessary machinery. As soon as these resolutions were passed, increased areas were planted in sorghum at each station, using seed received from Kansas, at Kenner, and Early Amber and Orange at the other two. 171 Acting under these resolutions, bids were invited for building (1), a ‘^diffusion battery of fourteen cells, capacity of battery one and a half to two tons per hour ; (2), a double effect of four hundred square feet of heating surface.” Messrs. Edwards & Haubtman, of New Orleans, making the best proposition for the erection of above machinery was accorded the contract. Mr. J. P. Baldwin, of St. Mary parish, who had formerly been an attache of the station, and who has great mechanical ingenuity, was employed in May to superintend the erection of the machinery, and after full and free conference with him and Mr. E. W. Deming, late engineer in charge of the Fort Scott sugar- works, and now supervising engineer of the Conway Springs Sugar- works, Kansas, the following machinery was ordered : Cutter and comminutor or pulper, with shafting and pulleys, from George J. Fritz, St. Louis, Mo.; conveyors, elevators and gearing from the Link Belt Company, Chicago; and Mr. E. W. Deming kindly superintended the construction of a fan, a dupli- cate of the one made for Conway Springs Sugar-works, which he shipped us from Kansas. Considerable work had to be done to conform the old sugar- house to its new machinery. Indeed, the task of planning and transforming the old conditions to the new was one requiring patience, energy and excellent mechanical ingenuity. That it has been well done is the universal testimony of all visitors. After the above work bad been contracted for, the gratifying intelligence was received from the Hon. Norman J. Colman, Commissioner of Agriculture, Washington, D. C., that he would allow this Station five thousand dollars of the one hundred thousand recently appropriated by Congress for experiments in making sugar from sorghum. This supplement to the appropri- ation from the Bureau of Agriculture has enabled this Station to enlarge its equipment and extend its field of investigation. From our past experience with sorghum, it was inferred that our crop, planted on the 16th of April, would not be ready for the sugar-house before the 1st of September. Accordingly we contracted with Messrs. Edwards & Haubtman to deliver the machinery by the 15th of August, thus giving us fifteen days 172 (ample time) for its erection and preparation for work. Messrs. Edward & Haubtman failed to deliver until the 23d of August, which failure, in connection with the unprecedented storm of the 19th of that month, which completely prostrated our sorghum, proved most disastrous to our successful manufacture of sugar. In 1886, sorghum planted April 5th was harvested the 13th September. In 1887, sorghum planted April 21st was worked up September 23d. Both years they were worked at full ma- turity, excepting the Early Amber and Chinese, which were ripe in July of each year. It was fair, therefore, to calculate that without any natural intervention the sorghum this year would not have been ready for the sugar-house before the middle of September j and had not the storm prevailed, the date of delivery of Messrs. Edwards & Haubtman would have still afforded us ample time to have completed erection before the maturity of the crop. Either, alone, would not have proved disastrous j both, together, were fatal. [See chemical analysis, further on, for verification.] Of the varieties mentioned above, the Ambers were ripe in July, and accordingly were worked up by the mill, cooked to masse cuite, and left in hot room for comparison with masse cuite from diffusion juice. LABOBATOEY WORK. During the summer the laboratory has been engaged in the study of the chemistry of sorghum. To this end weekly analyses of all varieties have been made and daily study prosecuted as to the physiological changes occurring in the growth and maturity of sorghum. The following are the notes made by my assistant, Mr. W. L. Hutchinson, up to September 1st, at which time he resigned to accept the professorship in chemistry in the Agri- cultural and Mechanical College of Mississippi. His leaving put an end to his interesting investigations. June 21st. — Iodine shows no starch in Minnesota White Amber, just headed. Single polarization gives no sucrose. 173 . The following were found : Glucose, 3.65 per cent, j solids, 6.66 per cent. ; albuminoids, ,17 per cent. The precipitate produced by subacetate of lead, after being freed from the lead, gave no trace of oxalic acid, but a quantity of tartaric acid. So great was the latter that every attempt at its entire removal failed, so that no positive conclusions' as to the other acids present were drawn. On July 16, fully matured samples of Early Amber were obtained, the juice extracted and subjected to analysis. The sucrose was determined by single and double polarization and by Fehling’s solution. The following are the results : Sucrose: Total solids, 16.58; single polarization, 12.31; double, 12.28; Fehliiig’s, 12.22. This juice was concentrated to syrup, and the latter gave, by single polarization, sucrose 52.41; double polarization, 53.58. STARCH IN SORGHUM. With green canes just heading no indications of starch are given by iodine. If there were any blue it was completely obscured by the intensely brown coloration. This brown colora- tion indicated dextrine and other forms of soluble starch. With well-matured canes iodine gives an intenselj^ blue color towards the top, decreasing in intensity towards the butt. Canes occupying an intermediate condition between these ex- tremes, or in that stage of growth when maturity begins to appear, as indicated by the presence of sucrose in the lower part of the stalk, starch will be found in the butt but not in the top. The above conclusions of Mr. Hutchinson have been fully confirmed by subsequent experiments; and it is not unusual in our laboratory now to prognosticate the amount of sucrose in a cane by the presence of starch, so intimately are they associated. Both sucrose and starch seem to be formed simultaneously — the former from glucose and perhaps other bodies, and the latter from dextrine and other soluble forms. Glucose occurs in largest quantities when the polariscope gives no indication of sucrose by single polarization. In a sample 174 of green cane, in which there was no starch, and by single polar- ization no sucrose, but by double polarization 1.53 per cent., as high as 7 per cent, of glucose was found. A.s the cane, from which the above sample was selected, matured, repeated analysis made at short intervals showed that the glucose decreased, until at maturity it reached as low 0.8 per cent. SINCTLE vs. DOUBLE POLARIZATION. In juices from matured canes, there is a very close agreement between the sucrose obtained by single and double ]X)larization* Hot so with the immature canes, and the greater the immaturity the greater the disagreement. In all of the laboratory work on samples taken from the field, sucrose was therefore determined by single and double polarization. ANALYSES OF VARIETIES OF SORGHUM. These were begun on July 11, and continued weekly until worked up. Tho following table gives the results: 175 ANALY^S OF THE VARIETIES OF SORGHUM AT DIFFERENT STAGES OF GROWTH. SUCROBE- Date OT "o 'o in Akalysis. < § o ' y .a -s ® 2 § -2 H in P Jnly 11.. 9.8 2.2 3.22 Ang. 6.. 16.6 12.4 12.40 H 13.. 16. 12.3 12.60, it 20.. 16.5 12.1 12.24 27.. 16.3 12.2 12.52 Sept. 4.. 15.7 11.7 12 85 ii 8 .. 14.5 10.2 Jnly 11.. 11.5 5.2 6.22 n 19.. 12.68 8.3 Aug. 6.. 16.20 12.2 12.10 (t 13.. 13.20 10. 10.06 (( 20.. 16.10 12. 12.07 (( 27.. 16.20 12. 12.28 Sept. 4.. 15.30 12. 12.00 ii 12.. 11.40 7.9 July 11.. 11.80 4.1 5 12 Aug. 6.. 16.90 12. 12.00 (( 13.. 15.60 11.6 11.63 <( 20.. 16.80 11.7 11.67 <1 27.. 15.20 11.1 11.33 Sept. 4. . 13.70 0.7 9.67 <( 12.. 11.60 8.1 July 11.. 13.30 8.3 8.95 19.. 15.70 12.1 < i 26.. 14.80 11.0 (« 30.. 17.20 12.3 July 11.. 13-60 8.4 9 ’.26 ti 26.. 15.70 12.0 (( 30.. 16.73 12.1 — July 11.. 13.2 7.0 7.78 a 26.. 17.5 13.5 €i 30.. 16.3 11.6 July 11.. 8.9 il53 H 20.. 10.57 ^3 Aug. 6.. 12.10 5.8 5.41 (< 13.. 11.8 7.9 8.25 <( 20.. 14.3 9.5 9.79 << 27.. 13.2 9-3 9.25 Sept. 4 .. 12.8 9.5 9.53 ii 12.. 10.4 7.7 July 11.. 11.1 6.2 8.89 20.. 11.01 5.0 Aug. 7.. 10.1 5.8 5.41 (i 13.. 11.8 7.9 8.25 ii 20.. 11.8 6.6 6.93 a 27.. 14.9 11.0 11.08 id 0 Variety. ® s l.§ i 0 2.95 Early Orange. 19 1.00 19 .76 ii 19 .60 it ii 19 .73 i i ii 19 1.23 a ti 19 1.05 it it 19 3.20 Link’s Hybrid. it it 18 1-64 18 1.28 ti it 18 1.27 a it 18 .74 ‘ ti ii 18 .86 a ti 18 .95 it it 18 .99 it it 18 3.40 Kansas Orange 17 1.13 it ii 17 1.45 it it 17 2.78 it it 17 1.33 a it 17 1.98 ii ti 17 1.43 it it 17 2.85 ! > Early Amber, i [ Nebraska, j (.... 16 1 .20 ti it \ 16 1.18 ii ii 16 1.74 ii ii 16 2.75 Early Amber, Kan . . 15 1.13 it it “ .. 15 1.70 it it “ .. 15 3.71 1 f Early Amber, ] > Dep’tofAg. < ii ii u 1.00 .... 14 1.59 a it 14 6.34 Texas Honey Drip . . 12 4.85 ti it “ .. 12 2.99 ti it “ .. 12 2.20 ii ii “ .. 12 2.51 it ii “ .. 12 2.78 ii ii “ . . 12 2.78 ti it “ .. 12 2.17 ii a “ .. 12 1.70 Honey Drip. . . 11 4.25 a a 11 2.99 a a 11 2.20 »( it 11 1.97 it ti 11 .80 a it 11 176 ANALYSES OF THE VARIETIES OP SOROHUM AT DIFFERENT STAGES OF GROWTH — CONTINUED. • Sucrose . GQ P Date of Analysis. 1.3 0 CC iJ 1 Single pola ization. >uble pol ization. OQ c o p Variety. imber of leriment. H P O Sept. 4 . . 8 6 5.5 5.45 1.47 Honey Drip .. 11 “ 12.. ,9.5 4.9 2 22 (( u . . 11 July 11.. ‘8.5 2.0 4.18 3.40 Golden Rod “ 20.. 6.5 2.00 • c( . . 10 Aug. 7.. 13.6 8.0 8.7i 1.63 ii 10 13.. 13.3 7.0 7.39 2.45 a (( . . 10 “ 20.. 11.7 6.3 6.50 1.21 <.i ii . . 10 “ 27.. 10-2 5.5 6.05 .81 u u . . 10 Sept. 4.. “ 12.. 10.2 5.6 5.62 1.47 ii u . . 10 9.5 4.9 2.35 (. a . . 10 July 11.. 13.3 6.9 8.81 4.25 New Orange .. . 9 “ 20.. 16.3 11.0 2.83 (( ii 9 Aug. 7.. “ 13.. 13.80 10.3 10.36 1.68 u ii 9 12.50 8.8 • 8.92 1.71 (( (( 9 1‘ 20.. 12.20 6.9 7.33 2.94 (( (( 9 27.. 12.20 8. 8.16 2.82 (( u 9 Sept. 4 . . 10.20 6.2 6.20 2.68 << ii .. 9 “ 12.. 9.10 7.1 2.54 ii 9 July 11.. 10.60 4.8 6.67 2.68 Kansas Orange. . . 8 “ 20.. 13.11 8.2 2.21 i i 8 Aug. 7.., “ 13.. 13.90 8. 8.S 1.83 u \i 8 14.8 10.6 10.74 1.36 ( 1 a 8 “ 20.. 12.7 8.1 8.35 1.37 (( ti 8 27.. 13.1 7.9 8.0 1.71 ii 8 Sept. 4.. 10.1 6.5 '6.74 2.15 (I. 8 “ 12.. 5.3 1.60 (( ii 8 July 11.. ii.i 6.0 2.43 Early Orange ... 7 “ 20.. 11.71 7.2 . . . ♦ 2.21 u ii 7 Aug. 7.. 11.0 7.8 7.10 1.77 i 1 ii 7 “ 13.. 11.0 11.18 1.90 u ii 7 “ 20.. ii'.z 9.0 9.31 1.71 u ii ’7 “ '27.. 12.3 9.5 9.49 1.72 (( ii 7 Sept. 4.. 10.9 7.1 7.21 1-92 u ii . . . 7 “ 12.. 8.1 4.9 1.95 u ii 7 July 11.. 9. 2.3 3.95 2.12 Enyama “ 20.. 9.71 4.8 • • • ♦ 2.31 (< 6 Aug. 7.. 14.80 10.0 10.80 1.14 . . . 6 “ 13.. 13 20 9.0 9.18 1.43 (( 6 “ 20.. 14.70 10.6 10.88 1.08 6 27.. 14.60 10.5 10.50 .82 u 6 Sept. 4.. 8.5 5.2 5.05 1.47 u 6 “ 12.. • • • • 6.5 .54 l( 6 July 11.. 10.9 5.4 6-9 1.82 White India ‘ 20.. 14.83 11.0 1.70 (t a Aug. 7.. 14.60 10.2 ii!6’ 1.14 a ii 5 “ 13.. 13.50 9.5 9.9 1.59 n ii 5 “ 20.. 10.30 6.6 7.01 2.36 <( ii 5 “ 27.. 13-6 9.20 9.18 .72 (c a 177 ANALYSES OF THE VARIETIES OP SORGHUM AT DIFFERENT STAGES OF GROWTH— CONTINUED. Date of g o Analysis. tj Sept. 4 . . H O H 13. “ 20.. 14.1 July 11.. 6.5 “ 20.. 7.91 Aug. 7.. 14.20 “ 13.. 10.5 “ 20.. 10.2 “ 27.. 12.2 Sept. 4.. 8.1‘ “ 20.. 10.5 July 11.. 9.8 “ 20.. 9.1 Aug. 7.. 14.9 “ 13.. 14.5 “ 20.. 13.7 “ 27.. 13.7 Sept. 4 . . 12.2 20.. 10.6 July 11.. 7.0 “ 20.. 7.81 Aug. 7.. 9.70 “ 13.. 7.10 “ 20.. 7.70 “ 27.. • • . . Sept. 4.. 7.6 Jnly 11.. 6.8 “ 20.. 8.81 Aug 7.. 10.80 “ 13.. 9.20 “ 20.. 9.20 “ 27.. 10.50 Sept. 4.. 8.0 “ 12.. 10. SUCBOBE > eS « *0 1 s c § S 'St ^ 9 -S g .S o V g P (S 9.90 9.80 1.27 10.00 • • • . 1.25 .4 2.00 3.29 2.6 3.00 9.6 9 ! 7 i 1.43 6.0 6.40 2.30 6.1 6.54 1.87 7.7 7-84 .87 5.7 5.06 2.00 6.9 2.14 4.8 5.78 1.59 4.0 2.55 9.0 9. *53 2.34 10.1 10.21 .74 9.2 9.55 1.14 10.5 10.50 .78 9.1 9-10 1.00 6.7 1.48 2.0 2 *. 96 1.9 3.4 • • • • 3.00 3.6 4.80 2.14 3.4 3.. 52 2.76 2.5 3.05 2.53 7.1 7.12 1.94 5.0 4.99 2.11 1.0 1.81 3.40 4.4 3.09 6.2 7 ’.79 1.83 5.8 5.83 1.50 4.0 3.87 3.14 6.6 6.82 1.79 5.4 5.46 1.74 6.0 .... 2.27 Varieties. White India H ll White Mammoth . . . <( <( <( >< ti n il (I it <( <( <( (( <( Link’s Hybrid .... << << K <( (( <( <( kt <( << (( (t (< << Honduras 1 1 1 ( < yt^ ^ or Number of Ex- periment. 178 ANALYSES OF VARIETIES OF SOROHUM OROWN AT BATON ROUGE, LA. Datis or Total SUCKOSE, ( Single Glucose. Variety. Analysis. Solids. polarization.) Ang. 6 12.00 Early Amber. “ 9 15.9 9.50 3-80 - <( (< “ 14 18.1 13.40 1.12 (( (( “ 28 17.0 12.10 1.09 u << Sept. 11 14.7 7.30 1.82 . t( <( Ang. 6 11.20 Early Orange. “ 14 15.9 10.00 2.38 (< ii “ 28 17.0 12.40 2.07 (< (( Sept. 11 11.9 7.8 4.52 <( it A Kg. 6 .... 9.4 .... Link^8 Hybrid. “ 9 16.1 11.5 1.87 a a “ 14..:... 16.4 10.5 3.00 H (< “ 6 6.3 .... Honduras. “ 9 15.8 8.4 4.70 ii “ 14 11.6 4.1 5.47 ii ANALYSES OF VARIETIES GROWN AT LOUISIANA EXPERIMENT STATION, CALHOUN, LA. Date of Total Sucrose, (Single Glucose. Variety. Analtbib. Solids. polarization .) Oct. 1 11.4 1.27 Early Amber. “ 1 11.8 2.56 Early Orange. “ 1 10.5 2.20 New Orange. “ 1 12.3 1.56 Link’s Hybrid* 1 .... 87 Whit© India. “ 1 10.6 1.36 Golden Rod. 179 An inspection of above tables will show that Early Amber reached its maximum in July, say 100 days after planting. Golden Eod and Honduras never reached maturity, the storm of August 19th prostrating them before the maximum of sugar was reached. The other varieties attained their maximum during August. Could these experiments have been worked during August, it is believed that most excellent results would have been attained. Up to September 4th, just as suckers began to appear at each joint on the prostrated cane, the latter had lost but little in sucrose since the storm of the 19th of August. After the suckers began to grow, the loss was rapid and heavy, as is shown by the mill juices of September 8th to 20th. The canes at Calhoun were not injured, the storm not ex- tending as far north as this Station. They have therefore preserved their sugar up to October 1st, and suffered little or no loss. » Experiments in Diffusion. All the madhinery being in position and ready for use, a trial run was made on September 8th, using the Early Orange variety. The cutters did their work well, so did the diffusion cells, except now and then a leak, which was easily closed. The larger heater which heated the juice before entering the cells was out of order and could not be used either in this or the next trial. The fan which had been furnished as adapted to the cleaning of sorghum chips, failed utterly to do its work. The shaker which was geared to the fan ran too rapidly, and had to be run by an independent pulley, at a slower motion. The depth of the shaker was far too narrow, so much so that the chips of cane thrown violently forward by the force of the cut were often propelled beyond the shaker and fell into the trash. In this way a large amount of cane in this experiment was lost. The shaker was lengthened and many other improvements made until good work was accomplished. On account of these defects only 1152 pounds of sorghum (with tops and blades) were used, and only two cells of the battery were filled. The following are the laboratory analyses: Total Solids. Mill juice 14.6 Diffusion juice — First cell Second cell .... i^o sugar or syrup made. Eatio of Sucrose to Sucrose. Glucose . Glucose. 10.2 1-05 10.25 1.1 .1021 9.11 .7 .0638 9.11 Pending the making of the necessary improvements to the fan and shaker the cubical contents of the cells were calculated in the following manner: The cells were filled with water and then the water carefully emptied into a sugar- wagon and weighed, allowing 62^ pounds of water to a cubic foot. Each cell con- tained 13.52 cubic feet. A cell packed with sorghum chips and 2 181 one put in without packing were also emptied and weighed. Their weights were, respectively, 353 pounds and 276 pounds, making 26 })ounds and 20 pounds per cubic foot. Without enteririg into the full details of daily work, the following taken from our records will suffice to tirlly illustrate the work performed. Oonsidering the very low character of the sorghum worked, the results are quite satisfactory. Monday, Heptember 10th, 1888 — Another trial of the ma‘ chinery was made to-day to decide whether the improvements so hastily made >vere effective. Honduras sorghum was used; weight, with tops and blades, 2158 pounds. Everything worked fairly well. It was found that both the cutter and comminutor were projecting the chips in every direction, thus causing great waste. A stop was made and these boxed in. Four cells were, however, tilled and the juices from these conce;itrated in the double elfect and left in the latter all night. The next morning, to our surprise, we found that one of the tubes of the double ettect had leaked during the night and had diluted the syrup almost to the original juice. Accordingly it was withdrawn and thrown away, and the leaking tube plugged up. The labora- tory results are given : Eatio of Sucrose Sucrose. Glucose. to Glucose. Mill jnice 4.2 2.51 58.3 Diffusion juice — First cell 1.3 .43 Second cell 1.3 .38 .... Third cedi 2.3 .76 .... Fourth cell 1.4 .55 Wednesday, September 12th. — Having repaired the defects work was begun at 9:30 o^clock and continued until nineteen cells had l>een filled. Everything worked admirably, except the heaters which were not under control, and hence varying tem- perature used in diffusing. Weather very warm and much suffering experienced by everybody at work, particularly by the men at the diffusors and clarifier. 182 The follovviug- canes, with quantities, were used : Liuli^s Hybrid, with tops aiul blaith lime, blanket removed, settled, con- centrated in double effect, and grained in vacuum pan ; then emptied into car and run into hot-room, where it solidified into crystals of sugar of small size. Weight of syrup, 695 pounds. Weight of scums, etc., 150 pounds. Weight of sugar, 40 pounds. Weight of molasses, 235 pounds. 190 Sugar, per ton of sorghum, 24 pounds. Molasses, 141 The following are the laboratory results : MILL JUICES. Total Glucose Variety. Solids. Sucrose. Glucose. to Sucrose. Link’s Hybrid 10.6 " 6.7 1.48 22 per cent White India 14.1 10.0 1.25 12i White Mammoth 10.5 6.9 2.14 33 “ White Amber (Neb.). . - 10.7 G.5 1.92 29 “ White Amber 10.4 5.4 3.12 57 DIFFUSION JUICES. Total Solids. Sucrose. Glucose. Glucose to Sucrose. 4.8 3.05 1.13 37 per cent. 6.0 3.50 1.51 43 “ 6.0 3.70 1.51 41 “ 5.2 3.20 1.57 49 “ 5.6 3-25 1.61 49 “ DIFFUSION CHIPS. Sucrose. Glucose. .20 .16 .30 .14 -20 .13 .10 .12 .10 .12 CLARIFIED JUICE. Total Solids. Sucrose. Glucose. 5.9 3.5 1.39 2.1 l.A .51 Glucose to Sucrose. 39 per cent. 38 SYRUPS. Total Solids. Sucrose Glucose. 32.94 17.5 7.04 Glucose to Sucrose. 40 per cent. 191 8GX71IS. Glocose to Sacroee. 41 per cent. STOAB. Snoroso. Olneose. 1.7 -73 Saerese. Glneose. 92.3 2.93 MOLAS0BS. 20 . Glucose. EECAPITULATION. Sucrose in syrup ........... 121.62 scums 2.55 chips 16.56 sugar made 36.88 molasses made 79.90 Fibre in cane, 15.04 per cent. The following determinations of albuminoids were made : 34. Saoreso. MILL JUIOBS. Link’s Hybrid Kansas Orange New Orange Early Orange Early Orange (Baton Ronge cane) Early Orange ** “ “ Mill Juices for September 30...... .430 .215 .822 .425 .371 .345 .307 niFPasioN JUIOBS. September 12. 0531 September 17, (Baton Ronge cane) 0748 September 20 1270 192 (XAEIPIED JUICES. September 12 , 1st clarifier. .0819 September 12, 2d “ 0212 September 17, Baton Rouge cane 0357 ' September 20 .0648 ' It will thus be seen that diffusion juices contain much less albuminoids than mill juices. LATE PLANTING OF SORGHUM. After determining to erect a diffusion battery to work up sorghum, a late planting was made upon land from which a crop of oats had been recently harvested. The land was broken and harrowed, and sorghum planted May 23d. The continued rains during June and July prevented necessary cultivation. The storm of August 19th prostrated it, and, though far from being ripe, never recovered. Most of these seed were received from Mr. Wm. P. Clements, of Sterling Sugar- works, in Kansas, and was mainly hybrids of different varieties. They were care- fully followed during maturity with chemical analyses, and at no time did any of them show a large sugar content. On October 9th, a part of this plat was cut and diffused, but with no results in sugar. The diffusion was well done, leaving less than .15 per cent, of sucrose in the chips, but the juice was very dilute, and contained a larger quantity of glucose than sucrose. After concentration to masse cuite, it was left in the hot- room for several weeks with no indication of grain. On November 15th, the rest of this plat, consisting of the Honduras, Chinese and Golden Rod varieties, were gathered and diffused. The yields per acre for the first two were twenty tons. The stalks were very large and tall, and could these varieties be made even moderately sweet, they would be valuable sugar plants. But their sugar content was very low, as the following analyses show : 193 Honduraa . Chinese . . . Golden Rod MILL JUICES. b;?:. Sucroao. Glucose, 5.7 .80 1.17 8.1 2.10 2.23 8.1 1.60 2.59 MIXED DIFFUSION JUICES. 3.4 .60 1.2.5 SYRUP. 4.8 5.31 Here the process ol clarityiiig in the cell ^by the use of lime was tried for the first time on sorghum. A much larger quantity of lime was used than was required for cane. Eesults indicated that with an abundance of lime, plenty of heat and a very fine chip a good clarification could be obtained in the cell. Further trials, however, of this process on sorghum are needed to decide fully upon its efficacy. Since glucose was so largely in excess of sucrose, no attempt was made to obtain sugar. The syrup was concentrated into molasses and sent to the molasses tank. 194 CONCLUSIONS. While the work of the present season has not been at all favorable to the manufacture of sugar from sorghum, in Louis- iana, yet the application of diffusion to the extraction of juice both from sorghum and sugar cane has been clearly demon- strated. But this has been a most disastrous year for sorghum, in Louisiana. Could a fair quality of sorghum have been worked, it is believed that fully 100 to 125 pounds of sugar to the ton would have been easily obtained. In 1886, the Early Orange variety gave 13 i3er cent, sucrose; in 1887, 10.5 per cent., and with small glucose ratios each year. This season it gave only 7 per cent, sucrose, and with a glucose ratio of about 50. Even with this composition, 31J pounds sugar per ton was obtained. What would have been the result had diffusion been applied to the sorghum of 1886 f However, the stations will repeat again the experiments next year, with more promise of success. '...'■ -Y'- -. -- !j i :, i ' - I '-V’ '.: 'y- ■ .*■• '^■■^ '\ i- ■ ; ■ ■»■,• ^ n, . . 1 - . ■ . '\ - 'i ■:^ > ; » » \1. , » . * 3/. . •'# ^ .:C‘ - ' ;;iil , .!■ ; ..V ■ ^'' 'i, ' ■ '^'i- i , " -i / ■ r'/ ■ f - ■ f • ■ ^■ :*r4 J ■'^■. ■ ■■^‘ ■ . >^k .. \ ■ r j /■ / ■ • SUGAR CANE. (FIELD EXPERIMENTS.) BULLETIN NO. 20 OF THE 8UGflR*EXPERIMENT®8TflT10N. KENNER, LA. WM. G. STUBBS, Pli R, Director. ISSUED BY THOMPSON J. BIRD, POMMISSIONER OF ^GRICULTURE, pATON p.OUGE, BATON ROUGE : Printed by The Advocate. 1889. SUGAR EXPERIMENT STATION, i Kenner, La., January, 1889. 5 Major T.- J. Bird, Commissioner of Agriculture, Baton Rouge, La.: Dear Sir — Herewith I hand you for publishing Bulletin No. 20, coveriag /‘Field Experiments” for ’88 in Sugar Cane made on this Station. WM. C. STUBBS, Director. FIELD EXPERIMENTS. The experiments of the past year were mainly a continuation of the work of previous years. Several experiments involving questions heretofore satisfactorily answered have been eliminated, while new ones, with original questions have been inaugurated^ The ex{)eriments have been of four kinds, viz : 1. (fermination questions. 2. Physiological questions. 3. Varieties best adapted to Ijouisiana. 4. Manurial reqirements. GERMINATION QUESTIONS. ' By reference to Bulletin No. 14, pages 1 et sequentes, the ques- tion of the of the stalk best for seed” is propounded and discussed, and the results given of a series of experiments to test this question. For two years these experiments have’ been made as ‘‘plant cane.” This year it was determined to follow the plant into “stubble” and to see the results in the latter. Accordingly the experiments begun in ’87, have been continued as stubbie in ’88. The following from Bulletin No. 14 describes them : To determine this question, the following experiments were instituted with a view of continuing them through a series of years in order to eliminate as for as possible all the modifying factors, incident to one year’s experiment. Great pains were taken to select healthy stalks of uniform length. These were cut up into short pieces beginning with tha green immature top. Two eyes were left upon each cutting and each stalk was selected so as to give eleven cuttings. Seventy-five of these cuttings containing 150 eyes were devoted to each experiment. The land was in excellent order, having had a large crop of pea vines turned in early in the fall with a four- horse plow. The cuttings were carefully deposited in each row and covered by a hoe. The following are the experiments : 200 PLAT O -GERM I NATION QUESTIONS. Experiment No. 1 — 75 white immature joints of two eves each. “ ‘‘ 2 — 75 joints next to No. 1, partially Avhite, two eyes each. 3— 75 4— 75 5— 75 6— 75 7— 75 8— 75 9— 75 10— 75 11— 75 “ “ 2, full red ;; 3^ a il u ^ ll “ “ .5, “ “ “ 6 , “ 7, 8 , “ butts two eyes each. These experiments were })lanted February 9, 1887, and occa- sional observations were made and the stalks upon each row carefully counted until suckering began. At the harvest in ’87, the stalks on each row were counted and weighed — the juice extracted and carefully analyzed. The stubble in spring of ’88 was off barred, dug with stubble digger and the dirt returned. The subsequent cultivation was with cultivator and plow. Xo manure was used either year. Below are given tables of results for both years. Table Xo. 1 contains the number of stalks up at each observa- tion, the number harvested with weights, the average weight of each stalk, the yield and number of stalks per acre for ’87. Table Xo. 2 gives the chemical analyses of the juices, with purity coefficient,” ‘‘glucose ratios” and available sugar per ton for 1887. Table Xos. 3 and 4 are the same for 1888. 201 TABLE 1. PLAT O-GERMINATION QUESTIONS. Planting different parts of the Stalks of cane, February 9th, 1887. Part of the stalk planted. N umber of stalks from 150 ey» s planted, counted. Tons per acre. No. of stalks per acre. (?< lant stul)ble Middle Lower i i Ijime pi Lime stubble plant. . stubble plant. . 8tul>bk nt OC — ® OD ® Weight of stalks. 1 'o ® .3 r; 'll ? t < 2 , ® i ” X o 8- No. of talks 1 per acre Remarks. 815 516 tbs 1.64 lbs 15.46 18900 356 668 1.89 20.04 21360 355 578 1.63 17.34 21300 419 770 1.^6 23.10 25140 377 544 1.44 16.32 22620 483 719 1.68 21.57 25980 433 691 1.62 20.73 25980 461 866 1.88 25.98 27660 35" 742 2.07 22.26 21480 33 S 622 1.84 18.66 20280 39-< 870 2.19 26.10 23880 374 784 2.09 23.52 22440 400 804 2.01 24.12 24000 209 521 2.. 50 15.63 12540 Inj ured ty shade. 405 826 2.04 24.78 24300 310 492 1.59 14.76 18600 Injured ^y shade. 414 750 1.81 22.50 24840 298 454 1.52 13.62 17680 Injured by shade. 378 604 1.62 18.12 22380 277 432 1.56 12.96 16620 Injured by shade. 394 678 1.72 20.34 23640 238 1352 1.50 10.56 14280 Injured by shade. Through au accident in the laboratory, the sample of juices were mixed, which vitiated the accuracy of results, hence no table is given for 1888 corresponding to Table No. 6 for 1887. In 1887, two stalks and a lap gave the largest net yields, both with cane from plant and stubble. It was also shown that, contrary to expectation, the stubble” seed gave slightly supe- rior residt, both in tonnage and sugar content. In 1887, the 208 uncut cane proved the equal for seed with that cut in the usual way. In 1888, it is difficult to draw aconclusiion as to the number of stalks to plant in order to secure a maximum stubble crop. It confirms the result heretofore obtained, that the original sprouts and the suckers i:)roduce stubble equally as well. This is shown b^^ the fact that Experiment No. 4, where last year 60 per cent, of the harvested cane was original sprouts, both with plant and stubble for seed, gave this year larger results than No. 1, where the sprouts constituted less than 25 per cent. It is not, then, the “suckers only which give the stubble of next year.” Here, also, is shown again that the upper part of the cane is as good (and perhaps better) as any other portion, for seed. The stubble from stubble seed shows a slight superiority to that from plant seed. PHYSIOLOGICAL EXPERIMENTS. The question of the influence of suckers upon cane has been decidedly answered in favor of the suckers. The plat upon which no suckers were permitted to grow in 1886 has given, both in 1887 and 1888, a good stand and fair yields of first and second year stubble. The experiments mentioned on page — , show that the original sprouts and suckers produce stubble equally well. All of these experiments corroborate those previously made, and show conclusively : 1. That suckering, or tillering, is a necessary and healthy condition of the sugar cane. 2. Taat stubble comes both from the original sprouts and fiK)m suckers. WHAT DISTANCE APART SHALL WE GIVE OUR CANE ROWS? To test this question, a plat of ground was selected that had been two years in oats, followed each year by peas broadcast. The ground was broken and carefully laid off in experiments of three rows each : 209 Experiment 1, three rows 3 feet wide. Experiment 2, three rows 4 feet wide. Experiment 3, three rows 5 feet wide. Experiment 4, three rows 6 feet wide. Experiment 5, three rows 7 feet wide. Experiment 6, three rows 8 feet wide. These rows were two acres long, and were divided into equal parts. Upon the upper part, plant was used for seedj and on the lower, stubble. Each of these parts was again equally divided, and upon the southern half of each part manure was used, the same amount to each experiment. This gave each row the same amount of manure, but very varying quantities per acre. Bradley’s Fertilizer was used on the part planted with stubble, and Bowdker’s Fertilizer on that with plant. These goods were especially prepared in Boston, for Mr. Frank Ames, for his sugar plantation, and by him presented to the Station. The previous culture of this plat (thirteen) was 1885, in cane; 1886-’87, in fall oats, followed by “ solid peas,” which were removed for hay. The ground was broken with four-horse plows in September, directly after the pea-vines were removed. It was harrowed, rows laid off, and cane planted in the open furrows (two stalks and a lap), October 24th ; covered with plow, and land-bedded out, and the middles and drains opened. All except one row in the six-foot plat germinated early in the spring, and gave a good stand. This row happened to fall about an old open water-furrow, previously used to divide the plats of oats and to drain the soil. It was several inches lower than the other rows, and the cane did not appear until some weeks after the stand was secured elsewhere. This row never caught up with the rest, and its effects are plainly shown in all of the results of the six-foot row experiments. It also clearly illustrates the value of thorough drainage and the disadvantage of spots depressed even a few inches. On May 10th, the manures were applied after the cane had been off-barred. This was distributed by hand, throwing the fertilizer from the open furrow on one side across the row to the open furrow on the other side. The soil was then returned to 210 the cane and the middles split out. Up to this time the cultiva- tion had been uniform and easy, but subseduently the three and four foot experiments received no cultivation. Two attempts were made, after the cane had reached several feet in height, to cultivate these rows with a two-horse plow, by driving the mules ‘Handem,” but a failure was made each time. The soil was too stiff. The other experiments were cultivated, like the rest of the cane on the Station, in the usual way. The difficulty of cultivation must always remain as a serious objection to narrow rows for cane in stiff* soils. In light soils a one-horse plow may do all the work effectually. However, in these experiments our narrow rows do not show any loss from lack of cultivation, nor from the absence of high ridges and deep middles, though the subsequent seasons were extremely un- favorable. A diagram of plat No. 13, with yield, sucrose, glucose and available sugar per acre, is here presented. Also the results of - experiments with manures, and yields and analyses : 211 PLAT 13- Yield per Acre, tons A nalysis Sucrose Glucose Available sugar per Acre, lbs. Yield per Acre, tons Analysis Sucrose Glucose Available sugar per Acre, lbs. Yield per Acre, tons Analysis : Sucrose 11 20 Glucose .75 Available sugar per Acre, lbs. Yield per Acre, tons Analysis Sucrose G ucose Available sugar per Acre, lbs. DIAGRAM. -DIFFERENT DISTANCES IN THE ROW. 3 ROWS EACH. wttoN'r, 3 ft. rows. 4 It. rows. 5 ft. rows. 6 ft. rows. 7 ft. rows. 8 ft. rows. 31.37 23.53 20.82 16.22 17.10 19.75 13.00 1.01 11.9 .96 12.00 .83 12.70 s92 12.30 .86 12.90 .40 5046.18 3545.78 3136.32 2570.54 2635.79 2190.57 35.91 31.44 27.71 21.29 21.91 18.40 11.20 .86 12.20 1 07 11.20 .86 11.90 1 06 9.50 .87 12.50 .96 4982.15 4665.70 3845.87 3023. 2515.27 2849.06 34.41 25.93 24.91 21.69 24.89 20.65 4432.58 3659.24 3575.30 3060.99 3576.48 2914.13 39.38 38.55 34.04 30.87 29.69 21.59 14.10 .78 12.50 1.15 13.40 .97 12.80 1.15 12.70 , 1.08 12.40 .97 7128.57 6748.56 5694.89 4788.55 4605.57 3177.91 riant Cane for Seed. Stubble for Seed. 212 RESULTS OF PLAT 1^— DIFFERENT WIDTHS OF ROWS IN PLANT CANE. Widths of rows, feet. I Fertilizer used. Amount Fertilizer pei ' acre. Yield per acre in tons. o s « i) a> be Q Total solids. T.SES 6 Tj P s 3 r/J Glucose. Purity co efficient. 1 Glucose Ratio. Lbs. available sugar upon 70 per ct. ex- traction. s CO o K 00 o ^ CO H H H <1 * H H < H Bradley’s 39.38 7128.37 38.55 6748.25 34.04 5694.89 30.87 4788.55 29.69 1605.51 21.59 3177.91 Xo manure 31.41 4432.58 25.93 3659.34 24.91 3575.30 21.69 .3060.99 24 89 .3576.48 20.65 2214.13 Bowdker’s 35.91 4982.15 31.44 4665.70 27.72 3845.87 21.29 3033.00 21.91 2515.27 18.40 2849.06 Xo manure .... 31 37 5046.18 23.53 .3545.73 20.82 31.36.32 16.22 2570.54 17.10 2635.79 19.75 3190.57 Avei age 34.. 52 5402.37 29.86 4654.73 26.87 4048.09 22.. 52 3380.77 23.39 3318.26 20.12 3032.92 Excess of 3-foot rows over . . - 4.66 747.64 7.65 1354.28 12.00 2021.60 11.13 2084.11 14.40 2369 . 45 Excess of 4- loot • rows over . . . 2.99 606.64 7.34 1273.96 6.47 1336.47 ,9.74 1621.81 Excess of 5-foot rows r>vPir . . . 4.35 667.32 3.48 729.83 6.75 1015.17 Excess of 6 foot SOWS nvor . . . 62.51 2.40 347.85 Excess of 7-foot row.s ovp.r . . . 285.34 The sugar conteut in these experiments seems to depend upon factors other than widths of rows, though the average of the three-foot rows experiments show (slightly) the highest amount of sucrose and lowest of glucose. This was expected on account of imperfect cultivation and closeness of rows. The following table gives the average sucrose and glucose of each group of experiments : TABLE SHOWING AVERAGE SUCROSE AND GLUCOSE OF EACH GROUP PLAT 13 . Sucrose. Glucose. Group Average of 3-foot rows 12.76 .88 1 U 4- “ ii 12.20 1.06 2 ii 5- “ ii 12.20 .89 3 ii 6- i i 12.80 1.04 4 a 7- “ (( •90 5 a 8- ‘‘ u 12.60 .94 6 In the above experiments the cane planted with stubble’^ had, for two years, reeeived an application of cotton-seed meal, phosphate and kainite on oats, while that planted with plant had received only phosphate and kainite. This accounts in part at least for the increased yields of the Bradley fertilizer and its no manure” over the Bowdker and its no manure.” 214 To plant ail acre in cane, with rows 7 feet apart, using ‘^two stalks and a lap” for seed, will require about 4 tons of cane ; at the saihe rate there will be required for seed : In 3- foot rows. 9J tons per acre. “ 4 u u . 7 u a u a 5 a u 5.6 u u iC “ 6 a a 4§ a u “ 7 a u 4 a u u “ 8 u u u u Subtractiug these quantities from average yield above will .. give net cane per acre over the amount used in planting as fol- lows : 3-foot rows, 25.19 tons. 4 ‘‘ 22.86 5 21-27 6 q “ 17-86 “ 7 19.39 8 “ “ 16-62 CONCLUSIONS. It is unwise as well as unscientific to draw conclusions from a single year’s experience, yet the above results strongly suggest thought and reflection. Have we not in our efforts at easy and thorough cultivation passed tne boundary of maximum yield of sugar content in the width of our row^s ? Ho not wide rows and late cultivation also tend to large immature canes at harvest*? The frequent remarks of planters that ‘^cane never grows well until laid by,” and “cane never grows fast until it shades the ground,” cause the inquiring mind to ask the reasons for these popular axioms. May not the frequent rupture of the roots in cultivation, which wide rows permit to be extended (perhaps) beyond the requirements of the plane, and the growth of grass and weeds, which flourish longer (because unshaded) in wide rows (the killing of which often requires the late cultiva- tion), have much to do with originating these popular beliefs ? It is certainly desirable in this climate to have early maturing (iane. To do this obstacles or checks upon its growth must be presented in some form in order that it may do the only thing 215 Ibft it— i. e., mature. These obstacles may be found in want of drainage or lack of fertility. The last obstacle may be presented by withholding fertilizers, absence of deep plowing, want of rain and crowding the land with cane, etc. May not a width of row* just sufficient for good cultivation, varying according to soil, be better than the conventional 7-foot row now almost everywhere found. The station will continue to test this question. YAEIETIES OF CANE. Since the inauguration of this Station, over seventy" speci- mens of foreign canes have been received from the United States consuls, in various parts of the world. These were sent to us through the courteous requests of Hon. Norman J. Colman, now Secretary of Agriculture, and Hon. Thomas F. Bayard, Secre- tary of State, at Washington. Of these there are now growing- on the Station forty eight varieties. Each of these has been carefully examined and analyzed, and the material obtained has been found so voluminous and important that it is deemed best to embody same in a separate bulletin upon ‘^Varieties of Cane,” which will be issued in the near future. MANORIAL RESULTS. One of the chief aims of this Station is to hud a fertilizer that will produce a maximum tonnage with a maximum sugar- content upon the soils of Louisiana. The soils upon this Station are classified as “mixed” and “black,” and from the analyses given in Bulletin No. 14 are found deficient rather in physical qualities than in chemical ingredients. The former limits the available supply of the latter, and renders large applications of manures necessary for the production of large crops. What kinds of manures, and in what forms and quantities, has been the object of the experiments which follow. It should be remembered that any physical or mechanical amendment to a soil, such as “underdraining,” “deep plowing,” “sub-soiling,” etc., is in itself a manure, since it enables the roots of a plant to forage over an increased area, and thus obtain larger supplies of available food. 216 The Station had seven plats devoted to manurial require- ments, three of which may be designated as strictly scientific, and the rest as popular. The three scientific plats were devoted (1), to nitrogenous manures; (2), to phosphoric acid manures; (3), to potassic manures. The object of these plats are : 1. To tell the rexjuiremeuts of these soils for each in- gredient. 2. To tell the form best adapted to cane. 3. To tell the quantity most profitable for cane. Accordingly, all the available forms of these ingredients have been used in varying quantities. To test the requirements of a soil for any particular ingredient, every other ingredient must be present in excess. Hence each particular ingredient tested has been combined with an excess of other ingredients. The first ground was — PLAT VIII— POTASSIC MANHKES. SECOND YEAR STUBBLE CANE— HARVESTED OCTOBER 14-17.. This plat was designed to test primarily the requirements of this soil for potash, and then to determine the form and quantity bdst adapted to cane. There has been used the muriate, sul- phate, nitrate, carbonate and kainite, and such quantities of each have been taken as to represent 60, 120 and 180 lbs. of pure potash per acre, or 1-3, 2-3 and 3-3 rations. These are excessive quantities, but they are used with the hope of determining whether potash in any form or quantity effected the tonnage or sugar content of cane. It was^off barred and dug April 16th. Manures applied and middles split out April 18th. Subsequent cultivation with a disc cultivator. It was laid by with a 4-horse plow. A diagram of the plat, together with the results ot the experiments, are hereunto attached. 218 DIAGRAM-PLAT VIII. POrASSIC MANURES. No. of Experiment Yield per acre in tons Sucrose Glucose lbs. available sugar 70 pel cent exti action per acre 6 11.45 12.2 1.85 7 15.26 12.3 1.59 8 9.24 12.2 1.72 9 18.02 13.6 1.47 10 15.. 33 12.6 1.44 No. of Experiment; 11 12 13 14 15 Yield per acre iu tons . . . 11.13 13.72 7.84 15.72 7.14 12.7 11.5 12.1 11 .6 i.49 1.66 1.41 1.55 lbs available sUiiar 20 per cent extraction pei- acre No. of Experiment.. 16 17 18 19 20 Yield per acre in tons . . . 9.03 12.11 7.38 15.38 13.54 Sucrose 12 20 12.80 12.00 12.90 12.60 Glucose 1.89 1.84 1.89 1.84 1 83 lbs. available sugar 20 per cent extraction per acre ’ No. of Experiment. 21 22 23 24 25 Yield per acre in tons 8.05 10.29 6.23 9.84 6.58 Sucrose 12 50 12.70 11.60 11.60 11.10 Glucose 1.82 1.91 2 04 1.58 1.55 lbs. availai>le sugar 70 per cent extraction per acre No. of Experiment 26 27 28 29 30 Yield per acre in tons 7.14 8.54 4.69 13.96 14.38 Sucrose 11.40 11.50 11.40 11.00 10.90 Glucose 1.82 1 40 1.41 1.42 1.43 lbs. available sugar 70 per ceot extraction per acre . !a> 50 •oHi!.i osoonif) a? CO ic >a ■>;)< -X" rH rH o 00 00 00 CO lO t>. lO 50 CO CO CO l> ■Jr' iipoo.) A'liJiij ,-■ 50 d CO CO aj X do 00 X 30 00 00 JU 00 00 00 D 00 00 ca a) rf 05 CO 50 05 <35 $ ui •9S09ll{f) o6 ■x* ■x* CO iC 00 00 00 00 a l—J 1-H t-H f-h 1-H rH rH 1-H ■Jo o? rc Ol CO tr- »c CD a? 00 05 CO a •OgOJOUg oi o> a? (M (M ai < tH 1-H tH 1-H »-H 1-^ rH 05 05 05 '(t 00 'Tt' <35 CO 00 ■x* at < •spiios IR40J^ Tf iw Tf lO 5<0 50 rH fH rH 1-H rH rH la ‘-C 53 cc O? ^ (>? •x« fO 00 'X^ •suo'i ni o CO L'' • 00 l>. tH o rH CO 50 ‘9J91? aod p[9ijY 1— ( »o 05 K5 »a CO t>- uO ^H * 05 iH l-> lO CO rH •9101? .19J coroccfo cc^:^:«co cotoouoirs o V o - O O ® V a a O O a a r2 .a o o -M a a O O r1 tl a a ^ .a o o a a O O ca CO 00 05 tH •UO| Jr■< 5 o 43 s p 6 2 O lO lO lO vO CO vO vO lO rH rH rH rH t-l ai U (-1 il ® ® a a a a a a a a jO ,o 45 45 o o o o o o o o 4^ +3 -*-3 a a a a (0 a a a a O O O O o O C O O o Ol CO j> rH o X CO i>* Ol ? CO X tr rH rH t- 05 05 OI e^> B Ol CO OJ OI e^ CO co» 1-H rH t-H rH »o OO iM CO CO t>. rH rH o o CO 05 05 CO 05 '-T vO CC cc »o e^ o> CO i-H rH rH ?c CO r-4 VO CO 05 2! i> c^ rH X vO CO X OI O) rH CO OI (M CO 3B 8 *H X X X X X X X X t vO OJ o X X o to VO X ■rX r-t 1-H o> rH ,-1 rH rH -H •o CO CO vO X oi oi tH t-H rH T-i rH rH o i"^ 1-H f-4 tH rH rH 1-4 rH Ol -rf CO Oi rr X 05 CO »o »o re re y: co" oi CO CO rH •-< 1-^ 1-H -4 »— ' rH rH »o 05 CO X 'g* 05 w X o ot C0 CO l>. 3 j 05 oi n o> or o> 221 By comparing each group first with ‘^no manure, and then with its meal phosphate, we get the increased gains due to potash. No. of Group. Tons. Lbs. avail- able sugar. 1 Increase Meal Phosphate over “ no manure” 2.21 267 1 “ i Muriate Potash over Meal Phosphate 3.91 585 1 “ ^ << “ 6.57 1111 1 U ii (< u u u 3.88 729 2 “ Meal Phosphate over “ no manure” 3.29 562 2 ^ Kainite over Meal Phosphate 2.59 * 2 2 “ f “ “ “ 3-3 “ “ “ 4.59 545 3 “ Meal Phosphate over “ no manure ” 1.65 , 237 3 “ ^ Sulphate Potash over Meal Phosphate (1 ^ (( H <4 << (4 3.08 510 3 6.33 1000 3 <( (( l( (4 (( l( 4.. 52 673 4 “ Meal Phosphate over “ no manure” 1.82 417 4 ‘‘ i Carbonate Potash over Meal Phosphate 2.24 254 4 4 (t ^ 4 4 4 ( 4 4 ii ii “ 3-3 “ “ “ “ “ 1.82 109 5 “ Meal Phosphate over “ no manure ” 2.45 257 5 i Nitrate Potash over Meal Phosphate 1.40 256 5 44 ^ 4 4 4 4 4 4 . 4 4 4 6.78 866 44 ii ii ii 44 4 4 7.24 786 Average increase of Nitrate Potash over Meal Phosphate. 5.14 636 44 44 Muriate “ “ “ “ 4.76 808 “ “ Sul(»hate “• “ “ “ 4.48 730 “ “ Kainite “ “ 1.46 “ “ Carbonate “ “ “ “ .86 This plat, planted iu cane in spring of ^86 and cultivated as stubble cane since, has received each year the same application of manures, upon the same experiments. For three years they have received excessive quantities of potash in the forms given above, and the results published each year. The carbonate of potash has not produced the results expected. Indeed, both the pure carbonate of potash and the ashes of cotton hulls have appeared to exercise detriment rather than profit to cane. The other forms of i^otash used in excessive quantities have given increased yields, due doubtless to the indirect action of these salts upon the soil. The question of profit is not here included, since the cost of several mixtures above given are far in excess of the value of the increased products. 222 PHOSPHORIC ACID MANURES. PLAT VII— SECOND YEAR STUBBLE. The object of this plat is to test the form and quantity of phosphoric acid best adapted to cane ; using it in a soluble form in dissolved bone black and acid phosphate, in a precipitated form as precipitated bone black and precipitated acid phosphate, and in an insoluble form as bone dust aud finely ground Charles- ton phosphate, called “ floats”; also in the natural form of Or- chilla guano. Each used in 1-3, 2-3 and 3 3 rations. This plat was harvested in ’87 during a very wet spell, and was accord- ingly badly cut up by the carts. An experiment was tried of rectifying this evil at once by the following treatment. As soon aftei^ harvest as the soil would permit, the dirt was taken from the stubble with 4-horse plow and a stubble digger run over it* The earth was then re-turned with 4-horse plow, and by aid of Le Dow Disk cultivator it was thrown up well around the cane. The middles were then split out, quarter drains opened, and the plat remained undisturbed until spring, when it was olf-barred, manured and treated like the other plats. This fall working was not productive of the good expected. This was the last l^iece of stubble on the. place to germinate, and the stand was nowhere excellent. Whether the injury done by hauling over it wet, or the subsequent fall plowing or both, did the injury, was not apparent. On account of defective stand only two groups of this plat were worked into sugar, the rest being windrowed for seed to be used in spring planting. PARTIAL RESULTS— PLAT VII-PHOSPHOKIC ACID MANURES. •99oonxo tO QO kO I J ^ »o CC •99OJ0ng 'S < -spiios saox ni 9.10V J9d pi9i;^ y-t r-l T-t C5 00 CO ^-- 0)0 o QO CO t- CO CO cc ro o CO oi l'- 'Cl CO t'- •9J|JBnt9^ 1 1 •1>9:>89AIBJJ [Oct. 19. :;3 s ,. © rt ® •JOB J9d 1 ^^COQD 0>05'X)<©)0 go ^*^0005 O i>.o— lo cor-i3oa0'9' — tiHOl 01— t*— 1 01 . ® Q, o ® 'Oi eg '^’Sp “ ^ c9 l>. 4^ ao5 J9J "oo CO 56 56 To cc c6 co dCO— ("'S' CO^”^ — 01 CO — 1— 1— 1— 1 — 1— !— 1 — — 1 —1 icoiuoos oooioicocn vo t'»iOCl— ' ^lOCO QD'© — < cooicoci oioi—^i©^ oi ’cfrjuuin-y — < —I — t — t ..H —1 1—1 — t •!^a9lOBP9-OQ COOiiOTf — lO— iCiO ©i CO— ^t^Ol COQOCOiOOD CO CO(M— '•S'COIOO'^ —1 nQOOOQO ODX)GOQOOO QD ■ODCOOIO — lOiOS— I'sr 1-1 o-;0'o-aja5 r-r-® • — Z Z ® O ^ .i w .2: ^ r SS ® |i xS ®Si .O 2— — .^2 — ^,0 cert— 'as— ice-— icscc.— I ccrt^OrtSrtSrtrt^O M :c .£ ^ W ^ « S « CQ 2 ^ '2 _r, ‘o £ M 'S rri =5 ^ X ^ 3 rt ^ ’rt " s o CQvo U^xajo -OM r-t O) CO 'fl' O --D i'* OC Oi The stand was better w here phosphates were used, but was everywhere so irregular as to iireclude accurate couclusions from results. It. however, confirms previous deductions that phosphates, in an available form, are needed by these soils. 224 PLAT 11— SECOND YEAR STUBBLE. The object of these experiments was to test the efficacy of certain popular manures, together witli the quantities most de- sirable for largest results. Varying quantities of cotton seed, cotton seed meal and tankage have been used alone and in con- nection with acid phosphate, floats, kainite, ashes, cotton hulls, etc. It was off-barred and manures applied April 14th. The subsequent treatment like the plats described. / I RESULTS OF PLAT II— SECOND YEAR STUBBLE. •pOi^ggAI-BJI n9itA\ ' [ Lbs. avail- able sugar, 70 per cent extraction. •9I0U J9X 1104 1355 2423 19(31 i 1703 2181 953 1086 969 •uo^. J9J CO (?< c© -o CO CfJ CO CO rH r-^ 153 154 140 153 148 •01:^1?^ osoon^O 12.06 12.17 12.75 12.75 8.88 9.38 9.57 8.48 9.59 lU!)lOp^8-O0 A4Tjn(j 82.27 81.55 i 81.63 81.63 85.13 85.33 82.96 85.03 86.01 ANALYSES. •9soon^^ 1.40 1.40 1.53 1.53 1.12 1.20 1.12 l.Od 1.18 •9soiong 11.6 11.5 12. 12. 1 12.6 12.8 11.7 12.5 12.3 •spipg moj^ 14.1 14.1 14.7 14.7 14.8 15. 14.1 14.7 14.3 •snox ni 9Joy J9d p[9ix 8.30 10.30 17.84 14.44 16.72 14.84 11.16 14.16 6.81 7.12 6.56 00 • CO CO CO ■X> i-H lO (M T}< t- t> TP CO oi • '00 00 CO TP o 00 o lO kO ■'i' 00 • CO kO o rH X rH 0^ 1—1 1—1 1—1 • oi (M -H rH C7i Ci o lO 00 CO 00 00 CO ^ Ol (M 00 O CO CO t- 00 UO kO kO kO k!0 kO 00 (05 00 00 rH "" 1— 1 1—1 1—1 1—1 • iH T— 1 tH »H § rH s CO oo • 05 Oi rH 05 Tp CO 00 CO CO 00 I-H • CO CO Oi lO l>. d CO d 00 00 QO CO CO 00 • Tp kO >c CO t>. o ^ • o o CO OJ 05 kO O i-H • CO '05 05 O kO iO lO tP tP L.O t- t>- • CO o kO lO CO CO d d d d d d • d oo d X 00 00 oo 00 CO 00 00 00 00 00 • C5 GO 00 00 X lO Oi 05 OJ 1-1 CO tP — H • 05 Tp O (M 00 00 o tH rH 00 C • CO GO 05 rH i-H r-1 1-1 ^ • rH r-< rH 00 OJ • rs t- kO Oi O) 'Tf d H' d d (d d • CO tP Tp Tp rH tH 1—1 rH T— 1 1— 1 1— t 1-H • rH 1— I I-H i> 00 CO TP Ol 00 Tp CO CO • 00 kO tH CO CO CO uO CO rp CO CO 'Ip • trc CO d CO CO 1— ( tH rH rH »H r—i r-^ • tH tH 'JO OJ CO (M rp 00 oo TP c^> 05 o 00 (Oi 00 00 (01 00 00 Oi o O CO kO CO 05 o Tp Tp It. Oi 00 CO * oi d d CO O 05 05 kO 00 CO CO tH CO d rH rH tH tH tH tH rH tH rH rH tH o o o o o o o o CO CO CO 0 T-I Oi CO rr uo 01 Oi Oi (Oi TABLE — Continued. •p9:^89Aa'BH ngqAV Lbs. available sugar, 70 per cent extrac. tion. *9106 I9J 1806 1197 1878 2444 •ao!^ J9J 150 163 179 174 9900n[J3 8.84 7.87 6.95 6.74 •!»n910^9-00 CO CO 00 0^0 CO O lO 1— < 00 00 03 X 1 •980J9n'q 73 1 O 03" CO r-< O 03 03 » ’ 72 1 kh ; •98oj;ong < t 12.4 i 13.2 14.3 13,8 < 1 'SPHOS 14.5 15.5 15.7 'l5.8 •SQOX ai 9Joy J9d P[9I^ 12.00 7.34 10.48 14.08 22S The inspeetion of abov^e table will show that mauy of the ^^opiilar manures are exceedingly valuable: that the dittereut vforms of nitrogen in cotton seed, cotton seed meal, tankage and ^sulphate ammonia, and dried blood, are about equally efficacious -r, 2 ;S sources of nitrogen, and that large tonnage is not always productive of largest sugar yields, and, therefore, manuring should be done judiciously both as to quantity aud quality. TILED VEILSUS UNTILED LAND. PLATS IV. AND y. — I'lKST YEAR STUBBLE. These plats of equal area lie side by side aud with no api>a- rent difference, save is tiled and lY. untiled. They were planted in cane on ■March b, 1887 and have since received the Same treatment. The following are the manures used on each i)lat: ( obO tbs Cotton Seed Meai. i'?Sxi)erimeRt No. 1 — ' .~>b() ti.s Acid Phosphate. I 500 Ihs Cotton Seed Meal. t 500 l!)S Acid Phosphate. 5 — Nothing. ( 500 ths Cotton Seed Meal. 4 — } 500 lbs Orcliilla Phosphate, f 500 lbs Kainite. - s ~d)0 lbs Cotton Seed .Meal. \ .500 tbs Orcliilla Phosphate. 0 — Nothing. C 500 tbs Cotton Seed Meal. 7—4 5(M) lbs Bone Dust. ( 500 tbs Kainite. ^ ) 500 lt)S Cotton Seeh Meal. \ 500 tt)S Bone Dust. 0 — Nothing. ( 500 lbs Cotton Seed Meal. 10 — 4 500 tbs Floats. ( 500 lbs Kainite. ^ t 500 11)8 Cotton Seed Meal, j 500 lbs Floats. 12 — Nothing. ( 500 lbs Cotton Seed Meal. 13 — 4 500 ll)S Ashes Cotton Hulls, f 500 ms Kainite. M j Cotton Seed IMeal. ( 500 tl)S Ashes Cotton Hulls. 15 — Nothing. 16 — 500 lbs Cotton Seed Meal. 17 — 500 lbs Acid Phosphate. 18 — 500 ms Kainite. 19 — Notliiug. TABLE— RESULTS PLAT IV. AND V. UNTILED AND TILED LAND— FIRST YEAR STUBBLE. •pa!}B 9 AJ«q naqAV cS . p 3 fcJOP.o t> fl o ■— rt Jr- » 5 §2 ^.2 Phk p © 91013 J 9 tl 1> O lO o i> i> CC CO •U 0 | 19 J 00 Ci QO ' 00 O i-C ■ Ci Ci T-^ • JO ?o ■ X i lO X (Oi Ci CO CO X Or-^-^OOi.OO>Oi^J^ <^C!»-''! 1 'OUO i^C 0 C 501 t^»- 0 X(MC 0 iO •LOOlC'^ 0 ^ tH 01 01 OJ CO tH r-l X O'} CO • 1-1 O^ tH (0} .-H X ^1' Ci o ( 0 } ■'rf' •OT|U}J 98 oonx^ lO uO lO -'3* uO iO io-i^'^co'^rcococo ip - 3 « co co co co 4 n 9 ioqj 900 •9800n{f) ■ 9 Soions •-CX-Ot^COi-lCOXifCO .C0 0'}XXit'CO CO CO Ip X CO 0 -P X X • X X X CO c» LfO oO L .0 L .0 1^0 .0 lO uO -P tc O >-0 OO • CO P P UO ' *91013 J9d suox — < 1— I l-H (0} Ldxg JO -om : : po : ; 'cJD, p © • p © © © p P ®P ©tsp ®P ®:^p ©P ©'JaP ©p ©v-p ©p a)'^P©P ®p® a.’;^ d.-;^ o p:;2o a::;: a:;:: o ar;:j ar:: o P:72 p.';^ o Pp Pr:3Pp 0 }COPiO'^t-X< O'ICOP ipiipi> X050 iNothi 230 DIAGKAM — PLAT IV and V.— Stubble Cane. UNTILED. TILED. No. of Experiment Yield per acre, Tons 1 14.49 14.70 .65 27.97 2 20.44 13.70 1.07 34 54 3 9.75 1 22.49 13.60 1.10 37.56 25.99 Pounds available sugar.. No. of Experiment 4 5 G 4 5 Yield per acre, tons 16.89 17.68 10.43 23.52 22.37 Sucrose 14.60 13.40 13.90 13.70 13., 50 Glucose .81 .91 .79 .77 .67 Pounds available sugar.. 31.58 29.88 18.88 41.63 39.59 No. of Experiment 7 8 9 ’ 1 Yield per acre, tons 16.45 18.87 10.45 21.93 20.04 Sucrose* .3.90 14.00 '.78 33.18 12.60 .62 17.00 13.90 Glucose. ................. .66 .77 Pounds availa le sugar.. 29.61 39.25 No of Experiment 10 11 12 10 11 Yield per acre, tons 12.36 13.48 9.10 21.18 16.61 Sucrose 13.71 13.30 13.10 13.. 30 13.60 Glucose .68 .69 .59 .53 .63 Pounds available sugar. . 22.00 23.18 15.56 37.07 29.49 No. of Experiment 13 14 15 13 14 Yield per acre, tons 9.45 12.36 8.45 16.45 17.61 Sne.rn.cA 14.60 .53 14.40 .47 14.80 .58 15.30 .55 Glucose Pounds available sugar. . 18.24 23.72 32.08 35.75 No', of Experiment 16 17 18 16 17 Yield per acre, tons 9.80 9.20 7.. 88 11.70 12.99 Sucrose 12.30 12.80 14.40 13.20 14.30 Glucose .60 .54 .54 6.10 .52 Pounds available sugar.. 15.68 15.46 14.02 20.12 24.55 No. of Experiment 19 19 20 19 19 Yield per acre, tons SnernsA. ...... ... 7.79 14.4 .57 12.50 7.79 14.4 .57 12.50 5.88 6.58 14.60 .53 • 12.93 6.58 14.60 .53 12.93 1 Glucose Pounds available sugar.. Cotton Meal. Acid Phopphate. ' Cotton Meal. Oichilla. Cotton Meal. Bone Meal. Cotton^Meal. Floats. Cotton Meal. Cotton Hull Ashes, o No. 16 is Cotton Seed Meal, alone. No. 17 is Acid Phosphate, alone. No. 19 is Kainite, alone. 231 DEDUCTIONS FROM A3JOVE. There are two sets of experiiuents both in the tiled and uu- Liled piatvS, Calling- them first and second we shall have in 1. -inrfease ExperinuMit 1 tiled over iintiUal 8.(X) “ 1 “ •• Total 4e.4o iset ti. Imerease FiXperiment e tiled over untiled 5.50 cc i. a n 8 •» 11 •• - “ “ •• 14 “ “ 17 “ “ ••• U> •• “ “ Total 20. -^1 Less leerea.ve oi‘ 14 Experiments, tiled over untiled. 01. 19 and 12 FiXperiments 8063 Average increase per acre 4.38 672 *' first set 6.0t) 758 second set 2.68 551 fts. available Tons. sugar. . 8.(X) 959 . 6.63 lOOv) . 5.48 964 . 8.82 507 1 .(H) i:384 . 3.79 444 . 2.73 43 .12.45 .5206 lbs. available Tons. sugar. , 4.69 971 1.17 — 631 1203 . 909 . .42 43 .20.21 2757 1.47 18.74 Here the average increase of all the tiled ot^er untiled is at tiie rate of 4,37 tons per acre. Taking first set of untiled, that furthest from the tiled, and we have an increase of 6.00 tons, 758 lbs. the available sugar ^ which more nearly represents the true difference between tiled aad untiled land since the second set runs within a few feet of the tiled land and the benelicial effects of the tiles are perfectly apparent, both in the working of the laud and the increase of crops. On this Jpiece the difference between it and its fellow Hied, is only 2.08 tons and 557 lbs. available suger. A review of the actual results of tile draining is herewith given, which contains figures and fiicts more conviiiciiig than logic : 232 REVIEW OF RESULTS OF TlLED-DR A INED LANDS. Pl.ANT C\NK IX IBS7. Yield of first set of tile«l plats, per acre Yield of first set of uniileer acre fous. ... 17 . 64 Ponudfi^ availaWfe snga?., 3819 2839 Difference i;80 Yield of secoini set of tiled plats, ptn- acre Yield of second set of untiled niats, per acre.. ... 2i.02 . . . l‘J . 45 3328 2972 Ditt'erence Average yield of tiled plats, |>cr acre Average yield of untiled plats, i)or acre ... 22.94 ... 18.54 3574 2905 Difference 4.40 Increased yield of Iirst set, in tonnage Increased yield of first set, in sugar Increased yield of sec(»nd set, in touiiiige .. Increased yield of second set in sugar iTicreased viel l average, in tounaee 34.5 13.2 12. 24.2 per eenf. per ceni. per cent, per cent, per cent, per Increased yield average, in sugar 23. S'irKi’.M', Cam: ix 18’^’“'. F'oai>ii» HvailaWe Ton?, sng.Ti,r. Yield <»f lirst- set of tilt'd ))I}ifs, [icr acre 18. (to Yield of iirst set of untiled [dats, [»er ac^'c 11.(17 2:ih7 Dilference Yield of second set of tiled plats, per acre 17.24 284^^ Yield of second set of untiled plats, per acre 14.56 2472 Difference 2.68 374 Average yield oJ' tiled plats, ])er acre 17.64 2i59ft Average yield of nniiled })lats, per acre 111. 27 2362 Difference 4.37 637 Increased yield of iirst .set, in tonnage 50.6 per eevit. Increased yield of first set. in sugar 40. per cent. Increased yield of second set, in tonnage 18.4 per cent. Increased yield of second set, in sugar 15. pt^r cent. Average yield of field, in tonnage 34.5 per oeMt, Average yield of field, in sugar 27.5 per cent. * Results are too low, owing to loss of data in Experiiiieiits Nos. 2 and 8. 233 Tbe actual benefits just enumerated are sufficient recom- meudations for tile drains j but to tliem must be added that lauds tiled-drained are made warm, sweet and mellow roots penetrate easier and deeper, and thus ])rovi x: -r •O O? 'Xi r: Oi O CO O O X 50 CO CO -r -c* O) OJ CO OJ 05 05 05 X X O )0 '/J 75 - x X X 05 :c Oi X CO O X L 01 CO CO CO O 1(0 OO CO Cl .-I 05 00 CO CO s lO 00 1> CD CD OJ rH OQ r;; 05 >• 03 05 > o 05 o O) C3 O a U a (-1 B o a 05 D = « > eS X c3 Excess over average. No manure. ^ E 5 ® o 3.5 50 22 21.42 6.05 35 S5 22 23.20 7.83 35 50 21.00 5.63 35 85 23.10 7 .73 40 42 12 23.81 8.44 45 42 12 23.33 7.96 40 42 12 22.98 7-61 42 42 12 26.38 11.01 An inspection of above will show that Potash in small quan- tities is without effect upon these soils. This is decidedly posi- 239 tive when it is reuiembered that two of the experiments without kaiuite were slightly iujured by proximity to a large tree, and yet the average results of experiments without and with Kainite are about the same. See also Plats 11., IV. and V. It is also shown that excessive - •asoaong • 9 pi;o 8 ! 'gao; uj |‘ 9 J 0 B J 9 d pjaiA X '• ( '^> • Ti — '/J • X X C'j o c; cc t-* ^ l— I T-.^ X cr. o c; jc r": rr <>> cc X; o Krj »o r-J CO r-. -O; cc ro oi oi th CO Oi »0 CO 'O uO I.O 1-0 i.O 'A X * «« -•'ll ^ sti s 05 ^ ■§ c o « o o o o O JO o . o S o : V.I : 4 - © © ac ce C ^ C , S'* - a- ©^ © gS^Si CO O ! ■^A X — *kH ^ ■03 S., S - a o o . JO ’O^ j ©»r3^»ocoi>xo50^^ 241 DIAGRAM. PART I. PLAT XIV.— PLANT CANE. Mixed Minerals, i Cotton Meal. ? Yield per acre 26,83 ) Sucrose 13.20 Glucose 83 Lb>. available sugar 4492 Mixed Minerals, f CottoQ Meal. ? Yield per acre 26.25 5 Sucrose 13.00 Glucose 89 Lbs. available sugar 4289 Mixed Minerals, ) ^ Fish Scrap. ^ Yield x»er acre 25.55 Sucrose Glucose A VM, liable sugar Mixed Minerals. Yield per acre 19.07 Sucrose 12.20 Glucose 70 Lbs. available sujrar 2979 Mixed Minerals, f Fish Scrap. Yield per acre Sucrose Glucose Lbs. available sugar. 25.20 12.90 .75 41.56 Mixed Minerals. ^ Dried Blood. Yield i)er acre Sucrose Glucose Lbs. available sujrar. 21.81 Mixed Minerals, t Dried Blood. Yield per acre Sucrose Glucose Lbs. available sugar. 22.75 13.20 .81 3822 Mixed Minerals, . i Sulphate Ammonia. Yield per acre Sucrose Glucose Lbs. available sugar 23.80 13.1 .79 3975 Mixed Minerals, f Sulphate Ammonia. Yield per acre Sucrose Glucose Lbs. available sugar. 23.56 13.40 .80 4029 10 11 12 No Manure. Yield per acre *. . Sucrose Glucose libs, available su^ar. 17.87 12.60 .65 2913 Mixed Minerals, i Nitrate Soda Yield per acre Sucrose Glucose Lbs. available sugar. 20.55 12.90 .62 3411 Mixed Minerals, f Nitrate Soda. Yield per acre Sucrose Glucose Lbs. available sugar. 24.85 11.60 .72 3653 242 COMPAKISON OF RESULTS. Yield of umnanured plat .. 17.87 Excess over nnfertilized plat. Excess over Mixed Minerals. “ Mixed Minerals plat. .. 19.07 1.20 tons. 7.76 “ i ration Cotton Seed Meal .. 26.83 8.96 6.48 “ ^ “ Ftsli Scrap .. 25.55 7.68 6.58 “ ^ “ Dried Blood .. 21.81 3.94 2.94 “ ^ “ Sulphate Ammonia .. . .. 23.80 5.93 4.73 “ ^ “ Nitrate Soda .. 20.55 2.68 1.48 Average of all the ^ rations . 23.71 5.84 4.64 Yield of f ration Cotton Seed Meal .. 26.25 8.38 7.18 “ f “ Fish Scrap .. 25.20 7.33 6.13 “ f “ Dried Blood .. 22.75 4.88 3.68 “ f Sulphate Ammonia . . .. 23.. 56 5.69 4.49 “ f “ Nitrate Soda f Average of all the f rations .. 24.85 6.98 5.78 .. 24., 52 6.65 5.45 I It is apparent from the above that no form of Nitrogen is greatly superior as cane food to the others — a fact hitherto noticed in our results. While Cotton Seed Meal has given slightly the best results, it was also apparent early in the season that it occupied a most favorable position, while Sulphate of Ammonia and Dried Blood were unfavorably situated. The results clearly show that any of above forms of Nitrogen can be safely used by our sugar planters so far as availability is con- cerned, and the only question now for them to consider is their relative cost. That form which gives us Nitrogen at the least cost is, perhaps, the most desrable for cane. Another feature of above experiments is worthy of note. Last year, under most favorable seasons, it was shown that 72 lbs, of Nitrogen per acre were excessive and extravagant. This year, with an extraordinary amount of rainfall and with a limited growth, 48 lbs. per acre have not been productive of largely increased yields over 24 lbs. The average of yields from J rations (24 lbs. per acre) is 23.71 tons per acre, while that of | rations (48 lbs. per acre( is only 24.52 tons, or an excess of only .81 ton. This shows that during the season just ended that the 243 Ciuie was unable to appropriate more Kitrogeu than that con" taiued in 350 lbs. of Cotton Seed Meal, and that the excess applied above this quantity is still unused in the soil and may be counted on as reserved food for the coming year. But this was with plant cane, following a previous crop, on land in every fiiir tilth. PART II. This part of Plat XIV. was devoted to the trial of various formulas hitherto given to the public as adapted to cane, Xo. 13, cojisisting of 280 Ihs Nitrate of Potash, 650 tbs Acid Phosphate, 510 lbs Gypsum, is proscribed by Prof. George Ville, of the Government School at Vincennes, Prance, as specially adapted to plant cane. It is an expensive compound and experience here has shown excessive in Phosphoric Acid and deficient in Nitrogen. No. 14 is a formula prescribed by the Experiment Station upon St. T)enis, upon the island of Reunion (formerly Bourbon) and is highly endorsed by the planters of this island and Mau- ritius. It too is expensive and the quantity per acre much in excess of the ordinary requirements of our orops. It is as follows : \ 140 tbs Sulphate of Ammonia, I 100 “ Nitrate of Soda, No. 14 ^ 120 Dried Blood, I 560 “ Acid Phosphate, 80 “ Muriate Potash. Here the Nitrogen is presented in three forms, which Es believed to best meet the requirements of the plants. Nos. 15, 16 and 17 are special manures made for cane crops by the Agio Continental (late Ohlendorff^s Guano Works, 15 Leadenhall sti'eet, London, E. C; They are styled : Ohlendorff^s “A” Special Cane Manure. Ohlendorff’s “B” Early Cane Manure. OhleudorflPs “C” Dissolved Peruvian Guano. 244 They are all first-class goods, as the analyses elsewhere will 'Sliow. The Xitrogeii of these goods is in form of Aiuinonia and organic matter. They were applied to Experiments Xos. 15, 16 and 17 respectively, and at rate of 600 fts i)er acre of each. Mr. C. C. Crawford, Xo. 6 Tchoupitoiilas street, New Orleans, is agent for sale of these wares and the Station is indebted to him for the goods used in these experiments. The following is the diagram and table of result of these 4rials : i) 1 agra:m of part ii.— flat xiv. PLANT CANE. Viilii’.s I’onunla. Yield per ncic 26.01 Sucrose lo.20 Glucose 84 Lbs. avuilab’c sugar 4357 14 St. Denis Formula. Yield per acre 30.05 Sucrose 13.10 Glucose 90 Lbs available sugar 4943 15 Ohieudorf’s I Yield per acre 29.16 Special Cane Manure. S Sucrose Il.i70 Glucose * 90 Lbs. available sugar 4225 IG Ohlendorfs I Yield per acre ■ 24.73 E.arly Cane Manure. ^ Sucrose 12.40 Glucose 91 Lbs. available sugar 3825 A7 Ohlendorfs Dissolved / Yield per acre 22.00 Peruvian Guano. ^ Sucrose 15.70 Glucose 85 Lbs. available sugar 3527 4 I KESULT8 OF FAKT 11. FLAT XIV.— PLANT CANE. [)0|S'0A.n!H ii^qAV tew 3 ^ cn ^ ? ^ C 'ajou .i8(j •ao4 joj asooiqf) iUdIOlJ49-OQ _ j/asoorq^ •9so.iorig •spnog imoX 8UO:4 UI 9J013 J9d P191X •»;ii9niu9< a. ® 9SO01IJ{C) •;n9|oiyooo ■a4uiij •9S091H1') •Asojotii;,’ ■8[)l[Og IK^O.L •Nnoa in 9J9i; J9(l ])[9j \ JO -ox rH - - - - C6 rH *»« _ ci *-^1 -M X O/ 05 CO rH O) ! be CO Ol X 1 SC O) 05 Oi CO CO 1 o> CD tO o CO Oi i 2 lO 'Lj Oi r- « 4-' ~o rx cc 05 G 05 rH I'- OJ X lO (^0 CO d > CO )C lO r-H 1 be o» CO 00 rH o CO o r— X rr^ TO t- X 00 _0_ X Tj 00 x_ 05 r-H CO X I «o o 1'- t>- 1 05 O) 00 Ol rr fH CO CO t-H rH •H r-« T-- 00 o> 05 <0# CO CP CO to CO C''^ >.o »o T— < ir-i rH t-H 'C5‘ ' 00 “ jer 1'* CO w • rC CO o c; 4'^ »-0 X. ! -X) cc- d c^ d rr X' o (M CJ_ o> •o> bJD Sq rjj O) 2 ^ S 'p J- !>■ be ^ s ^ I". I C'T C I 6 ^ ® o ce o £ ^ ■ S I ^ is g 'S ^ o O ^23 ^2: 249 SUMMARY OF RESULTS. The year just closed lias served to emphasize, in a most liositive manner, the deductions of former years, ^ever before have iiroperly compounded manures exhibited such results in tonnage and sugar content. This is easily explained by refer- ence to the weather table at the end of this bulletin, showing- one of the wettest seasons ever knoAvn. Early in May the rains began, forcing the roots of the cane near the surface, thus re- stricting their foraging areas. Those plants which were properly manured grew Avell dcA^eloped stalks, despite the limited areas, ' wet weather and unfavorable seasons ; while those unmanured? limited in all their resources, made small and Avatery stalks. It has not been, however, a year of heaA^y tonnage or large sugar content ; but pre-eminently one of Ioav glucose content, thereby making nearly all of the sugar present aAmilable. The experiments here are sufficiently pronounced in their results to convince the most skeptical of the efficacy ot manures on cane, when they are properly compounded and intelligently applied. Many of the questions last year were propoqnded to plant cane, with satisfactory replies. This year the stubble has been permitted a hearing, and its replj" is fully in accord Avith the recorded eAudence of the plant cane. Let us hear the yeaUs testimony. 1st. That the upj)er portion of the cane is the equal, if not the superior, to the loAver part, giving uumistakeable evidence of this both in its tirst and second years’ growth. 2ud. That there was but little diffierence in the stubble of those plats Avhereon different number of stalks Avere used in idantiug. 3d. That seed from good first year stubble has given as good results the first and second year as seed from plant. 4th. Conclusively that stubbles (rattoous) come equally as well (and i^erhaps better) from the original sprouts as from .suckers. 5th. That ^^^itrogen in some form is badly needed by our soils to groAA^ cane, and while Sulphate of Ammonia furnishes it in a form slightly better adapted to our wants, there is, how- 250 •ever, no marked superiority over any of the leading forms ; a gratifying fact, permitting the use of Cotton Seed Meal, a cheap home product, instead of an expensive imported article. 6th. That excessive quantities of Nitrogen are ahvays injur- ious to sugar content, and this year have only been partially 'Utilized by the crop, suggesting waste and extravagance. Quan- tities varying from 21 to 42 lbs. (that which is found in from 300 to 600 lbs. of Cotton Seed Meal) to the acre, are strongly sug- gested as the limits of profitable production by the experiments •of the past three years. However, to produce maximum results. Nitrogen should be properly combined with Mineral Manures. 7th. The Mineral Manures alone are without decided effects (save on new grounds and pea vine fallows, and often here much improved by proper combination with Nitrogen), but combined properly with Nitrogen, are productive of the highest results. 8th. That the Phosphoric Acid needed by our soils is best supplied in the soluble form as Acid or Superphosphate. The insoluble forms in Charleston Floats, Orchella and Grand Cay- man Guanos, seem also to be available after awhile ; the time vdepending upon character of soil and fineness of fertilizer. 9th. That excessive quantities of Phosphoric Acid, while not beneficial, are not, as commonly supposed, lost — since this sub- -stance, neither leaching nor evaporating, may serve the plant in the future. The practice of supplying excessive quantities to the plant is , to say the least, not economical. The limits of pro- vfi table production seem to be between 40-75 lbs. per acre. 10th. That Potash* under any form, in small quantities, is without visible effect either upon tonnage or sugar content ; but when used in excessive quantities for several years upon same soil, has given increased tonnage without enhancing the sugar •content. 11th. That the influence of a crop ol pea vines turned under is more perceptible to the stubble than to the plant cane. 12th. That draining lands by tiles has increased the yields 'in ’86-87 by about 35 per cent and ’88 by 50 per cent. 13th. That the effects of tiles are yearly increasing and are -now ijerceptible in adjoining plats. 14th. That growing cane in narrow rows has given this year . 251 increased conn age and sugarage per acre, and is wortiiy of fni'- ther investigation. loth. That the station has this year grown forty -eight varieties of foreign cane, some of which are full of promise. With these deductions the intelligent planter can easily formulate a manure adapted to his soil and crop. If his lands are fresh or have just been in pea vines, his jdant cane will need only small quantities of Nitrogen, but a goodly portion of Phos- phoric Acid. One part of Nitrogen to two parts of Phosphoric Acid will i)robably be the best proportion for his mixture*^ These are obtained by mixing Cotton Seed Meal and a 14 per cent Acid Phosphate in equal parts. On succession c.ane, or stubble cane, or even plant cane upon poor or black stiff lands, more Nitrogen is required, and- the quantity should be increased just in proportion to the poverty or stiffness of the land and the age of the stubble. Nitrogen may equal, or even greatly exceed, the Phosphoric Acid. A mixture of two i)arts of Cotton Seed Meal to one part of Acid Phosphate furnishes Nitrogen and Phosphoric Acid in about equal parts; while three parts of Meal and one of Acid Phosphate will give one and a-half times more Nitrogen than Phosphoric Acid — a mixture very desirable sometimes upon old stubble or land long subjected to continuous (succession) cane Under no circumstances ought the above mixtures to be used in< quantities larger than 900 lbs. per acre, and it is highly desir- able that the minimum limit should not fall below 500 lbs. More than this maximum quantity cannot be assimilated by the cane plant prior to the desired time of maturing, viz., early in September. Less than the^^minimum quantity gives an early vigor of leaf and root to the young plant, which is too soon summarily checked by the exhaustion of the manure, and the plant either i)rematurely ripens or languishes into a slow and unhealthy growth. In the application of manure great care should be exercised: that it becomes as thoroughly mixed with the soil as possible. It is advisable to apply, at least, a portion of the manure under the cane at the time of planting. Phosphatic and Potassic- manures can then be used with impunity, for they neither leaefe 252 nor evaporate. Indeed, it is positively asserted that Potassic manures, to succeed best, should always be applied several months before needed by the plant. Only Nitrogen manures suffer loss by leaching, and hence a portion of these may with propriety be withheld till the cultivation of the plant. How- ever, in our soils, the leaching out of Nitrates is done in such small quantities as to elicit little or no uneasiness. As a rule, Phosphatic and Potassic manures, particularly the latter, should be put at the depth required by the roots of the plants. They become fixed as soon as they come in contact with the soil. While Nitrogenous manures should always be placed above the roots of the plant, since they have a tendency downward, some of them are best applied as top dressing, while all do best when not buried too dee])ly. Below is appended the analyses of the different fertilizers used in the above described experiments. They are inserted with the double i)urpose, first, of giving to the professional student the exact data for working up accurately the above re- cited experiments, and second, of familiarizing our planters with the names and composition of the various fertilizers now on our market. The monthly record of the weather for the year 1888, together with a condensed statement of tlie year, is also given. A close examination of these tables will materially aid in ex- plaining the crop results of the past year. ANALYSIS OF FERTILIZERS USED BY SUGAR EXPERIMENT STATION IN YEAR 188S. CC (M fC X) IM •a[qii[OSiii •po!^a;9A9^ •9[quios Qo Cl cn ■U9^0I'|l^ CM ^ X I' JO I'- CO c r o o O ir <1- = CO oi i g _g CS g p 3 '3 Inches. 1 67° 780 700 780 610 2 72 79 70 79 66 3 75 81 68 82 63 4 71 83 73 83 64 5 77 84 74 84 69 G 74 ■ 84 84 67 7 84 74 85 67 8 77 86 81 67 9 75 81 ' 72 81 67 10 75 81 70 82 j 64 11 76 82 69 ' 83 63 .13 12 66 65 62 66 65 .23 13 65 74 62 74 14 66 76 , 63 77 1 56 15 70 79 67 80 55 16 72 81 66 81 j 1 56 17 72 81 68 81 56 18 73 77 68 78 i 58 19 75 83 70 84 65 20 75 81 73 83 1 63 21 67 73 65 73 58 22 74 80 70 1 81 54 23 76 . 85 68 ! 85 60 .52 24 66 69 65 i 71 63 .03 25 74 74 67 , 74 58 26 72 72 66 1 73 64 27 73 75 66 75 62 28 75 78 70 1 79 60 29 77 75 70 ! 82 60 30 70 80 69 80 66 Aver. 72.3 78.7 69.2 i 1 .91 Maximum Temperature, 85°. Daily Raiufall,“.029. Minimum “ 549. 258 RECORD OF WEATHER LOUISIANA SUGAR EXPERIMENT STATION ' FOR MAY, 1888. Date. Tempej:ati' RE. Rainfall. d P 3 p 2 Inches. pH Ph S Ci cc Pi S 1 67° 75° 66° 75° 58° 2 78 81 69 83 54 5 74 83 74 63 58 4 80 75 70 81 65 5 77 70 67 80 65 () 72 68 72 82 64 .79 7 77 70 77 80 68 .61 8 78 84 75 85 60 9 78 1 83 75 ! 84 63 10 81 69 70 i 89 68 11 78 HI 68 i 86 68 1.10 12 80 79 75 ' 87 ()4 .(54 13 ‘ 71 78 68 78 <53 14 ' 79 87 73 ' 89 58 15 i 75 82 72 1 83 62 16 1 80 85 72 i 88 (52 17 i 83 84 75 88 66 18 1 82 86 76 I 90 67 19 83 73 70 1 83 (59 3.30 20 74 80 75 ! 80 66 1.22 21 76 82 74 82 63 22 :9 84 75 88 (58 ‘42 79 85 75 86 6(5 24 81 67 69 88 67 1.14 25 81 69 74 87 64 1..53 26 79 85 : 77 87 65 27 83 85 77 90 71 28 87 80 76 92 72 29 82 74 i 90 70 30 82 76 ' 72 8.5 68 1.44 31 74 80 i 80 67 Aver. 78.7 78.7 72.7 11.77 Maximum Temperature, 92°. Daily Rainfall, .:I79. Miuimum “ 54°. 259 KECOKD OF WEATHER LOUISIANA SUGAR EXPERIMENT STAITON FOR JUNE, 1888. Datk. Temper ATriiiE. Rainfall. I 1 1 S 1 1 I Inches. ci Z-i p'l c; CTi rc Ci JS 1 81° 7,5° 89° 65° 2 81 84° 74 8,5 66 3 80 83 76 83 70 4 / 1 79 75 85 66 5 82 66 6 86 74 74 88 70 2.: 54 7 82 83 74 83 ()7 8 84 76 77 89 67 0 80 84 77 89 70 10 87 87 77 91 69 11 85 87 7H 91 71 12 84 87 78 89 78 lo 84 86 76 i 90 72 .75 14 78 75 76 81 72 .10 15 84 84 76 ' 89 ! 72 .89 16 87 82 77 ft7 i '2 .21 17 83 81 76 85 73 .94 18 81 84 77 1 86 72 .28 19 84 81 77 86 74 .16 20 1 ! 84 87 80 90 75 21 1 80 82 79 85 76 .16 22 I 81 81 76 91 76 .79 23 84 79 76 87 73 .52 24 84 79 76 • 92 73 '.1)1 25 85 77 76 91 73 .83 26 76 78 75 80 73 .40 27 79 ! 86 82 87 71 28 85 j 90 82 91 76 29 78 88 i 81 90 73 .31 :0 88 1 89 83 92 76 Aver. 82.4 80.1 1 77.1 8.69 Maximum Temperature, '.>2°. Daily Rainfall, Minimum ' 65°. \ 260 RECORD OF WEATHER LOUISIANA SUGAR EXPERIMENT STATION FOR JULY, 1888. 1 c July. 1 ^ Temperatube. Rainfall. a c3 a a 9 p. m. a a a :8 Minimum. Inches. 1 84° . 85° 84° 93° 73° 2 89 83 81 92 74 f> 89 84 80 89 74 .28 4 86 84 80 87 74 .17 .5 87 85 81 87 75 .18 86 89 81 92 74 .01 7 86 85 79 92 75 1.28 8 90 87 78 94 74 .18 9 : 8!> 89 81 9:5 74 .10 10 ! 85 82 82 93 75 .0-2 11 i 85 84 82 87 75 .77 12 85 1 88 83 94 76 .52 El 87 I 92 80 95 76 14 87 93 80 97 77 1.5 88 84 84 98 77 16 90 80 78 98 78 .20 17 86 1 86 79 88 75 .16 18 84 i 86 80 89 74 .95 19 86 83 80 89 73 . .10 20 81 87 73 21 83 88 78 89 73 22 84 80 93 72 23 89 92 81 93 72 24 80 91 82 97 75 25 86 92 80 95 75 26 91 92 83 94 27 86 88 78 97 76 .03 28 90 87 92 71 29 88 91 82 94 73 .01 30 88 92 83 94 75 31 96 81 80 96 77 .42 Aver. 00 81 78 1 1 5.49 Maximum Temperature, 98°. Daily Rainfall, .18. Minimum 71°. 5 261 RECORD OF WEATHER LOUISIANA SUGAR EXPERIMENT Sl’ATION FOR AUGUST, 1888. Date. Temperature . Rainfall. a j -♦-3 ? ! 05 a 2 2 a .a Inches. bt) a 1 03 c3 £ < 05 cc 05 S ^ ! 1 39 ° . 94 ° 80 ° 95 ° 74 ° .02 2 90 84 81 95 76 .45 3 88 79 78 92 77 .60 4 86 86 79 89 75 .10 5 86 82 80 9:5 74 .15 () 8 () 84 82 94 75 7 87 83 80 94 74 i .28 8 73 82 79 82 71 1 ." 9 84 83 78 89 70 .02 10 84 80 79 91 72 11 84 83 79 89 71 12 79 81 79 83 73 .11 13 83 87 80 : 88 73 14 83 80 76 87 73 15 75 75 75 : 76 72 3.90 16 81 83 78 86 72 ..50 17 82 88 80 88 73 18 81 83 78 86 . 76 .04 19 77 75 75 . 87 73 2.91 20 86 77 77 80 74 1.75 21 8 (i 81 79 87 76 .02 22 87 82 77 87 87 .03 23 86 83 77 89 74 .01 24 79 80 77 83 73 1.50 25 80 77 77 83 73 .38 26 82 85 80 87 73 .02 27 83 84 80 88 72 28 82 79 79 89 75 1.20 29 82 84 79 87 74 30 85 77 78 86 76 .51 31 85 78 77 86 73 Aver. 83.2 82 78.4 15.80 1 Max.J'unr* Temperature. 95°. Daily RaiiitaP, .509. ^ ,! »n * 7(lC 262 RF.CORD OF WEATHER LOUISIANA SUGAR EXPERIMENT STATION FOR SEPTEMBER, 1888. Date. Temperature. Rainfall. September. g ci a g CO a d a Maximum. Minimum. » Inches. 1 80^ 85° 79° 86 ° 740 2 79 80 77 85 73 3 80 78 76 88 74 .19 4 87 79 77 87 72 1.60 5 82 85 80 86 73 0 81 88 80 89 75 7 88 85 79 88 75 .72 8 82 85 79 87 73 9 79 80 70 8 () 74 .02 10 82 82 75 87 73 11 80 83 70 87 72 12 84 88 77 88 71 13 82 80 76 87 72 14 71 75 74 87 72 .76 15 75 99 75 • 80 71 1C 70 78 75 80 71 17 7G 82 74 83 73 18 78 80 75 83 08 19 82 84 75 84 71 20 80 85 74 . 85 67 21 82 78 80 81 08 22 81 88 78 89 73 22 80 99 74 81 73 24 75 76 74 78 66 25 76 78 72 79 65 2C 74 79 70 79 60 27 75 82 75 82 61 28 74 77 07 77 60 29 00 73 05 73 58 30 05 72 01 73 57 Aver. 78.4 81.3 75.2 1 3.29 M.ixiinmu Tempeiatine, Minimum “ r>7^. Daily Rainfall, .109. 263 RECORD OF WEATHER LOUISIANA SUGAR EXPERIMENT STATION FOR OCTOBER, 1888. Date. Tempekatuke. Rainfall. (-H 5 = s B 1 Inches. o d , d X ce 'S o Ol cc g 1 67° 77° 72° 80° 63° 2 i 68 78 74 82 63 :i 69 77 77 86 63 i 4 71 82 72 84 66 5 72 77 71 83 64 0 70 76 69 84 63 7 64 74 68 83 59 8 67 74 66 74 59 9 66 73 67 73 60 10 65 73 ' 63 74 59 11 66 74 66 72 60 I'i 66 73 66 74 60 I 13 63 74 63 74 58 1 14 64 73 64 74 59 15 72 81 72 84 62 10 73 83 74 85 59 17 72 81 ! 72 85 58 18 72 79 ! 71 85 60 19 71 78 70 85 61 20 70 77 68 83 60 21 68 76 66 84 61 1. 22 70 75 69 82 67 1.10 23 68 70 67 73 64 1. 24 64 65 64 66 62 25 64 71 65 74 63 26 69 74 70 78 58 27 74 76 70 79 56 .30 28 72 77 73 78 60 29 64 75 60 74 56 30 63 74 59 74 54 31 67 77 70 78 53 Aver. 68. - i 75.5 68.3 3.40 Maximum Temperature, 85°. Daily Rainfall, .090. Minimum “ 511°. 264 RECORD OF WEATHER LOUISIANA SUGAR EXPERIMENT STATK)N FOR NOVEMBER, 1888. Date. Temperature. Rainfall. November. a 05 d fC a C5 _a eS a "5 S Inches. 1 71 78 73 82 64 2 74 79 70 80 62 3 72 76 72 84 ()9 4 74 75 74 82 68 .20 5 70 81 70 84 ()7 6 72 81 72 81 68 7 70 79 69 80 60 S 76 80 71 81 60 1. 9 51 56 52 58 48 10 52 58 52 61 45 11 55 (i2 53 6:1 44 12 59 64 61 65 43 13 61 66 63 67 57 . 50 14 • 1 65 69 66 74 60 15 67 69 66 73 60 16 68 69 67 69 48 17 68 75 66 76 58 18 . . 19 60 64 59 63 56 .10 20 59 62 58 62 5^ 21 58 59 57 60 44 .05 22 59 60 57 60 ST) 23 59 6)0 57 60 56 24 51 59 54 59 54 25 62 42 26 48 50 47 51 44 .15 27 47 49 47 51 34 28 46 51 47 56 34 29 46 51 56 34 30 46 . 53 49 52 37 .50 Aver. 1 i 60.8 1 65.5 61 2.50 Maxiuiuiu Temperature, 84*^. Daily Rainfali, .083. Minimum 54'^. 265 RECORD OF WEATHER LOUISIANA SUGAR EXPERIMENT STATION FOR DECEMBER, 1888. Date. Temperature. Rainfall. December. 9 a. m. 3 d, CO j 9 p. m. i cS j Minimum. Inches. 1 48^^ 51° 480 530 450 2 55 59 _ 48 62 38 3 48 58 53 61 46 4 51 59 48 59 42 .5 52 GO 49 62 42 G 49 59 48 61 37 7 52 G4 54 64 49 8 55 G4 59 65 50 9 55 GO 54 62 50 .95 10 55 56 48 57 39 1.2 11 48 55 48 62 37 12 49 65 55 66 49 13 55 57 50 ’ 58 36 14 50 G1 53 : 65 42 . 15 55 69 65 70 49 1.2 IG 55 67 53 69 48 17 18 48 54 42 .55 37 19 4G 51 •41 : 53 34 20 41 54 .34 j 55 27 21 39 60 40 61 35 22 42 1 60 45 , 61 40 23 59 60 55 i 62 39 24 55 i 70 55 71 40 25 58 ! 70 63 71 46 .02 2G 5G 1 70 55 ' 71 40 1.5 27 48 59 49 ' 60 36 29 , 4G 1 51 44 53 38 29 1 4G 1 .59 48 1 59 44 30 t 57 i 65 63 1 68 55 3L 1 i 66 61 j 68 52 .25 Avtr. 51. 60. 50. i i 4.12 MMxiiiiiiin Teinperatuiv, 71^. Daily Rainfall, •. i:V2. Minimiini “ 27*^. 266 CONDENSED WEATlIEli RECORD OF SUGAR EXPERIMENT STATION FOR THE YEAR 1888. Month. | . Jan nary 51 . 2° February .57. A pri 1 72.3 May 78.7 J nne 82.4 July 87. Ant'i’iisfi 83.2 September 78.4 Df, toiler » 68. November 60.8 December Average Temperature 3 p. m. 1 V rH jj g a be ^ > V‘» fc' .i -. w '-■A f ; •' •!? ♦tr-’i? ■■ ■ ■ .-:■■■•■/•" •■ ■ '^ • .< ■■ .■•■.’ 'h . •*'. ■'’ -S'"' " ‘ ^ '■ ' ' ' .1 ;■ .{. ■' r-rT^:^.: 'H' i J."" ’. . . ■ ‘ •'•*■" ■■ ■.K ivv.-. j . . -' t , • .'■ -^v'- > ' :; - ^ ':fc’^VV: 'JiS "i"' . ’’’i /' ■. •• ' ■' ,, , . , -i . ,_. » ;v 'i 'w Iv- V-;';. r '/r,; ■■ .''r> 1 , •'!* t'' ' • •'«'' ■• I;'* sS ^ > ■' >. ■ ; I , ■ .• ■« - , . .r... . r‘ • • -•-’'i.:-- ' ' ii ---'l.!'^. ‘S ; ; vC 'i • •’ f f ^ ,. .•^^,... I ■ k :}' • ■• -. iU- -i-'. ■■ ' i 5 : :iii, . XnR.V'i ■ •■earer of a yellowish i>ea, about the size of the Whippoorwill. Coneh liea — A very heavy runner, forming a thick mat of ^nes all over the ground, but bearing few or no berries. Of the above the Olay and Conch are decidedly the best — for green manuring and for saving for hay. For the table the little Lady Pea seems to be preferred, while the Pea of the Backwoods gives decidedly the best yield of berries. There were also a number of Mexican beans planted, but vowing to the bad condition of the seed, which had been in the Agrieuitural Museum for some years, only one variety came up. This formed a very heav3^ vine and bore a profuse crop of small black beans. In the same plat with these beans were planted a few Mils each of the Virginia, Georgia and Spanish Peanut. Tke Georgia did decidedly the best — both as regards the size and squantity. Besides the above, seven plots of sugar cane were planted, iSix of which were fertilized and one left unfertilized, in order to ^nd the results of fertilizer. Below is a table giving fertilizer per acre, yield per acre, percentage of Sucrose, Glucose, etc. Lbs. available sugar upon TO p. c. extraction. Per acre. c; Ci eriment entirely, the number of stalks on each row were carefully counted and the results from oach experiment accurately weighed. By ascertaining from this data the average yield per stalk, then allowing a stalk every two feet and multiplying by the number of stalks there should have been, we can form a fair idea of the yield of each. In order to answer the first question, eighteen varieties of corn were ob- tained and planted under the same conditions. Accompanying is a tabulated statement, giving names of varieties, yield, etc. Twelve ears of each Avere carefully weighed. These were shucked and weighed again. Then shelled and corn and cob weighed. In this Avay the per cent of corn, cob and shuck was obtained for each variety. 279 Name of Variety. Patterson JMosby Blount Alabama McQuade White Normandy White Mexican Prolitic New Madrid Red Cob Gourd Seed C: ampion New Hicory King Mexican Flint Western Yellow Mexican and Creole, Mixed. . . . Yellow Flint Yellow Golden Mixture of Red Cob and Mosby All of these were placed under similar conditions, but gave very varying results. The Blount, with its 7b. 0 bushels of shelled corn, is in marked contrast with the Yellow Cloldeii, with only 32.7. The foregoing table speaks for itself and renders any remarks super- fluous. The next attempt was to lind out the mauurial requirements of this soil. These three questions on as many different plats were asked, both of corn and cotton : 1. ‘^Does this soil need Phosphoric Acid ! If so how much and in what form f’’ 2. Does it need Potash f How much and in what form V 3. “ Does it need Nitrogen ! How much and in what form ?’’ Question No. 1 was put to plat No. 10. Twelve experiments with the various Phosiihatic Manures were made, and the following table gives the fertilizers used with results : 1 £ 1 “1 1 i- * z ^ 2 ■" Per cent, sbnck. Per cent. cob. Per cent . shelled corn. ^ ?> O O) s 4648.62 8. 18.4 73.6 61. 6. 17.6 76.4 74.4 5068.96 8.6 16.7 74.7 79.6 4894.8 10.9 18.9 70.2 61.3 4356.2 8.9 17.1 71.0 57.5 2936.64 3.8 18.5 77. 7 j |40.7 5184.92 10.9 16.2 72.9 67.4 5236.2 10. 15.0 75. 70.1 4894.4 4.7 18.1 77.2 67.4 4424.96 8.9 11.1 80 . o ! 63.1 2524.48 7.3 14.2 78.. 5' 35.3 2590.72 8.0 12. 80.0 37 . 0 3716.16 7.8 15.3 76.9 51.0 4452 8 11. 16.2 72.8 57 . 5 3521.76 14.4 16.0 69.6 43.7 4933.34 10.9 18.9 70.2 61.7 •> K 38 75 14.8 20.5 64.7 32.7 3815.96 9.5 13.8 77. 7‘ 52.9 of Ex 280 PHOSPHOKIC ACID— PLAT XO. X. ^ lELD AN D FEKTILIZA TION PEK ACKE. rjlUETY USED—" DA TTEnSON.” How Fertilized. . ^ [Basal Mixture^ I 280 lt)S. Dissolved Bone, Basal Mixture “ ( 560 11)8. Dissolved Bone 3 Basal Mixture , ( Basal Mixture I 280 lt)S. Acid Phosphate r S Basal Mixture ... } 560 IBs. Acid Phosphate 6 [Basal Mixture 7 Nothing S i Basal Mixture. \ [280 IBs. Boue Meal .... n S iBasal Mixture } [560 lt)S. Boue Meal 10 Basal Mixture . 5 [Basal Mixture ( 140 IBs. Gypsum \ Basal Mixture . . ^ \ ;280 IBs. Gypsum * Basal Mixture — 2-0 IBs. Cotton Seed Meal. 84 IBs. Muriate Potash. Shuck Corn, Lbs. Shelled Corn, Bushels. j 4168.28 .54.7 4639.96 60.9 4496.00 .59.0 4220.16 55.4 4336.08 56.9 4396.00 57.7 4176.76 54.8 4483.92 58.9 3396.00 44.6 4264.12 .56 . 0 4439.96 58.3 4044.32 ! 53.1 The results above lead to but one conclusion, and that is, that with this stand of corn, one stalk every two feet in the drill, that decaying roots of the old grass sod furnished an abundance of plant food to make a maximum crop. The unfer- tilized plat yielded 54.8 bushels, while the highest yield of any fertilized plat was only G0.9 bushels — differences that might occur in almost any two plats. Next year a repetition ^ of these manures on the same plat may give more satisfactory replies. In order to get the ans\N er to Question 2, 1. e., Does this soil need potash, etc., we will examine: No. of Expe'm't.! 281 PLAT IX— POTASH. VA RIETIES USED— “ PATTE RSON.’ How Fertilized. YIELD PER ACRE. c o « 11 12 < Meal Phosphate,* 168 IBs. Kaiuite Meal Phosphate 336 IBs. Kainite Meal Phosphate Meal Phosphate 42 IBs. Muriate Potash . . . . Meal Phosphate 84 IBs. Muriate Potash. . . . Meal Phosphate Nothing Meal Phosphate 42 IBs. Sulphate Potash . . . Meal Phosphate 84 IBs. Sulphate Potash. . . Meal Phosphate 280 IBs. Acid Phosphate. . . 196 IBs. Cotton Seed Meal . 49 IBs. Nitrate Potash . . . 280 IBs. Acid Phosphate. . . 84 IBs. Cotton Seed Meal. 98 IBs. Nitrate Potash 3956.4 5210.16 439Q.00 4572.84 4264.12 3122.24 51.9 68.4 57.7 60.1 .56.0 41.1 3648.68j47.9 4396.00i57.7 4396.00j57.7 4483.92 4439.96 I 58.9 58.3 4220.16'55.4 * Meal Phosphate — 280 IBs. Cotton Seed M«al. 280 IBs. Acid Phosphate. The remarks uuderPlat 10 are applicable here as under Plat XI., soon to follow. Shelled corn, bus. No. of Exp’t. 282 PLAT XL— NITKOUEX. VA RIETY— PATTEKSON. j YIKLD PKIt ACHE. I Fertilizer Used. si o ao 3 4) ^ cd o Mixed Minerals* 57.7 79.8 lbs. Nitrate Soda 4396. I Mixed Minerals i 5055-4 1 66.4 158.6 lbs. Nitrate Soda Mixed Minerals ! 57.7 53.2 lbs. Sulphate Aiuiuonia 4.196 . 1 Mixed \Iinerals 4068. Osj 53.4 106.4 lbs. Sulphate Ammonia Mixed Minerals 112 lbs. Dried Blood | 4396-0 ^ 57.7 Mixed Minerals 4689.72 j j 61. 224 lbs. Dried Blood Mixed Minerals 4689.72 61. 140 lbs. Fish Scrap Mixed Minerals 4068.08 1 j 53.4 280 lbs. Fish Scrap Mixed Minerals 4747.68 1 62.3 168 lbs. Cotton Seed Meal Mixed Minerals 1 4255.4 1 56.0 336 lbs. Cotton Seed Meal Mixed Minerals 4396.0 57.7 504 lbs. Cotton Seed Mixed Minerals 4396.0 1 57.7 1008 lbs. Cotton Seed [ Mixed Minerals — 280 lbs. Acid Phosphate. 84 lbs. Muriate Potash. 283 It is to be regretted that no conclusions can this year be derived as to the wants of this soil for corn growing. An other * and perhaps even another year may be needed to satisfactorily solve this question. In meanwhile the experiments will be con- tinued. EXPERIMENTS IN COTTON. The experiments in cotton were of two kinds. 1st. Varieties> best adapted to our wants, considering yield of seed cotton., and percentage of lint ; and 2d, Manurial requirements. Thirty- eight varieties of cotton, obtained at great labor and cost, were planted and treated as nearly alike as possible. These experi^ ments, together with those elsewhere described, were growing' beautifully with promise of large results when the disastrous storm of the 19th August, not only injured but absolutely de- stroyed them. Many of the full grown bolls nearing maturity,, which would otherwise have opened, were completely rotted by the two weeks of incessant rains following the storm. There- fore all of our experiments in cotton were failures so far as in- struction is concerned. • Below is a table giving the yield of seed cotton and of lint- per acre, together with the percentage of lint. 284 VAKIETIES OF COTTON. Name of Variety. [ Seed Cotton, j Lhs. VJ Percentage of Lint. Remarks. 1 Southern Hope 950 323. 34. 1 Bancroft’s Herlong 1140 353.4 31. I’etit Gnlf 646 187.3 29. Allen’s Long Staple 912 .310. 34. i Tennessee Silk 798 215.4 27. Boyd’s Prolific 798 223.4 28. Peterkin 570 199.5 35. 1 Crawford 836 259.16 31. 1 • Hawkins 836 265.52 32. J’eerless 874 270.9 31. Dickson’s 696 215.7 31. Welborn’s Pet 696 King’s Improved 870 i)4.’5 35 ! Hawkins (508 176.3 29. Peterkin 870 .304.5 35. Home raised seed. Oat’s Cotton 760 250.8 33. Selected seed. Little Brannon 760 304.0 40. Home raised seed. Allen’s Long Staple 722 187.7 26. iri (( il Boyd’s Prolific 798 231.42 29. (< U H Peterkin 684 205.2 30. U U (( Tennessee Silk : 798 255.16 32. (( (i <( Martin’s Prolific 779 233.7 30. <( ti il Herlong 646 206.72 32. U (( (( Jones’ Improved 870 261 .00 30. U ti il Jower’s Improved 608 176.32 29. ti ti ti Cherry’s Long Staple . 60S 176.32 29. tt It ii Shine’s Early 570 176.7 31. ii H if Jower’s Improved 646 Second year seed. Cherry’s Long Staple 532 37.” (( '■ U U 2 Si • /I*) w '*-• o ^ ® o *o d > a -S ., Uirector, ISSUED BY THOMPSOJSr J. BIRD, pOMMISSIONER OF ^GRICULTURE, ^ATON flOTTGF, J^A, BATON ROUGE : Printed by The Advocate, 1889. NORTH LOUISIANA EXPERIMENT STATION, ) Calhoun, La., January, 1889. ^ Major T. J. Bird, Commissioner of Agiieulture, Baton Koage, La. : Dear »So’--Ibaud you herewith a report of Experiments conducted on this Station for the year 1888, and ask that you publish it as Bulletin No. 22 Respectfully submitted, WM. C. STUBBS, Director. REPORT. On tlie ♦Hh day of April there was turned over to the Louis- iana State TTniversity and Agricultural and Mechanical College a tract of land containing 330 acres in Ouachita parish, fourtecB nnles west of Monroe, lying injinediately on the Yickshurgy. Shreveport and Pacific Eailroad, and near the village of Cal- houn. This tract was without fences or houses of any kind. A portion of the land was cleared and had been considerably worn by constant cultivation, it is said, of seventy-five years.. Another portion had once been cleared, but was now covered with a groAvth of short leaf pines, averaging over 1 foot diameter. A third and larger iDortion was covered with the- original timber, oak, hickory and pine. At this late day it seemed almost impossible to accomplish anything the first yeaiv But, securing the services of Mr. L. M. Calhoun as manager, a® attempt was made, and the results which follow will show the great success which he achieved. By his indomitable energy- and intelligent direction the idace was gradually transformed into a Station of considerable attractiveness. Substantial fences, of wire and plank were soon erected. Fifty acres of old fields’^ were brought under cultivation, of which thirty were planted in field crops and twenty devoted to experiments. Contracts were made for the erection of the necessary buildings, over fifty acres of wooded land were cleared j cross fences, dividing the lands into fields for tillage and pasture, were erected. A garden ot nearly one acre in size was paled in, large gullies were filled m and unsightly inequalities removed. Such was some of the work performed in ’88. The dawn of ’89 illuminated an entirely different scene from that Avhich was presented to us in April,, 1888 — a scene which now remains only in memory as the horrid nightmare that haunted us in “dream and wake” during this eventful spring and summer. 294 The .station is now eciuipped witli dwellings, barns, stables and laboratory. It is completely and securely enclosed. It is divided into tillage and pasture, orchards and gardens, wood- land and meadow. Thirty acres of the oldest land on the place liave been carefully platted, and will be devoted permanently to field experiments in manure with various crops. Another held of twenty acres has been devoted to experiments in small ^rain, grasses and clovers. Ten acres have been dedicated to onjhards, vineyard and garden. Fifty acres to general field orops, and the rest divided into pastures for different breeds of jstock. Of the latter, two of the improved breeds of cattle have ^ilready been obtained, a jiair each of Ilolsteiiis and Jerseys — the former fiom 31 r. J. 3V. Howard, Aberdeen, 3Iiss., and the latter from Dr. William E. Oates, of Vicksburg, Miss. The Oolsteins arc lineal descendants of the celebrated Aggie family, w-hile the Jerseys are of the famous St. Lambert strain. Tw^o other breeds will be added as soon as our resources Avill permit. Of hogs, the Berkshire, Essex, Bed Durocs and White Chesters have been engaged, and will be received early in the spring. FoJiir varieties of sheep will also be introilnced. Later, it may be advisable to introduce one or more breeds of horses, since this portion of Louisiana is specially adapted to horse and mule araislng. In the introduction of improved breeds of stock, the .Station aims to benefit this portion of Louisiana by determining w'hich kinds are best adapted to this section, and, further, to ^ive practical lessons in the principles which underlies stock IVMxliiig and stock breeding. In a lot specially dedicated to the i^urpose, sixteen neat web wire) yards, 30x60 feet, with neat and substantial houses, have been erected for different kinds of poultry. The following im- proved breeds have already been obtained and are doing finely, viz., Langshaus, Black 3Iiuorcas, Wyandottes, Brown Leg- tiorns, Barred and White Plymouth Bock, Buff and Partridge 0>e!iins, Honda ns and Light Brahmas of chickens, and the Pekin duck. A trio of each liave been obtained, and each variety are treated precisely alike. A careful dady record of the eggs laid by each variety is kept, together with such other characteristics 295 as are worthy of uote, and at the end of the season will be pub- lished for the benefit of the public. Later, this supply of poultry- will be increased by addition of other varieties, including turkeys^ and geese. This Station has been established in the hills of Nortli Louisiana for the purpose primarily of benefitting the farmers^ of that section. That it has awakened an enthusiasm among the latter is evident from the large monthly meetings which are held the last Thursday in every month on the grounds of this^ Station. The Y. S. & P. Kailroad has liberally contributed to this movement by running excursion trains on the day of meet- ing from Yicksburg and Shreveport — thus giving the farinerg;^ at a reduced cost, not only an opportunity of visiting and in- specting the work of the Station, but also of enjoying the bene- fits of the discussions of the practical questions by the best farmers of North Louisiana, which this club monthly affords- This club is called The North Louisiana Agricultural Society,^ and is ably presided over by Capt. J. M. \Yhite, of Lincoln par- ish. Its Secretary is Mr. L. 0. Drew, of Calhoun, La. This club entertained with a fine barbecue the State Agricultural Society, which recently held its annual meeting in Monroe. It has also undertaken to build a large hall on the Station, ia which to hold its monthly meetings, and has appointed the necessary committees on subscription and building. In a few months, it is hoped, the hall will be completed^ ami will be ample in its accommodations for the large number which, monthly attend these meetings. At no time does the Station contemplate keeping more live stock than will answer the purposes of experimentation. It is^ therefore, proposed at each meeting of this society to sell its sur-^ plus at auction, thus giving the farmers an opportunity of buy- ing at their own figures. Besides the above, the males of all breeds will be permitted to serve a limited number of females at prices fixed upon by a committee appointed b^- the above men- tioned society. Arrangements have accordingly been madetc* take care of all animals thus sent. ORCHARD AND VINEYARD. Early in the winter two trees of each of ttie folio -ving were carefully planted. They were obtained from the old and reliable, nursery of P. J. Berckmans, Angnstaj (la.: Lemon. Green Ischia. Brunswick. Fjgs— 10 Varieties. Angeiique. Black Ischia. Brown Turkey. Celestial. Madeline. Blue Genoa. White Marseillea," Filberts— 1 Variety. White Filbert. Almonds — 4 Varieties. Pistache. Rae’s Mammoth. Angers. Jamucett. J. T. Budd. Black. Jackson. Luizet. Stanwix. Coosa Neck. • Golden Cling. Japan. Standard. Princess. Quinces— 6 Varieties. Portugal. Chinese. Champion. Apkicots— 15 Varieties. Early Golden. Moorpark. Red Roman. Royal. Breda. Nectaeines— 8 Varieties. Early Violet. Due do Tellier. Victoria. Chestnuts — 3 Varieties. Large Spanish. Sultana. Meech^s. Orange. G. De Pourtales. St. Ambrose. Finney. Precoce de Bourbon. Eureka. Boston. New White. American. Jatanfse Persimmons — 10 Varieties. Kurokurae. Minokaki. Zingi. Yellow .Japanese. Ko. Tsnru. Hyakuiiie. ifi.r(H) Clai)p’s Favorite (S) Howell (S) Madame Von Siebold (H) Osband’s Summer (S) Doyenne D’I'lte (8) (8) Summer. (H) Hybrid. (F) Fall. Bartlett (8) Mikado (H) Philadelphia (8) Hebe (F) Ott (8) Onondaga (F) Seckel (8) Wiut^jr Nellis (F) Peaches— Freestone and Cling — 32 Varieties. Alekaiider, Early Beatrice, Cirawf ucPs Late (C) Haney, Stonewall Jackson (C) Indian Blood, Judo (0) PicqueVs Late, Stump the World, Early Crawford, Early Hale, H*"aTh Late, Oriole, Tinsley October (C) Colombia, Pa das, Old Mixon Cling (C) Darby’s Cling (C) Early Rivers, Early Louise, Amelia, Pineapple (C) Thurber, Elberta, Osceola, Newington Cling (C) Fleitas, Stevens’ Rareripe, Cora, Gen Lee fC) Reeve’s Favorite, Sylpliide (C) (C) are clingstones, the rest are open or free. Red Astra chan (8) Wallace Howard (F) Jev^’e^t’s Best (8) Hoover (F) Maverack’s Sweet (W) Catinon P«'armaia (W) Tivscftloosa (F) Carolina Watson. (8) Santa (W) Monlrne (W) Rliodes Orange (S) Bnn combe (F> Wine Sap ( W) , (8) Summer apple. Apples — 40 Varieties. Summer Queeu (8) Stevensnfi’s Winter (W) Pear or Palmer (8) Elgin Pijqiin, Early Red Margaret (8) Horse (8) Shockley (W) Hi Iley’s Eureka fW) Chai tali' >ochee ( W) J^lack Warrior (W) ilarvest (8) Wash ingtdn Stra wlie rry Howe (VV) Ben Davis (W) (F) Fall Apple. (W) Wii Yopp’s Favorite (F). Etowah (W) Mama (F) Carolina Greening (F} Carter’s Blue (F) Hackett’s Sweet (W) Shannon (F) Lanier (F) Simmons Red (F) Disliaroon (F) lb uiani{»' (W) S' Kittageskee (\V) Mangnm (W) • ter Apple. Grapes — 50 Variet ios. Salem. E 111 a rider. Massasoit. Mem mac. Herbert. Be rck man’s. Cbnco»d. WHccnk. Tejogaih Mites. 1 Wilie. LinHe. Fan ay PealcAi.V.r Maxatawney. Martha. Mrs. McLane. Black Pearl. Koger’s No. 8. “ 31. 39. Anadna. Othello. gara. aith. Black July. Emily. Herbert. Black Eagle. Canada. Louisiana. Ell m el an. Missouri Riesliug. Transparent. Alvey. Highland. Irving. Greiu’s No. 31. “ ‘‘ 53. u (( 4 Allen’s Hybrid. Diana. Amber. Norton’s A’^irginia. Goethe. Excelsior. Brighton. Iona. 'Black Hamburg. Belinda. 298 To the above must be added tweuty-six v^arieties of straw- berries shipped from Baton Rouge. These have all been carefully planted and fertilized, and special attention will be given them in the future. SMALL GRASSES AND CLOVERS. A special area has been devoted to experiments in the above -^jrops. There were planted last fall experiments in varieties of Wheat, Oats, Barley and Rye. There are also experiments in manurial requirements of the soil with Oats and Barley. All of these are at present writing doing well and promise good results. The following Clovers have been sown during the fall : Red Clover, White Clover, Crimson Clover, Alsyke Clover, Bokhara Glover, Lucerne. It is too early yet even to venture an opinion as to the re- 'SllltS. ' Of Grasses there were planted : Texas Blue Grass, Para Grass, Red Top Grass, Tall Meadow Oat Grass, Soft Broom Grass, Tall Fescue Grass, Italian Rye Grass, Kentucky Blue Grass, Orchard Grass, Timothy Grass, Rescue Grass, Randall Grass, Velvet Grass, English Rye Grass. The Rescue seed failed to germinate — the rest have given stands varying from excellent to poor. They have been toiv dressed with a suitable manure and will be watched carefully during the ensuing year. THE GARDEN has been prepared for the reception of vegetables at once, and fhe seed of all the varieties procured. It is designed to test the varieties of each kind, and as far as possible to develop the .truck industry, both for home use and for market. 299 FIELD EXPERIMENTS. I^ast year about twenty acres were devoted to experiments^ in crops, testing varieties and manures best adapted to this soib for the different crops. This area was divided into 15 Plats^ Plats I., IIL, V., VI,, VIII., were devoted to Cotton. Plats 11.,. IV., VII., IX. and XVII. to Corn. Plat X. to Forage Crops> Plat XI. to Sorghums. ' Plat XII. to Sundry Crops. Plat XIIL. to Cow Peas and Plat XV. to Watermelons. EXPERIMEXTS IX COTTON. PLAT NOS. I AND III. These plats were selected, No. I. on the sandy land and No.. III. on the red lands. They are of same size. They were divided into forty experiments of three rows eachy. and the manures applied in the form and quantity per acre- designated below. The rows were feet apart. The manures- were mixed and put out April 11th in a shovel furrow, their bedded on and middles split out. The beds were then har-^ rowed flat, opened and seed planted April 14th. Variety used. — Peterkin. The seed were covered with harrow and board.. They were chopped out, leaving one stalk to a hill ever^- hoe chop.. May 14th and 17th, offbarred with half-shovel May 7thj after cultivation with scooter and scrape. The land was very poor, containing little or no vegetable matter. Each plat was picked’ four times. Tbe following shows manures used and quantity of' each, date of picking and total per acre: RESULTS OF PLATS I. AXO 111.— COTTON VvlTH DIFFERENT MANURES. Total Yield per Acre. Plat III. i ?M% g 1 .1 1 ill I 1 II 1 I 1 i i s Total Yield per Acre. Plat r. i iiili 1 1 1 |fii I III 1 |iii 4th Picking Nov. 24. Plat ill. gog® § 5 ^ ^ ?gs 8 ?i5Sg? |m §Sip § § 1 g ggg g ^ II 1 8 1 1 g 3rd Picking Oct 2. Plat III. iiii i B i s ill I 1 S3 S § s i 1 S iili ill i ill I i ii 1 1 1 1 i 1 2nd Picking Sept. 3. 1 Plat 1 111. 1 ! IIII g I i i ill I i ii i i 1 1 1 1 iiii III i III I iiii 1 i 1 1 i Ist Picking Aug. 27. Plar Illr Si§§i 1 § I 1^11 1 III, I lit? §i=° I I » i ill 1 i ii § i i ^ ? i P, P. ililillfi it ililiiilS = 0'?» -N ffj (r» Cl iapi i|pa| i i'iJifJiillil sPh flCL.2 c * =o * ^ * t! i r- .r:-; «:i*ee3S4£j2cs,:sae££ :C itgiiiis 11 If •L(lx3 JO -UA I f »C 3 TO 3 RESULTS OP PLATS I. AND III.— COTTON WITH DIFFERENT MANURES— 302 THE QUESTIONS PROPOUNDED OF THIS PLAT are of three kinds. 1st. What valuable ingredients of fertil- izers is this soil in need to grow cotton f 2d. In what proportions shall these be combined? 3d. Shall it be distributed broadcast or in the drill ? The three valuable ingredients of all fertilizers are Nitrogen (Ammonia), Phosphoric Acid and Potash. Cotton Seed Meal and Cotton Seed have been used to supply the Nitro- gen. The former containing about 7 per cent and the latter percent of this ingredient; Acid Phosphate, containing 14 per cent Soluble Phosphoric Acid ; and Kainiie, coutaining 12 per cent of Potash have been used as the sources of Phosphoric Acid and Potash. These substances liave been used alone and combined in various proportions and quantities, and every tenth experiment has been left unfertilized, so as to get at the average strength of the land experimented with. Another question has been incidentally asked, which is best source of Nitrogen, Cotton Seed Meal or Cotton Seed ? Unfortunately these seed having been exposed out of doors for some mouths before using, were thoroughly dead and to what extent they had lost their fertilizing properties was not deter- mined. By comparing each experiment with its nearest unma- tured plat, the increase due to manure can be obtained. In Plat I., beginning with Experiment 3 and extending to about Experiment 17 was a ])atcli of Bermuda Grass, which had greatly influenced the results. Experiment No. 10, which oc- curred in this patch and which is unmanured, gave a yield of 1060 lbs. per acre. Even here, however, the manures clearly show an increase depending entirely upon the kinds used. If we eliminate Experiment 10 of Plat I., we will find that the averages of the other unfertilized experiments are 559 lbs. for Plat I. and 502 ms. for Plat III., which, about represents the average strength of the field. Tabulating the results as we find them, w e have : . Plat I. Plat III. Average of all nnfertilized Exp’ts Nos. 1, 10, 20, 30 and 40 . ObS lbs.* 562 lbs. “ “ Acid Phos. “ “ 3 and 27 680 “ 645 “ “ “ Kainite “ “ 4 and 28 640 “ 605 “ “ “ S. Meal “ “ 2, 11 and 15 1133“ 846 “ Average of Acid Phosphate and Cotton Seed Meal, Experi- ments Nos. 6, 12 anil 16 • 1263 “ 853 “ Average of all Acid Phosphate and Cotton Seed Meal, Ex- periments Nos 6, 12, 16, 21 and 24 1036 “ 926 “ Average of Cotton .Seed Meal and Pho'-phate and Kainite (ill drill), Nos. 8, 13 and 17 1230 “ 923 “ Average of all Cotton Seed Meal and Phosphate and Kainite ‘ (in drill). Nos. 8, 13, 17, 22 and 25 1098 “ 962 “ 303 Plat 1. Plat II Average of Cotton Seed Meal and Phosphate and Kainite (broadcast) Nos. 9, 14 and 18 1133 “ 826 “ Average of all Cotton Seed Meal and Phosphate and Kainite (broadcast) Nos. 9, 14, 18, 23 and 26 1020 “ 840 “ Average of Cotton Seed, Nos. 31, 34 and 37 t06 “ 843 “ Aveia^ie of Cotton Seed and Acid Phosphate, Nos. 32, 35 and 38 953 “ 856 “ Average of Cotton Seed and Acid Phosphate and Kainite, Nos. 33, 36 and 39 1006 “ 873 “ Average of Cotton Seed Meal and Kainite, No. 5 1040 “ 740 From the above there is no doubt that this soil needs first, Nitrogen (very badly) ; and second., Phosphoric Acid, and perhaps Kainite in small quantities may be beneficial. In Plat I. it must not not be forgotten that our Bermuda grass patch has altered largely our average results, and we must compare each experi- ment with its nearest unfertilized plat to get at its true increase. It is further shown that this soil did not profit by large quanti- ties of any ingredient and was perhaps unable to appropriate such large doses in its present enfeebled condition. It was also imperfectly and hastily prepared and in no way fit to receive heavy fertilization. These experiments also show that both Cot- ton Seed Meal and Cotton Seed are capable of supplying the plant abundantly with Nicrogen. For soils similar to these a combination of Cotton Seed Meal and Acid Phosphate, varying in xiroportion from equal parts to one of former to two of the latter and used in quantities from 200 — 500 tbs. per acre seems to be admirably adapted. If the soil contained a fair amount of vegetable matter, one of Cotton Seed Meal to two of Acid Phos- lihate can best serve it. If it be deficient in vegetable matter, then equal parts had better be applied. In both instances where soil is very sandy a small amount of Kainite had better be added. In almost every instance the fertilizers applied in the drill have produced suxierior results to those broadcast. PLAT NO. Y.— COTTON. Object — To determine best distance in widthof rows for cotton on this soil. The plat was broken broadcast and 150 tbs. of a mixture consisting of two parts Cotton Seed Meal, 2 parts Acid Phosphate and one part of Kainite, was carefully sown broad- cast over the entire plat. It was then carefully laid off into rows varying in width from 2J to 6 feet wide, giving three rows to each experiment. The rows were exactly one-half acre in length. It was planted in Peterkin cotton, -April 17th, and chopped out accurately, ^‘one hoe chop'- one stalk to the hill. The following are the results : 304 PLAT NO. V.— COTTON. Object — To determine best width ot rows. Variable — Widtli of row. Constant — One stalk every “lioe chop.” a *3 -C Ol ’o * 6 Width of Rows iu j feet. j First Picking, Sept. 4 til. ' ...d o o 4) CO Third Picking, Oct. 4th. r o C b- > , 2 a ^ "c o H Ph i Total Yield Per Acre. j 1 2i 8 fts. ' ' 7 ffis. 44 tbs. 1 tbs. 204 tbs.: 168 1148 tbs. -•2 10 64 3 1 204 '140 956 U 7 84 24 264 i 120 1060 4 4 5 5 13 6 29 i 105 1015 -5 U 4 74 134 64 314 931 980 S 5 5 74 144 6 33 1 84 924 7 54 6 104 12 6i 35 1 76 4-11 891 S 6 () 104 11 7 344 t 60 ; 805 It is plain from above that while the wide rows have given largest yield to the experiment, the narrow rows have given Tthe greatest yield per acre and sijggest the proper widths of ^arows for cotton in such lands as this soil, to be from to 4 feet. PLAT NO. VI.— COTTON. Object — To test distance required by cotton in the drill to obtain best results. It was treated exactly like Plat V., both in the method of breaking, manuring and planting. Here the rows were all four feet apart and three rows taken for each experi- ment. It was carefully chopped out, leaving one stalk every 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, 30, 36, 42 and 48 inches respectively for each ^experiment. By a misunderstanding several varieties of cotton were used on the plat which may invalidate the extreme accu- racy of the results. The following are the results : 305 RESULTS OF PLAT VI.— COTTON. Objcct~To determine distances in drill for cotton. Variable — The’ distance in drill. Constant — Width of row. No. of Experim’nt. Dist’nce apart in drill First Picking, Sept. 4th. 1 Second Picking, j Sept. 12th. \ Third Picking, j Oct. 4th. Fourth Picking, Nov. 12th. Total Yield. L _ . Total Yield Per Acre. One stalk every 1 1 ' 8 in. ! 19 ir>s. ' 1 20i lbs. Hi lbs. 3i lbs. 544 it>s. 1907 iFs 2 12 ! 15 • 1 1 22 9 r> 5U 17 5 3 16 , ; 17 21i 8} 5 52 1820 4 20 ' 15 19i 8i- 5i 1689 5 24 14 18^ 8 H 45 1575 6 30 13 17 7i 3 40i 1417 7 36 13 ! IH 8 3i 39f 1391 8 42 9 i 14i 5 38 1330 9 48 , 9 1 m 4 32f 1146 There is an uncertainty in the above experiment that vitiates absolute certainty — i. e., the use of different varieties of seed^ But it is i)lainly shown that distances from 8 to 20 inches are productive of the largest re, suits. PLAT VII.— COTTON— Varieties. There are many varieties of cotton offered yearly on our- marketj with flaming certificates of great excellence and eulo- gistic testimonials of high merit. The Station here and at Baton Kouge last year determined to test as many of these varieties as they could obtain. Accordingly at a great cost of labor, time and money, every variety of merit that could be heard of was obtained. They were placed under exactly the same con» ditions and treated as far as possible exactly alike. Excellent stands were obtained and with great care they were chopped out, leaving one stalk in hill at equal intervals. They were picked and weighed, and each variety separately ginned on an improved 20-saw Gullett gin with feeder and condenser, and lint, seed and motes each carefully weighed. Arrangements had been made with an expert in Vicksburg to measure tha length of the staple and classify each commercially, but samples were not reserved- The following are results : RESULTS PLAT VIII.—COTTON— Varieties. ® * -0 2 •y.i.Ty J0(1 JO piaiA •(^JIQ pu>? sa’ioi^f JO •JU90 I9<^[ lo •jnoo J 9 ^ •p908 JO •jaao J 9 (j » o _» a T, o o% > 1 1 s 30 G ■* • -G O O ^ " .5 ^ iT!^ I » ’->r^ ^ f-H M O ^ C -2 oo 5 ■ /C C.D to 'C 2 Js % ^ it/'^ .* o . Gf D a r 5 ^ G ■M G - J- 9^ x, tcl . ® ' «o i '’i c = 5c -- < • O O' ' Gl O o ■G "G O) o C X.' X G G ® C 2 G- ® .G G ^ 2 = s §■ a o C?— a * 2 s 2 = .2 o H 3 r G ■ ^-S ;o G ^ O^Ti '■ -X-XCSQOr^Q 5; £ c o X 4_ ^cg .. ? c = G ^ X X <4 ^ ?5 O a i G a 5 0 ;rH O c - o fc- X t. G •-( O z yj Gja ■ W X I®- 5 0 - ® - si' G G O ^ r'-' ^ *9J0V Jod p[ 9 iA I ' lO Gi O (T) — ' ^0 X — IG 1^ 'G) X> G G O GVi X O O X X Gi lG G: 00 GJI -M X G uG C» G< ■ -t t.G uG «G >G tG -r iG -f O >G -rf »G vG uG X "G* cr. G iG iG iG »G ‘tG G ' ' ’ ’ ’ Gl ' ' O — G tG G1 G> X X X ^ Gi G X O iG ' O ' .-H ' Gl Gi ‘X — ?G — i t- X G >G -f Gi Gi CG GJ ‘O O O ’H O O GJ O O 3^ —I -O -H iG G G X O G '-^ O G5 tH Gl Gi O G> G) CG X CG CO X ^ CO X CO T^.' CO G1 CG CO X CG CG CO G1 X X X X G-! X CO G> X rf X C- O 35 CO 00 X G -f X 4- X- X Gl t- CO -< GO G 35 35 i- X X X X X X X 4^ X t- X CO X O X X X 35 X f-. CO G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G 4 ^ G G G G G G G G G X ^ i.O X .0 C^ -4 G »■>. CO »0 Tji X 4 ^ ‘X t- G G 35 0> >.0 X 0> X X X X G G OJ 04 G ».0 ^ X . _ . - . - X OJ 01 i-O I" X G X ^ X r-l CO -<5* X uO lO lO )C G G G 4^ G G iO X ».0 G G I,’- lO I-- i.O G t>. G X t* t^ P ^ C <© aj S. I ® a ® G o > ® G O > 2 '■.2 ? 43 g ^ 0^ G C 32 23 ^v.5 .» ® * Mg >< H a r* c3 S *-• •H i: ® «.5 ® a ® ^ ' a OxxxSMcQOi-^O-i 04 CO ’T X G l-^'x 35 G tH OJ X -rt* X G 4>. X 35 • O • 32 G ® a © -4 ® if O p © a:? o © © a Pm a a ® * ^ a .2 0 30 O H © o a; M 3 2^ oduoQiii o •Ldxa JO ’OM 2 cox f. A close iijspectioii oralurvc table will show that the yield of seed cotton per acre varies fnmi 1444 lbs. to 1838 lt)S.^ while the yield of lint per acre runs frotu (excluding Sea Island) 420 lbs. to 580 lbs. The seed which shows the highest yield of seed cot- ton per acre and the next to the largest yield in lint has a sin- gular history. In 1880, at Baton Tvouge, there were two acres devoted to experiments in oats. These oats were harvested the last of May, the land w as plowed and planted in June in cotton and not ehop})ed out until July 5th. The subsequent seasons were excellent and the tw^o acres gave a yield of over a bale per acre. Having exhausted our (»wn seed in planting in spring, we sent to a public gin in Baton Bouge and borrowed two bushels of seed from a large pile then on hand. These seed were planted with a planter and an excellent stand obtained. In the fall a stalk with all of its bolls of each variety (22) specially left for the purpose was dug up and exhibited at the Central Fair Asso- ciation in Baton Kouge. Along with the varieties were exhibited a stalk of this cotton, then filicd with open bolls. This cotton attracted great attention and the subsequent yield per acre, together with fre(pient applications from farmers who saw it at the Fair tor seed, determined us to propagate it. To distinguish it from other varieties used, the farm superintendent labeled it ^^Oats” cotton and it has since borne that name. The seed were raised siamewhere around Baton Eouge, but from what variety of seed is unknown. It more nearly resembles the “Brannon,*^ a variety largely planted around Baton Bouge and very highly esteemed but is distinctly' different from it. Its origin is shrouded in mystery and yet in this trial and another at Baton Eouge this year with a larger number of competitors, it has proven itself the superior of many of the so-called pedigreed cot- tons upon which time and money have been prodigally' expended in propagating and developing. Unfortunately only the seed used in these experiments were last year planted and hence the supply^ is quite limited, while the demand is very large. inspection of above tables will show that many of the above-named varieties are without any" apparent merit, on this soil, and caution is necessary on the part of our farmers before the.v procure uew seed in large quantities or abandon an old and tried variety for a new and untried one. Here as elscAvhere it is best to go slowly and await tlie trials and approval by the Ex- periment Stations of all new crops before any considerable investment in seed, etc. CORN KX PERI MENT8 were of three kinds. 1st, Mann rial requirements. 2d, Distances in row, and 3d, Varieties. PLAT NO. IL was devoted to questions of mauurial requirements by corn, and the following are the list of experiments with yield, etc. : I of PL^T XO. II.— OORX— MAXIJKES, Kind and Qnaiit ity uf Matinro Per Aorw. i-2 13 14. 15 id 17 18 19 •20 :2i 32 33 No Manmre. ‘280 pounds Cotton Meal Acid Phosphate Kainite Cotton jMeal Kainite . Cotton Meal Acid Phosphate Acid Phosphate Kainite Cot. Seed Meal, ) , Acid ‘Phosphate / |),jj| Kainite, ) Same as No. 8, broadcast No Manure 5 420 pounds Cotton Meal I 140 “ xVcid Phosphate ;; 420 Cotton Meal, ^ 280 280 i 280 I 280 28(» 260 *280 280 i 2m } 280 ( 280 s t 5 2 ^ o ® o P. .2 ^ 470 IBs. 1008 - 532 504 952 840 476 140 Acid T*ho8{diate, (140 “ Kainite, ^ Same as No. 12, Broadcast 15 280 pounds Cotton Meal 140 Acid Phosphate ( 280 “ C'Otton 5deai, } I 140 “ Acid Phosph’te > (f 140 “ Kainite, S Same as No. 15, in Drill j 140 pounds Cotton Seed Meal ^280 “ Acid Phosphate C 140 “ Cot. Seed Meal ) r }' 280 “ Acid Phosphate ' p, (140 Kainite, 1^ Same as No. 18, Broadcast No jNlanure 5<§0 pounds Cotton Seed i 560 (280 ( 560 -A 280 y 280 2.1:1 84(i i 280 { 840 26 7 280 I (280 Cotton Seed .... Acid Phosphate . Cotton Seed .... Acid Phosphate . Kainite Colton Seed . . . Cotton Seed Acid Phoshate . . Cotton Seed, 1 Acid Phosph’te / T^_;n Kainite, In 27 j Same as No. 26, Broadcast. *28! No Manure 1134 1344 588 1148 1050 1064 812 700 630 336 280 602 588 952 1078 1022 1218 1148 742 700 574 Manures prepared and put out April 11th. Opened with shovel plow and .eovered with scooter and shovel. Corn planted April 13th. Opened with 3»50oter and covered with hoes. Variety used, “Calhoun Red Cob.” The results of this plat are not satisfactory and no definite inferences earn drawn beyond the fact that both Cotton Meal and Cotton Seed are .^Ecellent sources of Nitroffcii for corn. 309 PLAT VII.— CORN. Experiment — Different width of rows. A plat, 4 acre in dept%. was broken, and over it scattered broadcast 150 lbs. of the mix- ture described under Plat Y. The rows were then laid off, from 4 to 7 feet, taking three rows to each experimeBt. M was planted by measure, 2 feet in drill, and thinned out to one stalk. m hill. Variety used — McLendon’s Shoe Feg.”^ RESULTS PLAT VII.— CORK Object — To test width of rows. Variable — Width of row. Constant — Distance — 2 feet in drill. w 4.. 0 d :z; ! j Width of j Rows in i 1 [ ¥aeM I per i 1 1 4 feet. ! 2695 fe®. 2 a 5 2S75 3 3486 4 6 ^ 1 2876 5 2338 6 7 1874 7 138<> Here the 5-foot rows have given the best results, but it must be^renofan- bered that this was a fair piece of land and seasons were upon the very good. Upon thinner land and a drouthy season the wider rows have done better. PLAT XIV. Upon this Plat a test was made to see how large a yield of corn could be made on this, our best plat, at this late dale,. April 16th. Five rows were taken to each experiment. The corn planted in 5-foot rows, 18 inches apart. It was up, had thinned and worked when following applications of manares^ were made, May 17th, as a top dressing, per acre : f 150 Its Nitrate Soda. 1 J 2*^ Acid Phosphate. , ■ * 1 75 lbs Sulphate Potash, i 300 lbs Gypsum, 310 f 300 lt5s Dried Blood, j 22o Its Acid Phosphate. ) 75 Ihs Sulphate Potash. 1 300 1138 Gypsum. ^ f 75 Ihs Nitrate Soda. I 1.50 tbs Dried Blood. No. 3. { 225 lbs Acid Phosphate. 1 75 lbs Sulphate Potash, 1^300 lbs Gypsum. ( 120 lbs Cotton Seed Meal. No. 5. ' 120 lbs Acid Phosphate. ^ 60 11)S Kainite. Each of above experiineiits contained five rows. On Nos. U g-iid 2. two rows of each had the fodder pulled at regular time, leaving the other three rows unpulled. The following are the results per acre : iriekl per acre of No, 1— Fodder pulled 3037 lbs. '* No. I — Fodder not pulled 3557 lbs. No. 2-Fod<)er pulled 3356 lbs. No. 2 — Fodder not pulled 4024 lbs. No. 3 — Fodder uot pulled 3405 lbs *■ No. 4— Fodder iiot pulled 2416 lbs. Here in No. 2, fo^lder not pulled has produced 53 bushels shelled corn. When the fodder was removed, as is usually done all through North Louisiana, there was an actual loss of 520 lbs. in No. 1, and 008 lbs. in No. 2, of corn, caused by fodder pulling, amounts equalling about 7 and 9 bushels per acre, or say 15 and 20 • per cent of corn, made. With forage crops given elsewhere, so easily grown and cured into hay, surely it is wrong to pull fodder from onr corn. PLAT NO. IX.— COHN VARIETIES, i*lat half an aero deep. Rows five feet apart. Six pounds of the mixture described under Plat Y. was carefully mixed iu each row. Three rows taken tor each experiment. Manure dis- tributed and corn planted April 16th. Corn gathered Sept. 28th. It wa.s weighed iu shucks; then shucked and shelled, and shuck ^ cob and grain weiglied separately. On the next page are given ares lilts : RESULTS OF PLAT IX.— VARIETIES OP CORE. •QJOQ l»0l[9T[s' ni 9J0V -19 J P19[J^ •^tonqg :^a90 J9,j •qo3 -J519;) .19, [ ■niuif) ;u99 JOJ ct x.x 3 ~ ^ O'x . £ £ 5 ?L S ^ do "i '« . . .;r;S •'^ • 5 Pcee^c:p::fl©©.S~S'> D ® k.CC'® c ®®r>DaD — rv'A Q P Q C Q P f 1 ^ ^ 3J = .1: .t; .I:: .3 « o j ^ ^ o '=Lj 3 ^ P >r^ CJ o 'T* Ci X> L- I:- P >C t- 'T* 5 > ao :7'I ir: Ci cni t- »r: lO '>\ cc cr, lo 30 r-4 ifi CD ci o r-^' o o -t cc d ifd fO CO CC CC 'M iO TC c - CO GO C -f c. o JJ LO CO rt rH CC S'. O'i CO lO O >0 O CO CO i>. cc" CO t-i O CO oi' t»' (O) o CO QO QO CO T-^ O O CO o' -H o lO CO r-! O 05 iO -rj^ CO Oi O O CO GO CO rP 0> o’ CO X >.0 CO* 00 lO tH ' 1-H 1— ( rH T— I i—‘ ' r— I i— ' tH t-H t-H iH “P. of CM IO P'cc'oi'o o'o^'o CO CO iH o ».o O X »C O O OI o o CO O ci 05 P I.d CO O CO CO 'O ci »0 4>. X X I'* t- CO I- •‘jqanqg n] 9J0V a9,j 1)[9j \ X CO 0 > O CO X CC X 05 -i< o o o O ’— >0 O 05 X CO lO' CO' I.O lO -x) 05 X »-i 05 CO th cr. »o '«!t o 05 05 05 0> r-* 05 05 0» o) 05 O) 05 05 ff ® Jr be ^ • • bJD • cs .2 ® bC c • ■;o a P • u c ^ P5 • o ^ E p _ o : £ 'PiV,— - rc-o: - - t E 9 p p 0 g o o: .p -t a'i-S = S' O C .2 J . o o: o c CQ ^ cr _Lo p. ^ p^ -1- Pi p ^ i ® 'l/? . 4 ^ r • 't- :2 c : TiCO 'O - , . © i Pi ■© P P 3 3 o c pppppppjpp ^ *^*"0 G'P =r©'<2co:©Si PX--I p . p PS^^ SoSSESSSSa occcccccccc u ©I t- 1- p p p p = Sec - c p 3 ^ o c . . .0 P - JO i; © : : ^, E .2 ^ k 5 a ;.o : ^ a-g-S'c • ^^p-id^Scp^^ox 4n,uii i9dx;tj }o •<>\^ j 05 CO 1.0 CO I- X X. O rH o> n c ^ !r © © "p< * CO "rr 312 PLAT X.— FOPAGP Mention ha^ been ina«le of injury sustained Ity the eovu croji in pulling off its leaves for fodiler. The experinn*nts, desi-ribed elsewhere, hav^e been repeatedly (‘arefully made, and ahvays with concurrent results, viz., a loss from 8 per cetff; to LhL]>er cent of the corn made. In Louisiana, where cral» and Bermuda grasses grow so abundantly, and which, when eut at the proper time and cured, will make excellent hay, tliere is no exeiise for jmlling fodder. Were we without these valuable grass<^s we have now other forage cr<)i)s. whiedi are easily grown and cirred into hay j besides furnishing, in many instances, enormous quantities of seed, which ai*e valuable substitutes for corn. The following, upon properly [prepared aiul ma7jme.d grouml. were grown : I’ h:< ) < I x im:— • ‘ li t: A N A \a ;x p u i a ns. ” ‘djf South Amei*iwu) throughout the South as Cat-tail Millet, Horse and Egyptian Millet. Ft stools 313 largely from the gimuni aiul makes a great mass of foliage, can be cut several times in a season, furnishing fresh growth as long as season suits. T'seful only for green feeding; does not cure into good fodder, nor is the grain suitable for feeding. Sow in April, in drills 4 feet apart, or drop a few seed in hills 2x4 feet. Cultivate as corn.” What is said above of this plant is found to be true by ]Mr. Calhoun, who makes the following remarks: ‘‘An excel- lent green feed, ('an be cut every two Aveeks. Will not cure i)ito hay.” It is useful only as a soiling crop. KAFFIR CORN. “This grain was iirst dissendnated in 1887, and has attracted a large degree of attention and favor. For some reasons it pro- mises to be one of the l)est plants for grain and forage, as it is certainly one of the most vigorous, handsome and productive. It is a variety (d Sorghum, non-Saccharine, distinctly differ- ing in habit of growth and other characteristics from others of that class. The plant is low, stocky, perfectly erect, the foliage is wide, alternating closely on either side the stalks. It does npt stool from the root, but branches from the top Joints, pro- ducing from two to four heads of grain from each stalk. The heads are long, perfectly erect, well filled with white grain, which at maturity is slightly flecked with reddish brown spots. Weight, ()0 lbs. per bushel. The average height of growth on good, strong land, is 5.} to (i feet, on thin land 41 to feet. The stalk is stout, never blown about by winds, nevei- tangles, and is always manageable, easy handled. y\ boy can gather the grain or fodder. The seed heads grow from 10 to 12 liK-)y<\s in length, aird produce on good land reaches dO to 00 busljels per aen*. “It has the <{aality eomnton to many .Sorghums of re.sistiug drought. If the growth is checked by want ol' moisture, the plant waits for rain, and then at once ivsiimes its proe(‘sses. and in the most disastrous seasons has not failed so fai- to make a crop. On A'ery thin and Avorn laiids, it yields payitig crops of grail) and forage, even in dry seasons in Avhich corn luis utterly failed on the same lands. “The Avhole stalk, as Avell as the blade.s, cures into excellent fodder, and in all stages of its growth is available for green feed, cattle, mules and horses being equally fond of it. If cut down to the ground two or more shoots spring from tlie root, and the growth is thus maintained until checked by frost. For ensilage it is one of the most de.sirable. “The Kaffir Com may be planted in Marcli, or early in April. It bears earlier planting than other Millets or Sorghums. It should be put in roAvs not OA or three feet apart, eA^en on best laud ; should be mas.sed in the drill on good land, for either grain or forage purposes, and also on thin land, if forage mainl}^ 314 is desired. Cultivate as common corn. It matures as early as Early Amber Cane. Use o to 5 lbs. seed per acre. •^The seed beads form at top of stalk, and the joints next be- low send up shoots which the second, third, and often fourth seed-heads. If the crop is wanted mainly for fodder, it is re- commended to cut down the whole stalk when the first seed- }»eads come into bloom, at which state it cures admirably. The second growth still matures a full crop of forage before the middle of October. ^^Flour from the Kaftir Grain has been tbund more nearly analogous to wheat than any other grain of its class, for batter cakes, mufiins, etc., it is excellent, scarcely distinguishable from wheat; and for buckwheat cakes is an improvement on the original.” The above from xVlexander’s Catalogue is so descriptive of the plant that it is inserted for the instruction of our readers. At Calhoun this plant last year obtained a growth of 4 to feet, and each seed-head weighed about 3 to 4 ounces. The seed are also valuable for poultry feed. This plant was cured into hay the last of September and gave 1 . 2 . 28 tons of dry hay per acre, A few young seed-heads cured with it. MILO MAIZK. ^‘Of South xVmerican origin, has been well advertised and distributed. Ualnable as a forage [)lant and for grain, having- great capacity to stand drought. It can be cut and fed at any stage, or cured when heading out, for fodder. It bears grain in erect full heads, and is almost equal to Corn for feeding ; also makes excellent iMeal. The yield of grain will average 30 bush- els per acre on land that will make fifteen of Corn. It requires all summer to mature seed. Plant in xkpril, three to five seed in a hill, 18 inches apart, 4 to 5 foot rows, and thin to two plants and cultivate as Corn. It shoots out greatly and makes a great amount of foliage. Three to five lbs. per acre. Can be cut for green feed several times a season.” At Calhoun the stalks were of medinm size and late, heads heavy and regular, cures rapidly, three or four hours hot sun- shine suhicing. Suckers vigorously after the first crop is re- moved. This ])lant gave at the rate of 13.04 tons cured fodder per a4;re, or 39.30 bushels of Seed. Seed-heads resembled the African Millet, but smaller and fewer seeded. Seed are white? with slight pink on ends with dark gbunes. 315 WHITE DHOURA, OK LARGi^ AFRKCAN MILLET. ‘‘A variety of 8org'hum, u on Saccharine, growing a single stalk 8 or 10 feet high, and yielding headvS of grain 12 to 14 inches long, weighing 0 ounces to a half-pound when fully ripe. The foliage corresponds to the foliage of amber cane. If the whole stalk is cut down and cured when the seed are in dough state, it makes excellent forage, easy to cure, keeps well in o ut- door shocks, and well eaten by stock through the winter. If cut in the green state, they make excellent green food, and the Shoots that spring at once from the root make a second crop of forage. “The grain is clean, w hite, dinty, weighs full GO lbs. per bushel, makes a good palatable Meal for human food. All farm animals eat of it freely and do as well as on corn. It may be used continuously without lear of ill results. “In appearance this grain is hardly distinguishable from the Milo Maize, or Kiiral Branching Dhoura, and has been often coufounded by seedsmen. But it has beetE generally more popular than the Milo Maize, because it does not stool nor jnake the mass of forage that Milo does, yet it is so much quicker growth, maturing in 90 to 100 days. One head of the seed is fully ecitial to a good ear of Indian Corn, and the yield per acre w ill be three times as much as of Corn. It bears dry weather, and makes its crop w here corn would wholly fail. “Plant in early April; in 8-feet rows, leaving one or two plants every 12 inches in the row, and cultivate as Corn.” At Calhoun this plant gave a large tall stalk with hesiTv foliage, cures rapidly, four hours sunshine sufti<*ing. A good seed-head on nearly eveiy stalk. Will stand crowding to 6 inches in drill. It gave w^hen harvested on Sept. 29th 13.82 tons of excellent liay and 47.25 bushels of seed, after considerable depredations, One dozen average stalks gave five pound seed heads. The latter are loug, large and heavy — seed are white with pinkish tint and black glumes. RURAL BRANCHING 80RGHUM8 OR YELLOW" MILO MAIZE.. “This growth is tall, eight to twelve feet, stooling. from the ground like the white “ Branching Dhoura,” or Milio Maize, but not so much. It sends out also shoots iTom the joints. The seed head grows to great size on good land, often weighing three-fourths of a pound ; soriEetimes a full pound after being fully ripe. The graiu is double the size of White Milo, and of deep golden yellow' color. Weight, sixty pounds per bnsheL 316 “In shape the seed head is thick, well-shouldered, solid, aud by size aud weight each is the full ecpial of a fine ear of Corn. The heads turn down, and when ripe it hangs on a short goose- neck stem. The plant possesses all the vigor and vitality of other Sorghums. It is non saccharine, useful only for the large amount of forage, green feed or cured fodder that it furnishes, and for its grain which is so tine in appearance, abundant, and well eaten by mules, horses, cows and hogs. ^Tt is much earlier in matuiing than the White Milo jMaize, ripening seed by the middle of July, and for this reason is inoro reliable than the later white variety. It may be cut down for green feed at a\(y stage of its growth, and comes again promptly, often yielding three or four good ’cuttings^ in a season. It is well eaten by all farm stock. The fodder, cured as Corn blades are cured, is of equally good quality, and the quantity of it is enormous. On account of its branching habit and tall massive growth, this grain should be planted in four to five-foot rows, and six inches in the drill, according to the quality of the land. The cultivation is like Corn. It is early enough to be adapted to cultivation in the Northern States, as well as the South, and by its massive growth, it; highly suitable for ensilage.’^ At Calhoun this plant was large and tall with heavy foliage, large heads, inclined to mildew in protracted damp weather. Ee- quires six hours hot sunshine to cure. Stock fond of it. It gave 13.G5 tons of cured fodder per acre and 31 A- bushels seed. Seed yellow with black glumes. When cut. Sept. 29, it had many immature seed heads shooting from sides of stalks. Two rows, one half acre long, of the last three, Millo Maize. Large African Millet and Enial Branching Sorghum were left to produce seed. From these two rows were taken a large number of seed heads by farmers visiting the Station. This privilege was given to all visitors and was freely exercised. The large African Millet suffered the most, on account of the attractiveness of its large plump heads. When the crops from these rows were harvested the seed heads actually obtained were weighed and threshed and a number of bushels per acre ascer- tained. The stalks on these rows w^ere all accurately counted and then 12 average stalks selected and their seed heads removed, weighed, threshed and net grain weighed and a calculation made for an acre. 317 Below are actual aud calculated results of each per acre : Seed actually Seed obtained. calculated. Rural Brandling Sorghum 31.50 hushels. 46.20 bushelH. MiloMaize 39.30 “ 55.30 ‘‘ Large African Millet. 47.25 “ 107.12 “ Besides the above-mentioned Forage crops, Plat XI was devoted to Sorgboins for the double purpose of testing their capacity for sugar making and for forage purposes. They were all subjected to careful chemical analyses in September and results published in Bulletin Xo. 10. The rest of the plants were cured into fodder. The follow- ing varieties used : EARLY AMBER SORCIHUM. Stalk small, and heads light. Matures several weeks ahead of any other variety. Too small for much tonnage. EARLY ORANGE. Medium stalk, heavy heads j cures well into hay. Matures two to three weeks later than Early Amber. An excellent va - riety for forage. NEW ORANGE. Similar in every respect to Early Orange. WHITE INDIA. Very large stalk, heavy white seed heads. Matures much later than Amber. Cures well. Tonnage heavy. Excellent tor forage. LINK^S HYBRID. Heavy heads. Very large stalks. Cures well. Matures with White India. Tonnage heavy. Excellent for forage. GOLDEN ROD. Large stringy heads. Stalk quite large and tall and red in color. Cures well. Tonnage large. 318 Witli above forage crops so easily and cheaply grown and so easily cured into fodder, there is no reason why we should pull fodder, or even be without an abundance of forage. They suggest too the possibilities of stock-raising in the near future, when we shall grow tired of raising all cotton. PLAT XIV was devoted to sundry crops, as follows : Bmzillian Flour Corn . — A small variety of maize j very deli- cate in growth ; small stalk. It gave with us two to five succors to each stalk, wdth a more or less developed ear on each. The corn is very soft, easily destroyed by weevils and makes a white meal resembling somewhat wheat flour. A thorough trial with chemical analysis will be given another year. It may become acclimated, if so it may then be valuable as bread corn. At present it seems unworthy of cultivation. Buckwheat. — Germinates, grows and matures in a very short time, permitting three crops annually on same soil. Havy rains and very damp weather seem disastrous to this crop while fruit- ing, causing mildew to fruit and blight to stalk. Sown broad- cast and turned under is a good renovator of worn soils. It is also excellent for bees. Chapman^s Honey Plant , — Very delicate while young — re- quiring good seasons — does not stand drouth well. Our plants are now one year old and the next year or two will decide their merits. It is said to be excellent for honey bees. Spafm/i Peanut . — A desirable variety, early, a fine bearer, growth perfectly erect, not spreading on the ground like the common kinds of peanut, and therefore easily cultivated, the plow doing all the work. Also, in harvesting, all the Peas hang to the root and can be rapidly gathered. Planted in April they ripen in August, and planted as late as July 1st to 10th, will mature full (jrops before frost. Therefore they are useful to fol- low after oats. The stems grow erect, are easily harvested for forage, making the richest quality of hay. The Pea is smaller than the Virginia Peanut, but very sweet, fills out well, makes no pops. Can be planted close in the row and in the drill, yield . 319 iig largely per acre. \§j)l ^did to fatten hogs aad chi ldren.^' The vine retains its greenness much longer than other varieties, suggesting its superiority for forage: Yield very large. Yircfinia Peanut. — "Seines large and growiug flat on the ground, fruiting from tap root to extremity of vine. Fruit faulty; two to four nuts to pod. Pods large and colored light pink. Yield medium. Georgia Bed Peanut. — Yines medium size, growiug up from the ground and fruiting principally near the tap root. Pods faulty; three to four nuts each, (/olor red. PLAT XIIL was devoted to Cow Peas. Unfortunately, but little is known of the botany of this genus of plants, which has been erron- eously styled a pea. It is really a bean, ‘‘ Dolichos,” but the species under this genus hav^e never been fully determined. Of varieties we have a great number, presenting differences in habits of growth and maturing, and giving seed of every size and quality, and of every shade ot color from the purest white to the deepest black. This crop is highly prized for fertilizing purposes among the sugar planters of South Louisiana, but else- where throughout the South it does not receive one-half the attention which its valuable properties should merit. In time it is hoped that both its botany and its economical position in Southern agriculture will be both fully understood. The following varieties were this year grown : ^^Pea of the Bachivood.s^ or ^The Old Man'^s Friend.’’ — This pea was brought to notice two years ago by the letters of Mr. Edward Fonville, of Onslow county, X. C., in the Southern Cul- tivator. It was recommended as the earliest bunch pea, and ex- cellent for table use. It has so proved, two weeks ahead of any other, a larger bearer, and as a shell pea for table use, tender, marrowy and i)alatable. Are ripe for table use just six weeks after planting. It is a bunch pea strictly, therefore alfording not much vine. The seed are small, cream colored, slightly ^pied.’ Yery prolific.’’ At Calhoun it matured in forty days. Two crops a year were grown on same ground last year at Baton Rouge. ‘^Tiie Unknoicn Pea. — Is a greenish white color, full size, makes much vine, vigorous growth, large bearer. Pods long 320 jMid very full, and rn favorable sea.sous (‘ontimuns to make or bear fruit during several weeks. It is a very fine pea, worthy to come into general use. The Boss Pea advertised last year proved to be identical with the Unknown.'’ At Calhoun it was very late bearing and gave only a mod- erate yield of peas, but exceedingly heavy foliage. ^‘‘The Conch Pea . — A small white pea, of delicate table qual- ity; a great producer, remarkable for the amount of vines it makes, often ?A) feet in length, on good soil. The vine runs ciose to the earth, shades the land well, and produces a great amount of hulm for tertilization, besides a full crop of peas. Plant in May. One quart will cover an acre densely with vine^ if planted two or three in a hill, ti to 10 feet apart. Closer plant- mg will not make seed, though plenty of vine. Among frnit trees and grape vines it keeps down the growth of weeds and endches the land.” At Calhoun the vines grew to great length, completely cov- edtig the ground, but gave no fruit. At Sugar Experiment Station, when planted in hills 0 to 10 feet apart, it bore a moderate crop of berries. Dicarf Whippoorwill Pea. — A bunch i>ea, wuth but little vhies. Begius fruiting in fifty or sixty days. Berry speckled, pods long and full, yield good. Clay Pea. — Vines and foliage medium. Begins fruiting in seventy-five days. Yield good. Berry cream colored with white eye, medium in size. Pod of medium length and not crowded. Lady Pea. — A small white pea, wdth considerable vine of medium foliage. Begins fruiting in ninety days from time of planting. White Prolific Pea. — Vines large; foliage heavy; yield of pms good. Bears in eighty to ninety days. Berry large and closely resembling the next variety. Jjarge White Pea. — Vines and foliage heavy ; very late fruit- ing. A large white pea and very prolific. Indian Pea. — A large liver and white pied” pea, with long and crowded pods. Very prolific. Yines and foliage heavy. Begins fruiting in sixty to ninety days. Berry soft and does not keep well. King^s Pea. — A large black and white pied pea. Large and crowded pod. Vines and foliage heavy. Verj^ prolific. Begins jfmiting in sixty to seventy days. Berry too soft to keep well. Red Ripper Pea. — A large red pea, with long and crowded pods. Vines and foliage medium. Bears fruit in seventy-five days. 8oja Bean. — Very dwarfy. Fruits badly, and seed of no vala© with us. Will stand neither wet nor dry weather in this climate. This is the third season’s trial of this crop in Louisiana and each year a failure. It is deemed unworthy of further trial where in this State. SUGAR CANE LABORATORY AND SUGAR HOUSE RESULTS. L DIFFUSION PROCESS. BULLETIN No, 23 OF THE { mimm iii KENNER, LA. WM. C. STUBBS, Ph. D., ISSUED BY THOMPSO^^ J. BIRD, Commissioner of ^Agriculture, ^aton jTouGE, J..A. BATON ROUGE: Printed by The Advocate. 1889. :AV ' :. •■•• ■i '■ tC- ■y;* ■^ 1 - . ; -V* - SUGAR EXPERIMENT STATION, } Kenner, La. } Alajor T. J. Bird, Commissioner of Agriculture, Baton Rouge, La.: Dear Sir—1 herewith enclose the results of Laboratory and Sugar Hons© experiments in Sugar Cane, obtained during the past season and ask that they bo published as Bulletin No. 23. Respectfully submitted, WM. C. STUBBS, Director. DIFFUSION OF SUGAR CANE, Through the appropriations made by the State Bureau of Agriculture ami tlie Department of Agriculture at Washington, D. 0., tlie Sugar Experiment Station was enabled to conduct a series of field, laboratory and sugar house experiments with sorghum — results of which have been fully described in Bulletin No. ID of Louisiana State Experiment Station and Bulletin No, 20 of the United States Department of Agriculture, Division of Chemistry. The experiments in sorghum which were discontinued in October, were succeeded by those with sugar cane, and the machinery erected in the sugar house, especially for sorghum, was, with slight alterations and modifications, adapted to the work on sugar cane. The following description, i>ublished in the Louisiana Planter j of September 8th, will serve to give a general idea of the diffu- sion outfit and other accessories for the successful manufacture of sugar from sorghum: ‘‘The sorghum cut down in the field is brought to the sugar house with its leaves and tops and placed on a cane carrier, butts forward. The carrier conveys it to a rapidly revolving cylin- drical frame with two heavy knives, where it is cut into pieces of I to 1 inch in length. Between the carrier and the knives is an open space of about 12 inches, through which, into a shute, fall the tops by their own weight whenever they are unsupported at both ends. The cut pieces of cane are dropped from the knives througha i)erpendicular distance often feet. At the same time they are acted upon by a powerful blower, similar in action to a rice or wheat fan. This blast, aided by a shaker, removes the adhering fodder and drives it to a carrier, which takes it from the mill. In a large mill with bagasse burner it is carried to the furnace and serves as a fuel. 326 ^‘The clean pieces of cane are now taken by a conveyor and carried to another cylinder with four knives, where they are now comminuted into very small chips. These in turn are taken by another conveyor and carried over the difiusion cells, where through openings and a spout, each cell can be tilled. The ditfu- sion battery consists of fourteen cells, each with a capacity of 13.52 cubic feet and arranged in double lines. large cistern, forty-tive feet high, supplies the battery with water, while a barrel of water on the top of the cistern makes the liydraulic joints at the top and bottom of each cell. ‘‘An air pump and condenser supplies the air to drive the juice from the chips, and the latter, after exhaustion, are dumped into a car under the battery, which removes them to the held. A large heater on the tioor and a small heater to each cell sup- ply the heat to the water, while an inverted thermometer shows the temperature. Each cell has a small pet cock, by whichjnice from each cell may be taken for analysis. “The battery is so arranged that the juice may be sent to the settling tanks to be treated with tannic acid ; to the sulphur machine to be sulphured j to the claritier to be defecated in any manner desired, or directly to the double effect. “It is also arranged so that the scums and settlings can be easily returned to the cells or sent through the filter press. After clarification the juice is sent to an upright double effect and there concentrated. The vacuum strike pan and the cen- trifugal completes the operation of the manufacture of sugar. Scales have been i)rovided for accurate weighing at the different stages of manufacture. A large wagon scale in the yard weighs the cane. Another large pair, suidi in the floor of the sugar house, weighs the juice, syrup, sugar and molasses, while a portable platform scale by the vacuum })an serves to weigh the syrup before entering the pan and the masse cuite afterwards. “The laboratory has also been improved to keep pace with the sugar house. A new, large and accurate Schmidt & Haensch polariscope has just been imported. This has a double compen- sation by which each reading can be made four times, thus avoiding the error that may arise from single readings. A 327 KjeldahPs battery, for the rapid determination of albuminoids, has also been erected. With this battery will be made accurate determinations of the albuminoids in the raw juices, in the scums, in the juices clarified by different processes, in the syrups and in the molasses. In this way much information relative to the efficacy of the different clarifying agents will be gained. “Of the latter there is on hand a supply of sulphur, lime, car- bonate of lime, tannic acid, superphosphates of lime and alumina and bisulphite of lime. For filtering media the station has Ger- man and Alabama lignite, charcoal, sawdust and rice hulls. “Mr. Maurice Bird, a graduate of the University of Virginia and a chemist of considerable reputation and experience, has succeeded Mr. W. L. Hutchinson and has charge of the labora- tory. He is assisted by Mr. T. H. Jones, a graduate of the A. and M. College of Alabama, and Mr. W. P. Martin of Lafourche, a graduate of the University of Louisiana at Baton Rouge. “Mr. J . P. Baldwin, of St. Mary, has charge of the sugar house and will be aided by Mr. D. Barrow and Mr. J. G. Lee assist- ants from Baton Rouge and Calhoun. Mr. Fyler, of North Caro- lina, will also work in the sugar house.’^ October 13th — ^The first experiment with sugar cane was made witli cane cut down in the field with leaves and tops on. This experiment was made to see if the machinery which had successfully topped and stripiied sorghum would not do the same with cane. It successfully topped and stripped the cane but it also sent too many green joints into the diffusors, wdiich greatly lowered the purity of the juices. No arrangements had been made to carry off the tops and trash and it was soon discovered that these accumulated in such quantities as to requirehand labor to remove them. This to us was a great inconvenience, but it sug- gested at once a source of profit to the sugar manufacturer. By cutting the cane and permitting it to lie in the field long enough to wilt (twelve hours’ sunshine will be abundantly long), these tops and leaves become a valuable fuel and may be carried directly to the bagasse burner where they will aid in burning the expressed chips. In this way a large amount of fuel, now wasted, might be profitably used. Again it is highly probable that a fan might be so con- 328 structed and geared that it would remove all of the green and immature parts of the cane with the trash and permit only the red matured joints to pass on to the comminiitor. This supposi- tion is based upon the marked differences in the specific gravi- ties of the two parts of the cane and the analogous work per- formed by a first class wheat fan actiug upon the same principle. The expense of stripping and topping the cane for the mill is very great, while that of simply cutting the cane down is very small. The average cane dried^ will give about 30 per cent of its weight in leaves and tops, and the only additional cost would be the labor of hauling to the sugar house this extra weight. Against this would be the fuel value of this trash and the dimin- ished cost of harvesting the cane in the field. So feasible does all this appear, that no hesitancy is felt in predicting the day not far distant, when every diffusion plant will so treat cane, with a modified improvement, perhaps, of cutting it in the field by machinery instead of by hand as now. October Ifth — The Hughes cutter, designed for sorghum and which had performed most excellent work on this plant, was to-day given a fair trial on cane. The carrier, which heretofore reached within one foot of the cutter, in order to leave a space through which the heads of sorghum might fall, was now carried •close up to the cutter. The work accomplished was however very unsatisfactory. The absence of a forced feed arrangement caused the canes, when they reached very short lengths, to be projected with force all over the sugar house, causing great loss and much annoyance. Three tons of second-year stubble were used in this experiment. The juice was clarified in the usual way, and sent through the filter press. The scums were returned to the battery. On account of the cutter doing its work badly? the comminutor failed to make fine chips, hence extraction was poor. It was therefore deemed best to send the entire juice into the double effect, cook to a thick syrup and run into wagons and let grain in the hot room. This was accordingly done and two ■days afterwards the masse cuite was ceutrifugalleil, giving 358 pounds of sugar. Mill juices of cane used gave — • Sucrose, 12.3 per cent. Glucose, 1.78 per cent. Fibre in cane, 12.96 per cent. 329 The Hughes cutter was at once supplanted by a small Eosjj ensilage cutter, which had been used for filling a silo at the State Experiment Station, Baton Rouge. This implement worked very satisfactorily the rest of the season, cutting easily the cane required by the diffusion battery. October 17th — Diffused! tons second-year stubble. Knives worked well, but gave too largo a chip, which was corrected on subsequent runs. For the first time clarification was tried in the cell. Milk of lime of density of 10^ Baurne was added to each cell, until by experiment a sufficient quantity was found to be present. Through insufficient heating surface in our calor- isators, it was found impossible to heat the juice above 180° — 200^ F. Diffusion intermittent, giving twenty minutes to each cell. Two heaters leaked ver 3 ^ badl^', which caused an estimated loss of sugar of not less than 25 pounds. The process of clarifi- cation was a success. The juice, pure and clear, was sent directly to the double effect, and thence to vacuum i^an. SUGAR HOUSE RESULTS. Cane diffused, 4 tons. Chips to e 'ch cidl, 3i7 pounds. Percentage of trash removed, 4.3 per cent. Tiiue of tliffusioii to each cell, 20 miiiu'es. Yield — 1st sugars, .532. Its. 2(1 sugars,' 180.8 Its. 3d sugars, 52.8 lbs. Total. 705. 6 lbs., or 191.4 pounds per ton cane. DitTisiou cliips . Mill juice Diffusion juice. . !8.yiup First sugar . . . . . So ond sugar , . . Tliiid snuar . . . . Fii st- molasses . . St'cond molasses Third molassi s . LABORATORY ANALYSES. Sucrose. Glucose. Glucose Itatio. .8 .12 15.00 11.9 1.71 14.37 7.1 1.23 17.32 38.7 5.90 15.50 2.07 2.17 74.3 10.00 13.95 11.62 15.72 42.9 10.16 23.91 23.66 78.08- 29.3 31.64 107.98 CHEMICAL CONTROL. Summary — Reduced to pure sugar-: 532 lbs. 1st sugar ^ 95.3. .500.99 180.8 lbs. 2d sugar ^ 74.3. . 131 .33 52.8 lbs. 3d sugar ( 3 ) 73.9.. 39.02 080.34 or 170.08 lbs. pure .sugar per ton of cane. The fibre in above was 12.87 per cent. The juice 87 L’> per 330 cent. The total sugar in juice is 207.4 pounds per ton. Of this amount about 14 pounds were left in the chips. Of the remainder 19d.4 pounds, there was recovered in pure sugar 170 pounds — > leaving 23 pounds per ton unrecovered. In the masse cuite on hand there is about 17 pounds sucrose per ton — indicating a loss by leaks of about (> pounds sugar per ton of cane worked. Here the 3d molasses contains a larger amount of Glucose than Su- crose, yet the masse cuite made from it is now crystallized in tlie hot room. October 20t1i — Didiised 3 tons of second-year stubble. Im- provised a measuring tank. Time of diffusion 10 minutes. Heaters still leaking and an unknown loss of juice occurred. Calcic clarification in the cells. Juice sent at once to double effect. jSTo third sugar made. SUGAR HOUSE RESULTS. Cano (jiffitsf'd, 3 tons. Ciiips 1o each cell, 332 pounds. Percentage of trasi'. a. 4 per cent. 'I’inie of diffusion to each cell, 10 minutes. Yield — Ist sngar, 414. lbs. 2d sugar, 104.4 lbs. Totil. .51:i.4 lt)S , equal to 172.8 lbs. i)er ton. Diffusion chips . MiM juice Diffii>ion juice. . Svrnp First sugar Second sugar . . . Fii’.d molasses . . Second molasses LABORATORY ANALYSES. Sucrose. .55 11.60 7.20 45.40 62.00 77.30 40.80 27.30 Glucose. .075 1.52 .93 5.89 2.63 9.44 10.41 20.83 Glucose J>'ano. 13.63 13.10 12.91 13.29 2.86 12.21 25.51 76.30 CHEMICAL CONTROL. Summary — Reduced t) pure .sugar: 414 lbs. 1st cugar, ^2) 92 ..380.88 104.4 lbs. 2.1 sugar, ^co 77.3.. 80.70 Total 461.58, or 153.86 lbs. per ton. There were in one ton of the above cane (10.5 per cent fibre and 80.5 per cent juice) 210 pounds fibre and 1700 pounds juice. The latter contained 11. GO jier cent sugar=207.G pounds per ton. Of this amount about 10 pounds were left in the chips — leaving 107.80 pounds in the juice. Of this there was recovered in dry sugar 153. 80 ])ouiids — leaving 43.04 pounds to be accounted for. 331 The third molasses contained IG pounds only, showing our heat- ers had lost juice containing about 28 pounds sugar per ton of cane worked. October 25th — Diffused 4 tons second -year stubble. Calcic clarification in cell. Increased the density of milk of lime used, to 130 D, using the same measure for each cell. Knives worked admirably and the juice very clean. Leaks in the heaters par- tially stopped by back pressue of steam. SUGAR HOUSE RESULTS. Cane (liffusetl, 4 tons. Chips to each cell, 3S3 pounds. Percentage of trasb, 5.9 per cent. Time of diffusion to each cell, 20 minutes. Yield — Ist sugar, 504 IBs. 2d sugar, 132 IBs. 3d sugar, 32 IBs. 4th sugar, 28 IBs. Total. .CiT(), or 174 IBs. per ton of cane. LABORATORY ANALYSES. Diffusion chips . Mill juice Diffusion juice. . S\rup First sugar Second sugar . . . Third sugar . . . . Foiirf h sugar . . . First molasses. . . Second molasses Third molasses . Fourth molasses Glucose Sucrose. Glucose. Jiatio. .53 .096 18.11 11.20 1.36 12.14 9.30 1.12 12.04 40.40 4.80 11.88 1.49 1..55 81.70 5.88 7.19 74.30 GO. 11 11.36 15.28 34.20 23.66 69.18 28.30 31.25 110.40 CHEMICAL CONTROL. Summary — reduce;! to pure sugar: 504 IBs. sugar ^ 95.00. .481 .82 IBs. 132 IBs. sugar ^ 81 .70. .107 .-'4 IBs. 32 IBs. sug r ^d) 74.30. . 2 L77 IBs. 28 IBs. sug.ar ® 6J.4 .. 18 59 IBs. Total 032.02 IBs. or 158 IBs. pure sugar per ton of cane. The fibre in this cane was 11.5 per cent. The juice in a ton of cane is therefore 1770 pounds and contains 11.20 per cent su- crose. This gives 10S.24 pounds sugar to the ton, of which 10 pounds were left in the chips. Of the remaining 183 pounds 158 pounds were extracted as dry sugar, leaving 30 pounds per ton in the masse cuite or lost by leakage or overflow. October 27th — Diffused 4 tons second-year stubble. Calcic clarification in cells. After liming each cell, the juice was tested 332 through a small pet cock leading from each cell. Up to date it was found that the worst extraction occurred in the beginning of the work — due to the diffieulty of heating up the cells at the start. To-day special attention was given to the first cells and they were kept quite hot. Leaks still in the heaters. SUGAR HOUSE RESULTS. Cane diffused, 4 tons. Chips to each cell, 353 pounds. Percentage of trash 3.4 per cent. Time of diffusion to each cell, 10 minutes. Yield— 1st sugar, 537.6 lbs. 2d sugar, 156. lbs. 3d sugar, 20. lbs. 4th sugar, 17. lbs. Total. . 730.6 lbs., or 182.6 lbs. per ton. LABORATORY ANALYSES. Diffusion chips . Mill juices Diffusion juices. Syrup First sugar Second sugar . . . Third sugar Fourth sugir... First molasses.. Second molasses Third molasses. . Fourth molasses Sucrose. Glucose. Glucose Katio. 0.6 .079 13.16 11.60 1.14 9.82 8.40 .80 9.52 43.40 4 38 10.09 97.20 1.00 1.03 84.30 4.13 4.89 87.50 4.79 5-47 75.10 6.66 8.87 49.7 13.88 27.72 31.2 17.60 56. 32.7 26.00 79.51 CHEMICAL CONTROL. Summary — Reduced to pure sugar: 537.6 lbs. Isfc sugar, ® 97.20. .522.55 153 lbs. 2d sugar, 'S) 84.3 . .131.51 20 lbs 3d sugar, 'g) r7.5 . . 17.50 17 lbs. 4th sugar, ^ 75.10. . 12.77 Total 6S4.23, or 171.08 lbs. per ton of cane. The fibre in above is 11.4 per cent. The juice is 88.60 per cent. In the juice there is a possible 205 J pounds sugar for each ton of cane. There were left in the chips about lOJ pounds. Of the remainder, 195 pounds, there were recovered in pure sugar 171 pounds, leaving 24 pounds unrecovered. Since no analysis was made of the fourth molasses it is impossible to tell how much of this was lost by leaking. October 30th — Diffused 5 tons second-year stubble. Cal- cic clarification in cells. Leaks still in heaters. Everything else worked satisfactorily. 333 .SUGAR HOUSE RE3UET.S, Caue difVused, 5 tons. Chips to each cell, 319 pounds. Percentage of trash, 3.1 per cent. Time of dilfusion to each cell, 10 minutes. Yield— Ist sugar, 671 tbs. 2d sugar, 175 lbs. 3d sugar, 118.3 lbs. Total. .964.3 lbs. LA BO RATO R Y AN AL Y 8 E S . Diffusion chips Mill juice Diffusion iuico Suciose. Glucose. .<15 .90 Glucose Ratio. 8.48 6.98 8 VI up 2.89 6.76 Fi rst sugar 1.08 1.12 Second sugar 3.52 4.27 Third sugar 13.52 18.91 Fir a molasses 9.61 16.66 Second molasses 13.89 36.45 Third molasses 17.88 51.08 First, sugar, washed 98.7 .08 ,08 CHEMICAL CONTROL. Summary — Reduced to pure sugar: 671 Ib.s. 1 St sugar 'S 95 . 8 . . 642 . 8,2 lbs. 175 lbs. 2d sugar ® 82.3. . 144 .02 ll>s. 118.3 lbs. 3.1 sugar 71.5.. 84.58 lbs. Total 871.42 or 174.28 lbs. per ton. The tihre iu (*ane was 11.1^5 per cent. In a ton of cane there were 225 ])oiinds of tibre and 1,775 pounds juice. The latter contained 228.0 pounds sugar, of which about 11 pounds were left in the chips, leaving 217.0 pounds in the juice extracted. Qf this, 171.28 pounds have been secured as pure sugar and the re' uiaiiider, about 43 pounds, is still either iu the masse cuite or lost through the heaters. Here the dry sugar obtained is only 7G [)er cent of sugar iu cauc and 80 per cent of that extracted in tlie juice. November 1st — Diffused 0 tons of second-year stubble. Cal- cic clariticatiou iu cells. Leaks iu heaters for the first time eflectuall.r cheeked by back pressure. Heretofore the battery had been worked ui)on the iiitermitteut plan — i. e., of lettiug into each cell tlie juice and permitting it to remain there for a given length of time. To-day we begun a continuous current through the battery, so arranged as to permit the emptying and 334 filling of a cell every ten minutes. Heretofore the dilution has been great. To-day there was drawn 350 })ounds juice from 338 pounds chips — leaving .0 per cent sucrose in latter — making a concentrated diflYision juice. In winding up the battery 50 to 55 gallons of juice and washings were drawn from each cell. The entire experiment a great success. SUGAR HOUSE RESULTS. Cane ditfnsed, 6 tons Chips to each cell, 338 pounds. Percentage of trash, 3.8 per cent. Time of tilling and emptying cell, 10 minutes. Yield — Ist sugar, 1004.4 Its. 2d sugar, 20."). 2 fts. 3d sugar, 234.0 Its. To Hil. . 1443.6 Its., or 240.6 his. per ton. LABORATORY ANA LYSES. Ditfnstou chips . Mill juice DitFii.'ion juice. . Syrup First sng ir Second sugar . . . Third sugar First molasses.. Second molasses Third molasses . Sucrose. . 0.6 . 13.^0 . 9.80 . 22.30 . 95.30 . 95.50 . 63.80 . 47.60 . 38.20 . 29.50 Glucose. .05 .89 .72 1.89 l.OJ .53 10.63 11-90 15.62 19.84 Glucose Katio. 8.33 6.59 7.34 8.47 1.08 .55 16.66 25.00 40.89 68.72 CHEMICAL CONTROL. Summary — Reduced to pure sugar: 1004.4 hSs. Ist sugar, 0 ) 95.3. . 957.19 205.2 fts. 2d sugar, ® 95.5.. 187.76 234 ms. 3d sugar, ® 63.8.. 149.29 Total 1294.24, or 215.70 Its. per ton. Fibre in above 10.30 per cent. Leaving juice 89.70 per cent. This gives a possible sugar of 241 jiounds to ton. There was left in the chips about lOf pounds. Of the remainder, 230J pounds, there was recovered in dry sugar 215.7 pounds — leaving about 14J pounds in the masse cuite per ton of cane worked^ There is by analysis in the masse cnite now in the hot room a little over 15 pounds sucrose for each ton of cane worked, a close agreement between theory and practice. Kovember 7th — After a delay of several days to repair heat- 335 erSj diffused this day 7 tons lirst-year stubble. Continuous cur- rent through the battery, filling and emptying a cell every ten minutes. Calcic clarification in cells. Heat used very low and extraction poor, leaving .8 per cent sucrose in chips. Hilution moderate, drawing 400 pounds juice from 340 pounds cane. SUGAR HOUSE RESULTS. Cane diffused, 7 tons. Chips to each cell, 340 pounds. Percentage of trash, 5 per ceut. Time of filling and emptying cells, 10 minutes. Yield— 1st sugar, 1148 Ihs. 2d sugar, 266 Ihs. 3d sugar, 168 Ihs. Total. .1582 IBs., or 226 IBs. per ton. LABORATORY ANALYSES. Diffusion chips Mill juice Diffusion juice Syrup First sugar Second sugar Th i rd su c . . , S KMo e. 9.60 80.90 Ghic se. ..55 • .82 .59 2.47 1.35 8.00 Glucose IJa iu. 6.87 6.17 6.14 6.36 1.41 9.88 First niol.asses 11.90 25.20 Second molasses 38.70 16.12 41.65 Third molasses ^ — Fibre in above cane 14. 5G per cent. Juice 85.44 per cent. In one ton of cane there were 227 pounds pure sugar. Of this amount about 14 pounds were left in chips. Leaving 213 pounds pure sugar in the juice. The analyses of third sugar was over- looked and therefore no accurate determination of the pure su- gar obtained, can be made. Enough is known, however, to show that it exceeded 200 pounds, leaving only a small percentage in the molasses. There was no loss to-day from leaks. The high fibre percentage and low extraction accounts for apparently low sugar results. November 9th — Diffused 6 tons of first-year stubble. Cal- cic clarification in cells. Continuous current through battery discharging every ten minutes. Diffusion juice very concen- trated, containing nearly 11 per ceut sucrose. Drew off 318 pounds juice for 340 pounds cane, or a mill .dilution of about Ifi per ceut. Extraction poor. Chips too coarse. 336 SUGAR HOUSE RESULTS. Ciine diffused, G tons. Chips to each cel], 340 pounds. Percentage ot trash, 3.5 per cent. Yield — 1st sugar, 966 lbs. . 2d sugar, 174 tbs. 3d sugar. 115.8 tbs. Total sugar. , .1255.8 lbs. or 199.3 tbs. per ton. LABORATORY ANALYSES. Glucose Sucrose. Glucose. l^atio. Diffusion chips .07 7.00 Mill juice 13.10 .64 4.88 Ditfiisiou Juice .49 4.62 S\ rup 1.81 4.95 Eir';ar . , . Third sugar First molasses . . Second molasses Third molasses . LAF, ORATORY ANALYSES. Glucose Suci o.se. 54 Glucose. Katio. .54 3.72 .37 3.27 1.52 4.10 .53 .54 — — 3.33 4.18 6.49 12.95 . 41. GO — — CHEMICAL CONTiiOL. Summary — Reduced to pure sugar: 838 Ihs. 1st sugar, ® 97.20.. 814.. 54 2G9 IBs. 2d sugar, ® 87.30.. 234.84 147.5 lbs. 3d sugar, ® 77.50.. 114.31 Total 11G3.68, or 232.74 lbs puresugarperton cane. Tlie fibre ia the above cane was 9.(> per cent. In the 5 tons cane there were 900 pounds fibre and 90.40 iiouuds juice. The juice contained 14.50 per cent sucrose==:1310. 8 pounds. There was left in the chips about 50 pounds, giving 1200.8 pounds sugar in juice extracted. Of this amount 1103.70 pounds were extracted as dry sugar and the remainder 9.7 pounds is now in the 4th masse cuite in the hot room — a piart of which we hope to secure as sugar during the summer. The extraction here was about 90 per cent of the sugar present, and the dry sugar ob- tained was over 88 per cent of that in the cane and 92 per cent of that in the juice extracted. There were 48.81 pounds glucose in the cane worked — of which 8 pounds were left in the chips and about 12 pounds removed in the sugar, leaving about 28 pounds in the masse cuite. There is at least 00 pounds of sugar stil^ available in the masse cuite. November 14 — Difiused 8 tons first-year stubble. Calcic clarification in cells. Constant current with good heat. Drew off 430 pounds juice for every 345 pounds cane. Knives of comminutor dull. NOTES BY MB. BALDWIN. * "Tried to heat battery iu advance of filling on first round, but did not do much good. Grained In the pan very well ; heat 150° — 160° F.” 338 SUGAR HOUSE RESULTS. Cane diffused, 8 tons. Chips to each cell, 345 pounds. Percentage of trash, 3.5 per cent. Yield — 1st sugar, 1252.8 Ihs. 2(1 su^ar, 316 Ihs. 3(1 sugar, 120 IBs. Total. .1688.8 IBs. or 211.1 IBs. per ton. LABORATORY ANALYSES. Diffusion chips. . Mill Juice Diffu ion juice . Syrup First sugar Second sugar . . . Third .‘uigar First molasses . . Second molasses Third molasses . Sucrose. Glucose. G'ucoso Kaiio^ 1.1 .07 6.36 12.9 -.H8 6.82- 9.8 .59 6.02 39.1 2.77 7.08 95.0 1.40 1.47 74.6 7.. 57 10.14 80.3 6.37 7.93 51.8 10.63 20.56 14.28 39.23 23.7 15.15 63.92 CHEMICAL CONTROL. Summary — Reduced to pure sugar: 12.52.8 IBs. 1st sugar ^ 95 ..1190.16 316 IBs. 2(1 sugar® 74.6.. 235.74 120 IBs. 3d sugar ® ^0.3.. 96.36 Total 1522.26, or 190.28 IBs. per ton cane. Fibre in above 10. G5 per cent. Juice, 80.35 per cent. In one ton of cane were 230J pounds pure sugar. Of this amount' about 20 pounds were left in chips. Of the remainder, 2iOJ pounds, there were recovered in pure sugar 190.28 pounds, leav- ing about 20 pounds, of which about 10 pounds is found by analyses in the masse cuite and the remainder unaccounted for. November 16 — Dilfused 3 tons first-year stubble. Limed to neutrality in the cells. Continuous current drawing off 437 pounds of juice to 374 xiouuds chips in every ten minutes. Knives sharp ; chips finest to date. Heat high and extraction good, leaving only .7 per cent sucrose in chips. Everything worked well and juice very pure. SUGAR HOUSE RESULTS. Cane diffused, 3 tons. Chips to each cell, 374 pounds. Percentage of trash, 3.8 per cent. Yield — 1st sugar, 454.2 IBs. 2d sugar, 76.5 IBs. 3d sugar, 54.0 IBs. 2 584.7 IBs , or 194.9 IBs, per ton. 339 Diffusirn chips Mill juice LABORATORY ANALYSES. Sucrose. 11.6 Glucose. .06 l.Ol Glucose Hatio. 8.57 8.71 Ditiiision juice 9.1 .76 8., 57 riip 2.67 8.53 Fii>t sugar 90.6 1.88 2 07 Second Migar 78.5 5.26 6.70 'I'liird sn <>^11 r i-0 2 mo ;iss» s 11.36 20.65 .Seroiid molasses . . . . 44.3 13.33 30.09 Third molasses 15.62 48.81 CHEMICAL CONTROL. Snmniarj’ — Reduced to pure suf^ar : 4,'4.2 Its. siifvnr ^ 90.G. .41 1 .50 76.5 IBs. sn^ar 'S) 7d.6. . 60.' 5 ■ 54 IBs. sugar ^ fcO.2. . 43.31 Total 514.86, or 171.62 IBs. per ton of cane. The above experiment was made with nine distinct varieties of cane. No determination of fibre wa.s made. Assuming it at 11 per cent, there would be in a ton of cane 206 pounds sugar. Of this amount about 13 pounds were left in the cliii)s, giving to the juice worked about 103 pounds sugar per ton. Of this amount 171. G pounds were covered in pure sugar — leaving 21. 4 pounds tinrecovered. Analy^^is shows one masse cuitc now in the hot room to have a little over 19 pounds sucrose per to of cane worked, and therefore our assumption of percentage of fibre is not far wrong. November 20tli — Difi'used 9 tons first year stubble. The fan was broken and hence in this run the chips were only par- tially cleaned. Calcic clarification in cells. Continnoiis current, discharging a cell every fifteen minutes. Drew off 432 i»ounds juice from 378 pounds chips. An attemiit was liere made to decolorize the juice by pass- age through a small quantity of boiieblack. Neaily 8 pounds of freshly burnt and coarsely imlv^eiized boneblack was used to filter this run through. A molasses barrel with holes in the tine bottom, was fitted with a false and open bottom, two inches above the former, and upon this was spread an open coarse blanket and in this blanket was deposited the boneblack. Through this boneblack, the juice as emptied from each cell, 340 percolated, at first very rapidly, but towards the close of the day very slowly. No perceptible effect was observed by passage through so small a quantity of boueblack and hence the experi* menc was discontinued. SUGAR HOUSE RESULTS. Canos diffused, 9 tons. Chips to each cell, 378 pounds. Percentage of trash, . Yield— Ist sugar, 1429.2 ffis. 2d sugar, 361.8 lbs. 3d sugar, 108.0 IBs. Total. .1899.0 lbs., or 211 lbs. per ton. D ffusion chips . Mill juice Ditfusiou juice. . Sy'up First sugar Second sugar . . . Tliiial sugar . . . . Fiist iu(tlu>ses . . Second molasses Third molasses . LABORATORY ANALYSES. Sucrose. Glucose. GIucos© .8 .07 8.75 . 11.40 .96 8.37 . 9.00 .72 8. 00 . 38 20 2.89 7.59 . 92.20 1.84 1.99 . 73. 7.04 9.04 . 78.8 0.25 7.93 11. U2 22.28 . 41.5 17.85 43.01 . 27.20 21.50 79.04 CHEMICAL CONTROL. SuMimary— Reduced to pure sugar. 1429 2 tb^. 1st sugar ® 92.2. .1317.72 361.8 lbs. 2d sugar '5)73. .. 264.11 107. lbs. 3d sugar 'g) 78.8.. 86.10 Total .1666 .*9.1, or 165.21 lbs. per ton. Fibre 9.G5 per cent and juice 99.35 per cent in above cane. One ton of cane therefore contained 207 pounds pure sugar. There were left in the chips about 14 pounds sugar. Of the remainder, 193 pounds, there were recovered about 185 pounds— leaving 8 pounds per ton in the masse cuitc. There is in the hot room masse cnite from 270 pounds molasses, which has accord- ing to above analysis 27.20 per cent sucrose. This would give 73.44 pounds sucrose for the nine tons, or 8,1G pounds per ton— quite a satisfactory agreement. DIFFUSION OF BAGASSE FROM A FIVE-ROLLER MILL. November 22d — Six thousand seven hundred and eighty- five pounds bagasse were taken directly from a five roller mill, 341 which was doing faiily good work^ and diffused. By slight ad- justments the knives and comminiitor were made to work quite well and a tolerably fine chip was made. The above amount of bagasse filled 53 cells after packing each cell vigorously with a 2x5 scantling, 4J feet long. Clarification was performed in the cells by addition of lime and quite a clear juice obtained, which was evaporated in the double effect and then grained in the vacuum pan. There was obtained 134. G pounds of first sugar. The molasses was boiled to string and jiut in the hotroom where it remained three days, it was centrifugalled and gave 32.7 pounds per ton. This will make 1G7. 3 pounds to the ton of bagasse. The bagasse gave a very diluted juice containing only 3 per cent, sucrose, wdiile a similar quantity of juice drawn from each cell of cane with 14 per cent, sucrose showed as high as 10.7 per cent. In both instances 40 gallons of jnice were drawn from each cell — the one from 128 pounds bagasse, the other from 342 pounds cane. The extraction of sugar from the bagasse was more complete, leaving on an average about .15 per cent, in the chips to .74 in those of the cane. Here we have two experi- ments made on consecutive days. The first day upon 18,8G2 pounds of cane, filling 52 cells, giving a volume of juice con- taining 10.7 per cent, sucrose. The next day G785 pounds of bagasse, filling 53 cells, giving a similar volume of juice contain- ing only 3 per cent* sucrose. Tjiis diluted juice had to be evap- orated to about one-third of its volume before it equalled the original juice from the cane. We filled 53 cells ; while an exx)eri- ment made the day previous showed that 18.8G2 i)ouuds cane filled only 52 cells. The bagasse contained 0 i)er cent, sucrose and 1.01 glucose. The clarification was good, but there was extracted a large quan- tity of soluble solids, not sugar, which in concentration were very sticky and objectionable, hindering perfect i)urging. The sugar, therefore was not thoroughly cleansed, and accordingly only polarized 90°. It was grained slowly iu the pan at a low temperature — 140^ to 150® F. The masse cuite was quite gummy, but analysis showed the molasses to contain 41.7 jrer cent, su- crose and 7.87 per cent, glucose. This molasses contained a con- 3J2 siderable quantity of solids, not sugar, insoluble in alcohol. Jlufc the most notable feature in this experiment is the small (juantity by weight of bagasse which each cell contained, packed as tight- ly as we could, only 128 pounds, against 340 to 300 of cane chips. In this experiment of 6785 pounds bagasse we could not draw a more concentrated juice without endangering our extraction. It therefore seems utterly impracticable from this experiment to diffuse bagasse: 1st. Since it appears to require same size bat' tery and same time for its diffusion as the original cane. 2d. It gives about an equal volume of juice as the cane, of only about one-third the density ; and, 3d, it extracts proportionately far more impurities, and therefore gives an inferior sugar, with many hindrances to crystalization and purging. A battery sufficiently large to w^ork up the bagasse from a ftve-roller mill will doubt- less work up with greater ease and in the same time the original cane. The following is the pure sugar obtained: 184-6 its. 1st sugar ® 90 . .121.14 fts. 32.7 2d sugar ® e'5.1.. 27.82 Total pure sugar per tou 148.96 fts. November 24th — Diffused 7 tons plant cane. Calcic clarifi- cation in cells. Constant current through battery — discharging cell every ten minutes. Heat at first deficient. Comminutor dull and chips very badly cut. Extraction therefore poor. Syrup cooked slowly in vacuum pan at 130-1400 F. SUGAR HOUSE RESULTS. Cane diffused, 7 tous. Chips to each cell, 390 pounds. Percentage of trash. 2.4 per cent. Yield — Ist sugar, 1022 Ihs. 2d sugar, 203 Ihs. 3d sugar, 63 Ihs. Total. .1288 Ihs , or 184 Ihs. per ton. Diffusion chips . Mill juice Diff'usion juice. . Syrup First sugar Second sugar . . . Third sugar First niola.sses . . Second molasses Third molassr^s . LABORATORY ANALYSES. .Sucrose. Glaco.se. G Incosf* Ratio- 1.1 .09 8.20 12.2 1.00 8.19 8.7 .67 7.7-0 4.6. 1 3.44 7.62 1.92 2.04 90.0 1.72 1.91 4.67 5.43 4.6. 10 86 24.13 14.20 39.01 30.8 19.19 62,30 343 CHEMICAL CONTROL. Summary — Reduced to pure sugar: 1022 lbs. of sugar '2) 93.8. . 958.64 203 Jba. of sugar ® 90. .. 182.7 63 lbs. of sugar @ 85.9.. 54.12 Total. ..... 1195.46, or 170.78 lbs. i)er tou of cane. Fibre in above, 10.46 per cent. Juice 89.54 per cent. One ton of cane contains 218.5 pounds pure sugar. Of \^liicb there remain in the chips about 20 pounds, leaving 198 pounds in the juice. There were recovered in pure sugar 170.78 pounds, leav- ing 17.22 pounds to be accounted for. In the masse cuite in STigar house, there is b 3 " analyses 15.1 pounds sucrose per ton of cane worked — ^leaving only 2 pounds per ton unaccounted for. , November 26th — Diffused 8 tons plant cane. Thermometers of accuracy received and used to-day for the first time. Ran juice when filling through two heaters into bottom of next cell in order to get up requisite heat and found it worked so well that it was afterwards followed. Constant current discharging cell every nine minutes. Calcic clarification in cell. Pulp very good. SUGAR HOUSE RESULTS. Cano diffused, 8 tons. Chips to each cell, 396 pounds. Percentage of trash, 3.2 jier cent. Yield — 1st sugar, 1424.8 lbs. 2d sugar, 344 lbs. 3d sugar, 152 lbs. Total. .1920.8 lbs., or 240.1 lbs. per ton. LABORATORY ANALYSES. Diffnf^ion chips . Mill juice Diffnsiou juice.. Syrup Firat sugar Second sugar . . . Tliird S'.ig.'ir First molasses . . Second mol isses Thiri uiola;ses . Sucrose. Glucose. Glucose Kalio. .4 — — 12.9 .58 4.8J 9.9 .48 4.84 42.2 2.50 5.92 96.1 .85 .88 85.5 1.81 2.11 79.4 4.92 6.19 8.22 16.18 38.1 12.50 32.80 29.0 16.94 58.41 CHEMICAL CONTROL. Summary — Reduced to pure sugar : 1424.8 lbs. 1st sugar ^ 96. 1 . . 136:).23 344 lbs. 2d sugar® 85.5.. 244.12 152 lbs. 3a sugar® 79.4.. 120.68 Total 1734.03, or 216.75 lbs. per ton of cane. 344 Fibre in above, 10.22 per cent. Juice, 80.78 per cent. In one ton of cane there were 231. G3 pounds pure sugar. There were left in the chips about 7 pounds. Of the remaining 224. G3 pounds there were recovered in pure sugar 2iG.75 pounds, leav- ing about 8 pounds in the masse cuite now in sugar house. Chemical analysis show.", the latter to contain about 15 pounds of sucrose per ton of cane worked — giving an unaccountable excess over theorj^ of 7 pounds to the ton. LIQUID SULPHUE DIOXIDE. December 1st. — In November there appeared in the Louis- iana Planter and Sugar Manufacturer of New Orleans, the fol- lowing : SULPIIUIIOUS ACID. A NEW METHOD FOR ITS APPLICATION TO SUGAR SOLUTIONS. We quote from Sugar a report of a general meeting of the As- sociation of Gei-man Sugar JManufacturers, to which a report was made on the emjdoyment of gaseous and liquid sul{)hurous acid in the sugar factory, which will be of especial interest to our readers now, as we have so recently had the matter discussed before the Louisiana Sugarjdanters’ Association. The new method seems to largely, if not entirely, avoid inversion, which is the comtnon fault with our [)reseut use of gaseous sulphurous acid. Mr. D. D. Colcock, the enterprising secretary of the sugar exchange has taken tlie matter in hand, and is now endeavoring to arrange for a complete test at the sugar experiment station, in order that we may see whether or not wq can be as successful as our German cousins seem to have been. The report was as follows : In the ordinary mode of preparing gaseous sulphurous acid the i^eicentage of actual acid obtained is but small. In fact it is prepared by burning siil[)hur in atmospheric air supplied to it by a force pump. Ordinary air contains about 2L per cent, of oxygen to 71) per (ient. of nitrogen, and the sulphurous acad gas thus produced is therefore very much contaminated with nitrogen. The employment of sulphurous acid in the gaseous state presents also another iinjonvenience, for whenever it becomes uecessaiy i'rom any cause to interrupt the work of saturation the gas must be allowed to escaj^e, as the force ])ump cannot bestop- l)ed, as, if so, the burning sulphur would be extinguished. Again, the suIi)hnrous acid gas thus obtained always con- tains ceitain imnurities, such as a little sulphuric acid, and some sublimed siili)hur, w hich ofren attack or obstruct the pipes. For a long time past sulphurous acid has been produced in 345 tbe liquid form, but its high cost was an obstacle to its use in the sugar. A zinc manufacturing company at Oberhausur, near Dusseldorf, now x)roduces liquid sulphurous acid in a very pure condition and at a very low price. The liquid is sold at $3 per 220 ])ounds, and as the product is pure it contains 50 per cent, of sulphur. Now 220 [rounds of sulphur cost $2.50 to $2.75, and hence sulphur in the form of liquid acid can be bought for a little over twice the price of sulphur burned in air. The liquid sulphurous acid is forwarded in cast-iron vessels^ and its conveyance presents no difficulties. The vessel contain- ing it is fitted with a valve, which enables the rate at which the gas ])asses into the juice treated to be regulated at pleasure, and stopjred or started at any moment. The concentrated gas does not attack the pipes. It is well known that sulirhurous acid is not corrosive so long as it remains anhydrous. Experiments have been made to see whether sulphurous acid in this new form inverted sugar as some have feared. The ex [leri merits have been made in two ways : 1st. The vessel con- taining the liquid acid has been placed above the saturator, and the liquid acid has been allowed to run into the juice. 2d. The vessel of liquid acid has been placed below the 0 [)ening of the saturator, and the acid was thus made to reach the juice in the form of gas. In the first case tire saturation was eifected in from 3 to 7 minutes; in the second case in 17 minutes. When the acid was added in the liquid state it always inverted a little sugar, but this did not happen when the gas acted in the gase- ous condition. The comparative effects of the two modes of em- ploying liquid suliihurous acid may be stated thus : Position of vessel of 1 quul acid ill relation to tljc saturator ^bove Below Liquid Acid. Gaseous Acid.. Time retpiired for satura ion after opening the valves, in mimites 3 to 7.. 17 Retlnclrn of color 74 to 90.. 48 to 87 Kednetiun of ash, cal-culated on the diy matter present 1.14 to 1.26. .1 .08 to 1.30 Imitrovemeut in CO- efficient purity 1 r)er cent.. 2 percent. Inverted sugar jiroduced a little. . .not a trace. If we can buy liquid snlphnroiis acid in transportable form it is better to rise it in the second manner — that is, to place the vessel of acid below the sotnrator, so as to compel the acid to enter in the form of gas. The puritication will then proceed with more energy, and there will be no production of inverted sugar. A few days* after the appearance of this article, Mr. Colcock secured through the kindness of Mr. J. M. Wiusliip, President New Orleans Cold Storage Company, 75 pounds of the liquefied sulphurous acid gas (known chamically as Sulphur Dioxide) in it^ anhydrous state and after having it securely packed in a 346 copper flask, shipped to the Station for experimental purposes. The first experiment was made December 1st. Eleven thousand tour hundred and ninetj^-fonr pounds of cane were used; clarifi- cation in cells of diffusion battery by use of limej each clarifier ot juice treated with sulphur, by permittiug the liquid dioxide to volatilize through a pipe attached to the carboy, and provided with an ordinary stop cock for regulating the flow. The gas passed into the juice at the bottom of the clarifier. When the juice had reached a clear amber tint the cock was shut and the gas cut off. Lime was then added not quite to neutrality, the juice carefully brushed and settled; brushings and settlings returned to the diffusion cells. The clear juice, with bright amber tint, was concentrated in the double effect and grained in the vacuum pan at 130 to 140° F. with the following SUGAR HOUSP] RESULTS. 800 pounds first sugar, or 140 pounds per ton of cane. 1041 pounds first molasses, or 181 pounds per ton of cane. 535 pounds second molasses, or 01 pounds i)er ton of cane, 338^ pounds second sugar, or 58 pounds ])er ton of cane. 113 pounds third sugar, or 20 pounds per toq of cane. 277 pounds third molasses, or 48 pounds per ton of cane. Total sugar per ton, 218 pounds. The following shows the carefully conducted chemical analy- ses at each stage of manufacture : LABORATORY ANALYSES. Surrose. Diffusion juice before snlpliuiing 9.5 Diffusion juice after snlpliuiinu- 9.4 Diffusion juice after liming and brushing 9.6 Syrup 51. C Sn^ar 9-^.6 Molasses 46.6 Masse cnite 69.2 In the above there was a small but steady increase in the glucose ratio everywhere, except in the double effect, where there was a slight decrease. We had been cooking string sugar the day before in the second effect, some of which grained therein. The vessel was steamed out, but not thoroughly washed, and it it may be that crystals of sugar adhering to the sides may have Glucose. Glucose Eatio. .60975 6.418 .70975 6.486 .62500 6.511 2.0000 6.330 .14 — 8.33 — 5.30 7.659 347 been dissolved by the sulphured juice and increased its purity coefficient. The following shows the loss sustained in the first coohing : Su rose. Glucose. In the diffusion juice were Lbs. . . . 1301 Lbs. 83.43 In the sugar obtained In the niolass' s Sucrose. 1.1)S. 481.64 Glucose Lbs. 11.28 86.63 1279.35 97.91 Loss of sucrose Gain of glucose .. 21.65 14.43 This gain of glucose equals sucrose inverted, 13. 7G pounds, leaving a balance of loss of sucrose (21. Go — 13 7G) of 7.89 pounds unaccounted for. Sucrose in cane worked, 12.57 per cent. Glucose in cane worked, .78 per cent. The juice and syrui)s treated thus behaved exactly like those treated with sulphur in the usual way. Yield per ton, first, second and third sugars, 218 pounds. The conclusions arrived at are : 1st. That the inversion was reduced to a minimum. 2d. Thaj; the bleaching effect of the sulphur in this form quite equalled that gained in the ordinary way (sulphur stove and wash-barrel) ; and, 3d. That the application was far more simple and far less disagreeable, Avith all the benefits to be derived from bleaching- An attempt to use this reagent in the diffusion cells was a disastrous failure. See beyond page. December Gth— Diffused 5 tons of plant cane. Held to day a public exhibition Avitli large crowd of ])lanters and others in- terested in sugar in attendance. Calcic clarification in cells. Continuous current through battery, dis(diarging a cell every seAXii minutes. Discharge jnade from cell next to the last. A clearer and bettter juice was thus obtained, Avith the dis- disadv^antage only of decreasing the effectiveness of the battery by eliminating one cell. The valves were so arranged that the juice in going from cell (O cell passed through two heaters, and Avhen the last cell was filled, the valve beyond being closed, the juice from cell next to the last Avent OA’er into the measuring 348 tank, leaving the juice in the last cell, as it were, dormant. By this process a much higher heat and a better clarification was obtained. The experiment was very satisfactory. The heaters, however, began again yesterday to leak, causing much annoy- ance, and continued troublesome through this experiment, caus- ing a loss of about 14 pounds per ton. SUGAR HOUSE RESULTS. Cane diffuse 1, 5 tons. Chips to each cell, 397 pounds, trash, *^.8 per cent. Yield — 1st sugar, COO Ihs. 2d sugar, 360 IBs. 3d sugar, 75 lbs. Total sugars. .1035 lbs. or 207 lt3s. per ton. LABORATORY ANALYSES. Sucrose. Diffusion chips 1-0 Mill juice 13.3 Difiusion juice 9.3 Syrup 43.0 First sugar 99.1 Second sugar 82.1 Third sugar 83.2 First molasses 53. 1 Second nmlases 42.3 Thir l molasses 31.1 Percentage of Glucose , Glucose. lUitLi). .07 7.00 .73 5.41 ..59 6.34 2.63 6.11- .16 .161 4.13 5.03 5.01 6.02 7.93 44.93 12.19 28.81 17.88 57.49 CHEMICAL CONTROL. Summary — Reduced to pure sugar: COO lbs. 1st sugar ^ 99 . 1 . . 594 . 60 360 lbs 2d sugar 'g) 82.1.. 295. 56 73 lbs. 3d sugar ® 83.2.. 60.74 Total 950.90 or 190.18 lbs. per ton. Fibre in cane 10.34 per cent. Juice, 80. CG per cent. One ton of cane contained 233 pounds pure sugar. There remained in the chips 18 pounds, leaving 220 pounds in the juice. Of this amount 190 pounds were recovered as pure sugar and there is in hot room in the masse cuite IG pounds, leaving 14 pounds per ton to be charged to leaky heaters. December 8th — Diffused 5 tons plant cane. Calcic clarifica- tion in cell. Continuous current through the battery, discliarg- ing from cell next to the last every IS minutes. Heaters leaked very badly to-day. 349 SUGAR HOUSE RESULTS. Cane diffused, 5 tous. Chips to a cel!, 393 pounds. Percentage of trash, 2.6 per cent. Yield — Ist sugar, 6S0 lbs. 2d sugar, 210 lbs. 3d sugar, 110 lbs. Total. .1000, or 200 Ihs. per ton of cane. Diffusion chips . Mill juice Diffusion juice. . S\ rup First sugar Second sugar . . . Third sugar ... . First molasses . . Second molasses •Third molasses . LABORATORY ANALYSES. Siicrcse. .5 . 12.6 . .92 . 39.0 . 94,2 . 79.2 . 72.8 . 52. . .52.7 . 23.5 Glucose. .04 .88 .66 2.63 1.31 3.51 7.14 9.09 14.70 17.24 Glucose Eatio. 8.00 6.98 7.17 6.74 1.39 4.46 9.80 17.48 32.16 73.35 CHEMICAL CONTROL. Summary — Reduced to pure sugar: 680 lbs. 1st sugar 94.2. .640.56 210 lbs. 2d sugar ® 79.2. .166.32 110 lbs. 3d sugar 'S) 72.8.. 80.08 Total 886.96, or 177.39 lbs. tou The above summary, together with sugar in the masse cuite iu the hot room, indicate a loss of about 21 pounds sugar to the ton of cane due to leaky heaters. ANALYSES OF .JUICE AND CHIPS FROM EACH CELL OF BATTERY. December 8th — On same day an experiment was made to test the question of the number of cells necessary for economical ditfusion of sugar cane. After the battery had gotten well under way, a stop was made and samples of juice from each cell was taken. The juice was then driven out of each cell and the chips taken and an- alyzed. It must be remembered that in a battery of 14 cells only 12 are in constant use; the other two are being filled and emptied. Therefore at any given moment there are only 12 cells filled with juice. Below are the analyses. Some of the cells towards the end of the battery, where the juices were very weak, suffered 350 slightly by inversiou, on account of delay in analyzing them. It required some hours before the analyses were completed. Hence, glucose ratios are somewhat increased to the last. In interpret- ing the analyses it should be remembered that cell Xo. 1 in this list was about to be emptied of juice and cell Xo. 12 about to be emptied of chips. Tlie following results were obtained: No. Juice. Chps. of Cell Sucrose. Glucose. S,icrose. Glucose. 1 9.0 .58 9.7 .65 2 6.6 .42 9.8 .56 3 5.6 .28 8.4 .55 4 3.9 .18 5.7 .34 5 3.4 .13 4.1 .29 6 2.8 .098 2.9 .19 7 1.0 .068 2.3 .14 8 8 .052 1.7 .11 9 f 5 .034 .9 .14 10 ..... 4 .031 .7 .066 11 3 .7 .05 12 2 .6 .035 From the above it appears that the sugar is practically ex- tracted in eight cells, since only a very small amount was extract- ed by the last four cells, and suggests that a battery with ten cells will be sufficient for economic diffusion of cane, provided clarification is not performed in the cell. If clarification be per- formed in the cell and the juice is drawn from the third cell from the last leaving two dormant cells, then twelve cells will perhaps be required. EXPERIMENTS WITH CLARIFYING AGENTS. December 11th — This day was devoted to the use of different agents, to test their efficacy in the manufacture of sugar. The battery was charged as usual. Lime was used in slight excess in the cells. The juice drawn from the first 8 cells was used for experiments with EHRMANNITE, a favorite reagent with some tropical planters. This sub- stance is a crude Phosphate and has an acid reaction. It produces a voluminous precipitate which settles slowly and carries down with it many impurities and a great deal of the coloring matter. This reagent was kindly donated by Ool. 0. M. Soria, President of Standard Guano and Chemical Works, of New Orleans. The above mentioned juice was divided into two parts. 351 No. 1. The juice was clarified in the cells using a slight excess of lime. It was drawn around to the clarifier and there treated with a solution of Ehrmannite until it showed the slight- est amount of acid by the use of blue litmus paper. It was then boiled and allowed to settle and carefully decanted. The clear liquid which was pure and but slightly improved in color, was concentrated to a thick syruj) in an open pan. The following analyses show the results: Ghicoee Sucrose. Glucose. Katio. Diffusion juice 10.6 0.51 4.bl Syrup 55.6 2.76 4.96 Here the inversion was practically naught. Experiment No. 2 — The juice after calcic clarification in cell, was limed in great excess in the clarifier and heated to boiling. An excess of a solution of Ehrmannite was tlien added, again heated and then settled. The clear supernatant juice was then withfiraw’ii and concentrated to a thick syrup in an open pan. This juice was quite acid and very bright in color. It made a beautiful and delicious syrup, which showed a considerable amount of inversion. The following are the analyses : Gluc-so Suci'ose. Glucose. P.atio. Diffusion juice 9.2 .66 7.17 Syrup 51.5 5.05 9.‘0 Frcm the above trials with Ehrmannite no decided benefits over our present methods of clarifying wdth sulphur and lime could be detected. In fact, juices must be w orked neutral to jirevent inversion, and any acidity must be avoided to secure the largest yield of sugar. No attempt was made at making sugar with these small quantities of syrup and it was decided at some future time to give this reagent an extensive trial in sugar making, but no opportunity was presented this season and further trials were deferred till another year. BISULPHITE OF LIME. December llth — After discharging eight cells in the usual way, with milk of lime in the cells, cell No. 9 before filling re- ceived the necessary amount of bisulphite of lime. It was filled with chips and milk of lime w^as added at the top. In this way many cells were filled. The juice drawn was quite clear and 352 bright, and hopes were entertained of a success, but after results proved the contrar 3 \ After concentration to syrup it was sent to the vacuum pan, where it was sticky, gummy and slow to grain, it had also a peculiar taste, and before completion had an intensely black color. It grained with slowness and centri- fugalled with great difficulty, giving a very indifferent sugar. It was found .upon examination that the acid bisulphite had ex. tracted very obnoxious properties from thecane, which prevented graining in the pan and obstructing purging. This acid juice in its passage through iron cells and double effect blackened greatly. This experiment fully coudem: following are analyses: Diffns'on jnico 0.5 Sn^ar 02.0 Molasses 52.4 LIQUID SULPHUR DIOXIDE was used on same day in the cell with very disastrous results. A tube was titted to the receiver and its end inserted in the hot- tom of the cell of chips before liming, or sending in the juice from the adjoining cell; the stoi)-cock was turned and the gas turned in until it was perceptible by smell above the cell. It was then limed as usual. The juice was then turned on and after contact for ten minutes was drawn into the clarifier, where it was closely examined and sent to laboratory and analyzed. It had a strong pungent odor of sulphur, as clear as water and perfectly colorless. It was apparent that too much gas had been added. Accordingly lime in large quantitie.^. was added, heated and settled. It was left slightly acid. The diffusion juice before treatment with this gas, the diffusion juice after treatment with this gas and after treatment with lime and the concentrated syrup, were all analyzed with the following results : this process. , The Sucrose. Glucose Glncof e Ifalir, 9.5 .62 6.: 2 15 4 2.89 18.: () 92.0 2.. 35 2.55 52.4 12.82 24.54 4 disastrous r esults. Gliicoso Sucro e. Or’iicrse. Jiviiio. Diffusion Jniro witliont SO 2 gns i^.5 .()2 (5.52 Diffjision Jiii< e wiili SO 2 7.5 2.47 32.93 D ti'usioii jni< e .ittor iiming Inatin^’ 4.8 4.^5 101,40 Syrup 28.0 31.25 Hi. GO The above shows at least the danger of sultihur. Here at a temperature of not over 200° F. the inversion was large and 353 rapid. At boiling temperature it was fearful. No attempt was made to secure sugar from this syrup, since the glucose was far in excess of the sucrose. This gas was easily controlled in the clarifier as our previous experiments showed, and* whenever sul- phur is used in the sugar house, this form used as described in a former experiment seems to be preferable to any other, but it is certainly not adapted to use in the cell. December 14th — On this day all operations in the sugar house were suspended leaving a few acres of cane standing in the field. This cane was divided into four parts. No. 1 — Left standing in the field. No. 2— Put up carefully in m a tel as. No. 3 — Windrowed for the mill. No. 4 — Cut up and put away carefully as ensilage. There were several questions proposed in these experiments* It was hoped that sufficient cold might intervene before working up these experiments, to give an opportunity of testing diffusion on frozen cane. It was designed further to test diffusion on cane, differently treated as above and lastly if cane can be preserved by ensUaging without detiiment to its sugar, there are vast possi- bilities for future Central Factories. PART FIRST— LEFT STANDING. Unfortunately for the objects sought, but fortunately for the general interest of the planters of the State, the expected freeze did not occur. On the night of December 19th thefoilage of the cane and most of the eyes were killed, but the cane was not frozen. The minimum temperature reached was 27^ F. This standing cane was carefully watched after this cold spell and chemical analyses made weekly of its juice to detect deteriora- tion if any should set in. This cane was cut on the evening of January 13th and beyond a very slightly acid taste, no injury was perceptible. It was diffused on January 14. Jauuary 14th— Diffused 6 tons of plant^cane cut on the pre- vious day. Calcic clarification in the cells. Constant current through the battery, discharging a cell every 15 minutes. Juice drawn from cell next to the last. This cane diffused with ease and suffered apparently no loss by standing. 354 Glucose Sucrose. .9 . 12 3 G’ucose. llatio. .72 5.85 . 8.6 .46 5.35 . 44.9 2.39 5.32 . 91.7 1.65 1.81 . 48.9 7.41 15.15 Only first sugars Inivc been made as yet from this run, the second masse cuile beiug still in the sugar bouse. SUGAR HOUSE RESULTS. Cane cliffnsc d, G tons. Chips to each cell, 401 pounds. Per centage of trash, 3.6 per cent. LABORATORY ANALYSES. Diffusion chips Mill jiii( 0 12 3 Diffusioij jnii o 8.6 Syinp 44.9 First ^ng:lr 91.7 Fii sc ino a se-s 48.9 The second masse cuite is yet in the hot room and no oppor- tunity has been alforded since shutting down the sugar house iu January of centrirugalling it. It will remain through the summer and be worked just before the opening of next season. PART SECOND -MATELAS CANE. January IGth— Dift'ased 7 tons of plant cane taken from a mat, which had been laid down early in December. There was no sign of alteration of any kind, and so far as sight, chemical analysis and ease of diffusion, could detect, it was as sound and as perfect as on the day it was harvested. It was treateel as the rest. Calcic clarification in the cell, but here for the first time the juice was drawn from the third cell from the last, leav- ing two dormant cells ahead. This process enabled us to send to the measuring tank a Jiiii^e very near the boiling [)oint — ■ always running between 90° and IDO^ C. as shown by records of the Assistant at the measuring tank. Dy this iirocess, the Juice was thoroughly cleansed and required no farther clarification even for the manufacture of the finest sugar. This was demon- strated by actual trial of this juice in our vacuum pan by two prominent sugar makers of this atate, who were here as visitors. They satisfactorily demonstrated the purity of the juice and its capacity to make the whitest sugar. LABORATORY ANALYSES. Gluco'c Sucrose. Gluc^'sc. J.a in. Mill juice.. 11.5 .83 7.48 Dittiisioii juice 7.9 .59 7.46 Syrup...'. 37.2 2.57 6 90 The juice fj’om this run was used in experiments at the vacuum pan by the sugar makers present, and by the IStatiou-iu 3 355 further testing (lari Tying agents. No attempt was made to esti- mate the total sugars. The juice was excellent and made beau- tiful sugar. The following experiments were made with CLARIFYING AGENTS. At the suggestion of Mr. Studniezka, of New Orleans, the Provident Chemical Works of St. Louis sent the Station, with their compliments, 5 gallons Liquid Acid riinsphate of 10*^ Ban me for ex peii mental ])ur poses. It was received after wo closed the sugar house in December and therefore had only one opportunity of giving it the test desired. This acid was care- fully tested in the laboratory and found quite pure. In the regular working of the sugar house, this acid, if intelligently used would be a valuable addition. The juice coming from the mill should be limed to perfect neutrality and a very small quan- tity of this acid added until a faintly acid reaction was visible. Theory stamps this method as being the nearest approach to a perfeot clarihcation and the limited practice of this station with pure i)hosi)hates would justify such a claim. JJut there is always danger in its nse, since if added in too large a quantit}’, like all other acids, it will invert sugar rapidly. See Bulletin No. 10 for chemical action and experiments. In the trial made this day the slightly acid juice directly from the celD was treated with excess of phosphoric acid and then limed nearly to neutrality. The clarification was very fair, but it settled slowly, too slowly for practical work. In concen- trating to syrup the inversion was practically naught. It is evidently undesirable, when clarification is performed in the cell, to use any reagent in the clarifier which will form a precipitate and necessitate a settling and decantation. The chief recommendation of cell clarification is the dispensing with the clarifier and its attendant delays, losses and expenses. There- fore, however useful this pure phosphoric acid may be in the clarification of mill juices, it is hardly desirable in diffusion work, when cell clarification is practiced. fuller's earth, which is successfully used for bleaching dark oil in our cotton oil refineries, was tried to day upon cane juice. The clear juice from the cell was run through a layer of this earth, arranged so as to 356 act as a filter. It filtered qtiickly, but gave a dark lustre and a sliglitly acid taste to the juice, vhicli was very objectionable. It was accordingly condemned and discontinued. PART THIRD— WINDROWED FOR THE MILL. January 18th — Difl’nsed three tons of cane, windrowed in the usual manner for the mill on December 14th. It had kept well and no deterioration could be detected by any of theexperb ments to which it was subjected. The juice was treated as here- tofore, drawing irom the third cell from the last. Thus a juice of excellent quality was given which was turned over to the visiting sugar makers for the manufacture of white sugar. This they accomplished with ease and satisfaction to themselves. The chips from this run were used for BURNING UNDER THE BOILER. Tiiey were run twice through the three-roller mill and then sent directly to the furnace of a 30 horse fire box boiler, which is one of the two boilers used by the Station. This experiment was very successful, the mill taking them with great case and delivering them in a continuous roll of about 1 to inches in thickness, not unlike in shape the roll of cotton delivered by a condenser to a large gin. These chips after passing twice through the mill burnt very readily under the boiler. This experiment performed in the presence of several promi« nent planters and sugar makers, removed every doubt as to the feasibility of burning ditiusion chips. The second rolling of the chips accomplished but little and it is believed that one rolling will suflice for good combustion in a regular bagasse burner. These chips had, when s-nt to ili© mill 87.94 per cent, water. After the lirst rollinjr <>5.50 *• “ ‘‘ After the second iolliuli of ilic 2d year stnlible was 3.98 ‘‘ “ “ “ “ The avei age iiMsh ot tlie 1st year stubble was 4.02 “ The average t rash of the plant eaiie was 2.99 “ Unless great care is exercised in removing the leaves from the cane, both in cutting and loading, the trash will usually be from 2 to 4 per cent, of the cane cut. WTilGHT OF THE CHIPS. Several times during the season the cubical contents of our diffusion cells were carefully measured and found to be 13.52 cubic feet. Since one cubic foot of water weighs G2J pounds, this will gire us 845 pounds water to each cell. All through the season every effort was made to put as many chips in each cell as possible. To secure this a hand was ket)t constantly busy, packing them with a heavy timber, as they fell into the cell. Theory and [)ractice both unite in recommending close packing for good extraction and concentrated juice. The following are the results of the season: Second year stubble gave 350 pounds per cell or 25.9 pounds per cubic foot. First year stubble gave 353 pounds per cell or 2G.1 pounds per cubic foot. Plant cane gave 395.5 pounds per cell or 29.25 pounds per cubic foot. Average of above gave 3GG.3 pounds per cell or 27.10 pounds per cubit foot. From the above the density of plant canc is considerably greater than stubble. CONCLUSIONS. The experience of the past season has been quite a varied one. Working by a new process, with new and untried ma- chinery, it would have been miraculous to have encountered no difficulties and made no mistakes. It is therefore to the credit of the process, that so few delays were experienced and no break downs of any -serious character occurred.. Our -heaters, alotie, 359 gave ns continued trouble, by leaking. Frequently wlien every- thing else was working very satisfactorily’, a leak would be dis- covered, which while not interfering with the general work, would always tell in the summing up of results and in disturbing mental equilibrium. To stop these leaks required an entire ces- sation of work for several days and a testing by steam of every heater. This was done once and for several days thereafter no trouble was given. By using a back pressure of steam greater than the pressure of the juice in the cells, leakage of juice was prevented, but a diliitiou of the juice in the cell by the entry of the condensed steam occurred which was also quite objectionable from an experimental and economical standpoint. An entire overhauling of each heater is necessary before begin* uiug the next campaign. Excepting these leaks, only one single accident occurred to our diffusion outfit which occasioned any repair, and this only required the work of a few minutes. One of the i)addles of the fan came loose on one of our runs, and the work was continued through the experiment without the fan. Early the next day the fan was repaired and no further trouble experienced from it during the season. These candid statements of the slight difficulties of the runuing of new machinery, in an entirely new process, from early in Sejitember till late in January, serve to show the conspicuous merits of diffusion machinery, viz: the simp’icity of its working and the entire freedom from expensive break-downs. In the experiments detailed above, many difficulties were encountered which would not be experi- enced with a large battery lunning continuously. Every day wo began and finished an experiment using from three to twelve tons of cane. It takes at least one round of the battery before the cells become heated up to such a temperature as will ensure good extraction, and therefore the running of each diffusion experiment is always attendant with loss of sugar. In winding up a battery, a further loss occurs from failiiie to extract all of the sugar due to the diminishing number of washings which each cell receives. The last difiiidty was iiartially overcome by using water freely in washing the contents of each cell before emptying as we neared the comiiletion of each experiment.' This, howev’er, gave a largely increased dilution. From these causes, the aver- age amount of sucrose left in the chips was mucli larger than it 360 would have been, had the battery beni worked continnonsly. It was frequently tlie case, that tlie cliips from tlie tiiird and fourth round of the battery, after every tiling was well heated up, contained as lo'iv as .3 per cent of sucrose, vrliile those from the first and last rounds would show several times this amount. It was dne to this excess that the average sin^rose in the chips was so high. In a well constructed batti ry, properly managed, the sucrose left in the chips shouK! not exceed .5 per cent. It is very questionable whether it pays to get a larger extraction. % DXUTlOy. From numerous experiments already given it is shown that the most economical results are obtained where an amount of juice equal to the weight of chips jiresent is drawn tVom each cell. This on an average will be about IG jier cent, dilution on normal juice. Our cane usually contains about 90 per cent, juice. Of this amount oidy 83 per cent, is extracted by our best mills, leaving 17 per cent, in the bagasse. If we assume the average sucrose of our cane juices to be lUJ jier cent, and that .5 jicrcent. be left by diffusion in the chips, this will give 03 per cent extraction, or 13 per cent addition to the mill extraction. Therefore if we designate the volume of juice now extracted by the best mill at 100, the juice extracted by diffusion, prc= vided it could be obtained undiluted, Avouhl be 117^. If diluted IG i)er sent, it would be 117Jx IG [)er cent = 13G. Therefore in changing from the mill to diffusion, an increased ca])acity of evaporators and pans of at least one-thirtl must be provided for while the increase in sugar can only be about one-sixth. In other words, there will be about 36 per c-ent increase in the juice, with an increment in t ugar of only 17 ])er cent. Surely' this com= pares well with some of our best mills, Avhich now, with a satura- tion of at least 12--20 per cent., obtained as a return only 10 imunds of sugar per ton of cane. WHAT SHALL WE DO WITH OUR CHIPS. Three Avays of successfully using them have been suggested : 1st. That they be returned to the soil as manure. When clarification is performed in the cell their fertilizing value is greatly enhanced. They can be evenly and nicely distributed over either plowed or stubble land, by one of the improved manure distributors. This method of disposin^^ of the chips is essentially the one suggested by rationnl agricidtnre. 2d. They enn b(‘ bin ned under the boilers. After pnssing through the mill, diffusion chips can easily be binned and can thus be disposed of 'without fin ttn r annoyance. AVIiether they can serve as a valuable fuel for making steam is a question not yet satisfactorily solved. Blill there is eveiy reason to believe (hat in a few years “this burning question will be successfully settled. This method of disposing of the chijis is suggested by a pres- ent blind economy and should not be practiced save in a coun- try where on account of scarcity the elements of fuel, Carbon and Hydrogen are rated by a tariff' of prices similar to the elements of fertilizei s in this State. 3d. They can be made into paper pulp. This Station has already forwarded to a New York paper mill, threugh Mr. J. IJ. Duggan, Now Orleans, sevi*ral tonsot dilfusion chips to be man- ufactured into ))api‘r, but it has not yet obtained the lesults. This question will also be soon settled. This disposition of the chips is a manufacturing one. What will be the disposition of the chips, will soon be sifftled by Jictin.l expm-iments. That they will liecome ultimately a source of ])roht to the planter, is now' cUmrly for(*s]mdowed by the intense interest, which a money-loving and money getting i>eoi)le aie taking in their disposition. Let no one be deterred tVoin adopt- ing the diffusion jirocess of extr.ac.ting sugar from tin; cane, because, as yet the disposition of the chips has not been satis- factorily solved. Humanity is at w'ork on this [iroblem and sooner or later it w ill be solved. ESSENTIALS TO SUCCESS IN DIFFUSION. 1st. Finely comminuted cane. Hence necessity ofkec])ing knives shar[>. 2d. Abundance of heat, so as to maintain the temperature between 2 (H)o to 2UJO F. 3(1. Time of diffusion of cacli coll. It bas'becu found here that 10 minutes to each cell is probably the minimum lime for good extract ion. The above are absolutely essential ffm the best wmrk. It might be added that packing the chii)s tightly in tlio cell is also ])Toductive of good, wddie the deiith of the cell and the slowly continuous current through the cell .seem to have cer- tain influences also upon extraction. Kemoval of the leaves and adherent sheaths gives a purer juice— hence no battery sliouhl be without a faiifor cleaning the chi[)s. For economic diff'ii>ion there must be a -limit to dilution. From cxp(*riments already described, this limit is included betweeu lo and 20 per cent ou the normal juice in the cane. ■^ERRATAD^ Od page :i26, tifteenth line from top, for inverter], read inserted. On page 337, second line below table of analyses, for 90.40 lbs., read 9040 lbs. On same page, sixth line, for 9.7 lbs., read 97 lbs. On page 339, seventh line below table of analyses, for one masse cnite, read our masse cuite. On same page, eighth line, for per to, read per ton. On same page, seventh line from bottom, for nearly eight, read ninety- eight. 0» page 340, tirst line below table of analyses, for 93.35 per cent, read 90.35 per cent. On page 360, eighth line from bottom, for obtained, read obtain. No. 24. BULLETIN OF THK AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION OF THK UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA AND AGRICULTURAL AND MECHANICAL COLLEGE. BATON IlOQGR, LA. W'M. C. Stubbs, Ph O., Directov. B. B- Ross, M. S., Clienii.st . TLice and its By Bjjodncts. 'Vi i.SSrKD BY THE BUREAU OF AG U rCU BTU HE, T. J. BIRD, Commissioner. BATON ROUGE, B.\. THE AGEieDLT.DEAL EXPERIMENT STATION: OF THE nSlVESSlTV OF LOUISIANA. 0 BUREAU OF AGRICULTURE, GOV. F. T. NICHOLLS, President. WM. GARIG, Vice-President Board of Supervisors. T. J. BIRD, Commissioner of Agriculture. STATION STAFF. WaM. C. STUBBS, Ph. D., Director, D. N. BARROW, B. S., Assistant Director, Baton Rouge.- J. G. LEE, B. S., Assistant Director, Calhoun. Assistant Director, Audubon Park. B. B. ROSS, M. S., Chemist. M. BIRD, B. S., Assistant Chemist. A. T. PRESCOTT, M. A., Botanist. H. A. MORGAN, M. S. Entomologist and lTo"ticulturisi. W. H. DALKYMl’LE, M. R. C.V. S., Veterinary Surgeon^ A. M. GARPNER, B. S,, Farm iManager Audubon Park. J. E. PRATT, Farm Manager, Baton Rouge. L. M. CALHOUN, Farm Manager, Cnlhoun. H. SKOLFIELD, ‘Treasurer. J. D. STUBBS, Secretary. The bulletins and reports will be sent free of charge to all farmers, by apply- ing to Major T. J. Bird, Commissioiuir of Agriculture, Baton Rouge, La. LOUISIANA STATE UXIVEESTTY AND A. AND M. COIJ.KGE, ^ Office of Expeuimknt Stations. / lliitou Eougo, La ) Major T. J. Bird, Commissioner of Agriculture, Baton Rou-ge, La.: Dear Sir : I hand you herewith a report upon Eice and its by-products. I ask that it be published as Bulletin No. 24. Embodied in this rei^ort is the thorough chemical investiga- tion of rice and all of its by products by Prof. B. B. Boss. It is believed that this will be a valuable contribution to thescienti^c literature of this cereal. Eespectfully submitted, Wm. C. STUBBS, Director. Mr. Hugh N. Starnes opens an article upon the ‘^Eice Fields of Carolina,” in the Bivouac^ with the following : ‘‘Colonel John Screven, a distinguished rice planter of Savannah, some four years since, in a public address, referred to a rice plantation as a “great agricultural factory.’’ IMr. Tren- holm, of Charleston, lately a prominent member of the Tbiited States Civil Service Commission, a year or two afterward made use of nearly the same words, though evidently in ignorance of their previous employment. That authorities so high and entire- ly independent should mutually employ the same expression is liiost excellent prima facie evidence of its applicability and epigrammatic fitness. And a factory truly a rice plantation is, in the fullest sense of the the word ; for Nature— passionless step-mother that she is— exerts so slight and attentive art so complete and watchful a control over every process attending its production, that rice is substantially “manufactured,” not cultivated. But in this instance utilitarian art blends unconsciously a wondrous beauty with its practical economies. No fairer pros- pect exists in the whole realm of agriculture than the landscape of a well-appointed rice plantation, whether viewed in early spring- before planting, with the tawny seams of its embankments 3()5 hitersectiiig tlie checkered squares, the mellow mold yet steaming from the plow^ and the whole visible area apparently as cleanly swept and garnished as a parlor floor 5 or later, during the jiursery reign of the fostering ‘^stretch water,’’ each square a lake, its wavelets rippling under the fresh sea breeze, with tlm top of the young plants ijiimersed, for forcing- in long, waving lines of tendrils floating on the water, and the russet banks, separating lake from lake, now paths of emerald, their grassy carpet blowing in the April sun ; or later still, during the "flong water,” the en- tire landscape one waving sea oi green, broken only by the crystal ribbons ol canals and quarter drains 5 or, finally, in the full noontide of harvest-time, the level fields, now lakes no more, but vast stretches of stubble dotted with stacks of golden grain, as if an army tented there. The wheat lands of Dakota are impressive, but their unbi'oken unrelieved monotony is almost painful. The vine-clad hills of the Upper Ohio are novel and interesting ; the velvety slopes of the valley of the Doanoke and Kentucky’s blue-grass meat flows in’etty and atti-active ; but a study of the rice-fields of he Atlantic deltas is simply fascinating. e In other agricultural pursuits man’s efforts are th sport of Ue elements, and largely dependent upon the caprice of nature. In this man works with God, in the very shadow of his presence, with intelligence and judgment regulating the wayward freaks of nature, grafting chemical affinity and physical force, and directing both to an end, reasonably certain if proi^erly compassed.” The botanical relation of rice and the various species now under cultivation have been discussed in Bulletin 15 of thiy Station. In this saine bulletin the results of experiments with rice, using the difi'erent fertilizers, with a view of determining the manui ial requirements of this cereal, arc presented. These ex. perimente have been continued under varying conditions, and as yet with no i^ositive conclusions. In 1888 a series of experiments Avas conducted upon the adjoining plantation of Messrs. Soniat Bros. Through their kindness every facility was afforded and enjoyed of properly conducting this work. On April 25th the ground was broken and harrowed, fertilizer distributed broad- cast, rice sown and both harrowed in together. This Avas nicely accomplished by harrowing both ways. The following are the experiments with manures used per acre. 366 3- Experimeiit No. 1 — No iiianiire. “ 2 — 75 lbs Sulphate of Ammonia. ( 300 lbs. Cotton Seed Meal. 1 150 ll)s Acid Phosphate. , f 75 lbs. Dried Blood. I 37 lbs. Bone Meal. .5 — No Manure. 6 — 200 lbs. Cotton Seed Meal. 200 lbs. Cotton Seed Meal. 100 lbs Acid Phosi)hate. ( 100 lbs. Cotton Seed Meal. u u q 1 25 lbs. Fish Scrap. j 25 lbs. Nitrate Soda. 1 100 lbs. Acid Phosphate. 9 — Manure. The straw was not weighed. Each experiment was taken to thresher and carefully threshed separately, with following i-e- sults in grain. Experiment No. 1^ — 13out forty-five degrees. The runner, revolving over the bed-stone at a distance above it equal to about two-thirds the length of the rice grain, then cracks or splits open the husk, the grain dropping out and husk and grain both passing out to- gether. The moving grains have a uniform centrifugal motion from the center of the stones to their circvtmference. They can be raised or lowered, and regulated with adjustment for large or small grain. From the stones the material passes into a horizontal screen, called the ^ ^screen blower,,” where the ground-up chaff and -small particles of grown grain, reduced by the action of the stonas, are separated and blown out. This is used to mix with the rice flour. Some grains of rough rice have gone through the stones without being husked ; these now pass over the head of the horizontal screen and are conveyed back to the stones. The main portion of the chaff blown out the screen is carried to the ‘‘shaker,” where the small particles of broken rice still re- maining are seperated, in order that nothing may be wasted, and then passed from the shaker to the “chaff fan,” whei*e they join the residue from the screen blower consisting of all heavy particles other than the un husked head- rice and a little remain- ing chaff, which is left to give the rice elasticity under the pestles. Passing from the chaff fan which separates still more of the cliatt', the rice goes into the “ground rice bin.” This is a long gallery over the pestles, so arranged that the rice is distributed regularly over the holes or sluices leading to the mortars beneath, into which it is delivered in a constant stream that may be increased, diminished, or stopped at pleasure. The rice is now of a white or mixed white and yellow color. The outer covering or husk has been cracked olf and nearly all the loose chaff removed, and the next process is the “skinning” or decorticating process, which is accomplished by the pestles. It is necessary to remove the yellow, gluey covering ot the grain to give it the creamy color so much desired. This the pestles do by friction. The mortars hold from four to six bushels each, and are made of wood cased with iron ; the pestles are also of wood cased with iron at the lower end, are about ten feet long and four hundred pounds each. The mortars are ranged in a long row boarded in so as to resemble somewhat the counter in a shop, only lower. The pevstles are raised and dropped into the mortars T>y means of a huge horizontal revolving drum as long as the mortar counter and fitted with spokes, which, as the drum •counter and fitted with spokes, which, as the drum revolves, pass into and under slots in the pestles, raising them up, passing •out and dropping them suddenly with a heavy thud into the mass .373 of rice in the mortars. Each one can be stopped and i^inned iir place without interfering with the others. Strange to say, the heavy weight of the pestles breaks very little grain. f When sufficiently decorticated the contents of the mortars, consisting now of hour, hue chaff and cleaned riceofa dull, hlmy, creimy color, are removed to the ‘‘hour screen’’ where the hour is sifted out. From thence the rice and fine chaff goto the “hne- chafffan,” where the hue chaff is blown out and mixed with the oMier hour. The rice hour, as we call it, or more properly ‘bice meal,” as our English neighbors term it, is very valuable as stock feed, being rich in h\ dro-carbons as well as albuminoids. From the hne-chaff* fan the rice goes to the “cooling-bins,” which the heavy frictional process through which it has just passed render necessary. It is allowed to remain here for eight or nine hours, and then passes to the “brush screen” whence the ‘ niallest rice and what little hour is left i)assdown one side, and the larger rice down the other. The grain is now clean and ready for the last process — polishing. This is necessary to give the rice its high pearly luster, ami makes all i he difference imaginable in its appearance. The polishing is effected by the friction against the rice of pieces of moose liide tanned and worked to a wonderful degree of soft- ness, loosely tacked around a double cylinder of wood and wire gauze. From the polishers the rice goes to the seperating screens, composed of different sizes of guaze where it is divided into its ap])rop] iab‘ grades, then barrelled, headed and made ready for market” • This description will serve to exihain how the differei.t l^roducts, wliose analysis are given further ou are obtained. The accompanying paper has been prepared by Prof. B. B. Boss, the Chemist of State Experiment Station at Baton Rouge, and it is believed that thisds the first co'mplete chemicaj exam- ination that lias ever been mhde of rice and its i^roducts. The attention of the public is earnestly called to this able paper. It is of peculiar importance to the rice planter and millers and to those concerned in economic cattle feeding, the analysis of rice bran and polish and their comparison with other standard feeds, must be of Si:)ecial interest. JNVESTIGAT10]S^ OF THE COMPOSITITIOA OF EIOE AAD THE VARIOUS PRODUCTS OF THE RICE MILLING PROCESS. BY PKOF. B. B. ROSS, CHE.MIST. The clieiilical literature (h* rice and the pi’oducts of rice mills has, up to the present time, been very meagre in quantity and very incomprehensive in scope. With the exception of analyses of rice and rice polish by the Connecticut Agricultural Experi- ment Station ; of bran, polish, hulls, etc., by the North Carolina Experiment Station in 1882, and an investigation of the compo- sition of rice bran and polish by llie Louisiana Sugar Plxperiment ■Station in 1887, A^ery little has been published with regard to the chemical composition and properties of rice and its products It Avas therefore determined by the Station to make an accurate chemical investigation as to the composition, digestibility and nutritive values of the field and mill products of this Amluable bread grain. Accordingly through the courtesy of Mr. D. D. Colcock, Secretaiy of the Louisiana Sugar and Rice Exchange, there Avere procured from one of the princiiAal rice milling es- tablishments of New Orleans, samples representing the products of the difiei ent steps in the pi eparatioii of rice for the market. To these Avere added a sample of the ashes obtained by burning the rice hulls under the boilers of the mill, and a sample of rice straAv obtained from Soniat Bros., Tchoupitoulas Planta- tion, Jefferson Parish. For the sake of coiiA^enience in analysis and tabulation of results, the samples selected Avere designa- ted by the folloAving numbers. Sample No. 1— Rough Rice — Avas apparently draAvn Irom a lot of the rough grain, just as shipped from the plantation, as it had not been freed from theattendant lAarticles of straAV, trash, etc. 875 Sample No. 2 — ‘^Kiee from the stones^’’ — rei^reseiited the rough rice after being prss'^cl between the stones which are used to seperate the hulls from the grain. Both the appearance and chemical analysis of the samples however, indicated that a large proportion of the hulls had been removed and there is according- ly a considerable discrepancy between its composition and that of rough rice. ^ No. 8 — Ponnded Rice— is obtained by pounding the grain, from which most of the hulls have been separated, for some time in mortars to remove the second coating of the rice grain in the form of bran, which constituted sample No. 4. Sample No. 5 — Or rice from the ‘‘cooling floor’’— exhibits the grain from which the bran has been detached by the pound- ing process just referred to. No. () represents the polish which is obtained by brushing off the (ioating of the grain from the “cooling floor” sample. No. 7 — The milled rice is the thoroughly cleaned grain ready for the market. No. 8 is a sample of the hulls removed from the rough rice by means of the fanning process, and No. 9 is an air dried sampel of 1 ‘ice stiaw. No. 1 0 is the sample of ashes before referred to. Pre. paratory to analysis, the samples, with the exception of the rice bran and i^olish, were subjected to a thorough grinding and pul- verization in order to secure as flue a mechanical division of the l)articles as possible. Tn addition to the proximate constituents ordinarily determined in feed stuffs, viz : water, fat, fibre, crude protein and carbohydrates, true albuminoids and digestible albu- minoids have also been carefully estimated, the latter by means of an artificial gastric juice. The methods of analysis followed, were with slight modifications, those adopted by the Association of Official Agricultural Chemists of the United States. * In the determination of fats it was found necessary to continue the per- colation with ether for at least twelve hours in , order to insure the complete extraction of fats from a majority of the sample^^ analyzed. Instead of using individual condensers for each per. colator, it was found advantageous to attach the latter to the 376 lower ends of tubes passing vertically through a tin condenser^ 20 inches in height, the large bulk of water contained therein undergoing a scarcely appreciable rise in temperature. The tared flasks were all heated by contact with water contained in an elongated water bath, thus rendering the regulation of the rate of evaporation comparatively easy. In the estimation of fibre, an improvised apparatus was used, by means of which a great saving of time and labor in fibre determinations was accomplished and very closely cor- responding results were obtained. Four Erlenmeyer flasks of 500 cubic centimeters capacity each were used in the determina- tions, and were i^laced in a row upon a stand like that used for the supx^ort of the distillation flasks in KjeldahFs nitrogen method. The flasks were wide mouthed and were fitted with Xo. 7 Eimer and Amend rubber stoppers with double perfora- tions. Through one of the holes in each stopper was passed the short arm of a glass tube bent at right angles, the longer arm being connected by a short piece of rubber tubing with a glass tube dipi)ing in a large beaker sitting on the stand in rear of the central flasks. Through the other perforation of the stopper is l^assed the short arm of a syphon-shaped tube, the lower end of which is connected, by means of a short piece of I'ubber tub- ing. with an inverted funnel, (1 inch in diameter,) covered with fine muslin. The outer and longer arm of the syphon tube luis a rubber connection with a glass tube passing through a stopper into one of the three necks of a Woultf’s bottle. This rubber connecting tube can be opened er closed at pleasure by means of a burette pinch cock. The two outer necks of the Woulff bottle are supplied with double perforated stoppers with tubes for con- nection with the Erlenmeyer flasks, while the central neck is supplied with a tube leading to a filter pump, and a syphon over- flow tube wdth burette clamp attached. The Erlenmeyer flasks are each marked at a point indicating 200 0. C. capacity, and the short funnel arm of the syphon tube is so arranged that it will readily slide np and dowm through the opening in the stop- per. The sulphuric acid of 11 jier cent, strength is placed in 377 tlie large beaker on tlie rear of the stand, tlie tubes from the ilasks dipping in the liquid. The sample to be analysed having- been placed in the several flasks, and the funnels having been drawn nj) above the 200 C. C. line, the Alter pump is started and the flasks All readily, the flow of acid into the flasks being regu- lated easily by means of the pinch cocks attached to the syphon tubes. While the acid solution is boiling, the loss of the water t>y evaporation, can be replaced by running in water by suction from the large beaker or beakers formerly containing the acid, though the tubes must not dij) in the beakers, except when it is desired to i-eplace the evaporated water. When the usual half hour limit of boiling has been reached the funnels are lo:rered nearly to the bottom of the flasks and the liquid is quickly 'filter- ed off by means of the Alter pump. Having raised the lunuels al)ove the 200 C. C. line, but without ox^ening the flasks, they are Ailed by suction, up to the mark referred to, with water, and the contents are boiled for twenty to thirty minutes and after lilter- ing as before, the process is repeated. In the same manner the samx)le is treated with the alkali solution and afterwards twice with water, the liquid being syphoned off and the flasks filled iqr as before described. The undissolved residue in each flask is now brought upon a Alter , prejrared by placing a plug of freshly ignited asbestos at the apex of the cone of an ordinary glnss funnel. It is then washe I with hot water, alcohol and ether as nsiial, and dried in an air bath at from 100 to 110 degrees C. The /unnel is next inverted in a platinum dish and weighed, after which the contents of the funnel are transferred with the aid of a spitula and feather to the dish, xtreparatory to thorough ignition. The funnel i* then replaced in the dish, and dish and contents are again weighed. The loss in weight rextre- sents fibre. This method of filterirg and weighing is especially advantageous when the residues are bulky and Gooch crucibles of sufficient caxtacity or number are not at hand. In the utilization of this xtrocess of fibre determination, the amount of time consumed in the operation was lengthened, but the 378 tiare, attention and labor of manipulation was mucli reduced. The number of flasks can be increased, if so desired, and a large number of determinations can be made simultaneously. In the estimation of crude and true albuminoids, as well as of digestible albuminoids, the Kjeldahl battery was used and gave uniformly ^tisfactory results. A])pended are found the results of analyses of all the various sample* above described, the composition of both the air dried and water free substance being given. In addition the per centage digestibility of albuminoid?, and the per cent ratio of true albuminoids to crude albuminoids is stated. There are also added, mainly foi* the sake of comx)arison, analyses of wheat and rye bran, wheat shorts, the straw of wheat, rye and oats and the chaff of wheat and oats. These data were obtained ehiefly'from reports of the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station. EXPLAXATIOX OF AXALYSES. In the analysis of feed stuffs the proximate and not the ultimate (or elementary) constituents are generally det(M‘niined^ It has been found that in oi-der to arrive at the relative meilts of fodders, etc., for feeding pui‘j)oses, it is only necessary in most (rasi's to aseeilain thepei*e(mtages of ash^ albuminoids (or i)r()tein), tats, earbohydiates, ami woody fibre,, or cellulose. It is also of the utmost im])oi‘tanee that tlie proportion of water i)resent in the sample be correctly deteianined, as the perc'cntage of this sub- stance in feed stuffs is so varialde that no pro])er coni])arison of ^he ir relative nutritive values ('an be instituted until the jvroportiou of the (‘onstituents ])resent in the dry substance ('an be juscei’t aim'd. The amount of di*y matter can be (h'termined by heating the Substance at a temperature of 212 degrees, Fahrenheit, until the Siimi)le shows no furthei- loss of weight ; the difterence in weigh^ rei)resenting the amount of water ])resent. I^pon ex])osui“e to the atmosphere the dry sample will re-absorb a ('onsi(l(‘i-able pro])ortion of moisture, usually regaining the amount previously cointaiiied in the air dried feed stuff. The ash contains the mineral constit uents ofthe feeding stuffs and its proportion is ascertained by burning out the combustible^ 379 l)ortioiis, with fi-ee access of air. These mineral! siilist'ances consist chiefly of potash, soda, lime and magnesia in combination with hydiochloric, carbonic, phosphoric and snlphnric acids, and also, silica, together with a little nnconsnmed charcoal. As these mineial substances generally occnr in sufficiently abundant ([iiantities in mast forage plants, the amount of ash if considered of little importance in estimating the feeding value of fml stuffs. Crude protein (or albuminoids) constitutes the chies bulk of nitrogenous substances prasent in feedi iig stuffs. The term is <(nite comprehensive in its scope, and inchuh^s such substances as <*iusein of milk, fibrin of flesh, and albumen of blood and the egg,, which are considered as modifications of a ])rimary substance (|)roteiu), tlu\se differtmt forms beai'ing a general resemblance to aich other in coni])osition and properties, and convertilfle into inch other by processes carried on in the animal body. These albuminoid sul)stances contain cai*bon, hydrogen, nitrogen, and oxygen, and frecpiently a ])ro])ortion of sulphur. Indeed, the exad chemical comj)osition of the different modifications of albu- minoids has not been detinitidy determined, but it is known that jiitrogen is one of the leavst variable (in quantity) of their constituents, and that the average proportion of that valuable element is about sixteen per cent. So that, in analysis of feed stuffs, the inle generally adopted in asc'erfaining the percentage of albuminoids is to first determine the ])e]*centage of nitrogen present and then multiply this percentage by 6.25 (16x6.25— -100> This does not give us the exact but only the approximate amount af albuminoids i)r(‘sent, as all albuminoids do not contain sixteen per cent., nor is all the nitrogen in the feed stuffs combined in the form of albuminoids. Plowevei*, in the statement of the per- centages of the proximate constituents deteianined, the propor- tion of crude albuminoids given is in each case obtained by multi- plying the nitrogen present by 6.25. This has been done because it ai)i)roximates very closely the time percentage, and because all o^ the standards of comparisons to whidi we can refer in determin- ing the relative nutritive values of feed stuffs, give albuminoids as determined in the same manner. 380 In the analysis of all of the sami)le-s, however, both albumi- noidal and non-albuminoidal nitrogen have been detei iniiuM:!, but the analysis of sample 2 and also of samples 8 and 9 (hulls and stmw) indi('ates the absence of non-albuminoid nitrogenous sub^ stanees. The different non-albuminoidal nitrogenous bodit^ o(*. cuirring in the various parts of plants are nitiates, niti’ites, am* monial salts, alkaloids, amide bodies, etc. The last named class is the most abundant in 0{*curence, tliough the nutritive value of amide substances has not been clearly detined as yet. As a general rule these substances decrease in quantity as the plant ai')proaches maturity, being utilizcsl to some extent in the farther production and elaboration of albuminoids. They aie al mast in- variably more soluble than protein compounds, and in chemical analyses, they are dissolved out very leadily after the albuminoids 3 u)t already insoluble have been piecipitated o!‘ coagulated. In the table of analyses given it is seen that he larg(‘st per('ent- .ag(^ of non-albuminoidal nitrogen are found in the rough ri('4> bran and clean rice. The albuminoids ar(‘ legarded as the (*hief constituent of value, as, without uudeigoing any very considerable alteratioi ? they ar(‘ utilized in the animal body, in the formation of animal albuminoids, such as the fibrin of muscles and tendons, and th(^ albumen and casein of blood and milk 5 and not only contributes to the growth of the animal, but tend to repair and replace the worn out muscles, nu^mbranes, tissues, etc. The term fats includes all mattei*s extracted from the dry fodder by ether, and the i)roportion of fats is generally less than that of any other proximate constituent. Vegetable fats ai‘e utilized in the animal economy, either in making fat or in fur- jnshing heat to the body l)y the oxidation of their (*arbon and hydrogen, this ])rocess of oxidation being perfectly analagous to the ordinary proc(?sses of combustion. The class of substances called carbohydrates are, in conjunct tion with the tats, also of great utility in producing and main- taining animal heat, but practical experiments, within leccEfc .years, have led scientists to believe that fats have two and one- 881 lialf (21) times the value of carbohydrates in the production of heat by their oxidation. Carboli yd rates, as the name implies) consist of cai'bon together with hydi'Ogeu and oxygen, in the ]'elative pioportions in wluch they exist in water. Under this term are included starch, sugar, gums and other bodies closel}^ allied in chemical com])osition and ])roj)erties. Of course the predominating constituent of this class occur* ring in j ice and its products is starch. This substance in the granulai’ form, under ordinary conditions, is completely insoluble in cold water, and even in a very finely powdered state, only a small pj-opoition is dissolved. When lieated .nearly to boiling with watei’ the partichvs of stardi swell up forming a gelatinous .mass, miscible with water, bnt very little comes in solution. When heated to a much highto' tempeiuture out of contact with water it forms d(‘xtrin or British gum, I’cadily recognized by its mucilag' inous characteristics. It is only when pure starch gi-anules, oi‘ grains rich in stairh and in finely powdered condition, are boiled down with water that a viscid liquid of uniform consis' tency is obtained. When the grains, in an integral state or very coarsely ])owdered, are thus ti*eab‘d, th(‘ individual grains expand separately forming in the aggregate a veiy i)alatable and digestibl^ nntss. Star(‘hy gi-ains. when thus treated, or when their starch i^ couvei't(‘d into dextrine at a highei* temperature, furnish a large propoition of nutritious and heat producing constituents to the minimal body. Both starch and dextrine ai*e readily acted upon both by the saliva and the pancreatic juice, being converted into sugars, in which form they are readily assimilable. The cellulose or fibre, constit utes the most insoluble and generally the most indi- gestible portion of fiasling stuffs. Although pure cellulose (as lint cotton) is identical in comiK)sition with starch, in its physical properties and cheini(‘al depojtment there is the widest difference. It was formeily considered almost if not whollj^ indigestible, bu^ ex^periments have shown that quite a large percentage is digested by animals, and may be turned to account either as an auxiliary or as a sul)stitute for fats or carbohydrates, in furnishing oiidiz' able and heat producing constituents to the blood. 382 In order tliat each of the eoirstituents of feeding stuffs may 1)e utilized to tlie greatest possible advantage, in the piudbriuaiice of their several functions in the animal econouiy, it has been tbund essential that they exist in ceifaiu relative propoi tions, just aKS in the application of commei cial fertilizers to soils the relative percentages of tludr three essential constituents must be taken into consideration. Ithasbeim ascertained by caiidiilly conducled experiments in cattle feeding that in estimating tin* (‘omparative feeding values of fodders, there should be detenu iiuMl what is known as the nu- tritive ratio — or, the ratio of digestible cai'bohydrates to digesti- ble albuminoids — list as in the opmation of a steam engine there s a ratio betw e^n the ('ost of fuel and tlie cost of the materials cf of repair. In determining this nutritive ratio, fats must also be taken into consideration, and as they are as^aimed to have a value of two and one half (21) times their weight of carbohy- drates, the amount of digestible fat, after being multiplied by two and one-half (21) is added to the digestible carbo- hydrates. Tn calculating the nutritive ratios of the bran, polisli and straw analyzed, the percentages of digestibility of the carbohy- drates and fats were taken from the results of practical digestion experiments on wheat bran, shorts and straw, while the percent- age digestibility of albuminoids was determined by means of arfr tificial digestion with pepsin solution. It -was found that the bran had a nutritive ratio of 1:6.07, the polish of 1:6.75 and the straw of 1 ;7.74. As the ratio best adap- ted for working farm animals has been shown to be 1:7, it would apiiear that in the case of the bran and polish th«re was not a sufficient discrepancy between the amounts of digestible album- inoids and digestible carbohydrates while the reverse case is true with regard to the strawx DIGRSTlOl^ EXPERIMENTS. The digestibility of the albuminoids in the feeding stuffs wa determined by treatment with pepsin, solution corresponding’ 3S3 t^losely in composition and solvent or digestive po^Yer to the ga^s- tric juice, the most important of all the animal digestive fiuidvS. The principal c. n ;tituents of this juice are lactic and hydro- chloric acids, and a subtance called pepsin, secreted in the lining of the stomach and possessed of wonderful digestive or peptonix. ing properties, especially as I'egards albuminoids. Pepsin is at present largely prepared from the stomach of t\i^ \V\g {pepsina pord), and is frequently administered medicin-' ally to aid or promote digestion. The pepsin solution used contained ten (10 ) grams of scale pepsin in two (2) litres of water, acidulated with ten (tO) graiUvS hydrochloric acid — (Sp. gr. 1.1075)--and the finely ground ma- terial was kept at a constant tem])eratnre of 104 degrees, Fahren- heit, for two ])eriods of twelv^e hours each, one-tenth (0.1) per cent, of hydrochloi-ic acid being added at intervals of three honrs> so that at the end of twenty-foni* hours (24) one per cent. (1) of the acid would be])resent. As the ])rin('ipal function of the gastiac juice is to digest albu- minoids, only the i-esult of the digestion of albuminoids is given in the statement of analysis. It wiis found that the milled rke showed the highest ]xn’cent- age of digestibility of albuminoids, (83.11), while the rice i)olivSh ranked next in the digestibility of its ])rotein (82.44.) .The branexhibited a closeappi-oximationof its digevStion co-efiicient to that of wheat bran, the former being 76. 75 and the latter 78 as determinexl by i^ractical fending experiments. The percentage digestibilities of the hulls and straw M ere 26.64 and 38.98 l espec- tively, thus indicating a very small proportion of assimilable al. buminoids, the total albuminoids, themselves, being present in very small projxortion. In addition, the large propoi'tions o mineral niattei', (13.85 i)er cent, in the hulls and 19.97 per cent ^n the straw) consisting chiefly of silica, furnish an argument against the use of these substances as feeding stuffs, and the con. sequent introduction of large quantities of indigestible and un- assimilable mattei’S into the animal stomach. It m ill Ire seen by reference to the tables of analysis that the ash percentages of these 384 substances are niuch higlier than those of similar products^ of' other grains. The proportion of albuminoids in the straw, liow- ever, compares fairly well with the amounts contained in the^ straw of wheat and oats. As is the case with all grains anti forage plants, when maturity a])j)roaches, there is a concentiu- tion of the nutrient constituents in the seed of the plant, leacln^ the stems and blades some what impo vanished, and conses. of rough rice, on an average^ there are obtained : 95 11)S. of clean l ice of all grades, 8 llxs. of j)olish, 80 lbs. bran, and 29 lbs. of chali', straw, trasli, dust, etc. In the earlier pai-t of the seavson, it is estimated that the pro- portion of bi'an obtained is 50 pei* cent, gi’eater. Owing to the fact that the above figures represent only avei-ages, and that the 2tt of straw, chaff, trash, etc., is so cfunprehensive ius to include several waste ])rodu('ts of no definitely known cojn])osition, the hulls alone having been analyzed, together with the fact that the ])roducts of rice wiieii se])arates, have different hygrasco])ic (^apacaties from those posvsessed in the rough grain, it has been difficult to obtain results from the chemical analysis of these prodinds, coinciding precisely, in the aggregate?' with the results of the analysis of the rough rice itself. In the 102:. lbs. of the rough rice we find by determination and (Calculation. 8.83 lbs. of ash (mineral matter. ) 4.18 lbs. of fat, 15.03 lbs of fibre, 12.05 ll>s of albuminoids, 104.10 lbs of carbohydrates. In like manner, in 80 lbs of bran we find 3.83 lbs of ash, 2.97 lbs, of fat, 8.28 lbs. of fibre, 386 13.81Jbs. of carboliydrates. In 8 lbs. of polish there are eoiitaiiied .44 lbs of ash, .56 lbs of fat, .21 lbs. of fibre, .87 lbs. of albimiiiioids, 5.07 lbs. of carbohydrates. Ill same manner, in 95 lbs. of ch^an rice there are .69 lbs. of ash, .36 lbs of fat, .45 lbs of fibre, 7.15 lbs. of albuminoids, 74.45 lbs of carbohydrates. likewise in 29 l]>s. of chaff or hulls we have 4.02 lbs. of ash, ;o.25 lbs of fat, 11.06 lbs. of tibi*e, .83 ll>s. of albuminoids, 10.15 lbs. of carbohydrates. In this eaum nation of th'^ ab^alnte ([uintities of tiie sevaral eon stitnents, water is omitted, though it ('onstitutes the balance necessar\' to make up the full weight of each substances consid- ered. Com])ining the amounts of each proximate constituent contained in the ([iiantities of these samples mentioned above, we find of ash, 3.33 11)S. in Bran, .44 lbs. in Polisli, .69 lbs. in Clean Rice, 4.02 lbs. in Chaff. Total 8.48 lbs. of Ash. Found in 162 lbs. rough rice 8. 83 lbs. Of fats, there* aj-e 2.97 lbs. in Bran, .56 lbs. in Polish, .36 lbs. in Clean Rice, .25 IbK in ^ 'Total 4.14 lbs. of fat'^. ' mount in 162 lbs. rougb rioe 4.18 lbs. * . Hbre, there are contained 3.2i^ll>s. in Bran, .21 lbs. in Polish, .45 lbs. in Clean Kiw, 11.06 lbs. in Hulls. Total 15.00 lbs. in tibre Amount contained in 162 lbs. rough rice — 15.03 lbs. albuminoids, there are found 3.38 lbs. in Bran, .87 lbs. in Polish 7.15 lbs. in Clean Eice, — .83 11 m in Hulls 'Total 12.23 lbs. of albuminoids. Amount contained in 162 lbs. rough rice 12.05 lbs. Jn like manner, of carbohydrates, there are 13.81 lbs. in Bran, 5.07 lbs. in Polish, 74. 15 lbs in Clean Eice, 10.15 lbs. in Hulls, Total 103. L8 lbs. carbohydrates. Amount contaiued in 162 lbs. rough l ice 104.16 lbs. Converting thes(‘ absolute amounts into percentages, we ob- fejim the following relative distribution of the j)roximate constitu- er c^nt. l)f fibre, there is found In the bran, 24.89 i^er cent, of the total amount contained in the rough rice. In the polish, 1.40 per cent. In the clean rice, 3.00 per cent. In the hulls, 73.73 per cent. Of albuminoids, there ai'e In the bran, 27.04 per cent, of the total amount contained' in the rough rice, In the polish, 7.1 1 per cent. In the ('lean rice, 58.40 per cent. In the hnlls, 0.79 percent. Of the carbohydrat(\s, there oci'ur In the bran, 13.38 per cent, of tlu' total amount in rougit rice, In the polish, 4.91 per cent. In the clean rice, 71.87 per cent. In the hulls, 9.84 per cent. Comparing the composition of ri('e bian, with that of wheat and rye bran, we see that the latter contain larger proportions of carbohydrates and albuminoids, while in the former the fats., fibre and ash occur in gi-eater quantities. On compai-ing the polish with wheat shorts, it is found that the polish contains larger amounts of carbohydrates, fats and minei’al matter, while the shorts show larger lau'centages of fibre and albuminoids. The composition of both shorts and polish, as taken from differenf milling establishments, is somewhat variable, and appears to be to some extent dependant upon the mechanical proc(^sses of separation of these substances at the mills. The ]iolish on being- compared vdth oat meal, shows an almost perfect coincidence in the proportions of fats and carbohydrates present in the twc«> substances, but the polish possi^sses levSS albuminoids and more mineral matter than the oat meal. It has been shown in a pre- vious bulletin that ri('e bran and polish must be mixed in certain ratios with various hays and fodders, in order to obtain a feed stuff containing the nutrient constituents in the best relative pro- portions. TABLE OF ANALYSES, ANALYSIS OF THE AIR DRIED SUBSTANCE. SAMPI.E. 1 i ^ sc * ' 1 Fibre 1 j Crude Protein.,! Carbohydrates. 1 1 1 Total Nitrogen. 1 j Albuminoid I Nitrogen. i True Protein, j Per cent ratio true to crude protein. ( -.s T ® ; : 03 1 Q ^ Per cent digest i-, bility of Protein i 1. Rough Rice 10.9o; 5.45 2.58 1 ! 9.28 7.44, 6-1..S0 1.19 ,1.134 ' 7.09 1 I 95 . 29 ' 5.,58 75.00 2. Rice from the Stones 12.12' 2 . 55 ' 2.10 3.03 8.09 '72.11 1.29» 1.29fc! 8.09 ]00.0>. 6.36 78.68 3. Pounde* Rice 12.42! 2 381 2.50 2.. 55 8.14 '72.01 1.30 1 . 274 : 7.96' 97.85 • 6.41 78.81 4. Rrau— - 10.()7lll .0 9.97 10.95 11.29 46.02 1.806 1.708' 10.67 94.57 j 8.66 76.75 i. Bice from ooolino- floor 12.75 i o;82’ 1.05 0.72 7.74 76.92 1.24 1.19 ' 7.44 t>6.12 6..3f 81.65. 6. Polish 10.93 5.451 7.02 2.62’i0.94 63.34 1.75 ! 1.736, 10.851 99.181 9.01 82.44 7. Clean Rice J2.85 0.73' 0.38 ! 0.47: 7., 52 7S.05d.204ll.148! 7 . 17 ! 95.48' 6.25 83.11 8. Hulls 8.27 13.851 0.85 138.15 2.89 34.99! .46 ' .46 ' 2.89, 100.00! 0.77 26.64 9. Straw 8.97 19.97 1.87 ,.32.2(5 4.72 32.2 i! .756 .756 4.72^ 100 . 00 ; 1.84138.98 Wheat bran 12.08 0.84; 3.67 : 8.55jl4.82'.'),5.04; _j . 1 Rj p hrnn 12.30 3.62' 2.19 I .3.51;15.26'63.l2 j Wheat shorts 11.8;5 4.32' 3.79 1 7.94!13.14 58.96, — j — — Whonf straw H.Ofi 1 49' !38(I8' 4.98 41.991 - J - _i ( ttnt straw 4.72, 2.07 42.78 3.35: ,36.97. . _ 1 j Bve straw 1.84 1.84!, 38. 75 4. ,54 .38..37 _i _ ! 1 Wheat chaff 14.30 6..50 2., 30 27.10 9.50 40.30, i Oat chaff 13.60 11 . 00 ! 1.40|31.70- 4.90 37.40 1 j ANALYSIS OF THE WATER FREE SUBSTANCE. Sample. Ash 1 Fibre ' 1 "5 . '3 i 0 ^ j 6 1 1 Total j Nitrogen j Albuminoid Nitrogen QpJ "o u . ' S-I t-( ! Digestible j Protein No. 1 6.12 i 2.88 ^ 10.42 8.24 , 1 72.;34 1..32 1.27 i 7.86 1 6.26 No. 2 i 2.1K) , 2.39 : 3.45 9.21 82.05 : 1.47 1.47 i 1 7.24 No. 3 2.72 2.85 ; 2.91 9.29 : 82.23 1.49 1.45 1 9.09 1 7.32, No. 4 12.43 11.16 ' 12.26 12.64 51. .51 2.02 i 1.91 11.95 9.70 No 5 ®.94 ; 1.2:3 0.82 8,88 88.13 1.42 ! 1.36 ! 8.42 7.2(5 No. 6 6.10 ' 7.85 2.93 12.24 ' 70.88 1.96 i 1.94 ' 12.14 ; 10.09' No. 7 0.84 1 0.44 ; 0..5t 8.63 89..5,") l.:38 1 l.:32 : 8.23 1 "-i" No. 8 1 , 5.10 0.93 ! 41.59 3.1,5 . 39 . 2.3 0..50 0..50 ' 3.15 1 0.84' No. 9 21.94 . 12.05 , 35.43 0.19 . 85.39 0-8.3 0.83 5.19 ; 2.02: Ko. 25. BULLETIN OF THE AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION Wm. C. STTBBS, Pii. D., Director and Official State Chemist. (d:b' COMMERCIAL FERTILIZERS AND OTHER SUBSTANCES USEFUL TO AGRICULTURE. ISSUED BY THE BUREAU OF AGRICULTURE. T. J. BIRD, Commissioner. RR.NTED ATTHETRUril .TOB OFFICE. BATON ROUOB, LA. AGRIGUITURAL EXPERIMENT STATION OF THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA. BUREAU OF AGRICULTURE. GOV. F. T. NICHOLLS, President. WM. GARIG, Vice-President Board of Supervisors. T. J. BIRD, Commissioner of Agriculture. STATION STAFF. WM. C. STUBBS, Ph. D., Director, D. N. BARROW, B. S., Assistant Director, Baton Rouge. J. G. LEE, B. S., Assistant Director, Calbouu. Assistant Director, Audubon Park. B. B. ROSS, M. S., Clieraist. M. BIRD, B. S., Assistant Cbeinist. A. T. PRESCOTT, M. A., Botanist, H. A. MORGAN, M. S. Entomologist and Horticulturist. W. H. DALRYMPLE, M. R. C.V. S., Veterinary Surgeon. A. M. GARDNER, B. S,, Farm Manager Audubon Park. J. E. PRATT, Farm Manager, Baton Rouge. L. M. CALHOUN, Farm Manager, Calhoun. H. SKOLFIELD, Treasurer. J. D. STUBBS, Secretary. The bulletins and reports will be sent free of charge to all fanners, by apply- to Major T. J. Bird, Commissioner of Agriculture, Baton Rouge, La. Office Bueeau of Ageiculture, | Baton Eouge, La. Oct. , 1888 . ) To His Excellency Francis T. Nicholls, Governor of Louisiana and President of the State Bureau of Agriculture ; SiE : In compliance with the provisions of Act 54, of 1889, herein please find the analyses made by Dr. W. C. Stubbs, Director and Official Chemist 5 also a list of the Commercial Fertilizers sold in tlie State during the season of 1888-89, their guaranteed analy- ses^ names of the dealers to whom licenses have been issued, etc. The demand for fertilizers during the last season has decidedly increased. The general character of the article offered for sale has been fairly within the guarantee given. The costs of the different brands have varied but little from that of the previous season, and indications are that no material changes can be ex- pected this Season. There is also included in this report analy- ses of an agricultural nature made for the benefit of the public, which I am sure will prove instructive to* the farmers and plan- ters of this State. Eespectfully, T. J. BIED, Commissioner Bureau of Agriculture. LOUISIANA STATE UNlVERSI l'Y AND A. AND M. COLLEGE, ^ Office of Expeiument Stations, > Baton Kouge, La . } Major T. J. Bird, Commissioner of Agriculture, Baton Rouge, La.: Dear Sir — I hand herewith the Analysis of Commercial Fer- tilizers made since our last report, together with the Fertilizer Law, with the request that you publish same as Bulletin 25 , I have also included other analyses of an agricultural character made in the Station Laboratory, which may be of i)ublic interest. Eespectfully submitted, WM. C. STUBBS, Director. 392 REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR, The analyses contained in the report ere of four kinds : 1. t)f samples selected at the discretion of the Commis- sioner of Agriculture. 2. Of samples drawn hy the purchaser, under regulations prescribed by the Commissioner of Agriculture. The above are required by law. 3. Of samples used by the Stations. 4. Of samples sent by private parties. While the Station is not required by law to work for private parties, yet all samples sent by individual citizens of the State will be analyzed without charge ; provided, the means of the Station will permit ; Siud provided, always, that in the discretion of the Director such analyses will be conducive to public welfare. The Fertilizer Law is herein inserted for the guidance of the public. Und ^r it, every citizen of the State is amply pro- tected from fraud and imposition by unscrupulous dealers, and there exists absolutely no cause for distrust in the purchase of commercial fertilizers, if the farmer will but claim the protec- tion afforded him. The sellers of good wares are also protected, as ample facilities are afforded them of properly advertising their goods. Only cottonseed meal, land plaster, salt, ashes, lime, and hones *fiot specially treated, are exempt from the provisions of this law. Bones ground to a poioder hy machinery, as well as hones treated with acid, are included in the law, since they have been specially treated The following is the law : Sec. 2. Be it further enacted, etc.. That it shall be the duty of any manufacturer or dealer in commercial fertilizers, before the same are offered for sale in this State, to submit to Commissioner of Agriculture a written or printed statement setting forth: First — the name and brand under which said fer- 393 tilizer is to be sold, tiie number of pounds contained or to be contained in the package in which it is to be put upon the mar- ket for sale, and the name or names of the manufacturers, and the place of manufacture ; Second — A statement setting forth the amount of the named ingredients which they are willing to guarantee said fertilizers to contair : (1) nitrogen, (2) soluble phosphoric acid, (3) reverted phosphoric acid, (4) insoluble phos- phoric acid, (5) potash. Said statement, so to be furnished, shall be considered as constituting a guarantee to the i)uchaser that every package of such fertilizers contains not less than the amount of each ingredient set forth in the statement. This shall, however, not j)reclude the party making the statement from setting forth any other ingredient which his fertilizer may contain, which additional ingredient shall be considered as embraced in the guarantee above stated. Sec. 3. Be it further enacted, etc.. That every person proposing to deal in commercial fertilizers shall, after filing the statement above provided for, with the Commissioner of Agriculture, receive from the said Commissioner of Agriculture a certificate stating that he has complied with the foregoing section, which certificate shall be#furnished by the Commissioner without any charge therefor. That the said certificate, when furnished, shall authorize the party receiving the same to manu- facture for sale, in this State, or to deal in this State in com- mercial fertilizers. That no person who has failed to file the statement aforesaid and to receive the certificate of authority aforesaid, shall be authorized to manufacture for sale in this State commercial fertilizers. And any person so manufacturing for sale, in this State, or so dealing, without having filed the aforesaid statement, and received the certificate aforesaid, shall be liable for each violation to a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars, which fine shall be recoverable before any court of competent jurisdiction, at the suit of the Commissioner of Agri- culture, or of any citizen, and shall be disposed of as hereafter provided. Sec. 4. Be it further enacted, etc., That it shall be the 394 duty of the Bureau of Agriculture, or its Commissioners, at the opening of each season, to issue and distribute ciiculars, setting forth the brands of fertilizers sold in this State, their analysis as claimed by their manufacturers or dealers, and their relative and (if known) their commercial value. Sec. 5. Be it further enacted, etc. , That it shall be the duty of the Commisioner of Agriculture, under the regulations of the said Bureau, to cause to be prepared tags of suitable material with proper fastenings for attaching the same do packages of fertilizers, and to have printed thereon the word “guaranteed,’^ with the year or season in which they are to be used, and a fac- simile of the signature of said Commissioner. The said tags shall be furnished by said Commissioner to any dealer in or manufacturer of commercial fertilizers, who shall have complied with the foregoing provisions of this act, upon the payment by said dealer or manufacturer, to the said Commissioner, of fifty cents for a sufficient number of said tags to tag a ton of such commercial fertilizer. Sec. 6. Be it enacted, etc.. That it shall be the duty of every person, before offering for sale any commercial fertilizers in this State, to attach or cau^ to be attached, to each bag, barrel or package thereof, one of the tags herein before described designating the quantity of the fertilizer in the bag, barrel or package to which it is attached. Any person who shall sell or offer for sale, any package of fertilizer which has not been tagged as herein provided, shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and, on conviction thereof, shall be fined in the sum of two hundred and fifty dollars for each offense, and the said per- son shall be, besides, liable to a penalty of one hundred and fifty dollars for each omission, which penal tj^ may be sued for either by the Commissioner of Agriculture, or by any other person for the uses hereinafter declared. Any person who shall counterfeit or use a counterfeit of the tag prescribed by this act knowing the same to be counterfeited, or who shall use them a second time, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and on convic- tion thereof, shall be fined in a sum not to exceed five hundred 395 arts of other sums that may be appropriated by law,, and subject to the control of himself or said Bureau ,* provided^ That said contract shall not give more than one-half of the result: of the sale of tags, and fiaes, to any one of said stations ; and' provided further. That the said stations undertake to perform, for and on behalf of the Commissioner of Agricultui'e, under- such regulations as may be ageed on, all analyses requii*ed under this act free of any charge whatsoever. , 397 Sec. 14. Be it further enacted, etc., That the Director of the State Experiment Station shall be considered as the official chemist of the Bureau of Agrigulture. He shall also attend such chemical and agricultural conventions as may be necessary; the traveling expenses incident to such attendance shall be chargeable and collectable from the revenues derived from the Aale of tags. Sec, 15. Be it further enacted etc., That the Commissioner of Agriculture shall keep a correct and faithful account of all tags received and sold by him, showing the number sold, to whom sold, and, as far as practicable, for what fertilizers they were intended to be used, and the amount of money collected therefor, and all money arising from fines, under this act. Sec. 16. Be it further enacted, etc.. That the term “com- mercial fertilizers,’’ or “fertilizers,” where the same are used in this act shall not be held to include lime or land plaster, cotton seed meal, ashes or common salt, or raw bone, not specially treated. The following taken from a previous Bulletin, is hei^ein inserted as explanatory of the terms to be subsequently used : COMMEPCIAL FERTILIZERS. The ingredients which give value to all commercial fertilizers are, 1st, Nitrogen (Ammonia); 2d, Phosphoric Acid ; 3d, Potash. A fertilizer may contain one, two, or all of these ingredients. When all are present, the compound is usnaly styled a ‘‘^complete manure”; when only one or two are present, it is a partial manure.” Partial manures may consist of : (1), Nitrogen (Ammonia) alone; (2), Phosphoric Acid alone ; (3), Potash alone ; (4), Nitro- gen (Ammonia) and Phosporic Acid ; (5), Phosphoric Acid and Potash ; (6), Nitrogen (Ammonia) and Potash. No. 6 is rarely found in Southern markets ; the others are common wares, (1.) NITROGEN MANURES. Nitrogen is the most costly ingredient in manures. It is offered to the trade in three forms : a . — Mineral Nirtogen — in Nitrate of Soda and Sulphate of Ammonia. h . — Animal Nitrogen — in Dried Blood, Tankage, Azotin, Ammonite, Fish Scrai3 and Leather. 398 c . — Vegetable Nitrogen— in Cotton Seed, Cotton Seed Meal^ Linseed Meal, Castor Pomace and Peat. Blood Tankage, Fish Scraps and Oil Meals are highly active fertilizers, while Leather and Peat are slowly available. The result of decomposition of organic forms of Nitrogen is either Ammonia or Nitric Acid; fourteen parts of Nitrogen yielding seventeen parts of Ammonia, or twenty- eight parts of Nitrogen forming, by nitrification, one hundred and eight parts Nitric Acid. The mineral forms of Nitrogen are highly prized in the North and England ; but in the South, on account of the NAME. ADDRE.SS. 1 O O H S Solubl Revert cc Insolubl PAT AS I Plantcr'.s Fertilizer Manufaeturin" Co — do. do Planter's Fertilizer Jlanufacturing Co New Orleans 100 4V< to 5 0 1 1 to 2 1 to 2 4 to 1 .5 Oats Fertilizer Rice Fertilizer 100 1(0 101) 100 ; 1(0 1 200 ; 2(K) ■iy, to 5 •1 to .') 5 to (i ‘irio'i 7 to 8 to 8 7.10 4.12 7. to 1.(11 1..50 (1 6 4 11 to 11 Fruit Tree Fertilizer - Vestetalde Fertilizer do. do do. do “ “ "“■Illllllllirilll :::::::: EiiKlisl' Acid l'li()Si)liiltc (ieriiiaii Kainit do! do.- “ “ “ ('1*10 o- 111 Armour’s Powdered Rone do, - - xf GW Oi'lca ns, Ija.- — — — xVrmour & Co iieago, * * 2 lo 8 t Armour's Iloft Tankage.. — do^ ii ' a 11 ii 1()8 1 108 i KiS I 200 1 2(10 1 200 20;) Studniezka’s Staiulurd (’une Kertilizors C (’ra^yl'^rd New Orleans, La - - Anglo Continental (xuano Works •_ London . _ _ _ . 8.21 2.10 7 8,70 2 1 1 Dissolvod IVruviun (iuano do * . . .. do i - Early Cane Manure (( u Atlantic Phosphate Co 8.21 (1 8 8 10 t t - Special Cane Manure At Ian tie Soluble (Juano- Pclzcr, Itodf^crs & (_'o., Agents Charleston, S. C. Charleston, S. C 2 2 2 2 1 ,10 z 2 2 d’o. ” do. - - Aiiiiuoniatod AtlaiiticJ Ois.solvcd lioiiG------ (t a ii ii ii Alliintic Acid riiosi)hatc , do. do. u a ii it ii Atlantic Dissolved Hone — Hon H. l*ring-_--- - Xow Orleans, La [inported by Carib Gnano Co. P>altimoro i *200 200 _ (’aril) ( I nano lieo. \\C Scott Alauut'aeturing Conii)any— do. do. do. do. do. do. North Western Fertilizing Company Atlanta, CJa Geo. W. Scott Manulacturing Co. Atlanta, (ia i 2.2r) 5.10 .'1..10 1 1..10 1.7)0 ( lossipiuin IMiospho — Scott K ..\ninial AiiiiHonia.— 200 7.0) 8.00 1.00 1.00 it u mil Xorth Western Fertilizing (’c). a n I i_im' 200 200 200 8.00. X- 1% to r,>/. 1.00 2]4 to .1 2.00 •2'A 2'4 to 8% Scott's Ili^li (ij'udo A(Md Hhosj)liato-_---._-———. •V in inon iated J )lssol v(*d 1 lone. - - Union Stf)ck Yards, Chicago, III. LTnion Stock Yard, Chicago, 111 "uiT"' l,(i4 to 2.4.5 M to 1.08 Dclican sufxar (’anc Korlilizor»-_-----------~----_-- do. do. do. “ “ “ a rr ! x^at ional llonc Dust' do. do. do. “ “ “ “ ‘‘ “ “ << “ it a a a 2(M) 1.01 to 2.4'1 raX to (i'A 2K to 8 2>., to 81-j! 1 to 1 to 6 .11 to ) 08 Stern's .Vninmniated Raw Bone Superpliospliate Standard (iuano & Clicmieal Manuf'g Co. do' do. do. do. do. do. do. do. do. do. do. do. aiidden & Curtis represented by W. P. Rieliardson Xew Orleans, I^a Standard Guano & Chemical M'f’g Co New Orleans - - 2(0 200 2 0 200 1.01 to 2.47 !) to l.i 12 to 11 \}4 to 3 fir). Pacific (lUano Co., Boston, Mass rio a •i 12 I?7 1 i3.76 1.10 .16 1 15. u2 22 26 The prevailing prices of above goods in New Orleans during the past year have been below the above estimates. 407 COTTOK SEED MEAL. This is our cheapest and best source of Nitrogen. It is large- lyiused all over Louisiana as a' fertilizer. Being a feed stuff, it is excluded from the provisions of the Fertilizer Law. Hence, great care is necessary, in its purchase, to see that it is well de- corticated, i. e. free from hulls. Pure, undamaged meal should be dry, ])ulverulent^ and of a bright yellow color. Hulls in the meal can easily be detected by close examination, or by running a small quantity of meal through a common kitchen sifter, when the hulls will separate. Damaged meal has a dark color, and while it is probably unfit for cattle food, it is rarely injured as a fertilizer. The commercial value of cotton seed meal, reckoned by our tariff, is far in excess of its actual value in New Orleans. Station No. 184. — Cotton Seed Meal 5 sent by Daniel Thomi^son, The best meal should always contain 7 per cent. Nitrogen, 3 per cent. Phosphoric x\cid^ and 2 per cent. Potash. Pattersonville, La. Station No. 21 1 , — Cotton Seed Meal; sent by Trosclair & Eo- bechaux, Thibodeaux, La. Station No. 212. — Cotton Seed Meal ; sent by Trosclair & Eobe- chaux, Thibodeaux. Station No. 214. — Cotton Seed Meal ; presented to the Station by the Union Oil Co., New Orleans. Station No. 216. — Cotton Seed Meal ; sent by North Louisiana Experiment Station. Station No. 220. — Cotton Seed Meal ; sent by Dugas & LeBlanc, Paincourtville, La. Station No. 222. — Cotton Seed Meal ; sent by Wm. B. Bloom- field, NeAV Orleans. * Analyses of Cotton Seed Meal. StatioE. No. 184 6.90 “ 2U 7.07 “ 212 7.21 214 7.00 2U) 7.14 “ 218 7.42 22.1 6.79 222 7.24 8.39 2.. 57 1.93 8.58 3.29 1.74 8.7a 3.42 i.74 8.50 3.16 1.67 8.67 3.16 1.56 9.01 3.29 1 .85 8.24 3.55 1.93 8.79 3.04 1.74 408 TANKAGE. This fertilizer is growing in popularity in this State, and its extending use attests its supposed profitable results. It varies greatly in composition, as the analysis below will show. It is a refuse product of the slaughter house, and consists essentially of bone and meat which collects at the bottom of tanks in which the wastes of slaughter houses are cooked to extract the grease. When bone predominates, the Phosi)horic Acid content is large and the Nitrogen small, and the action of both is slow. When meat is the chief ingredient, the i^er cent, of Nitrogen is large and the Phosphoric Acid low, and the action, (esi)ecially of Nitro- gen) is quite satisfactory. TANKAGE. Station No. 179. — Tankage ; sent by A. A. Maginnis, New Or- leans, La. Station No. 219. — Tankage ; presented to the Station by Stand- ard Guano and Chemical Manufacturing Co., New Orleans. Station No. 230. — Tankage ; sent by Henry Studniczka, St. Louis, Mo. Analyses of Tankage. Station No. Nitrogen. Ammonia. Total Phosplioric Acid. 179 4.41 5.37 19.19 219 5.88 7.14 1 11.26 23« 5.. 32 6.46 1 8.26 In the tariff of prices no value is assigned the Insoluble Phos- phoric' Acid. In tankage the origin is chiefly bone, and the value of the latter depends largely upon the fineness of pulverization. Very finely ground bone becomes available in the soil far quick- er than that that has been coarsely pulverized. The latter has little or no value as a fertilizer. Leaving out the phosphoric acid and estimating the commercial values of above from their Nitro- 409 gen content alone, we find a ton of each to be worth, 'No. 179, $16 80 5 No. 219, $22 93. and i7o. 230, $20 75. Great caution is needed in the purchase of this kind of fertilizer, since its vary- ing composition can be detected only by chemical examination. Therefore, every purchase should be based upon a guaranteed •content of both Nitrogen and Phosphoric Acid. BONE MEAL. Bones ground to a powder are largely used in some countries as a fertilizer, and are held in high esteem. They are not popu- lar in the South. The more finely ground they are, the higher their commercial value. Hence, in estimating their value, both a mechanical and chemical analysis are necessary. The sample analyzed was presented to the Station by the Standard Guano and Chemical Co., of New Orleans : ANALYSIS : Station. Nitrogen. Phosphoric Acid. No. 217 3.57 percent. 20.99 percent. IPs mechanical condition was fairly good. NITRATE OF SODA Is obtained from the nitre beds of Chili and Peru and is one of the most active forms of Nitrogen, and is hence used largely for top dressing small grains and grasses. It is subject to rapid loss by leaching, hence should only be applied to growing crops, or upon very stiff clayey soils, and then in limited quantities, at a time to insure the best results. The sample analyzed was pre- sented to the Sugar Experiment Station by the Standard Guano and Chemical Co., of New Orleans, La. ANALYSIS : Station No. 209. Nitrogen 16.29 per cent. Equivalent to Pure Nitrate of Soda, 98.90 per cent. SULPHATE OF ' AMMONIA. Is a by-product of the gas works of cities. It is made by treat- ing the ammonical wash water with sulphuric acid, and then •evaporating to dryness. Like Nitrate of Soda, it is an active 410 form of Nitrogen, and but slightly inferior to that salt in solu- bility and leaching property. It too must be handled carefully or else great loss may be sustained. Tne sample analyzed was. made and presented by the Stan lard Guano and Chemical Co., of" l^'ew Orleans. ANALYSIS. Station ]^o. 213. Ammonia 24.82 per cent. Equal to Sulphate of Ammonia. 96.87 per cent. DRIED BLOOD Occurs in commerce as black and red blood. The former has - been prepared by drying the blood of slaughter houses by super-^ heated steam, the latter at a lower temperature. The former is^ of ten lumpy, and shouki be thoroughty pulverized before use.. They both contain from 8 to 15 per cent. Mtrogen and are usually sold upon a guarantee of so many units of ammonia. This is a most excellent source of Nitrogen. Field and labora- tory experiments have shown a slight degree of availability iir favor of the red blood, due doubtless to its finer pulverization.. One sample was presented to the Sugar Experiment Station by the Standard Guano and Chemical Co., of New Orleans. ANALYSIS OF DRIED BLOOD. Station No. 208. ' Nitrogen, 13.72 per cent. Equal to Ammonia. 16.66 per cent. FISH SCRAP. Along the Atlantic coast from Maine to Florida are found’ numerous works engaged in extracting oil from fish. The resi- due after extraction of oil is dried and ground and sold in the' markets either to the manufacturer as an ingredient of his wares, or to the farmer directly as a fertilizer. It constitutes the source of Nitrogen in many of our leading brands of commer- cial fertilizers. It contains a goodly per centage of both Nitro?- gen and Phosphoric Acid, and like Tankage it must be finely ground to produce the best results. It is one of the cheapest sources of Nitrogen. Both of our samples were sent by the 411 Standard Guano and Chemical Co., of Xew Orleans, and the latter presented to the station. ANABIOSES OF FISH SCRAP. Station No. 182 Nitrogen. Ammonia. 7.42 9 0l Phosphoric Acid. «.06 “ 228 7.00 8.50 6.19 BAT MANURE. The ordure of Bats often accumulates in large quantities in caves^ roofs of houses, &c. When j^ure it is an excellent man- ure, but is often mixed with sand and other adulterants. The supply too is always limited. Our sample was sent by Messrs. Schmidt & Zeigler, Willswood Plantation, and contained an un- usual quantity of Phosphoric Acid. ANALYSES OF BAT MANURE. Station Ao. Nitrogen. Phosphoric Acid. 181 1.26 11.78 GARBAGE. A sample of fertilizer made from the Garbage of a northern city, under a new process, was sent to the Station by Mr. A. A. Maginnis, of New Orleans, who contemplated trying the same process on the garbage of the city, provided it proved of value as a fertilizer. Along with the fertilizer is extocted a consider- able quantity of fat which could be used in soap making. The quantity of oil obtained and the quality and quantity of fertili- zer will depend largely upon the character of the garbage. The following is the analj^sis : Nitrogen, 1.‘96 per cent. Phosphoric Acid, '. 55 per cent. ; Potash, .96 per cent, and its commercial value, reckoning its Phosphoric Acid as ‘‘reverted,” is $9.42 per ton. PIGEON MANURE. Sample sent by Trosclair & Robechaux, Thibodeaux, La., contained. Nitrogen, 2.54 per cent ; Phosphoric Acid, 2.05 per cent. POUDRETTE Is prepared from night soils. A^arious patents and methods have 412 been used to successfully preserve tlie fertilizing ingredients of human excrement, and the latter thus preserved is sold as Pou- drette. The substance varies greatly according to method of making it, and of quality of matter added. Sometimes a i)hos- phate is used as a dryer which greatly increases the fertilizing value. An aveiage Poudrette should contain from .9 to 2. per cent. Mtrogen, and 2 to 3 per cent. Phosphoric Acid. A large amount of Poudrette can annually be saved in every large city. Two samples have been analyzed : Station No. 204. — Poudrette sent by C. W. Doughty, for Pelican Saw Co., New Orleans. Station No. 232. — Poudrette (?) sent by J. J. Martin, New Or- leans, La. Analyses of Poudrette, 6 s: ' "el 00 Nitrogen. 1 I Ammonia. ^ 1 2 *S 0.0 ! So o A 3 3 m Reverted Phos. phoric Acid. 1 1 Intoluble Phos- phoric Acid. Total Phos- phoric Acid. • 204 .38 .46 232 .98 1.19 .3*20 2!24 i !62 6.46 PHOSPHATES. TTnder this head are included all of the natural Phosphates found on the small islands in the Caribbean Sea and elsewhere. They are deposits made by birds in a rainy climate, therefore the Nitrogen and soluble phosphates have been removed, leav- ing only the less soluble phosphates. Upon soils rich in vegeta- ble matter, these phosphates may economically supplant the soluble phosphates, but for annual crops upon most of the soils of the South, the latter are to be preferred. The following have been analysed : Station No. 180. — Swan Island Guano ; sent by F. S. Eoberfcs. Mobile, Ala. 413 Station N'o. 192. — Grand Cayman Phosphate presented to the Station, by the Grand Cayman Phosphate Co., New York. rStation No. 200. — Phosphate, sent by Bradish Johnson, New Orleans, La. Analyses of Phosphates. Station No. il Soluble Phos. j pboric Acid.! . _ i [ Reverted PboR- phoric Acid. Insoluble Phos- phate Acid. 1 Total Phosphoric A cid 18 Carbon Dioxide 43.20 Equal to Carbonate of Lime 98.18 per cent. MARL Is a mixture of sand and clay with carbonate lof lime;* Some- times it contains notable quantities of t phosphoric acid and potash w hich greatly enhances its value as a fertilizer. Unless these substances are present in goodly quantities, it will ' rarely pay to transport any distance. . . Marls containing> ’Only - car ba- il ate’of lime, must be used in large quantities 'to produce much effect; therefore it is rarely economical to haul even very short distances. The sample analysed came from Iberia Parish and contained Carbonate of Lime 33.48 per cent: and Potash .47 per cent. KAINITE Is a crude form of German Potash Salts taken from the 415 mines of Stassfurth or Leopoldshall and contains usually about 12. per cent. Potash. It has also goodly quantities of Magnesic and Sodic Chlorides. This is the form of Potash found in the markets of this State. Its use is often attended with no benefits. Station No. 226. - Kainite, purchased by the Station, of the Planter’s Fertilizer Co., New Orleans. Analyst's of Kainite. Station No. Potash. Commercial value per 'ton. 206 12.14 $12 14 POTASSIUM SULPHATE Is a refined product of the German Mines and is regarded as the best form of i^otash for many crops. It is also the mo^t exiDcnsive form. The sample analysed was obtained from Stand- ard Guano and Chemical Co., of New Orleans, and contained 41. per cent, of pure potash. GLUTEN Sent by Mr. D. D. Colcock, Secretary of Sugar & Eice Es;- change, to test its comparative value with Eice Bran as a cattle food. It has already been reported in full in the Eice Bulletin No. 24. The following was the analysis : Water 8.45 Per Cenf. Ash 1.15 Per Cent. Albuminoids 30.81 Per Cent. Crude Fibre .77 Per Cent. Fat 8.79 Per Cent. Nitrogen Free Ext.act 50.03 Per Cent. 100.00 GUANO, TAKEN FROM THE GKOUND, Was sent by Mr. Wm. Polk, of Eapides, who wrote that this guano was applied to the stubble can's in the Spring of 1888, and the following Spring in breaking up the soil, he found the 416 layer of guauo apparently as lie had aiiplied it. He took up carefully enough for a sample and sent to the Station. Analysis shows that it has lost nearly all of its Mtrogen. The soluble lihosphoric acid has reverted. It is fair to presume that at least one-third of the Phosphoric Acid had remained unutilized. This suggests the necessity of a more thorough incorporation of our fertilizers with the soil in order to obtain the best results the first year. The analysis is as follows : Nitrogen .09 per cent. Beverted Phosphoric Acid 2.88 per cent. Insoluble Phosphoric Acid .70. per cent. WATER Mr. Leonce M. Soniat. of Dorcey ville, La.^ has had bored near his sugar house a large artesian well which now furnishes all the water for his extensive sugar house. He sent a sample of this water for analysis to determine its fitness for use in his hoilers. It contained 16.07 grains of solid matter per gallon. Of this 13 grains were mineral and 2.07 organic matter. The mineral matter contained very small quantities of lime and magnesia, ingredients which usually scale boilers. This is a most excellent water for manufacturing purposes and if the quantity proves adequate, Mr. Soniat’s example will doubtless be soon followed by other progressive planters. BITUMINOUS COAL. The Corona Coal Co., of Alabama, sent the Sugar Experiment Station with their compliments, a car load each of Splint coal and Coalburg coal, with request that a full examination be made side by side with Pittsburg coal of their merits for steam making. They were both used under the boileu^^, and analyses made in the Laboratory. Pittsburg coal was also subjected to same tests. No. 196 burnt freely and made a good steam but gave a lot of ashes. No. 197 slaked so rapidly that only a small quantity -could be used. This burnt well and gave steam freely. This rapid slaking will ever prevent the transportation of this coal to any distance. The following are the analyses : COAL. Station No. 195. — Pittsburg Coal; used by Sugar Station. 417 Station No. 196 — Splint Coal; presented to the Station by Corona Coal Co., Station No. 197 — Coalburg Coal ; presented to the Station by* Corona Coal Co., Analyses of Bituminous Coal. Statiou No. 1 Water. 195 1.13 196 1.88 197 1 .05 Coiubustable Matter. Coke. 1 ! 38.80 56.30 1 37.32 52.80 1 29.75 1 65.43 Asli. .H CC' 3.77 .6u 8. 1.46 3.76 .81 aiw-irtHi vl HoiJjija 9ill i)'!I .olif, aoHisW .>/ : a-.viuir,...., '/V,) rnoO'* ■ *!- ^^fi7rrirn?r*r (■ 5uwiay.® '' i;''j j-r U^TiffilCsryUr'viv wTi^ ■ ^^y^iuU ill- oy3».a’‘f'i ^I’l.ij,?' ihftbest r^iili;! t]ii‘ i:i\s(: y.- 1:-. tJio iiiialysj ■ y-- iis £ .Nljj-nf.; ri; ,tti' ^oi> ^ uf. ’ ' ’ J-tev(;W|:l Fiufe’-.w-;.- iM- :-|.a. ’ji.i.le , ; '3:i’-; A. ■ >'% 's».S v TT.»; j oe.^. * ,i.. VLr \ .. ()8/S5' SrK.rei^ -, [, ■>.?{«. US i^UWl . ; p: ;u : uw warn a>'' h?^, ( s', car tv,, He. a ^t- of •■> id |«a>'" . ‘t:- '•^'^ •;v'tiy-:. .r^rraJ'nfi ’>:o? fee ■ - H.,,')':' .^.,.^i^fitu,■. of iilixe -iiiud ■■■ 'MiG' "■ ■‘loFs. is a : i / ♦ Wfrv.n;j ( 'f *1’ Or\ ^Vith t:hv ' I i;‘ >'.' ■ .ixjfj; •:/'?>!. ■ i^v siu». \uih F:tt, P*‘:' . bQth n84iU ■ M >va't(>r_;: ■ ^ f' i <: _i .) u '• . ‘ . burnt v\‘\:\y a,, ^ yxpi^, .Na, It u ; .,uk,>ri M ■ ab'I .-i^' vivx-i- ■ ubia b^ii-!' " ■ :-i V », ■njMr h of ^ ; • inatic; ;-|e " " ^ ■ .'■>i-/v V t: 1 v. ..'• ^n4' I r > fi;'.n .U ^ ■ :• ••:■ ...; M '.. ‘V''1-. ■; >vi, ■ i ^4 < » ^ ■ JE. .?^U'ir;il <*5 ! .-fl i * * : tV4)oiy. bull 0| -ui^; 0045’ :b)‘< ■ vv.’vit b'ilv... ■ U'U U’,: '• ', >4^ , ' . ■- ‘ 3i8L__ , .SiKu- '/■ .•■’' “ U'.:, ,i :» ’ ■-'- '’■• A ■f-.o'j ■V. .-,..&;#M BULLETIN No. ■VOI' BEPORT OF THK STATE EXPERIMENT STATION, AT BATON ROUGE, LA. FOR 1889. Wm. C. STUBBS, Ph. D., Director and Official State (diemist. D. N. BARROW, B. S., Assistant Director. IKSTTKO BY TITF: BURKAU OF AGRICULTURE, T. J. BIRD, Commissioner. PRINTED AT THE TRUTH JOB OFFICE, BATON ROUGE, LA, THE AGRieOLTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION, LA. STATE IINITESSITV AND A. S M, COLLEGE. BUREAU OR AGRICULTURE. OOV. F. T. NICHOLLS, President. WM. GARIG, Vice-President Board of Supervisors. T. J. BIRD, Commissioner of Agriculture. STATION STAFF. WM. C. STUBBS, Ph. D., Director, D. N. BARROW, B. S., Assistant Director, Baton Rouge. J. G. LEE, B. S., Assistant Director, Calhoun. Assistant Director, Audubon Park. B. B. ROSS, M. S., Chemist. M. BIRD, B. S., Assistant Chemist. A. T. PRESCOTT, M. A., Botanist, H. A. MORGAN, M. S. Entomologist and Horticulturist. W. H. DALRYMPLE, M. R. C.V. S., Veterinary Surgeon. -A. M. GARDNER, B. S,, Farm Manager Audubon Park. J. E. PRATT, Farm Manager, Baton Rouge. L. M. CALHOUN, Farm Manager, Calhoun. H. SKOLFIELD, Treasurer. J. D. STUBBS, Secretary. The bulletins and reports will be sent free of charge to all fanners, by applying lo Major T, J. Bird, Commissioner of Agriculture, Baton Rouge, La. LOUISIANA STATE UNlVERSI PY AND A. AXD M. COLLEGE, > Office of Exfeeimext Stations, > Eaton Rouge, La. ) TTo Major T. J. Bird, Commissioner of Agriculture : Dear Sir : — I hand you Annual Eeport of State Experi- ment Station for year 1889, by Mr. D. N. Barrow, Assistant Director, and ask that you publish it as Bulletin 'No. 26. Eespect fully submitted, 'WM. C. STUBBS, Director. La. State Unia^ersity and A. & M. College, | Baton Eouge, La., January 1890, j To Dr. W. C. Stubbs, Director : Dear Sir : — Herewith I hand you report of Station jS'o. 2 for the year just passed. , Very respectfully, DAVID N. BAEEOW, Assistant Director. lEISH POTATOES. Three sets of experiments Avith this crop were undertaken <011 this Station this year i. e. physiological, manurial require- ments and varieties. A light rain^ enongh to produce germina- tion, fell immediately after jilanting, but from that time until just before harvest there was not a drop. Hence the yields are much kelow what they probably Avould have been. This is quite unfortunate, as these exj)eriments bid fair at the start to give some very interesting results. VAEIETIES. There were ordered for delivery by March 1st, from Thorene 'E. Platt, of Pensylvania, some three hundred varieties of pc ta- toes. These did not arrive until late in March, however, and it was the 22nd of that month before they were planted. The soil in which they were jilanted had been thoroughly prepared by a lop dressing of well rotted stable manure plowed under in Janu- ary, After deep and thorough pulverization of the soil the potatoes cut to two es, were planted under as near like condi. tions as possible. The cultivation was that ordinarily given. Time of ripening was noted and on June 21, and 23, all were dug despite the fact that some were still green, it being argued that -a potatoe ripening later than this date was of no value here. Below we give a table showing yield i^er acre in bushels of lx)th merchantable and culls. The yields are calculated per acre in order to show the diftcrences more plainly: No. 1 2 8 4 o fi S 9 10 II 12 10 14 15 Ki 17 18 19 20 21 22 20 24 25 2(1 27 28 29 ;io 01 02 00 04 0 () 07 08 09 40 41 42 40 44 45 46 47 48 49 7)0 51 52 50 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 60 64 6.5 66 419 YIELD PER ACRE IN BUSHELS. VARIETIES OF POTATOES. Name of Variety. Mer. Culls. Lake Ontario _ __ Snttfin's 190 Folfl 49.3 02.1 54.7 01. 47.8 86.6 Belle— __ _ - • — 55.6 .56. 90.5 48.8 Sutton’s Exhibition Kidney 10.6 75.6 ,52.() 51.5 Crown Imperial _ _ 0 86.7 Ontario 17.8 54.9 Cliiticatica — (’h Tin da, Seed lino’ 28.0 10.6 0>5.7 44.0 (Tranfrer 0 07.4 0 42.5 0 •52.7 Cl ane’s .lune Eating 14.1 44. Ha, lid's 40 0 28.9 First and Rest 87.6 44.1 Bliss’ Trinniph i)8.6 71.4 78.0 10.5 Cowliorn _ • .54.0 178 6 46.5 88.0 Rankin’s Raeer _ 107.7 .52.7 Earlv Telephone _ _ __ 61.2 88.0 Seoteli Blifp 69.8 79.9 Ouehess 20.0 40.8 Banana — _ _ — _ Rose’s Beauty of Beauties 102.0 45.8 05.7 8:1.0 New (Omnipion 2.5.5 ;19.9 Moriiiug Star 0 47.6 Sninniit, 2,5.5 68.0 f ,?ite Beauty of fTehron 15.0 .57.8 * Brownells 55 __ _ Pride t H ed 91.8 91.8 R{\rst< >n 1‘2.5.8 6.5.4 pieta t''i’ 159.0 49.0 Improved White Rose Brownells 01 Ston’s Seedling 81.6 2.5.5 09.0 (iO.O .5.1 62.8 Charles Downing Oeneral I-Ogan :30.6 41.6 74.0 77.0 ^Scotch Champion 22.9 70.1 llai’YHi’d 104.0 .51.0 Nigh’s Early Standard \Icinsons SGGd - 178.6 109.6 87.4 50.1 Tfpro 49.2 49.2 Astonisher 110.5 26.0 plarly Sinowflake •21.2 79.9 *yianit, 70 • 7J 72 76 74 75 7(5 78 79 m SI .82 88 84 • 8,5 86 .■87 -88 .89 90 91 92 98 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 lu8 104 105 106 107 108 109 no 111 112 118 114 115 116 117 118 119 120 121 122 . 128 124 125 126 127 128 129 181) 181 J82 420 YIELD PER ACRE IN BUSHELS. -Continued. VARIpyPlKS OF POTATOES. Name ol Variety. *^Mexiean _ Vewton :yruiidel Iloise __ t’iek’s I’rize ITinee Edwards Isle Champion Superior Vermont Champion Blarly Pearl fames O. Rlaine Irownell’s P>eaiity iarly Beauty of Hebron ^Silvers C'hili Surpee’s Empire State Potentate doore’s Seedling I'oncpiest Ihina Vhite Whipple tekeepsi White datchlesss ^lureka dountain Rose ied Asti’ochaji hatt’s No. 508 dammoth Pearl vose’s New Seedling ntermediate lunlit Star 5 word Potatoe lural Blush German White Mahopee Heath Belle "leFaden’s Seedling )range Co. White Stattield’.s Seedling White Star 'larly King Carly Ohio Lmerican Grant Ldirondac dulaly Vhite Mountain date of Mai ne Stuben Chief ersey Blue 'horburn InoK Seedling, Jhicago Market h'ownell’s Success ^ Vhite Chief- eneca Red .Jacket ‘utnam’s New Seedling tueen of Roses lharter Oak Red Cloud. Tyrian Purple owa Beauty Red Peach Blow loston Market larly Waterford ’erfcct Gem Calico teuben Beauty larly Sands Mer. : Culls. 1 21.2 1 62.9 117.8 61.6 51.4 ,54.4 29.1 42.5 86.5 .51.9 22.9 87.4 25.5 ,54,4 0 49.9 18.6 .54.4 12.7 .52.7 40.8 62.0 89.1 .52.7 15.8 66.8 62.9 71.4 79.9 48.0 79.9 78.2 92.6 28.9 60.8 40.8 12.7 78.2 29.7 42.5 89.9 41.8 0 .59.5 29.7 .58.6 41.6 42.5 299.2 98.5 81.4 29.7 0 25.5 0 88.1 .56.1 .58.5 88.1 78.1 88.2 81.6 0 0 0 0 0 0 20,8 a5.7 67.1 88.4 24.6 58.6 16.1 .83.1 0 60.6 18.6 49.8 69.7 89.9 62.9 51.0 76.5 .54.4 84.2 .50.7 13.6 45.9 11.9 22.9 0 0 45.9 .59.5 .54.4 70.5 22.9 79.9 15.8 66.8 0 .59.5 42.5 48.8 87.4 98.8 78.1 79.9 28.9 88.8 0 68 5 0 87.4 25.5 46.7 0 0 79.9 92.6 76.5 62.9 39.1 65.4 0 42.5 89 1 69.7 112.2 ,59.5 Remarks. Injured by fire, do. Injured by fire, do. do. Injui’ed by fire, do. No. m 184 l.lo 18U 187 188 189 140 141 142 148 144 145 140 147 148 149 1.50 151 152 158 154 1.55 150 157 158 159 100 101 102 io;8 104 105 100 107 108 109 170 171 172 178 174 175 170 177 178 179 180 181 182 183 IW 185 180 187 188 189 190 191 192 198 194 195 190 197 198 421 YIELD PER ACRE IN BUSHELS-Continued. i OF POTATOE Mer. Culls. 10.1 52.7 00.8 01.2 22.9 79.0 27.2 .50.1 49.8 09.7 85.7 98.5 8o.8 98.5 70.5 81.0 28.8 86.7 10.1 06.8 11.9 .54.4 09.7 00.8 08.8 84.1 98.0 .89.1 8.5 61.2 0 9.8 1.5.8 408 142.8 61.2 48.4 99.4 40.8 77.8 80.7 58.5 14.4 39.9 89.1 40.8 42.5 74.8 05.4 68.8 51.0 108.7 50.1 81.6 0 71.4 70.5 78.2 109.1 87.4 172.5 85.8 124.9 72.2 45.9 105.4 i4.6 42.5 85.7 41.6 00.8 70.7 70.0 .54.4 181.7 79.0 88.8 92.6 81.4 59.5 .56.9 68.9 182.6 73.1 178.4 24.6 117.1 86.7 21. 57.4 65.4 76.2 0 73.1 1,54.7 87.5 145.8 45.9 168.2 63.7 104.5 51.0 85.7 26.3 8.5 85.0 80.7 7,8.1 102.2 85.0 1,51.8 109.6 84.1 78.1 86.5 88.4 .52.7 78.9 98.6 81.6 108.2 .56.1 169.7 45.0 45.0 100.3 02.0 84.0 48.2 41.0 02.0 101.1 N aine of V ariety . liion Burbank’s Steel weld’s .Jumbo *Indian Beauty Callum's Superb Andross’ Seedling Alexander’s Prolitie Baker’s Imperial W hepple’s Seedling Chicago Beauty Connecticut 2 . Early Dawn Thunderbolt N evada 'White Lady Truscott ^■■Scotch Highlander Peek 1 15.8 Kampden Beauty Pride of Palestine Compton’s Surprise Pride of Lisbon ‘■*=EarlyNew Zealand Maiden’s Blush Advance Paragon Leopard White Beauty of Hebron ^Peerless White Flower Early Vermont Churchill’s Seedling Tunix English Kidney Old Orange Pink Eye Late Ohio Early Mayflower , Irish Cup Idaho Garfield Early Essex Strawben-y Capt. Sheaf Cayuga Rochester’s Favorite Acme V anguard Irish Champion Late Rose Knapp’s Snowbank- Buffalo Beauty Dakota Red CT’andall’s Beauty Early Electic Ruby Silver Skin Tollers Everitt Crimson Beauty Platt’s 511 Crane s T\ f-cner Burpee’ s Sup rior Ash L( af Ki Iney Weld’s zz Champion of America-^ Vermont’s Snow Flake ' 02.0 Remarks. No. 199 200 2()1 202 2m 204 205 209 207 . 208 209 210 211 212 218 214 215 216 217 218 219 220 221 222 2218 224 22.5 226 227 228 229 2:10 221 232 233 2:84 235 2:86 237 2:88 2:89 240 241 242 243 244 245 246 247 248 249 250 251 252 25:8 2.54 255 256 257 258 259 260 261 262 263 264 422 YIELD PER ACRE IN BUSHELS-ContInued. VARIETIE.S OF POTATOES. c'e Cream led Elephant Ihinebeck lermuda White Call’s Orange barter lural datfsNo. 40 lose’s Invincible IcClue’s Early Ihamplain lichigan white led Star Garrison’s Seedling lorway Mountain Rose larmony IcVeer’s Peach Blow larly Blue Lmerican Magnum Bonurn. ames Vick »hio Queen cotch Butfura Tarvel of Beau tv Ian’s 42 Tide of Erin lercules :entenial rish Beauty datt’s No- 84 ]arly Maine lunmoore dr Garnet Wolsey ^arinos liscuit kick’s Extra Early irook’s Seed jady Finger ^arly Perfection Ipaulding ilarly Albino •^ew Conqueror ilose’s New Giant bill’s No. 1 5arly Favorite Iheesman’s Seed Andrew’s White Rose i’latt’s No. 80 Slew Queen Victor Defiance \.lpha Rose of Hebron 8t. Patrick Pride of America Drawford’s Seedlings 8now Queen Jordon Russet Hale’s Early Peach Blow — Mitchell’s Seedlings Platt’s 512 Pearl of Savoy El Passo * Late Blue Late Snowflake *P1 aft’s No. .5 Bun’s Seed Mer. ( 1 Culls. i 6J.6 ] 77.3 91.8 .59.5 65.2 .59.5 .50.1 52,7 28.9 62.0 100.3 81.6 140.2 52.7 .52.7 .52.7 :87.7 .59.5 35.7 65 4 .53.5 4.5.9 79.0 40 8 i:89.8 .57.8 78.2 67.1 4.5.9 91.8 14.1 85.0 67.1 45.9 46.7 75.6 147.6 66.3 99.4 65.4 49.3 66.3 83.3 :88.2 48.0 :88.2 70.5 73.1 8:8.3 108.8 83.3 60.3 .52 7 :88.2 51.0 82.4 29.7 79.9 7:8.1 77.3 154.7 86.7 22.1 :86.5 66.3 66.3 ‘22.1 56.1 25.5 60.3 143.5 78.2 28.9 113.0 187.8 78.2 18.7 103.7 93.5 68.2 79.9 42.5 142.5 80.0 .510 69.7 87.5 100.3 149.6 73.1 30.6 42.5 0 130.0 78.2 79.9 1*22.4 53.5 68.8 51.8 14.4 ‘23.8 18.7 96.0 72.2 61.2 68.0 79.0 99.4 ‘28.0 95.2 72.2 78.2 42.7 40.8 2:3.8 91.8 34.0 0 72.2 107.1 72.2 0 :33.3 0 ‘21.2 11.9 68.0 0 21.2 129.2 1 66.3 Remarks. 423 YIELD PER ACRE IN BUSH ELS-Continued, VARIETIES OF POTATOES. Xo. Name of Variety. Mer. Culls. 2f)o Carpenters Seed ! 139.4 51.0 'im Stanton Seed 13.5.0 105.4 'Hil Durham 49.1 90 1 ■m Earlv Household — 43.3 100.3 -A)9 J.opume Triumph — (>5.4 38.2 ‘..VO American Monarch 81.(1 75.6 '111 Black Mach anic- - — - 49.3 76.0 272 I'on hocks - — 98.(5 64.6 278 |(4old Band _ - 106.4 76.5 274 IPrideofthe West _ — 36.5 63.7 275 King of the Earlies 45.9 45.0 270 1 Sylvian - - 111 3 83.3 ‘*77 1 1 Peerless Peachblow 56.9 535.7 1V8 1 White Elephant 108.8 87.5 279 I Bermuda _ _ _ _ _ 28.0 537.4 2S0 ■Junkis — 41.0 55 2 2SJ 1 Natt’s Victor 72.2 97.53 282 iLate Favorite _ - _ 118.1 72 2 288 Trernent - - — 72.2 81.6 284 1 Weston’s Seedling 72.2 75.3 285 (Davenport _ _ 9.3 88.6 ‘280 1 Earlv Gem — ----- 46.7 59.5 287 AVehh’s Early _ _ . 76.5 86.0 288 IBrownell’s Best- _ __ 86.7 78.2 289 Oreat Eastern _ _ 153.8 41.8 290 Jumbo _ _ _ 122.4 56.1 2<»1 Carles.^ Matchless- — 37.4 80 7 ‘2‘i2 Yosemite 44.2 59.5 2<»3 Rosy Morn 113.9 71.4 2<>4 Little Grant- 100.3 64.6 ‘29.5 Chiet - — 1.5;3.0 120.7 2iHi ■^Peterson’s White- - - - _ 0 0 297 Burrough’s Garfield 39.9 79.9 298 Clark’s No I ----- 22.1 103.7 2ft9 Black McVeer 15.1 76.5 *iO0 Green Mountain- - _ _ - _ 122.6 83 53 -iOl Swedish Rose - - - -i 49.1 8.5.0 Iroci noise - - 9.3 56.1 ;803 (Ore ?= m of the Field 22.1 1 70.5 Remarks . ripe when dug. 424 By examining these tables it will be seen that only tifty-hve mut of the three hundred and three varietievS, or 18 per cent., gave a yield of 100 bushels or over, per aci'e. But even of these a number are valueless as the amount of culls is equal to, or very iif^r equal to, the yield of the merchantable. Each variety was accurately described both before i)lanting and after digging. Below is a descrii)tion of the varieties of most promise : Eakly Sands — Katlier disk shaped, white and smooth. Eyes few but deep. Eipe June 3. Great Eastern — Eound and white skin, slightly russette-.o o •o«''^(i4-4^o-4coTf CTji^coc^o-r-^c^ji^ •-19M j lOiOOOOOOOO oi 00 'o' CO 'O' 00 O •ct' — < -O' J- lO -O' 00 O'. — 1—1 0}'^COCO'>3'L'5TfiOiO ‘a^erplgoqd pioy | ®qi 002 1 ‘[leaui paas no;jo3 ®q[ 0001 1 IC O O O O lO o o o •srrtif) ! o o r-i -r; ct; co “ 1 O lO ^ o cr^ — , rr I 00 00 -r' CC O O — 1 O CO 1 (0»C'X'^''''T''^CO'^CO''IT' 1 ! ’Snxqjo^i ' 1 1 O lO O lO O O O ’®1U^0 lO cc cr; — (■ 00 CO o o ^I^GOiOOOCi^l-Orf s G7 144.5 200 5 184.5 154.5 160.5 336.0 264 5 143.0 •a;iuiG;^j '002 •S]in3 O lO O O O O O LQ CO oo co’ 00 - CO t2 co' oi oocc mi.ox^>— ccooco •I9K liooo'omoooo d CO CO t2 od 1 —' c4 12 OO^X-nt'^^ — -.O — •a:jBqdsoqd piay sqi 002 •sui'O »n o o o o lO m o o 00 cd d d co" d d ox d o -nr CO 00 00 O', o-' o MaK ' lO o o o o o o o o 1 d 00 oJ d ox d — ' i'-' o 1 •[uam paas no;;o 3 sqi 000 [ O O lO O O lO o o Cl — i oc" '3' d d d co' — ‘ OOOOXir^OiOCOCiO ••19 W Ci O O O O O lO o d d d d ox d d oo' tOOXOX — i-i-TOXOX— 1 — 1 — 1 — ' ox ox ox — 1 ox 428 After a cursory ^i^lance at this table it would appear that neither cotton sf^ed meal, acid i)hosphate nor kaiiiite alone hava done any good, as in nearly every instan(*e the yield of the ^•nothing” plat is e(pial to or in some instances exc^ds the yield of these respective fertilizers. This is exx>lained, however, by the fact that that portion of the plat was not'iii as hne a condi- tion as the rest. In the ciivse of kainite, a x)oor stand may also in part account for this. This only servos to emx^^hasize what has heretofore been said i. e. : That unless x)otash fertilizers are thoroughlj^ mixcMi with the soil tluw will d(\stroy the staiub Desi)ite the pains that was taken to thoroughly mix the kainite with the soil some of it evidently came in contact with the X)obato and destroyed it. Now by a closer study of this ijlat, it will l>e seen that the yield is largely increased from ^biothing'* out, and this when the soil was of about equal quality. With five out of the nine varieties, the combination of 1000 pounds of c )tton seed meal, 500 pounds of acid phosphate and 500 pounds of kainite gave the best yidd. The meal and a6id phosphate predominates in two instances, as does also meal and kainite. In five cases the meal and kainite gives a larger yield than meal and acid phosphate, desx)ite the fact that the stand of the former was inferior. This would seem Co indicate that x)otash is of some benefit. It is well to say just here that this is the first time in this station’s exx)erience that this has been the case. There seems to be nothing to indicate that varieties are intlueiuel by different fertilizers. PH YSIOLOGICAL EXPERIMENTS. In order to test the question as to which is the best form in which to i^lant the potato — whole or cut, — and what influence the size of seed has upon the yield, the following experiments were made : The largest potatoes of the seven different varieties were carefully selected. These in their turn were assorted into three lotsi. e. : Those weighing over 7 ounces, those between 5 and 7, and those between 3 and 5. Other potatoes of each lot were 429 divided in halves, others into four pieces, others were cut to pieces containing two eyes, and, lastly, one eye. Each lot was carefully planted under as near like conditions as possible, on well prepared land. The whole potatoes were placed one foot a part, while the cuts were ten inches. All were carefully covered with a hoe and received the same after cultiva- tion. The largest whole potato was the first to germinate, the next in size next, and so on down, until it reached the one eye cut, the last to germinate. This difierence was maintained during the period of growth. The vigorous growth of the whole potato was in marked contrast to the sickly struggle for exist- ance of the one and two eye cuts. In the case of the whole potato and also the halves and quarters when they were dug tubers in a more or less state of development were found on each vine. It is very much to be regretted that the severe drought came on just when these experiments needed rain most, and hence the difference in the yields is not as great as it would otherwise have been. A seasonable rain would very materially have reduced the number of culls and increased the merchantable in the large potatoes. It is true that the chances were equal, but in case of the large potato there were so many small ones, evidently stunted by the drought. While the increase of the large over the cut potatoes in this instance is not sufficient to make their planting economical, yet had the season been more favorable the results would have been different. It must also be remembered that in planting the potato whole, they should be placed at least 12 inches apart, thus not requiring as many hills as in the case of cuts. Below is a table of results : PHYSIOLOGICAL EXPERIMENTS IN POTATOES. BUSHELS PER ACRE. V ariety . 1 Potato over 1 7 ozs 1 Potato over 5 & under 7 ozs 1 a: SI ^ 0 <1^10 c s o% 2 Half potato quarter potato Two eyes One eye j Ripe a! S 6 S CO r 6 1 S 1 g 73 6 o X 9 tj S 72 5 U o; X 6 S § X 6 Thorbuni — Kural ;Blush Beauty of Hebron Peerless Jj:arly Rose j^xta Early VermonL_ Bur b a n k ’s Seedling.-- 136.6 195.7 102,7 78.2 i2;i,5 190,1 - • 108.8[ 56,8 * 77.6 79.4 81.1 61.1 11.7 116.9 67.1 57.9 27.0 105.2 57,9 12.7 17.7 126.5 51.8 a5.o 115.2 17.2 508 7.6 May 20 June 10 June 10 May 20 May 20 May 15 160.7 111.8 108.7 111.5 145.1 106.0 116.5 111.8 70.0 61.8 87,1 128.9 110.1 97.1 86.2 57.8 87.1 86.2 71.6 116.5 71.6 80.8 51.9 i:i5.7 91.5 99.1 76.2 61.0 32.0 56.1 8oA 76.2 29.9 42.7 82.0 82.0 17.2 61.0 82.0 89.6 18.8 12.7 66.6 151,9 100.5 116.5 72.1 91.8 42.7 111.8 96.0 76.2 108.7 18.8 35.0 27.1 May 20 184.1 109,8 118.7 168,1 .51.1 183.8 86.9 80.1 81.6 79.3 62.5 79.3 59.1 289. June 10 430 As a deduction from this year’s result with potatoes, the following conclusions we think are correct ; 1st. That of the vast number of varieties now on the market, :fhe only way to determine the best for a certain soil and climate is by actual test. The potatoes described under varieties seem .to be the best here. 2nd. That a combination of two parts cotton seed meal, one ^f acid phosphate and one of kainite seems to be a good commer- cial fertilizer for potatoes. v 3rd. While these results of themselves do not guarantee it, jet, when taken in connection with results of other stations, it ;:seems that large potatoes planted whole give the best results. STRAWBEREIES. Last fall the strawberries w^ere all transferred to a new bed. In the hopes of getting rid of cocoa. This was only partially successful, but this spring a very fair test crop of fruit was obtained. The following table gives names of varieties, with approxi- mate time of ripening and length of fruiting. NAME. W'lieu Ripe Ceased bearing Per cent, living Sept. 1. Gold- _ _ - April 2 April 15 80 Pioneer March 25 May 15 75 Mammoth April 6 April 20 80 Chas. Downing April 2 May 15 85 HamiDden _ April 20 May 10 80 Mt. Vernon- _ _ _- April 20 May 10 75 .Summit _ _ April 25 May 10 20 Bubach _ _ April 10 May 12 lOO Jas. Vick -_ April 14 May 5 75 Sharpless _ __ __ April 2 May 20 70 Crescent Seedling March 25 May 5 100 Ttasca - _- April 15 May 1 75 Manchester April 10 May 15 80 Jucunda- _ . _ April 15 May 10 65 Parry _ _ _ April 10 May 20 35 Cohazuic - - _ _ April 5 May 5 20 Caiidia __ April 20 May 11 70 431 NAME. When Ripe, . Creased bearing. Per cent living. Sept. 1 Indiana April 5 May 20 1 100 Triumph De Gaud _ April 1 May 10 35 Cumberland Ajiril 10 May 20 I SO Crimson Cluster April .5 May 30 1 45 Norman April 5 May 30 i 85 Cornelia . April 10 May 15 80 Ontario April 1 May 15 50 Coville April 10 May 15 85 Henderson .. .. Aj)ril 10 Maj^ 20 35 Kentucky - . Axu'il 11 May 30 100 Ohio Ax)ril 11 May 30 100 Lida -- -- April 2 May 1 40 Mammoth April 1 May 5 55 Jessie - . _ Axull 11 May 5 100 Haverland April 11 May 20 • 85 Photo April 11 May 5 75 Monmouth April 1 May 5 85 Gandy _ ... . _ April 111 May 20 85 Farnsworth April 1 I May 10 05 Enhance .. April 10 May 10 100 Excelsior Ax>ril 15! May 25 100 May King April 1 May 20 95. Eelmont Axuil 15 May 30 100 Haverland’ s Seedling. April 10 May 25 75 Great American April 10 May 30 65 \^h^field’s No. 2 ‘ April 5 May 5 75 Wilson April 11 May 5 85 Hi dwell - Axull 15 May 15 85 Capt. Jack. Aoril 11 May 5 65 Jewell April 12 May 10 20 KEMAKKS. Since the Iruitiiig season these plants have been put to?' ciuite a severe test as to their ability to stand this climate^ From the latter x^art of April until about same date in June they were subjected to a severe drought. From that time up to this, Sept. 1, there has been a very heavy rainfall, accompanied by- warm weather. The following is a description of the best varieties : Pioneer— This we consider one of the best. It is a large leafed! berry, growing very large. Leaves dark green. Its fruiting seasom is as long as any other and it is constantly loaded with large conical Iberries of fine flavor. The Truit stems being long and growing •erect, the fruit is thus kept well off the ground. Chas. Downing — An excellent berry. Foliage resembling preceding, but not so heavy or so dark. Fruit somewhat smaller and not as abundant as Pioneer, but of excellent flavor. Shaepless — This gave promise in the early season of the largest bearer, being crowded with green fruit. Just before reaching maturity, however, large quantities of fruit dropped off. What did mature]was rather small. Neither has it stood the summer as well as some others. 4 Crescent Seedling — The earliest berry of the lot. It is of only moderate size, and a rather poor bearer, but its earliness iserves to make up for this. It is of excellent flavor. Parry — A splendid berry. Fruit very large and excellent flavor, long, conical, bright, red berry. A very good bearer, but has not stood summer well. Triumph De Gand — A very fine, large berry, but open to the same objections as above. Ontario — Good bearer, of large but very irregular fruit. OHio----Vigorous grower. Bears a good crop late into the ^season. Fruit large, roundish, bright and red, of uniform size and shape, but most too sour to be called good. LiDA---Eather week vines, but an abundant bearer of long, cconical, cherry-red berries. Stands summer poorly. PHOTO----Vines vigorous. Bears a good crop of round berriei^. Gonda^----A good grower and healthy. Fruit of good size, bright color and fine form. Only moderately productive. May KiNG---Only a little later than Crescent. A moderate bearer. Fruit a beautiful shape and of a light, red color. A fine berry. While these are the best, yet all are good, and space alone prevents our giving a full description of all. BASPBERKIES. The following varieties of this fruit were grown on the station ifehis year: 433 Thompson’s Early Prolific, Thompson’s Early Pride, Shaffer„. Soiihegen, Gregg. Of these Thompson’s Early Pride, Soiihegen and Gregg, fruited this spring. The two former were very inferior, both in quantity and quality of fruit, while the latter was pronounced to^ be excellent. The fruit was not only large but very abundant- One variety of blackberries, Wilson’s Early, also did exeeP len^ly. OECHAKD. The following, although only one year in the orchard, fruited this year: PEACHES. Alexander — Matured two large, juicy peaches of fine fiavor and bright, red color. Fruit ripe June 15. BEATRICE----Matured three peaches about the same as above. Fruit similar to Alexander, but not quite so large. General Lee:- -A very nice peach. Quite large and juicy^ but w^ormy. Pipe July 18. Chinese Cling---- Very large, white juicy peach. Pipe July 18. PLUMS. Prunes PissARDi----Thi3 beautilul tree has grown wonder- fully and matured some little fruit by June 5. While of nob much value for eating, the fruit is said to be excellent for cooking. . Wild Goose---- A moderate crop of large, oval, bright, red plums of excellent flavor. Matured June 12. Botan’s^ JAPAN----This tree bore a tremendous crop of it& excellent fruit. The fruit is about the size of a guinea egg of a dark, red color, small seeded and fleshj^, of flavor somewhat a cross between apricot and peach. Kelsey’s Japan-— The tree could hardly support this crop. The fruit, however^ about the size ana shape of a large hen egg, was rendered worthless by the curculio. It is a little later than Botan. PoBiNSON----This is an excellent little plum. While the ‘ 434 fruit was not large, it w^is quite abundant, and commenced ripening latter part of May and continued until July. Newman’s- ---A good plum, and larger than Eobinson, bn':}, not so prolific. SMALL GEAIN. Below we give a table showing treatment of soil for and yield of oats planted in Nov. 1888 ; each experiment covered one acre. No. ol plat Previous treatment of soil flow fertilized [yield sheat oats lbs per cent grain Bushel grain 1 In encilage corn, snimner 300 lbs cotton seed 2 of 1888, fertilized with 150 lbs cotton seed meal. 150 lbs ncid phosphate, Ensilnge coru 1888, unfer- meal, 150 lbs acid phosphate. ^ 1 4306 j 1 4 tilized. Peas ill 1888, peas turned Nothing. 1 300 lbs cotton seed 8050 i20.6 73.9 under, iPeas in 1888, peas turned meal, 150 lbs acid phosphate. 7060 26.8 59.1 5 1 under. iPeas in 1888, peas saved Nothing 7315 29.2 66.7 i for hay. '^Samijle lost in burning of 1 Nothing 3a rn. 8468 28.6 78.3 The effects of drainage were never more plainlj^ illustrated than in the above results. No. 1 was lost in barn, but judging from the light tonnage obtained, it is safe to say that its yield of grain would have fallen far below the others. No. 1 was treated exactly similar to No. 2, and in addition had a heavy fertilizer. No. 2 was on a gentle incline, however, and hence, , was much better drained than its neighbor on top of the hill. This was again the case with plats 3 a ad 4, while plat No. 5, although robbed of its peas, gave the largest yield of any, and from its position was the best drained. Two other varieties of oats. White Eussian and Centennial, were also planted. Of these, the Centennial rusted so badly that it was not worth harvesting. The White Eussian gave i^er acre in straw 926.1, pounds, grain 18.3 bushels. It also was badly rusted. Two varieties of barley i. e. : Hulless and Champion two rowed, had been harvested and stored in barn for future trash- 435 ing, but met with the same fate as that building. They both promised well, particularly the latter- The former was not so good, having suffered from rust. The wheats all suffered more orless from the pest, some almost to the extent of total failure. The following are th 0 results w ith time of harvest : Wheats I Yield per acre I NAME ! 1 Straw lbs i 1 1 ! j Grain bushel 1 1 i Harvested 1 g Michigan Bronze 8820 19.9 May 15 Rusted Saskatchawan 33f4 12.6 May 11 Badly rusted Martin’s Amber W^hite Clawson 3528 3740 3.4 May 10 Badly rusted Failed utterly Rusted badly Saskatch awan 4410 2.2 May 28 It is quite plain from the last two years result that only rust proof varieties of small grain will succeed in this climate. GRASSES. On November 2, 1888, the following grasses and clovers w^ere sow n on w^ell prepared land : Crimson clover. White clover. Red clover, Bakhara clover, Alsike clover. Alfalfa^ Timothy, Red Top, Kentucky blue grass, Randal, Soft Bronie, Rescue, Perenuiak Ry e, Italian Rye, Tall Fescue, Tall Oat . Of these the Bakara clover. Alfalfa and Kentucky Blue were a failure. A later planting of the later, however, after a long struggle, is now^ doing as well as could be desired. Although w e made several sowings of Rescue, not a seed could be induced to germinate. The Crimson, Reed and Alsyke clovers did splendidly, the two latter giving two good cuttings before succumbing to the combined enemies, sun and native grasses. While the grasses, with the few exceptions above, all did w^ell 5 the two ryes Italian and English surpassed them all. They were sown in November, and by Januaiy 15 the former was tw o feet high, and would have given a fine cutting. The latter, wdiile from its nature, not growing so high, yet at that 436 time would have afforded as fine a p^isture as the dairyman or stock-raiser could wish. VEGETABLES. Early in February the half acre garden of this station was thorou hly prepared for vegetables. A heavy dressing of a compost composed of equal parts of cotton seed and stable manure was spread G:]UaL;/ over the whole garden. This was then tiiincd ir.alcr "'ith a two-horse plow. SubseqTioiit crOvSS jilowings and harrowings incorporated the fertilizer Ihorouglily with the soil. Seeds used were obtaineil from Eichard Frotscher, of Xew Orleans. Owing to the severe spring drought, lasting for eight weeks, the whole planting, consisting of five varieties of lettuce, five of radish, eight of beets, fourteen of onions, six of peas, ten of beans, three of okra and three of sugar corn, was almost a total failure. So much was this the case that we do not feel warranted in passing an opinion upon the merits of any. The only exception to this rule is the okra. Of the three varieties planted, i. e. : Tall Growing, Dwarf White and INTew Velvet, the latter did much the best. I^ot only is it more tender than the others, but is also much more prolific. It is a dwarf variety, round, smooth pods, free from ridges and seams, and not prickly to the touch. LIVE STOCK. This consists of a trio of Jersey and of Holstein cattle, together with twelve breeds of poultry. There is scarcely any- thing to add concerning the Holstein to what has already been published. Since writing the above,_ the Holstein cow dropped a bull calf. Unfortunately the calf was dead. After some little trouble, during which invaluable services were rendered by Dr. W. H. Dalrymple, veterinary surgeon of the station the cow' is now' doing excellently. She now gives from five and a half to six gallons of milk per day. This milk is of far better quality tlian with her former calf. Butter tests are now in progress and will be given to the public as soon as possible. On Feb -nary 27, the Jersey cow dropped a beauti- 437 ful heifer calf. As soon as the milk become fit for use it was carefully weighed after each milking and every drop devoted to butter-making. A small Blanchard churn is used. From then up to the present date^ Oct. 21 , this cow has given in all 3368 pounds of milk. From this there has been obtained 179 pounds butter, or an average of one pound of butter to 18.8 pounds of milk. This at an average cost of twelve cents a day. POULTRY. On February 27 , eight poultry yards were stocked. The following table gives the number of eggs laid by each hen from April 15 up to July 15 : KAME OF Breed. White Crested Black Polish*. Brown Leghorn Light Brahma Bnfl‘ C ochin W h ite W yandott Laced Wyandott Barred Ply moth Rock Vv^hite Plymoth Rock Langshan * Black Minorca- - White Minorca ^^Oiie ben was sick and scarcely laid during whole time second month. bc=t bJ)V a, 37 38 45 41 31 9 20 2 7 24 51 Hen died ,4 A .5 .4 '.54 .1 .22 .02 t07 .26 ,56 after COTTON. O^dng to the destruction of this crop by storm last year and the consequent loss of results all experiments, in fertiltzing were duplicated this season. Dame Nature, in a mood of pity for the poor cotton farmer, curbed the rainy god early in February, and for most of the 438 ^^•ear resisted not only his prayers but also the supplications of many an unhappy sugar ]3lanter, and only for a biief period in .July was there too much rain. Then, confining Boreas with 'double bars within his ocean cave, stationed herself at the differ- ent gins of this community and welcomed the happy farmer. 'The season in this locality has been exceptionally fine, as one could readily see by comparing the following tables of yields with like ones published last year. These .experiments occupied the same plats as their dujili- oates of last year, and the seed, Brannon,” was also the same* Plat 12 — Cotton — ^^'itrogeneous Fertilizers. Question asked : Does this soil need nitrogen ? How much :and in what form ? FERTILIZATION AND YIELD PER ACRE, JSo. of Exp. How Fertilized Cotton Seed Lint. 1 Mixed Minerals,'*^ 79.8 lbs Nitrate Soda 2912 970.6 2 Mixed Minerals, 159 6 lbs Nitrate Soda 3276 1092.0 3 Mixcii Minerals, 53.2 lbs Sulphate Aiunionia 3234 1078.0 4 Mixed Minerals, 106.4 lbs Sulphate Auiinouia 3066 1022.0 5 Mixetash 2870 990.0 M<‘a,l Phosphate, S-l lbs Miiria.te Pota.sli 2660 886.6 Meal Phosphate 2072 690.6 Nothing 2072 690.6 Meal Phospha.te, 42 lbs .Sulphate Potash 2296 798.6 Meal Phosph , 84 Ihs .Siilpha.te Potsi.sh 2548 849.3 t 196 lbs C. S. Meal, 280 lbs Acid Phosphate, / f 49 lbs Nitrate Potash ^ ^ 84 lbs C. S. Meal, 280 lbs of Acid Phosphate, / f 98 lbs of Nitrate Potash S jMeal Phosphate 2632 2870 2170 877.3 956.6 723.3 1 Nothin" 1562 .520.3 *Meal Phosphate : 280 lbs Cotton Seed Meal, 280 lbs Acid Phosphate. The questions asked were : First. What element or elements of plant food does this, soil need f’ 440 Second. ^^In what forms and quantities is this deficiency best supplied f’ Nature is niggardly with her secrets, and in this instance, despite our efforts to rend them from her, has only j^artially yielded. Indeed, in most of these experiments, so small is the increase of the fertilized over the ^hiothing’’ jdats, that it be- comes exceedingly difficult to draw any reliable conclnsions. Nitrogen seems to yield the best return, for in plat 12- experiment No. 2, we have the large yield of 3276 xionnds, an in- crease of 246 pounds over the average of 5, 11 and 17, where no nitrogen Avas sujAplied, and OA^er a thousand x^ounds increase over the average of the three ^biothing’’ exx^eriments. In exx^eriments. No. 3, the increase is scarcely less marked, while in No. 4, where double the quantity of sulxAliate of ammonia is used, there is actually a smaller yield than Avhere no nitrogen is supplied. This also must be due to foreign causes. Now turning to x^lat 13 we find here an increase, seemingly due to the use of phosphoric acid. Experiment No. 3 giA^es the largest yield, but all the yields, are so close that positive con- clusions are almost impossible. It will be noticed that experi- ments 1 to 6 and 9 to 12 are dux^licates, the only difference being that in the latter the x^hosphoric acid is in the “reverted,’’ while in the former it^is in the soluble form, These results would seem to contradict those of last year i. e,, that reverted phosphoric acid is of very little benefit; ; but when we bear in mind that it was on this same land that these experiments were conducted, we readily account for this seeming contradiction. The acids of the earth have evidently acted upon the reverted of last year, rendering it soluble, and hence the x^lants were benefitted by the ax^x^lication made last year, and which was a total loss to last year’s crop. In x^lat 14 there seems to be almost an unmistakable indication of benefit from potash. As this is the first time in this station’s exx^erience that this has appeared, A/e hesitate, hoAA'ever, to admit this without more extended researeh. In the aboA^e conclusions it is well to remember that the differ- ences from Avhich they are drawn are very slight such as might 441 be due to entirely foreign causes, some of which are slight differ- ences in stand, small differences in the fertility of the soil itself? «tc. With such small differences it will require years of patien^ doil before any positive conclusions can be drawn. COEN. The following is a tabulated statement of yield of varieties of this crop. Yield of varieties of corn per acre. Object of experiment. ‘To determine variety best suited to this soil and climate. Name of Variety. Total lbs per cent, cob per cent, shuck per cent, grain bushe grain fprunn 1419 12.4 11.29 76.31 19.3 Mosby 2277 5.18 13.79 81.03 32.7 Blount 2475 12.5 9.44 78.6 34.0 Alabam a 2178 11.11 7.52 81.37 31.6 McQuade 1287 15.03 8.62 76.35 20.9 ‘WViitf' 1782 2838 'White Mexican 6.12 7.22 86.66 43.8 Prolific 3300 15.62 9.37 75.01 44.2 New Madrid 2194 14.92 8.95 76.13 29.5 Rp,(l Cob CronrH Sppfl 31 18 13.75 6.02 80 23 44.6 C h fi.m pi on 1072 12.24 8.12 79.64 15 3 New Hic'kory King 2046 9.43 13.2 77.37 28.2 Mexican Flint 2706 16.07 12.5 72.43 29.8 Wpstpro VpIIow 2310 1765 14.0 10.0 76.00 23.7 Mexican and Creole, mixed 12.12 12.12 75.76 23.8 Yellow Flint 2607 15,28 20.00 10.76 73.96 34.4 Yellow Grolden 2013 16.36 63.64 22.9 Mixture of Red Cob and Mosbv 2953 12.5 14 6 73.91 38.9 The severe drought beginning in the early, part of April und not ending until well into July, injured this crop very .severely. The Prolific goes far ahead, thus showing its ability to stand drought better than the others. Next to it come-s Eed Cob Gourd Seed. While Blount the best of last year, falls to ;siKth in yield. FERTILIZEE EXPERIMENT. The same questioh with corn as with cotton were put. Below are the results : PLAT IX— POTASH, VARIETIES USED — BLUONT. Object of experiment to determine Ist. If this soil needs potash. 2iid. If so. in what form and quantity. 442 How Fertilized Meal Phosphate*, 168 lbs. Kainite Meal Pho8i)hnte, 3ll6 lbs Kainite Meal Phosphate Meal Phosphate, 42 lbs. Muriate Potash Meal Phosphate, 84 lbs. Muriate Potash Meal Phosphate Nothing: Meal Phosphate, 42 lbs. Sulphate Potash Meal Phosphate, 84 lbs. Sulphate Potash Meal Phosphate ( 280 Acid Phosphate 196 lbs. Cotton Seed Meal, 49 lbs. ( Nitrate Potash ( 280 lbs. Acid Phosphate, 84 lbs. Cotton Seed Meal, 98 ( lbs. Nitrate Potash Meal Phosphate — 280 lbs. Cotton Seed Meal. ::.801bs. Acid Phosphate. Yield Per Acre Shuck Grain corn 11)8 Bushel 2828 41.5 3696 51.8 3472 48.7 37.52 52 5 3.584 50.3 3142 38.4 3198 44.1 3198 44.1 3396 51.9 3752 52.5 3696 51.8 341(5 48.0 PHOSPHOKIC ACID— PLAT NO. X. VARIETY — RED COB GOURD SEED. Object to determine 1st, If this soil need phosphoric acid, Sind in what form and quantity. ^ ~ How Fortilized Yield per acre. o, . CL O X Shuck corn lbs 1 Grain 1 Bushel 1 1 Basal Mixture*, 280 lbs. Dissolved Bone 2968 42.5 12 Basal Mixture, 560 lbs. Dissolved Rone Basal Mixture 3248 1 46.5 :3 3528 50.5 4 Basal Mixture, 280 lbs. Acid Phosphate Besal Mixture, 5f0 Ibe. Acid Phosphate 2996 42.9 5 3472 49.8 4) Basal Mixture 3472 49.8 7 Nothing 3528 50 . 5 '8 Basal Mixture, 280 lbs. Bonn Meal 4032 57.7 3 Basal Mixture, 560 lbs. Bone Meal 3732 53.4 AO Basal Mixttirp, ... 3584 51.1 Bi Basal Mixture, 140 Iba. Gypsum 3752 53.7 Basal Mixture, 280 lbs. Gvpsuru *Baeal Mixture — 230 lb*. Cotton Seed .Vieal. 347.2 lb*. Kainite. PLAT XI— XITKOGEX. VARIETY — RED COB GOURD SEED. .3248 46.5 Object to determine Ist. If this soil needs nitrogen. 2nd. ff so, in what form and quantity. 443 Xo. of Exp’t 1 Fertilizer Used Yield Pei Sbnck corn lbs [* Acse Grain BnsbeE 1 Mixed Minerals*, 79.8 lbs. Xitrate Soda 2520 36.1 2 Mixed Minerals, 158.6 lbs. Xitrate Soda 3640 52.1 3 Mixed Minerals, 53.2 lbs. Sulphate Ammonia 3248 46.5- 4 I Mixed Minerals, 106.4 lbs. Snlpliale Ammnnia, i 3192 45.5 5 [Mixed Minerals. 112 11)8. Dried Blood 3304 47. 3^ 6 [Mixed Minerals, 224 lbs. Dried Blood 3360 48.1 7 2800 50.1 8 1 4136 59.2 9 Mixed Mii'orals, 168 lbs. Cotton Seed Meal i 2632 37.5 10 Mixed Minerals, 336 lbs. Cotton Seed Meal 1 2968 42.5 Jl Mixed Minerals, 504 lbs. Cotton Seed 2632 37.6 12 [Mixed Minerals, 1008 lbs. Cotton Seed ! 2856 40.9 *.Wixed Minerals — 280 Ib^. Acid Pbospliate. 347.2 lbs. Kaiuite. All of this com was planted March 14th and 15th three ker- nels being dropped at distances of exactly two feet. A light* shower immediately after i3lantingj caused it to greminate im- mediately^ and when thinned a perfect stand, consisting of one stalk to every two feet, was left. From this time until late im July not one drop of rain fell. Notwithstanding this the whole crop grew beautifnlly, and did not show the least sign of suf- fering, until the time of tasseling — thanks to the thorough cul- tivation which it had received. But even cultivation could not* supply the increased demand for moisture ineident upon this> process, and for about ten days the whole crop, and particularly the fertilized experiments suffered severely. During growth ^he effect of the fertilizers were very appa- rent, particularly where phosphatic fertilizers were used. Im Plats 10, Experiment 1, 2, 4 and 5 immediately took the lead,, and were twice as large as either 3 or 6, the Basal Mixture, andJ. fully two-thirds as tall, and of a much better color than 7. But. it is the same old story of the Turtle and the Hare, Pushed for- ward by the abundance of plant food, the fertilized corn reached the tasseling stage much earlier, and hence suffered much longer. The unfertilized corn grew much slower, and hence suffered only a short while. When rain did come, the fertilized corn was in- jured too much to recover what it had lost, and hence the ^‘Nothing” experiments actually, in several instances, exceed, its neighbors in yield. 444 From sucli an array of figures so similar, it is impossible to 9.5 17.2 13.7 2.57 79.65 18.76 9.3 16.8 13.22.45 78.57 18.56 8.9 16.0 ,12.0 12.98 75.00 i24.84 10.0 d8.0 14. 03.17 77.77 122.63 ^Samples of cane from the same plats were analyzed from three to four weeks r previously with results as follows: | ) 445 yields of these resi)ective experiments are not at present avail- able. It was intended to take this cane to the Sugar Station ta be worked up by diffusion^ but that being delayed longer than was expected, it was necessary to windrow the whole to keep from loosing it. The high sugar content, a characteristic of all ui 3 land cane that we have examined, is remarkable. Can there be any doubt that cane, when it can be raised at so much less cost and contains such a large per cent, of sugar, will pay hand- somely on these uplands. The Ibllowing, one of the best anal- yses of lowland cane, of a plantation not far distant, is inserted^ for comparison. Beaume 8_3^ Total solids 15- Sucrose 13-1 Glucose 1-52J Solids not sugar -38^ Glucose ratio ll-6{^ Coefficient purity 1 — 87-38 There is one point in the comparison of these two sets oC analyses which is well to notice, and which may account, in a measure, for the very general report that it is more difficult to> make sugar from upland than from lowland cane. While the sucrose of the highland cane is much in excess of the lowland^ yet the quantity of solids not sugar is larger in the former tham in the latter. SOEGHUM. Besides the cane above mentioned, there was planted one- half acre each of Lynks’ Hybrid and of Early Orange Sorghum-. This was cut and sent to the Sugar Experiment Station,, where it was worked up by the diffusion process, giving 120 pounds oC brown sugar to the ton of sorghum. The following are the analyses of thirty-five varieties of this; plant grown on this station from seed received fi*om the EL S>- Department of Agriculture : 446 ] 2 3 4 5 6 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 Name Swain’s Early Golden, New Orange jNo. 14 Unknown Planters’ Friend, fron Early Ainker No. 39, from South Af: Late Orange tc o X o O to c White African. Red Liberian No. 53. from South Africa Folger’s Early No. 61, Now variety from East India New Sugar Cane Waubansee Whiting’s Eaidy loose Neck Early Tennessee New, from Georgia Sorghum, Sacharatum, from Cape Town Africa. Dutchers Hybrid New Indian variety No. 57 No. 26, from East India Chinese Prices New Hybrid No. 36, from South Africa No. 46 Link’s Hybrid No. 51 . . .■ 10. 5i 18.9' 15. 2 2.27 10.3 18.7, 14. 4;2.33- 16. 2 ! 10. 5 5.00 16.7! 12. 0,3.12 17.7 14. sil.Sb- 10.9 ' 19. 7 1 15. 611.28 10.5 18.9, 13. 0 4.54 6.4 ill.6[ 4. 1;6.25 10.5 ,18.9i 13. 5:4.12 11.3 :20.5 14. ,6A.16 12.2 |2G.2 15. 1 3.33 17.2 15. U1 .66 1 9.6 [17.4 13. ,0 2.33 110.2 |18.5 12. ,3'5.00 I 1 O .2 118.5 12, .35.00 10.3 118.7 10. . 5 5 . 55 10. 1 118 2 13, ,ll2.94 9.2 116.7 10. ,6,4.55 6.2 [11.2 5, .2 3.32 7.0 12.7 8. .213.16 6.7 112.1 8, .4^2. .50 7.6 113.7 8 .24. 16 6.4 11.6 5 .7 3.06 7.7 13.9 9 .7|2.77 5.9 10.7 4 .9 5.01 5.9 10.7 6 .0 4.38 8.5 15.4 8 .1 6.25 8.1 14.7 7 .8,3.37 6.9 12.5 6 .3,3.84 7.2 12.9 7 .6^4. 16 6.8 12.2 4 .0,3.33 8.5 15.4 4 .4 5.03 9.0 16.3 11 .4!2.68- 8.7 15.7 11 .1 3.43 7.6 13.7 7 bo Attention is called to the high sugar content of some of these varieties, four of which, i. e.. White India, New Orange^ No. 39, and Swain’s Early Golden, exceed 15 per cent. VAEIETIES OF COTTON. Ever since the establishment of the Experiments Station in this State, it has been one of their departments -of work to test different varieties of cotton. In selecting cotton seed there are three things that we should ever keep in mind : 447 First — The variety chosen should give a good gross yield of seed cotton. Second — This cotton, when taken to the gin, should yield the largest per cent, of lint possible. Third — That lint, when put upon the market, should be of sufficient length of staple to command the highest market price. These are the three great requisites of a perfect cotton — three requirements seldom found hand in hand. From results of varieties grown on this Station last year we have compiled the following table : showing, first, yield of seed cotton per acre ; second, per cent, of lint ; third, per cent, of seed ; fourth, yield of lint per acre. These exj)eriments were carefully made on a small Gullet gin. I YIELDS OF VARIETIES OF COTTON, Name Mikado Jeff WelbouA Pet. Ea-t Deariiigs Siuall ) feoed S Jower’s Improved Herlong. Bancrofts Px Hevl g Martin’s Prolific.. Little Brannon... Pcterkin Jower’s Improved ClierryLongStaple Peeler Peerless Wclborn’s Pet. . . . C lie try LongStap I e Taylor’s Improved S. B. Maxey. Cherry’s Cluster. Tetiuessee Silk. . . Shine’s Kiirly 'rcnncRsce .''i Soiithein Hope. Bovd’s Prolific. . Petit Onlf Zellners Lbs Seed Cotton Per Acre Per Cent. Seed Per Cent. Lint V X - O < 1 p Class ! S Hh £ >■ Value of Lint i Per Acre ! Remarks 2014 68.8 29.2 588 flood Middling n $.59.06 f Classed with 2.544 67.7 31.2 793 Middling 76.. 32 1 “Allen ” staple 1539 70.3 28.6 440 Middling lOf 46.75 ■[ I ct. over same 1 grade common 1 cotton. 1 2 yrs. seed, 1 “Benders ” sta- 2831 64.4 30.4 860 Strict Middling 9| 1 83.85 1 3078 70.0 28.8 886 1 10 1 88.60 ! ■\ pic. ^ ct. over 1 H a m e g r a d o 1 comnion c..ttou 12964 61.5 26.9 797 Strict Middling 1 9| 77.70 2 ^ ear's seed. 2603 67.0 30.6 796 77.79 '2432 67.9 28.8 700 Good Middling. 69.12 2375 69.6129.4 698 Middling 9| 67.18 ‘ • 2812 60.9i.37.7 1060 “ 9| 102.02 2451 64.1 .33.3 817 78.63 “• 2223 66.6 31.6 702 Strict Middling 9| 68.44 2094 ! '69.0i29.0! 607 9f 59.17 *- 1520 i 68.7|.30.0 4.56 Middling 9f 43.89 3 year’s seed. 1976 67.2 29.8 588 9| 56.59 2 year’s seed. 2033 71 .0 27.1 .550 91 .52.94 1767 67.71 30.1 531 Strict Middling 9£ 51.76 1938 66.6131.3 606 9| 59.08 1 .577 67.4131.0 48S Good Mitldling. 9«^ 48.19 2223 70.0 29.0 644 Middling 9| 61.98 “ 2211 68.6 30.2 667 Sfiict Middling 9f 65.02 3 year’s years. 2204 69.8 29.3 645 " 1 Middling '. 9f 62.08 |2 Year's seed • Bencer ” stit- 1900 1596 11083 67.0 66.6' 69. Ot 32. 0| 31.1 29.9 ' 598 Strict Middlitig 496 “ .323 10 59.80 pie i cent over 1 s a ill c g 1 a lants to one or the other parent, and the prepotency is always down, hill. Then, too, perhaps some stray insect, in search of the sweets of its flowers, has unwittingly conveyed to its ready pistil the pollen of some short staple native cotton, the result being another cross. As its name indicates, the Upland cotton is the best fitted for the surrounding conditions, and this being the case, our hybrid, in the effort to adapt itself to the changed con. dition, begins to shorten its staple. As the result of this, unless careful selection is constantly practiced, instead of a fine variety we have in a few years nothing but the ordinary cotton of our neighbor. We have not thought it worth while in this paper to lay any stress upon the importance of thorough cultivation, as we pre. sume that any one who is sufiiciently awake to select his seed will appreciate its necessity. But from what we have seen of the survival of the fittest, it is easy to infer that the man wdio does not practice thorough cultivation is doing worse than nothing by paying extra for choice seed, for he thereby not only wastes his moneys, but perliaps brings disdi’edit upon a good variety. All that luis been said above has been in reference to the stalk from w hicli to select the seed. To discuss here from what ]iart of the stalk to take those seed, whether from the bottom, middle or top, w hether to select those that first mature, or those from near the stalk, oi* at the extremity of the limb, w^ould be rather an anticipation, jis these are questions that have not yet been solved. Aow^ in concluding, we do not recommend each farmer to go into the business of orignating varieties. That is left to indi- viduals and perhaps your Experiment Stations. But we do urge upon each and all the importance of exercising the greatest care in the selection of their seed. The day is not far distant, in fact is even here when the kind of seed used is quite an item in the profit and loss account of each farmer, and 454 he who neglects it is bound sooner or later to go to the wall, tn- make way tor a more careful successor. We cannot close this report without thanking the following periodicals, who have been so kind as to furnish the reading- room of this station with their regular publications free : Canadian Horticulturist, Grimsby, Out,; Kevne Agricole, Port Louis, Maurice; Sugar Eeview, London, England; Farmers Ad_. vocate, Ontario, Canada; Canadian Live Stock and Farm Jonrmd, Hamilton, Canada ; Journal des Fabricants de Sucre, Paris, France; Sugar Cane, Manchester, England; Agricultural Ga- zette, London, England ; Journal of Chemical Society, London, England ; Agricultural Students’ Gazette, Cirencester. England ; Gardeners’ Chronicle, London, England ; Chemical News, London, England ; Live Stock Journal, Starkville, Miss.; Coleman’s Rural World, St. Louis, Mo.; Southern Cultivator, Atlanta, Ga. ; Elmira Husbandman, Elmira, N. Y. ; Industrial South, Richmond, Ahi. ; Home and Farm, Louisville, Ky.; Times- Democrat, New Orleans, La.; Picayune, New Orleans, La.; Sugar Beet, Philadelphia, Penn.; Country Gentlemen, Albany, N. Y. ; Rural New Yorker, New York, N. Y.; American Agriculturist, New York, N. Y. ; Agricultural Science, Knoxville, Tenn,; Lake Charles American, Lake Chailes, La.; South Illustrated, New Orleans, La.; City Item, New Orleans, La.; States, New Orleans,' La, ; Bee, New Orleans, La. ; StadtsZeitiung, New Orleans, La.; Manufacturers’ Record, New Orleans, La.; Industrial Review, New Orleans, La.; (’hristian Advocate, New Orleans, La.; Caligraph, Ruston^La. ; Farmeis’ Union^ Chandrant, La. ; Farmeis’ Club Journal. Han- selville, N. Y.; The Poultry World, Hartford, Conn.; Journal of Analytical ^diemistry, Easton, Penn.; American t'hemical Journal, Baltimore, Mn.; Popular Science News, Boston, Ylass. ; The xYmerican Garden, NYw York, N. Y.; Orange Judd Farmers Chicago^ 111.; The Microcosm, I hiladelphia, Penn.; 4 he Weekly Truth, Baton Rouge, La. Tne thanks of the station are also din^ to those entei prising agricultural impieinent makers Messis. B. F. xVvery & (’o,, for implements ; also to Mr. W. S. Roberts, the courteous agent of Clarke’s Cutaway Harrow, tor one of those tine imi)lements, amt to many others for varioiLs lavois. -Oi rr) nriiioif >i^rJ ' ^ j^Tor ^ 'iaT^itr »♦»■£! M.i^' nisk f. i ' ^ir\ ri >'i i wri; •* y* *» '■ ‘ - * ' f 't“ 'V j.»S'Ver ,4:') firrrrifi/'Vrt^A ,nu/imivf >0 : ^^luAnyi^ r/i*ff{j|fi‘,teA : i>r;Kfgfi^ 1 ^ .' ) . • ‘ If. MU /Au ^ . •♦■ ,rhrfe /^I 'l'^ \UhiL\ I'. .U .;|’ ,tWo^/7'i .;,i'jf .■ .K^iiv.^ ;.Y ^ J^tvurn r. C- r' (I- .■•: ^ 'ri'ii >i : /7 T^sVa/MiA , \ J . . .>?/ .?' *^^^7 :/-‘»4 .f>-.')j-.;..,:^i ru.-MT'yiifA ‘ i,'./ m mH IfUJrnjQhvJ^ >-^:i -L -^ /L nHi'ttmee ^ ■,..^|; •j.u ;,.,i;;,i ,-. ) vj.vr T#, 'f/f ■ h 7 : . / 1 W-) i :‘^Ki i 1 ^ ^ ^\Oi' f.. .'’•:w(ji‘/I)A lUiia-st.TjI'Vi'^ Ui'icrriii-l.iiJi; Vf|i;r v \t 0;tl :';«:! , i* ij^ii'S-;) .?lT<>7<;j ^iU )H.#;v ‘U>1 ^|4 """ ^ f . V’i MM BULLETIN No. 27/ ' REPORT OF TIIK NORTH LA. EXPERIMENT STATION, OF THE CALHOUN, LA. FOR 1889. \Vm. O. stubby, Pn. T>., Director. JuRDAN G. LEE, Assistant Director. ISSUED BY THE BUREAU OP AGRICUUTURE, T. J. BIRD, Commissioner. PRINTED AT THE TRUTH .1015 OFFICE, BATON ROUGE, LA, THE AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION, U. S?4TE nSlVERSITY 4NB 4. S M. EOElEtE. BUREAU OF AGRICULTURE. GOV. F. T. NICHOLLS, President. W.M. GARIG, Viee-Presideut Board of Supervisors. T. J. BIRD, Commissioner of Agriculture. STATION STAFF. WM. C. STUBBS, Ph. D., Director, D. N. BARROW, B. S., Assistant Director, Baton Rouge. J. G. LEE, B. S., Assistant Director, Calhoun. Assistant Director, Audubon Park. B. B. ROSS, M. S., Chemist. M. BIRD, B. S., Assistant Chemist. A. T. PRESCOTT, M. A., Botanist, H. A. MORGAN, M. S. Entomologist and Horticulturist. W. H. DALRYMPLE, M. R. C.V. S., Veterinary Surgeon. A. M. GARDNER, B. S,, Farm Manager Audubon Park. J. E. PRATT, Farm Manager, Baton Rouge. L. M. CALHOUN, Farm Manager, Calhoun. H. SKOLFIELD, Treasurer. J. D. STUBBS, Secretary. The bulletins and reports will be sent free of charge to all farmers, by applying to Major T. J. Bird, Commissioner of Agricultnre, Baton Rouge, La. LOUISIANA STATE UNIVERSITY AXO A. AND V. COLLEGE, Office of Expeuiment Stations, > Baton Rouge, La. ) 'To Major T. J. Bird, Commissioner of Agriculture : Dear Sir : — I hand you herewith the Annual Report of ]N'orth Louisiana Experiment Station by Major J. G. LEE, ..Assistant Director and Chemist, and ask that you publish it as Bulletin No. 27. Respectfully submitted, WM. C. STUBBS, Director. North Louisiana Experiment Station, \ Calhoun La., December 1889, j 'To Dr. W. C. Stubbs, Ph. D., Director : Dear ttir : — In accordance with your request, I herewith hand you annual report of crop results on this Station for the jear ending December 1889. In the main the results are gratifying. Permit me to say, the station is doing good work for North Louisiana and great enthusiasm is exercised as is testified, by the outpourings of farmers at the regular monthly meetings of the North Louisiana Agricultural Society and the daily visits of farmers during growing seasons. In the preparation of this Bulletin I am specially indebted zo Mr. L. M. Calhoun, farm manager, for his assistance in •calculating and compiling results. Respectfully submitted. JORDAN. G. LEE, Assistant Director and Chemist REPORT. The present year has been very successful and gratifying at this Station. Thirty acres of the pooiest land were plattep and have been devoted permanently to field experiments in manures with various crops. Another field, of 20 acres, is to .grasses, grains and clovers, 10 to Auneyard, orchard, garden and truck patches, fifty to general field crops and the rest divided into pastures for different breeds of stock. 456 To the live stock already on hand and previously reported^, the station has added the following breeds of Hogs : Ited Dnroc or Jersey; White Chester; Essex, Bershire and Yorkshire, and the- following breeds of Sheep : Cotswold, Merino, SonthdoAvn and Shropshire. With each fine breed have been placed two common ewes for grading pni'x^oses. All stock are doing well and are in good healthy growing; condition. In the introduction of iinx^roved breeds of Stock, the- station aims to benefit this portion of Louisiana by determining Avhich kinds are best adapted to this section, and farther to give j)ractical lessons in the princii^les which underlie stock feeding and stock breeding. At no time does the station contemplate keeping moie live stock than will answer the purposes of exx)e]‘i mentation. Prices have therefore been fixed by a Committee appointed by the Aorth Louisiana Agricultural Society for that x^urpose,, for all sales and service fees of males. Live Stock will also be sold at x)ublic auctions, at meetings of this Society, thus given farmers the opportunity to buy. The XHiceslixed for chickens are $l 50 for single cock, $2 Otf I)er x)air, or *ti^3 00 x^er trio. For x^igs $2 50 x^er head. For ser-' vice fees of bull $3 00 ; for hogs, $1 00. Other x^rices have not been rex^orted. Arrangements are made for taking care of all stock sent, and under no circumstances Avill males be x^ermitted to go off the farm to do service. Bubina, the Holstein cow, bought of Mr. J. W. Howard, Aberdeen, Miss., and of the celebrated Aggie family, has made a record this year of seven gallons milk x^er day, and two Ibs.butteix Beautiful Princess, bought of Dr. Wm. E. Oates, Yicksburg, Miss., and of the famous Stoke Pogis and St. Lambert strain,, has made a record with her first calf, of four gallons milk per day and two x^ounds of buiter. The following record of eggs laid by each breed of chickens., was carefully kept from January until April: Langshans, 2 hens, 96 eggs ; Avanted to brood twice. Minorca, 2 hens, 86 eggs x Brown Leghorn, 2 hens, 81 eggs ; Partridge Cochins, 2 hens, 79^ 457 ■«gg’S, wanted to brood, four times ; Liglit Bramalis, 2 liens, 7() eggs, wanted to brood once ; Buff Cochins, 2 hens, 59 eggs, wanted to brood three times ; White Plymouth Bock, one hen, ..50 eggs 5 Barred Plymouth Pock, one hen, 31 eggs ; Wyandotte, Iheii, 11 eggs ; Silver Spangled Hamburg, was not pnt on record until March 1st, and one hen laid 16 eggs in that time ; a Pekin Duck laid 23 eggs during this period. Pemarks are withheld for the present on the dllferent breeds. A careful record will ^again be kept, for entire year, together with such characteristics • of good and bad points as may appear and will be published when fair tidal has been given. The station has recently erected a large and commodious hall 40x60 feet, built for the purposes of the North Louisiana Agri- cultural Society, which holds its meetings here the last Thursday in each month. The organization of this society dates from the establishment of this Station. Its officers are J. M, White, of Lincoln, President, and L. G. Drew, of Ouachita, Secretary. The society is composed of farmers and planters of North Louis- isiana, and its good work in promoting agriculture and agricul- tural methods and implements, is already felt throughout this portion of the State. Farmers of this section are enthusiastic over the Station and attend in large numbers the monthly meetings of the Society in Agricultural Hall. The V. S. and P. P. P. has liberally con- tributed to this movement by running excursion trains on the •day of meeting from Vicksburg and Shreveport, thus giving the farmers, at a reduced cost, an opportunity of insi^ecting the work of the Station and of enjoying the benefits of the discussions of the North Louisiana Agricultural Society. A Silo 8x8 feet was erected in the barn during summer and filled with Indian corn. Large African millet and Millo maize. ‘The silo has just been opened and the ensilage found to be very .good, so x)ronounced by Dr. W. C. Stubbs, Dr. S. A. Knapp and Prof. B, B. Boss. Its palatability has been tested by stock, and .^though tasting it at first timidly, they now eat it well. The orchard is in good condition. But few trees were lost 458 and these have been replaced by others. A fall list andnumber- of varieties were given in Bulletin 22. Special care and atten- tion will be given to orchard and garden for the Station has great hope of the fruit and vegetable industries in this section of State. Six acres in small grains^ barley and oats, were planted in November. One acre of each was fertilized with 200 lbs. cotton seed meal and 100 lbs. acid phosphate. One acre of each will be- top dressed in spring, and one acre of each will remain unfertil- ized. Six acres, besides the small plats have been planted in grasses and clovers, viz : one half acre each of Red, White, Burr and Alsike clover and Lucerne, and one half acre each of Kentucky, English Rye, Red Top, Rescue, Tall Meadow Oat and Orchard grasses. Only fair stands have been obtained of some, others^, quite good. Report will be made of results, next year. The following is a report of all crops harvested on Station during the year ending December, 1889 : GRAINS AND GRASSES. Small grains and grasses were planted on very poor soil,, from whicli a heavy crop of pines and persimmon bushes had just been removed. Land was broken in July, 1888, with 2 horse* Avery plow, cross broken with straight scooten Oct. 2 and 3. Sowed grain and manures Oct. 16 and 17, and iDlowed in broad- cast with scooter plow and harrowed off. The grains were har- vested from May 10 to 18th. VARIETIES OF GRAINS. Name of Variety. Bushels of grain per acre. Pounds of straw per acre. Centennial Oat 24.50 2805 Hulh ss Barley 13.75 3080 Champion Barley. 13.75 1567 Martin’s Amber Wheat 3.43 1443 White Russian do. 17.41 3587 Saskatchewan do. 13.40 3861 Michigan do. 5 50 1760 White Clawson do. 4.58 2310 Armstrong do. 3.66 1815 Scotch Fife do. 17.86 4318 459 Below are experiments of grain with fertilizers : NAME OF VARIETY Kind and quantity manure used per acre. | Bushels of grain; per acre. ' Pounds ? of straw* per acre. Eed East Proof Oat 100 bush, cotton seed 59.28 3190 do. 75 “ “ “ 65.31 2485 do. 50 “ 33.50 1678 do. 500 lbs. c. seed meal 51.56 2612 do. _ - 300 “ “ “ 36.09 1485 do. no manure. i 15 47 715 do. - u u 2.5.78 ! 035 Winter Barley _ 100 bush, cottonseed 34.37 27.50 do. _ - _ 300 lbs c. seed meal 11.45 935 do. _ no manure. nothing. — On April llth, the following remarks w^ere made : •‘Saskatchewan Wheat begins to head, slight rust. White Clawson Wheat, heavy rust. Martin’s Amber Wheat, heavy rust. Scotch Fife Wheat^ slight rust, doing well. White Eus- sian Wheat, slight rust, doing well. Michigan Wheat, heavy rust, not doing well.’’ Scotch Fife and White Eussian Wheats Avere a fair success, both yielding a good harvest, but little rust,, and grain kept well. These two haA^e been i^lanted again. The others “rusted” badly and the weevils destroyed the grain* They were not planted again . Hulless Barley grows off rapidly^ tillers but little, and yields a fair crop of hulled grain ; affords poor grazing. Champion Two-Eowed Barley groAA^s rapidl}^, yielding good grain. Winter Grazing Barley should be planted on rich soil in September at rate of one and one-half to two and one-half bushels per acre 5 grows fast and tillers extensively, soon covering the ground and affording an excellent AAunter pasture for grazing or soiling ; also yields heavy grain. A small plat has been planted for soiling pur^AOSes and now furnishes stock Avith gi^een food. CLOVERS. Lucerne (Medicago Sativa) has not been a success thus far. A few years are required to test it. Blooms in May. 460 Alsike {Trifolium ITylrldum). llnsatisfactory test, having poor stand. Bokalira {Melilotus Alba). Poor stand. Eesembles the Ln- eerne in growth. Blooms in May. Red Clover {Trifolium Pratense). Stand not good, but fiir- adshes fine samples of this variety. A melilotus, or sweet clover, so extensively cultivated in the canebrake regions of Alabama, was planted in March, was a fsuccess in growth suliticient to furnish a light mowing. Crimson Clover {Trifolium Incarnation) is an annual ; should be planted early in September on rich soil ; grows luxuriantly, and allows mowing in the spring. White Clover {Trifolinm llepens). Aot a full stand, and an unsatisfactory experiment. GRASSES. Kentucky Blue Grass {Poa Pratemsis). Very satisfactory, covering the plat entirely in spite of being somewhat affected by prolonged drouth last summer. Velvet Grass {Holcus Lanatus). In beginning of season this plat promised good results, but died during the drouth. English Rye Grass {Lalium Perenne) Planted in October will give excellent pasturage in early spring. Grows five to ten inches in height. Italian Rye Grass {Lalium Italicum) has given good results and matures early. Is an annual, and grows from eight to twenty inches in height. Somewhat injured by drought. Texas Blue Grass {Poa Arachnifera) has given best results of winter grasses planted. Should be set out in September or Oc- tober, with stalks eight or ten inches apart, as it tillers rapidly and soon mats] the plat. Goes to seed in May. Grows two feet high. Randall Grass {Festuca Pratensis) was not a successful exper- iment. Festuca Elatior gave poor results. Rescue {Bromus Uniolides) did not come to a good stand. Timothy {Phleum Prateiisc) suffered from drought, and was not a successful experiment. 461 Red Top Grass {Agrostis Yulgayis) ^ave favorable results, ‘growirg from fifteen to eighteen inelies high, and yielding good Hjiiality of hay. Orchard Grass (Dactglis Glomerata) and Tall Meadow Oat '‘Grass (Arrhemitlieniyn Elatior) gave promise of good results, but were affected severdy with drought. Giant Spuri-y was a partial success, gi owing ten to twelve inches in height. Seeds in May. Live stock are very fond of it. FIELD EXPERIMENTS. Plats A, B and C Avere devoted to rotation of crops. The rotating crops are oats iieas, cotton and corn. On iilat A oats were sown in February, harvested in May and plat sown in iieas in June, On jilat B was planted cotton, and on plat C corn. In 'October plat B was sown in oats, to be followed by peas next •spring, and plat C to be planted in cotton, following the corn, aind plat A to be planted in corn, following oats and peas. This rotation Avill be kept up for a series of years. During that time the east half of each plat will be manured with an apjiro- priate fertilizer ; the west half unmanured. The object of these experiments is to determine how much our lands may be ^^built up’’ simply by rotating crops, fertilized and unfertilized, the rotating crojis being oats, peas, corn and cotton. A careful record will be kept each year of each half plat, and results published. Below is a statement of results : Plat A. The fertilized half yielded twelve bushels of oats per acre. The unfertilized half 7.25 bushels. The same plat, pi inted in peas in June, yielded : fertilized j)lat 8.45 tons iiea vines per acre 5 unfertilized plat 4.22 tons. Tlie peas grew very rank, and were left standing to be plow- ed under in January with two-horse turn plow, the plat to be planted then in corn. Plat B, Avas planted in cotton. Land ay ell prepared, and first half of plat was fertilized Avith cotton seed compost at rate »of 44 bushels jier acre, drilled. The formula being. One ton of acid phosphate. 462 100 bushels stable manure, 100 bushels cotton seed meal. The fertilized plat yielded 829,22 lbs. seed cotton per acre^. and the unfertilized plat 528 lbs. This has already been sown in oats that are now up ancl growing nicely. Plat C. Land was well prepared and planted in corn March 12. The tirst half plat was fertilized with corn compost, con- sisting of One ton acid x:)hosphate, 200 bushels stable manure, 200 bushels cotton seed applied in the drill, one handful to hill at time of planting, and same quantity applied June 3d, covering with two furrows of turn plow. The second half plat was left unfertilized. The manured plat yielded 17.73 bushels shelled corn per acre, and second half plat, 13.09 bushels. This x^lat will be planted in cotton the en- suing year. The very line, marking where the fertilizers stopped in this plat, was strikingly indicated in the growth of crop, and was so marked as to elicit comment from visitors. COTTON. Exi)eriments in cotton were of three kinds. Ist^ Maimrial tests, embracing nitrogenous, phosphatic and potassic manurt^y and depths and application of manures j 2d, varieties 3d, dis- tance. Plat No 1 Avas devoted to nitrogenous manures. The qnes- ti:>ns propoundod to this plat are : 1st, Does this soil need nitro- gen to grow cotton successfully 2d, If so, in what form can it be best presented 3d, In what quantities per acre? In this plat nitrate of soda and sulphate of ammonia (mineraJ forms) have been tested with cotton seed meal and cotton s<3ed, raw, rotted and composted (vegetable forms), and such quantities of each as to contain 24 and 48 x^ounds of nitrogen per acre. Where 24 pounds per acre were used, it is denominated as one 463 ration, and two rations where 48 pounds. There are six groups- of four experi ments each, viz: 1, The nitrogenous fertilizer alone. 2. Mixed minerals, i. e. a mixture of acid phosphate and kainite. 3, One ration of the nitrogenous fertilizer sombined with mixed minerals, and 4, Two rations of the nitrogenous fertilizer combined with mixed minerals. In addition to above, two experiments have been left un manured to secure the natural capaci- ty of the soil — a starting point for calculating the benefits of the fertilizer used. By comparing the experiments where nitrogen is used alone with those unmanured, we get the benefit of nitrogen uncombined. By comparing those, Avhere nitrogen combined with mixed minerals, has been used, with those where mixed minerals alone have been used, we get the benefit due to nitrogen combined. By comparing results of each form combined and uncombined with its own mixed minerals and expressing the re- sults in percentages of the last, the relative merits of each form of nitrogen may be determined. By comx)aring the results of the one and two rations, definite ideas as to quantity of nitrogen to be used per acre may be acquired. Were the capacity of the soil ot this plat uniform,, results could be expressed in pounds instead of percentages. But it was very irregular, as the experi- ments show. CULTWATION OF PLAT. Planted April 9th. Fertilizers distributed in drill, covered and seed bed opened and seed planted and covered with harrow.. Cultivated with side harrow May with scooter and scrape May 17 and 21 — with shovel and large scrape June 18 and 25.. Hoed June 5 and 24th. 464 Plat No. !, --Cotton Nitrogen Experiment. No. cxpt. Kind and Quality of Manure used per Acre. Ifl01t)s. Nitrate Soda 240 11')s. iNIix.-d Minerals f 210 tbs. Mixed Minerals) I 100 tbs. Nitrate Soda | i 240 tbs. iVIixed ^Minerals ( \ ‘)i » tbs. Nia-ate Soda f 120 ibs. Sulphate Ammonia 240 lbs. Mixed Minerals f 210 tbs. M ixed ^Minerals ) j 120 lbs. Sulphate Ammonia / " / 24 I tbs. Mixed Minerals ) t 240 tbs. Sulphate Ammonia / “ No Manure .%0 lbs. Cotton .^eed Vleal 24 i lbs. Mixed ^Minerals { 240 11)8, Mixed Minerals ) f 3f)0 lbs. Cotton Seed Meal ^ ^ 24 ) lbs. Mixed Minerals / j 720 tbs. Cotton Seed Meal \ ~~~ loin lbs. Crushed Cotton Seed... 2:0 lbs. Mixed Minerals i 210 lbs. Mixed Minerals ( 1040 lbs. Crushed Cotton Seed i 210 lbs. Mixed Minerals / 2080 lbs. Crushed Cotton Seed 1040 lbs. Rotten Cotton Seed.... 241 lbs. Mixed Minerals t 240 lbs. Mixed Minerals I 1040 lbs. Rotten Cotton Seed S 210 lbs. Mixed Minerals } 2080 lbs. Rotten Cotton Seed 4200 lbs. Compost 210 lbs. Mixed Minerals { 4200 lbs. Compost > } 80 lbs. Kainite / ^ 8400 lbs. (.''ompost I / 80 lbs. Kainite s ^ ield of cotton in seed per acix . pounds 1760 1180 1900 2140 1530 1300 1630 1790 840 131U 76) 1470 1520 1130 666 1000 1260 490 860 520 820 950 910 600 1060 14-50 *Mixed Minerals consist, at rate per acre, of 160 lbs. Acid Phosphate MuthSO lbs. ■German Kainite. CONCLUSIONS. The answer to the first question, ^^Does this soil need nitro- gen is very positive. Both the “nitrogen alone” experiments and the “nitrogen combined with mixed minerals” give conclu- sive results. The average of tlie experiments 5vhere no manure Avas used is 665 lbs. per acre. The average of the nitrogen alone experiments is 1310 lbs., showing a gain due to nitrogen of 645 lbs. per acre. The average of the experiments with mixed manures is 835 lbs. The average of one ration of nitrogen com- bined with mixed minerals is 1216 lbs., while that of tAVO rations 465 combined with mixed minerals is 1518 lbs., showing an excess due to one ration of nitrogen of 411 lbs, and to tw'O rations of 683 lbs. Tiiese experiments are very positive in favor of the wants of this soil for nitrogen. The second question, “In what form is nitrogen best presen- ted,’’ is not detinitely answered. T1 h‘ excesses of nitrate of soda nncombined and combined over its ‘-mixed minerals” ai*e res- pectively 540, 720 and 050 lbs or 46 per cent,, 61 per cent,, and 81 per cent., over yield of mixed minerals. The excesses of sul- phate of ammonia, uncomluned and combined, over its mixed minerals are respectfully 230, 330 and 400 lbs., or 18 per cent, 25 per cent and 38 ])er cent over yield of mixed minerals. The excesses of cotton seed meal, uncombined and combined, over its mixed minerals, are respectively 550, 710 and 760 lbs., or 72 per cent., 04 per cent., and 100 per cent., over yield of mixed minerals. The excess of crushed cotton seed are 470, 540 and 600 lbs. respectively, or 71 per cent, 51 per cent, and 01 i)er cent, over the yield of its mixed minerals. Eotten cotton seed gives likewise increased yields of 340, 300 and 430 lbs., or 65 per cent., 58 per cent., and 83 per cent., over mixed minerals. By thus comparing each form of nitrogen with its own mixed minerals and reckoning the excess in percentages of the latter a true estimate of the value of nitrogen can only be obtained. By this we find that cotton seed meal has given slightly be it re- sults, with the crashed cotton seed and rotten cotton seed follow- ing. These resndts are, however, not to be interpreted as con- deming the other forms af nitrogen — for they are known to be valuable. Tliey rather tend to establish the fact that nitrogen from cotton seed or meal is a most excellent form. The third question, “In what quantity to be used f ’ is per- hai^s answered definitely from a pecuniary standpoint. Two rations have given excesses over one ration of respectively 20 per cent., 13 per cent., 6 per cent., 40 per cent., and 25 x)ercent. — or, 240. 160, 50, 260 and 134 lbs. of seed cotton per acre. Each ration contains 24 lbs. nitrogen costing 19il cents per lb. or 466 ••$4 68-100 per acre. If seed cotton be estimated at three cents per pound, only two of the above show a profit, while three show a loss. It is therefore of doubtful propriety to use a quan- tity of nitrogen per acre, greater than 24 lbs. especially on very poor soils. PLAT NO. 2 — COTTON PHOSPHATE EXPEHIMENTS. Here the various forms of phosphoric acid are used alone and combined, and in quantities of one and two rations. Since every good acid phosphate or dissolved bone must con- tain a large quantity of gypsum, (land plaster,) there has been used in small experiments only gypsum, to see how far the re- sults from experiments with acid phosphate or dissolved bones ar« due to the presence of this substance. In this plat the same questions are propounded wdth Phos- phoric Acid Manures as are propounded with nitrogen in Plat 1, viz : 1, Does this soil need phosphoric acid to grow cotton successfully f’ 2, “If so, in what form can it best be presented f ’ 3, 3 In what quantities per acre Cultivation same as plat 1. The following are results : Plat No. 2. ---Cotton Phosphate Experiments, No. Experim’t Kind and Quantity cf Manure used per Acre. Yield cotton seed per acre. 1 2 80 lbs. Gypsum IfiOlhft T RiniA 1520 lbs. 1630 “ * 3 ' 480 lbs. Cotton Seed Meal. ^ Basal Mixture 1970 “ 4 120 lbs. Kanit , 600 lbs. Basal Mixture, ' . 1 1920 “ 5 ' IbO lbs. Dissolved Bone lilack. ^ 1 600 lbs. Basal Mixture, ^ 2060 “ 6 s ' 320 lbs. Dissolved Bone Black. ^ n 1 Uci fiTTnfl n 111 ^ - 1390 “ J fin ) Iqa ^ CilT RllOPplmtC ■ - -rii r ir - - --riiT 13.50 “ 8 9 con Miy'tnrp 1720 “ IVInTinfA 1010 “ 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 < i 600 lbs. Basal Mixture, J 1 1480 “ ( > 160 Jbs. Acid Phosphate, ] > 600 lbs. Basal Mixture, ( 1 1 1420 “ 1 6 > 320 lbs. Acid Phosphate, ' 60 lbs. Bone Meal HO llifl Roa^.l AIiYfnvA . . 770 “ 1170 “ { 600 lbs. Basal Mixture, ( 127tf “ ^ 160 lbs. Bone Meal, * k 600 lbs. Basal Mixture, < 1340 “ 1 ^ 320 lbs. Bone Meal, J no IKa TOlnoTfl . _ . 480 “ finO 1 V\ci Rfi ca 1 Ml vf n . 920 “ { 600 lbs. Basal Mixture, ( 830 “ ^160 lbs. Floats, ; 1 600 lbs. Basal Mixture, , J 840 “ ^ 320 lbs. Floats, ' No Manure s : 330 “ *467 INFERENCES FROM THIS PLAT. No decided conclusions can be drawn from these exj^eriments, due largely, doubtless to the variation in soil. That phosphoric arcid is needed by these soils is perhaps established, though the (-.o;to>— 0 ':ooc. p. o ro 0 3 ft) 3 *3 3 3 a 2 ? o 3: l<.»fc-tOK-(— COCDOtO «5 00 J^rf-OiOOOO 3 >: StSS^wcaSS&^Siio^^S&oSooSo^XSci^^^SSto^SiSiSoasS^ j a, _ , c K ft cr o o 3“ »5 Pj ^ P- '^SS‘^S©fe 8 ^ 2 S^^Sfe 8 a^Sa 8 SS 85 Si 2 SSS^SSglkggSSS 1 ® 5 Cu C ® o o ai 02 pi ii 8 '^ 88 Sko 8 SS 8 kJ 2 § 8 ¥sa‘i^ 8 baag: OtOtOCCOi'XiOJtOOiOiOi^^ClL-OOlOC^'OOOOOii— 00i0r-';D5005Oh-CXI-“;DOCD»— bO — I ’:• "Ti P- 30OO B 3 3 3 W ^ N- 3-2 • • •""FpB 3§ Fo t-'t^ 3 55 i so o o BB3 QWW S sgOP s® § • p ^d *0 tOOOOOOOOOOOOOO 33B33BBB33BB3B b^QOQtJ^^C^zopb^w re'-srererere2®rere2o2P' 2 a 2 a^B 2 ^aa^o :; I ^»S. ^ O -•' 2 . 0 ’=^ 5 O ^ B « ?= >? B :!-? F 2-03 2 y Cf«! 2 re - . re so 2 re o b b b td H 1/2 i-S >-s )-! o o O'® , o o o 2 ® ►-• Q ■gggi^al ■S<£=)i '5-?§.ag 2 2‘t-H^- ^®o| gS Fi? -o 00 > re ^ p,p • w a 3' aq o b c t>* (jq p p ■ BCrs! M re W tp B gw p s^tio O 2 3 W4 crq b re o *■ oq Q’ 3“ P- B* s® re §3 §0 p re Ms :^S • 50 ^ .0 ►rj ‘saiiaiiaii'a ^^iojeiOLOO ’Ojsl oL^Tca: 473 A close inspection of above table shows that they i eld of seed cotton per acre, (excluding Sea Island,) varied from 796 Ibs. to 1898 lbs, while the yield of lint per acre runs from 255 lbs. to 626 lbs. Deering’s Small Seed gives the largest per cent of lint, followed closely by Peterkin. Attention is directed too, to per cent of lint of Little Brannon, Cherry’s Cluster, Okra, Peerless, Oats, Bar croft’s Herlong, Jower’s Improved, Shines’ Early, Hawkin’ s and Dickson. Some of the varieties have not had equal showing with others, and judgment must be withheld until they are further tried. A very poor strip of land passes through near the center of plat, embracing several experiments, while the first three or four experiments occupy stronger land. Still a close inspection of varieties show many of them to be without any apparent merit on this soil. Caution is therefore necessary' on the part of farmers before they procure new seed in large quantities, or abandon an old and tried variety for a new, untried one. It is best to await trials and approval by Experiment Station of all new crops before any considerable investment in seed. On application the Station can furnish small quantities of seed of any of above varieties. PL IT V. — COTTOK — DISTANCE. The question propounded to this plat is ‘‘What distance shall cotton be planted in drill for best result in this soil, and incidentally what is the effect of topping cotton f ’ Three rows were devoted to each experiment and two of these rows were topped and one left untopped. Cotton was fertilized with cotton seed meal and acid phosphate. Following are results : No. Experim’t Distance apart and No. of Stalks In Dril. Yield per acre of Seed Cotton irom topped stalks. Yield per acre of Seed Cotton from un top- ped stalks. Excess of un- topped over topped Cotton per acre. 1 1 Stalks inches in drllL__ 3 1928 lbs. 1942. lbs. + 14 lbs. 2 2 stalks 8 inches in drill— 1601.25 1601.25 “ 8 Istalk 12 inches in drill 1719.25 1942. .50 “ 22;8.25 “ 4 2 stalks 12 inches in drill— ( 1929.2.5 “ 2283.7.5 •• + a54..50 “ 5 1 stalk 10 inches in drill ___ 1771.76 “ 1811 89.25 “ 0 2 stalks 16 incnes In drill.— 1. 1969 “ 1942..50 “ — 26.50 “ 7 Istalk 20 inches in drill 1509.25 16.58.75 “ + 144..50 “ 8 ‘2 stalks 2 > inehf's in drill... 1745.5 1680 “ — tn..50 “ 9 2 stalks 21 in. h s in drill 1509.25 1470 “ 89.. 5 “ 474 . ^ Experiment Xo. 4, two stalks, twelve inches in diill, gives^ largest average yield of topped and untopped cotton, yielding :210(>.50 lbs seed cott^ per acre. The next largest average is from Experiment 6, 2 stalks 16 inches in dr41, yielding 1955.75 lbs., and the next is 1935 lbs. from Expert. 1, 1 stalk 8 inches. A great deal has been said about the value of to]jping cotton. The above experiments and results seem to suggest the wisdom and economy of leaving cotton untopped. The minus sign indicates the largest yield from topped cotton. PLAT VI — COTTON. APPLICATION OF MANURES. Nitrogen is very soluble. In the soil it is readily converted into ammonia, nitrates and nitrites, in which forms it is a\^aila- ble as plant food, but the loose sandy character of this soil and the soluble character of nitrogen forces the belief that an un- known quantity of nitrogen is leached from the soil by rain and is therefore lost to the plant. The object of this plat is to determine if there is any loss occurring, and if there is any value in two or more applications of nitrogen manure during the stages of growth. The ai)plications are made only of nitrogen fertilizers, ibr potash is stationary in the soil ; jjhosphoric acid nearly so, not leaching from it. The mineral mixture is con- stant throughout, while the nitrogen fertilizer and application of it varies, but only in form, as the same quantity is aiiplied in the first, second and third applications. The following are results : Plat No. 4 — Cotton. Application of Manures. No. Experim’t Kii d and Quantity of Manure used* per acre. 1 :2 3 4 •5 6 7 8 '9 10 11 C240 1bs- Mixed Minerals? ? lf)U “ Nitrate Soda 5 (240 “ Mixed Minerals,* < 80 “ Nitrate Soda, ) ( 80 “ Nitrate Soda. [240 “ Mixed Vlinerals, ? J Nitrate Soda, i I '>% “ Nitrate Soda,, [ 53% “ Nitrate Soda, C 240 “ Mixed Minerals, ( ^ 121 “ Sulphate Ammonia, > ( 240 “ Mixed Minerals, i < 60 “ Sulphate Ammonia, S ( 6i» “ Sulphate Ammonia, __ ! 24 » “ Mixed Minerals, i 40 “ Sulphate Ammenia, 5 40 “ Sulphate Ammonia,. __ 40 “ Sulphate Ammonia,... c 240 “ Mixed Minerals, i ? 360 “ Cotton Seed Meal > (240 “ Mixed Minerals, ? } 180 “ Cotton seed meal 5 ( 18i) “ Cotton seed meal { 210 “ Mixed Minerals / 120 “ Cotton seed meal > 120 “ Cotton seed meal 120 “ Cotton seed meal f 24 ■ “ Mixed Minerals ) 60 “ Nitrate Soda, c 40 “ Sulphate ammonia, \ 120 “ Cotton seed meal. | (240 Mixed Minerals, y / Plus one half expt 10 ( ( Plus one half expt 10 12 13 :14 ['240 lbs. Mixed Minerals J Plus one third expt 10 i Plus one third expt 10. I Plus one third expt 10 . ( 160 lbs. Acid Phosphate, ... < 160 “ Cotton seed meal,.. ( 30 “ Sulphate Potash ( 160 lbs. Acid Phosphate, . < 30 “ Sulphate Potash, . ( 160 “ Cotton seed meal, . When Applied. at planting, April 11 at planting, April 11 at laying by, June 28 at planting, April 11 second working, June 3. at laying by, June 28... at planting at planting laying by, June 28 at planting second working, June 3. laying by, Jnne 28 at planting at planting at laying by, June 28 at planting at second working at laying by at planting at planting at laying by at planting at second working at laying by at planting second working, June 3. Yield of Cot^ ton in seed per acre. 1150 lbs. 1190 “ 1190 '• ia50 “ 1130 “ 10:10 “ 1030 “ 970 “ 1030 “ 1080 “ 1150 “ 1240 “ 870 “ 760 “ In experiment 10 all the nitrogen manures used on other •experiments are combined, viz : nitrate soda, sulphate ammonia, cotton seed meal and the three applications made. CONCLUSIONS. The average of one aiiplicaticn is 1077.50 lbs. 'The average of two applications is 1110 ** The average of three applications is 1120 Two applications yields 82.50 lbs. seed cotton more per acre Tthan does one application, and three applications 10 lbs. more than two and 42.50 lbs. more than one. As the same quantity 476 is applied in one application as in application 2 and 3, the only cost involved is the labor. From these results it may be asserted that there was but very little profit arising from the double and triple applications of manure. COEN. EXPERIMENTS IN CORN Were of two kinds. First, Manorial requirements, includ- ing under this head nitrogen, phosphoric acid and potash, manures, and applications of manures. Second — varieties. PLAT VII, (X)PN — NITROGENOUS MANURES. The questions propounded are the same as those propounded with cotton in plat 1, viz ; ‘^Does this soil need nitrogen to grow corn successully f ’ 2nd ^‘If so, in what form must it be presented f ^ ^‘3rd. ^Tn what quantities iier acre?’’ The mineral and vegetable forms of nitrogen have been used separately, and combined with mineral manures. ; CULTIVATION. Corn was planted in rows, 5 feet wide, 3 feet apart in drill,. March 12th. Thinned April 16th and plowed with side harrow Ajiril 18th., with cultivator May 4th ; with shovel and heel scrape May 18th, and 27th, giving final cultivation with same^ plow. I 477 Plat No. 1 , Corn, Nitrogen Experiments. No. Experiin’ tl *3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 j6 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 8 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 Kind and quantity of manure per acre. Husli els ''helled corn per HC re. No Manure Il2 lbs. Nitrate of Soda 168 lbs. Mixed Minerals 5 168 lbs. Mixed Minerals } ^112 lb.?. Nitrate Seda ^ 168 lbs. Mixed Minerals } ( 224 lbs. Nitrate Soda ) ' “ 84 lbs. Sulphate of Ammonia. 168 lbs. Mixed Minerals »6S lbs. Mixed Minerals , 84 l!)s. Sulphate Ammonia ' 168 lbs. IMixeu Minerals i 188 lbs. Sulphate Ammonia | I No Manure ; Dried Bhmd 168 11)8. Mixed Minerals j t 168 lbs Mixed Minerals ) I ^ 112 lbs. Cotton Seed Meal S ’ j ^ 168 lbs. Mixed Minerals j ( 224 lbs. Cotton Seed Meal |252 lbs. Cotton Seed Meal. . . [168 11)8. Mixed Minerals t 168 lbs, Mixed lilinerals ) / 252 lbs. Cotton Seed Meal ^ ' ' S 168 lbs Mixed Minerals } ( 504 lbs. Cott(»n Seed Meal \ ‘ ' !Vo Manure 728 lbs. tJrushed Cotton Seed.. 168 lbs. Mixed Minerals { 168 lbs. Mixed Minerals } 728 lbs. Crushed Cotton SeeM \ 168 lbs. Mixed Minerals ( 1456 lbs. Crushed Cotton Seed 728 Ids. Green Cotton Seed i68 1bs. Mixed Minerals ( 168 lbs. Mixed Minerals > ( 728 lbs. Green Cotton Seed ) ' \ 16S lbs. Mixed Minerals ) ^ 1456 lbs. Green Cotton Seed S ' No Mai. lire 2940 lbs. Compost 168 lbs Mixed Mineralc t 56 lbs. Kainife ) ( 2940 lbs. Co 1 . post ) 5 56 lb'. Kainite ( ( i880 lbs. Compost > 728 ’bs.^llotten Cotton Seed 168 lbs. Mixed .\Iineral8 < 168 lbs. Mixed .Minerals ) / 728 lbs. Fotten Cotton Seed \ ' 24.1'2 28.32 25. 24.26 25.57 20 . 15. 20.37 24. 16. 20.31 13. 15. 15.23 17. 9. 14. 21 . 9. 12 . 6 . 14 . 20 . 17. 11 . 19. 22 . la. 17. 12 . 14. 20 . 17. 12 . 18. fOld turn and fence row formerly occupied this experiment. ^“Mixccl Minerals” consists of two part^ of Acid Phosphate with one parts of Ger- man Kainite. Fertilizers applieil in drill at time of planting. 478 CONCLUSIONS. It is perfectly safe to assert in positive terms that this soil needs nitrogen badly for the successfal growing of corn,^and per- il ips the same may be said for every other crop. Ko form of nitrogen is positively preferred, which can be easily shown, by treating results as was done under similar experiments with nitrogen. Again the double quantity of nitrogen has not been remunerative. PLAT NO. 8. — CORN. — PHOSPHORIC ACID. In this plat the same questions are propounded to phospho- ric acid as were propounded with cotton in Plat 2, viz: 1st. ‘‘Does this soil need phosphoric acid to grow corn successfully V ’ 2nd. ‘ ‘If so, in what form will it be best to present it? 3rd. “In what quantities per acre?” Cultivation and application of manures same as in plat 7. PLAT NO. 8. CORN — PHOSPHORIC ACID EXPERIMENTS. d Kind and Quantity Manure Used Per Acre. 1 ' 56 lbs Gypsum 2 112 lbs Dissolvecl Bone Black 3 ‘420 lbs Basal Mixture.... 4 420 lbs Basal Mixture, 112 lbs dissolved bone black. 420 lbs Basal Mixture, 224 lbs dissolved bone black. 56 lbs Gypsiiiii. 112 lbs Acid jibospbate. 420 11)8 Basal Mixtu. e. Nt manure. 420 lbs Basal 3Ii.\ture, 112 Acid pliospbare 420 lbs Basal Mixture, 224 lbs. Acid pbospbato. 112 lbs Bone Meal 420 lbs Basal Mixture 14 I 420 lbs Bar-al Mixture, 112 lbs Bone meal 15 420 lbs Basal Mix+ure, 224 lbs Bone meal 26.69 28 25 23 21 14.49 13 20 12 22.19 22.18 14.19 17 16 19 CONCLUSIONS. The results here would indicate the same inferences as for cotton, viz : That phosphoric acid is perhaps needed. That the soluble forms are to be preferred. That excessive quantities nre unprofitable. i 479 PLAT NO. 9. — CORN. — POTASH. In this plat the same questions are propounded to potash as were propounded with cotton in Plat 2., viz : “Does this soil need potash to grow corn successfully f ’ 2nd. ^ ‘If so, in what form 'Can it be best presented f’ 3rd. “In what quantities per acre.” Cultivation, etc., same as in Plat 7, Following are results : PLAT NO. 9. — CORN. — POTASH EXPERIMENTS. Kind and quantity manure used p^'r acre O 3 II 33 1 84 n>s. RPipd linll jirIipr.*.. 10 •2 504 lbs. Meal ]>hos])hate 18 504 I1>R. Mp:i 1 plujRpbnfp, 70 ll'js. nslips 19.38 4 5h 4 lbs. Mpa.1 pboRpluitp^ 140 lbs. rrIipr 18.24 13 5 No M >1 1) n I’p 6 ll2n»R (-TPrninri Irnioifp 15.22 7 .504 Ibw. Mp. 0,1 ]»liosplin,t,p 22 8 .504 lbs. Mpn.l ]>}inspbatp,, 112 lbs. Opmuhii Icsiiiiitp 22.53 9 .504 lb«. Mpn.1 pboR]>]ii t.p, 224 Ibn Opnnini Ir.'i.iiiito 25.18 to 28 lbs. Muriate potash 18 11 .504 lbs. Meal ]»hospliate 25.39 42 .504 11>«. Mpa,l ])bos|iba4p, 28 lbs. niiiria.tp. potash 24.11 1? 504 lbs. Meal phosphate, 56 lbs. muriate p«)ta8h 22.4 14 If No manure 20.31 12 lbs. Snlphnfp potash 18.4 1( ')04 lbs. Meal pbosohatp, 42 lbs. siilphntp. potash 24.08 i; )04 lbs. Meal phosphate, 84 lbs. sulphate potash 24 If Vo manure 12 CONCLUSIONS. Thcvse experiments fail to show that potash is required by vAihis soil in any quantity or form to grow corn. 480 / PLAT NO. 10. — CORN. — APPLICATION OF MANURES. Kind and quantity of manure used per acre. When applied 10 11 12 t *'168 lbs. Mixed minerals ^ 112 lbs. Nitrate soda ! 168 lbs. Mixed minerals 56 lbs. Nitrate 8‘>da. 56 Ib^ Nitrate soda f 168 lbs. Mixed minerals J 37^ lbs. Nitrate soda I .37^ lbs. Nitrate soda lbs. Nitrate soda t 168 lbs. Mixed minerals } 84 lbs. Suljihate amniouia flOSlbn. Mixe.04^i— X — C5^XO:iO-^O.fc. n^fi— «XOOiX'— OClOfLnO — H- Xt,TX5XO J i Yield Per Acre in Slnicks x:cnc.nwc;Oht^i— oorfi-tixiji^xoioiw'co ao bi io x In L o ^ o o o lo Ic w io •-• O' io 4- c: o o> Oj io w-' pC* o o — tn o oi o o O' X Per Cent Grain C: O C,n C;t OMw in O O C; O O in O O CT O 1 Per Cent Cob 1 OiOOO.fc..JOXJO— ^C^tOOX^CJ'O^i— 00 o cr. O ^ - s: .2 |,1 2 1 1 = 33 Kind of ('oi n RESULTS or PLAT XI — VARIETIES OE CORN. 483 PLAT NO. XII. Was devoted to sugar cane and sorghum. In the regular- sorglium crop seven varieties were planted : Early Amber Sorghum — Stalk small and he:ids light. Matures several weeks ahead of aay other varieiy. Too small for much tonnage. Early Orange — Medium stalk, lieavy heads ; cures well into- hay. Matures two to three weeks later than Early Amber. An excellent vaiuety for forage. New Orange — Similar in every respect to Early Orange. White India — Very large stalk, heavy white seed heads Matures much later than Amber. Cures well. Tonnage heavy p]xcellent for forage. Link’s Hybrid — Heavy heads. Very large stalks. Cures, well. Matures with White India. Tonnage heavy. Excellent for forage. Golden Eod — Large stringy heads. Stalk quite large and tall and red in color. Cures well. Tonnage large. Minnasota Early Amber — Similar to Early Amber. Kansas Orange — Similar to New Orange. A careful chemical analysis was made of varieties in Sep- tember and the tonnage and forage qualities tested. The readily cured blades are eaten with avidity by cattle, while the seed heads are excellent for both stock and poultry. The following per acre was obtained : Early amber 7.39 tons. Minnesota Early Amber 8.73 Early Orange 10.58 New Orange 10.60 Kansas Orange 13.94 White India 16.88 Link’s Hybrid ' 15.70 Golden Eod ’ 12.43 Besides these, 99 varieties w^ere received from Sugar Exper- iment Station, Kenner, and 'planted April 19th. Quite a num- ber of varietie.^ failed to come up, having planted in many in- stances very few^ seeds. Those that did come and ripened before frost were carefully analyzed, with some veiy promising results, and seed carefully saved. Besides the regular crop of purple sugar cane planted, the Sugar Experiment Station donated to this Station in March, 29 varieties of foreign growm canes. Sufficient seed has been ob- tained to make small planting the coming year. The canes grew nicely and x^rouiised well. Tlie hardy Japonica cane is also growm and will probably do well in this latitude. The imrple caue yiekksl 20.80 tons per acre, an excellent yield for this land.. 9 :: - s ^ s sS >-MMCOCOCOCObObCM OOOh-Mh-OCOOO ' Date :atioii -_ — nation -- — - nation. — — . nation, Japanese Oane- _ . A. Stamper, .Lincoln Parish , M. White -- - "iltoii Hammons, Ouachita Parish-. A\ Morris, Ouachita Parish, Stubbl , ¥. Camp Plant BY WHOM SENT ^ 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 9 01 ! 1 1 1 ! 1 p p , 1 1 1 1 1 1 p p 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 t (f > 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 i 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 i 1 1 1 1 1 > 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 ! h- ^1— 1 cs^^ptoiox^aioioi Total COMM _ Ci / Solids < ‘ tOMMMMMMMMM CO CO CO to to bO bO CO to tsO J to 00 Oi CPOO Co-efficient piM*q 2^ B cfq Oq S- <5 & cc •-? o p- r g- § o* ® 2. ® 00 ® ^ 03 Cfq ® p P p’ O o t-s resenting differences in habits of growth and matur- ing, and giving seed of every size and quality, and of every shade of color from the purest white to the deepest black. This 487 crop is highly priz( d for fertilizing i3iirposes among the sugar planters of South Louisiana, but elsewhere throughout the South it does not receive one-half the attention which its valuable proi^erties should merit. In time it is hoped that both its botany and its ecionomical position in Sonthern agriculture will be both fully understood. The following varieties were this year grown : “ Pea of the Backwoods, or the Old Man’s Friend — This pea was brought to notice two years ago by the letters of Mr. Edward Fonville, of Onslow^ county, N. C., in the Southern Cultivator. It was recommended as the earliest bunch pea, and excellent for table use. It has so proved, twm weeks ahead of any other, a larger bearer, and as a shell pea for table use, tender, marrowy and palatable. Are ripe for table use just six weeks after plant- ing. It is a bunch pea strictly, therefore affording not muck vine. The seed are small, cream colored, slightly ^pied.’ Very prolific.” At Calhoun it matured in forty days. “ The Unknown Pea — Is a greenish white color, with white eye, full size, makes much vine, vigorous growth, large bearer. Pods long and very full, and in favorable seasons continues to nnake or bear fruit during several weeks. It is a very fine pea, w orthy to come into general use. The Boss Pea advertised lash yejir proved to be identical with the Unknown.” At Calhoun it was very late bearing, but gave heavy yield of peas and an exceedingly heavy foliage. Dwarf Whippoorwill Pea. — A bunch pea, with but little vines. Begins fruiting in fifty or sixty days. Berry speckled, pods long and full, yield good. Clay Pea, — Vines and foliage medium. Begins fruiting in seventy-five days. Yield good. Berry cream colored with wddte eye, medium in size. Pod of medium length and not crowded, keeps well. Lady Pea, — A small white pea, wdiite eye, with considerable vine of medium foliage. Begiiis fruiting in ninety days from time of planting. 488 White Prolific Pea. — White pea with black eye, vines large, foliage heavy, yield of peas good. Bears in eighty to ninety ... Jersey Sweets Jersey Sweets Yams 1 7100 lbs 1 upj \«/i * 1/ UM 11 ooc/'i 11 rii. i C4/01H-/0 / ••• •••••••»••••••••••• 60 lbs. Acid phosphate. } 300 Cotton spoil - 2780 lbs ^40 ll)fl Cotton sppd. linll - 3180 Ibg .Jersey Sweets 11720 lbs uicinurP* •••.♦ * •• •• •• .Jersey Sweets 9P60 lbs 300 lbs. Cotton seed meal. 105 lbs. sulphate potash.. .. 300 lbs. Cotton seed meal. 240 lbs. cotton seed hull ashes Alixed Mixed 11000 lbs 8900 lbs The Jersey Sweets are a new potato in this country. They .489 are yellow skin and meat, very dry and meally, sweet and well flavored. The potato is rather small, but good bearer. They are quite popular in Northern markets. The prolonged drouth of mid summer and early fall decreased the yield in large measure. nd. cS A 1890* J890 206 .^ 224i> 1680 2388 199i). 206.' > These experiments are not absolutely correct. In handling some grain was unavoidably wasted. PLAT NO. 17. This plat was devoted to watermelons, planted April 5th,. 1889. Bedded rows with one horse Avery plow, 8 by 20 feet ; dug hole 18 inches square by 18 inches deep and in holes 1 peck of compost to the hill, mixing well with soil, leaving 3 inches of soil on top. They were i3lowed May 21st with short shovel and heel scrape, and hoed them once. Experiment No. 1 — “ Pride of Georgia. ” — A round melon with green rind and vSx)anish seed, flesh red tender, and exceedingly sweet and highly flavored — a little late. Experiment No. 2 — ‘^T. J. Bird.” — Named for our Com- missioner! of Agriculture, Major T. J. Bird — A round melon and sometimes a little oblcng, green rind with Spanish seed, red flesh, PLAT NO. 16— RICE. Eice was planted April 12th, in drills on well i^repared la Below are the results : PLAT NO. 16 — RICE EXPERIMENTS. Kiud and Quantitv of iManure Used Per Acre. 1 300 lbs Cotton seed meal 2 150 lbs Acid phosphate 3 50 lbs Kainite 4 |3001bs Cotton send menl, 150 lbs Acid phosphate .5 |l00 Acid ])hosphate 50 lbs Kainite () |300 11)8 Cotton seed meal, 75 lbs Kaimte. 7 jsOO lbs Cotton seed meal. 150 lbs Acid phosphate, 75 Kainite. 8 jXo Manure -a ^ 770 806 'll20 1120 1050 1312 1085 1015 490 very tender, exceedingly sweet and a delicious flavor. Will grow to weigh 50 pounds, doubtless originated from the Pride of Georgia.^’ These two varieties excel all others. Experiment ^^" 0 . 3 — ‘‘ Kalb’s Gem.’’ — A round melon with i*ind of light and dark green stripes, black seed, red flesh, very Arm or tough, thick rind, good flavor, large size. Experiment Ko. 4 — Burpe’s Iron Clad.” — An oblong mel- on with light rattlesnake rind, light red flesh that is soft and not particularly sweet — grows extremely large. Experiment Ko. 5 — 'Tee Cream.” A small melon but of ex- cellent quality, rind of two colors, green — inclined toward grey, small white seed, crimson flesh, sweet and tender. Experiment No. 6 — ‘‘Seminole.” — Thin gray rind, flesh red and Arm with red seed, medium size and of poor quality. Experiment Ko. 7 — “ Battlesnake.” — Oblong shape with i*attlesnake rind, quite thin, flesh red, tender and moderately sweet, Spanish seed ; quality medium. Experiment No. 8 — “Jackson Kew.” — Oblong shape with thin green rind, inclined toward gray, flesh red and tender, not sweet, small white seed; early variety, size medium; quality, poor. Experiment No. 9 — “Jones.” — A round melon with dark, green rind, red flesh, tender and well flavored, early variety, growing large ; Spanish seed ; quality, very good. Experiment Ko. 10 — “Augusta Sugar Loaf.” — Gray rind, red flesh, tender and sweet, thin rind, Spanish seed ; quality, medium. Experiment Ko. 11 — “Cuban Queen.” — A round melon of medium size, rattlesnake rind, flesh red and firm, heart decidedly tough, thick rind, black seed, keeps well ; quality, poor. Experiment Ko. 12 — “Georgia Scaly Bark.” — An oblong melon with [green rind, having a scaly appearance, red meat and seed ; quality, very poor. IRISH POTATOES.— (SOLAMUK’S TUBEROSUM.)' Experiments in potatoes were of three kinds : First, experi- ments in varieties, object, to test the variety or varieties best 491 cadapted to this soil and climate. Second, physiological experi- ments, object, to test size of potatoes and cuttings best to plant. Third, experiments in fertilizers, object, to test the fertilizer best suited to potatoes in this soil. VARIETIES. A small plat, situated on a gently sloping, well drained, hill side, was selected in the garden for experiments in varieties. The land is poor, impoverished, devoid of vegetable matter :and almost entirely denuded of surface soil. Early in February cotton seed hulls were scattered broadcast 'Over the plat, and land deeply broken broadcast with two-horse Avery plow, at time of planting, February 22nd, rows three feet wide were laid off with Diamond scooter. Three rows were devoted to each variety. The potatoes were cut into large piecas, with from two to four € yes. They were fertilized with crushed cotton seed, at rate •of sixty bushels per acre, and at rate per acre of 2000 pounds of following mixture : 1000 pounds cotton seed meal, 600 pounds . rf!.. jb i. to Non-Mer- chautable. CD C OQ w w 1 l_l i © JC — OOO. CX2C0h- 0'0'05 ~^rfa>COO^OlOr- hJ o M H 1 W 1 >» ^ to cc H- H- ^S «p^ kU. JO -L. (TC- P 1 © © 94 1-2 lOf) 1 95 3-4 |l54 49 r.i 1-4 13! 1-4 85 3-4 M er- chantable. cr c o' H c PI o & ■- K O O YA 2 °s! 2?i'30^ouoo3'ai w H- y-' OT CC iC Jb 4i. a; i. Von- Mer- chant able K £ CD £ --t h- -j w — o H Q — T'toT- T^PT"' o i hj ' 1 W ■ hH 1 ©■ cc © © ^ 1 O M to to CO ^ 05 o ^ ^-t 4». Oi CO ^l — — — H- w 1— JO tb 1 1 o|qncnat»^o 1 -•i^K i P !2J c B Ui 1 M ■ 1 o 1 tp 1 o Q M o i i-t- p r-t- o ZD I •-3 O to ^ w 7“ 7" ^ 7^ 1 >ii-toai^ L.Lii.tb j t 2 o » ij £ ” ® 7 ® ' •o W a C7 £ a C.-t t*- H M 7j w s w H m 122 1-2 122 1-2 no 1-4 168 77 168 94 1-2 124 1-4 c 5’ orq , >uaitotoocO!*Oktn ! -vlOCKOJOtOOitO O' £ -H- r 1 © ' irt- i-t- T-w f'ffrv 050 0 >- 4S» to to £ * ft 5 i 1 © i a C-i JOi—^tOtO'— tOiO CO to 00 to 0^ "J JO) ^rr^TT^T Oi. rfs. to Oa. to to *» to j j N on-Mer- jchan table i •4 w a £ a 1 1 i «fq‘ 1 •^2 o; OJ Ot 05 O'. ^tOtOCOtn^OC^ 1 J 1 ! CfQ 1 to <0 1. i». Jii. 1 - 1 1 497 SECOND CROP OF POTATOES. Ou July 31st a good large plat of Irish potatoes was planted, nsiiig the large and medium potato, fertilized with four parts 'eotton seed meal, one part acid phosphate and one part of potash, at rates of fourteen pounds per acre. The object was principally to raise potatoes for fall market. But the long continued drouth of summer and early fall interfered. Only one rain fell on crop during the time and that was before they came up, and even a very poor stand was obtained, in some instances not a third of a .stand. But of those that did come, it was remarkable to see the fine, large potatoes raised. And how they made without rain is a wonder, yet several barrels have been packed in sand and will be planted in early spring. Thus far they are keeping well, and the station will be able to put seed potatoes on the spring market. The following varieties have been preserved : Boston Peerless, Vermont Early Eose, Beauty of Hebron, Eural Blush, Burbank, Extra Early Vermont, Eusset and Thorburn. Besides these varieties, the station received from the State Experiment ^Station, Baton Eouge, 120 varieties. They were carefully planted and results of germination watched. Only a few hills of each variety were planted. The -dry weather prevented many from coming up. Those that did, have been harvested and carefully preserved in sacks, packed in .sand. In the spring a larger planting will be made, and all varieties tested, and reported on. The object of this fall planting was to preserve seed. That done, the results of varieties will be eagerly watched next spring. BULLETIN No. KEPOKT OF THE SUGAR EXPERIMENT STATION, OF THE ■LODISIM STIlTE UNIVERSITY AND A. & M. COLLEGE, AT ^ AUDUBON PARK, NEW ORLEANS, LA. Wm. C. STUBBS, PH. D., Director. ISSUED BY THE BUREAU OF AGRICULTUIWE, T. J. BIRD, Commissioner. PRINTED AT THE TRUTH BOOK AND JOB OFFICE, BATON P^ttgE, la. THE AGRIGULTUE4L EXPERIMENT STATION, LA. STATE BNITEESITY AND A. S M. COLLEGE. BUREAU OF AGRICULTURE.. GOV. F. T. NICHOLLS, President. WM. GARIG, Vice-President Board of Supervisors. T. J. BIRD, Commissioner of Agriculture. STATION STAFF. WM. C. STUBBS, Ph. D., Director, D. N. BARROW, B. S., Assistant Director, Baton Rouge. J G. LEE, B. S., Assistant Director, Calhoun. Assistant Director, Audubon Park. B. B. ROSS, M. S., Chemist. M. BIRD, B. S., Assistant Chemist. A. T. PRESCOTT, M. A., Botanist, H. A. MORGAN, M. S. Entomologist and Horticulturist. W. H. DALRYMPLE, M. R. C.V. S., Veterinary Surgeon. A. M. GARDNER, B. S,, Farm Manager Audubon Park. J. E. PRATT, Farm Manager, Baton Rouge. L. M. CALHOUN, Farm Manager, Calhoun. H. SKOLFIELD, Treasurer. , J. D. STUBBS, Secretary. The bulletins and reports will be sent free of charge to all farmers, by applyiugrr to Major T. J.Bird, Commissioner of Agricultnre, Baton Rouge, La. EXPERIMENT STATION, > Audubois Park, New Orleans, La. ) Major T. J. Bird, Commissioner of Agriculture, Baton Rouge, La.: Dear Sir — I hand you herewith Field Experiments with Sugar Cane, and ask that it be published as Bulletin No. 28. Respectfully submitted, Wm. C. Stubbs, Director. FIELD EXPERIMENTS. With the end of the present season closes a series of experf- ments begun four years ago. It was contemplated in the begin- ning to extend them through five years, but the removal of this station from its old location near Kenner, to its new domicile at this place, has shortened the time. These four years have been patiently spent in repeating the same experiments upon the same soil, and the aggregate results are far more suggestive and conclusive than those reached in one year. The bulletin will contain, therefore, a summary of the results of the four years, together with the detailed results of 1889. In comparing the yearly results, the different seasons must be known and considered. The station has kept an accu - rate weather record and diary ever since March 1, 1886. The following is a condensed record of each year’s rainfall and tem- perature. Cdndensed Weather Becord of Sugar Experiment Station from March 1, 1886^ to January 1, 1890. Month. “Average I Temp. Deg. Vlaximum Temp. Deg. Minimum Temp. Deg. Eainfall Inches. 1886. March- — 63 80 37 9 13 April 69 87 41 7 32 May - 76 93 57 3 59 June- - - — — 83 97 69 11 5 July—— 83 95 68 3 25 August -- — 84 96 66 4 18 September- _ 80 91 59 5 24 October 73 87 39 1 l^ovember-- - — 66 75 33 5 55 December 65 79 26 2 75 1887. January- _ - — - 5? 82 22 3 31 February-- - - 65 4 80 30 5 23 March - .. - -- 58 2 81 40 3 27 April* — _ - -- - 71 7 89 57 ■ 2 21 May- -- - -- - 78 94 59 6 56 June _ - - 84 94 62 10 35 July 84 • 97 68 7 86 August- — 82 5 95 69 6 7 September — _ - - 79 92 56 3 3 October- _- - — 69 5 86 40 6 39 November — ^ 60 80 30 11 December _ 54 6 77 30 7 14 1888. January-- - _ 56 6 77 30 3 77 February- _ 59 8 76 37 9 8 March 59 78 36 5 79 April-- — 73 4 85 54 91 May 76 7 92 54 11 77 June- - - -- 79 8 92 65 8 69 July . . 82 98 71 5 49 August _ - . 81 2 95 70 15 8 September- - - . . 77 3 89 57 3 29 Of^tohpr 70 6 85 1 53 3 4 Nuvpinbpr _ 62 4 84 1 34 2 5 December -- - - - . 63 6 71 ■I 27 4 12 [Continued on page 3.] 502 [Continued from page 2.] Months. Average Temp, Deg. Maximum Temp. Deg. Minimum Temp. Deg. Eainfall Inches. 1889. January 54 . 71 34 8 3 February 55 75 31 3 21 March 63 6 79 40 2 38 April 72 86 47 3 28 May 78 1 91 48 76 June 82 3 96 57 9 43 July 85 6 92 68 7 15 August * 81 90 66 5 74 September- _ 79 1 91 51 5 3 October- 68 1 86 51 November - 58 9 82 30 i December- - 63 80 45 , 43 In the following table is presented the four years in a com-* parative form, and it may be useful in determining some of the. factors which go toward solving the problem of good crop years. The winter of 1886 was very severe, destroying much of the seed and stubble, the spring was late and cold, and good stands, of cane were not obtained till May. The subsequent seasons were fair, and where good stands prevailed the crop was, medium. The winter of 1887 was mild and conducive to excellent seed cane, the spring was moderately dry and warm ; followed by a warm and wet summer grading into a cool dry autumn ; conditions favorable to heavy tonnage. The winter of 1888 was fairly proi3itious, but the spring was excessively wet, preventing the proper cultivation of the cane. iThe wet weather extended to July, causing a serious, postponement or abandonment of the regular ‘May-by of cane. These rains were succeeded by a dry, cool fall, giving us light tonnage, but heavy sugar yield, due more to the low glocuse. <}ontent than excess of sugar in cane. 503 The year 1889 will always he remembered as the year of flronth. The rainfall for the year was only forty-six inches^ and this fell mostly ^n the winter and summer, giving us a spring and fall of unexampled drjmess — a dryness which has been pro- longed into the wdnter of 1890 and up to this time has scarcely been broken. Taking the table and the seasons, we find that a dry, warm winter, followed by a moderately dry spring, and this, in turn^ succeeded by a hot wet summer, shading gradually into a cool hoe. The following are the experiments : PLAT O. — GERMINATION QUESTIONS. 1. Seventy -five white immature joints of two eyes each. 2. Seventy-five joints next to No. 1, partially white, two» eyes each. 3. Seventy-five joints next to No. 2, full red, two eyes each,. 4 . Seventy -five joints next to No. 3, full red, two eyes each, 5. Seventy -five joints next to No. 4, full red, two eyes each.. 6. Seventy-five joints next to No. 5, full red, two eyes each.. 7. Seven ty-five joints next to No. 6, full red, two eyes each.. 8. . Seven ty-five joints next to No. 7, full red, two eyes each, 9. Seventy-five joints next to No. 8, full red, two eyes each.. 10. Seventy-five joints next to No., 9, full red, two eyes; each. 11. Seventy -five joints, butts, two eyes each. In 1886 the severe weather, with a late unfavorable spring, so prevented germination as to vitiate results. All germinated badly, but No. 3 gave the largest number of sprouts, followed closely by No. 2. In 1887 a fresh planting was made, which was closely fol- lowed through three years. In 1887 and 1888 this plat was worked up during Novem- ber ; in 1889, in October. This year was one remarkable for immature cane, particularly in the early part of the season. The following tables will show the yield and sugar contents for each year : 507 TABLE I — PLAT O — GERMINATION QUESTIONS. •Planting different parts of the Stalks of the Cane February 9^ 1887. First year Flant Cane harvested Nov. 3. Part of the Stalk Planted. No. of Stalks from 150 Eyes Planted, Counted. IS N 1 Upper White joints I 5 2 Next to White joints. 3 Next to No. 2 . 4 Next to No. 3. 5 Next to No. 4. G Next to No. 5. 7 Next to No. 6. 8 Next to No. 7. 9 Next to No. 8. 30 Next to No. 9. 11 Butts * ; 24!24 |394l 145 48 12734 |27 36 25 35 19 20 1318 19 23 12 14 11 15 24 ! 26 34 41145145 54 63 69 3945I5I 45|51|53 4315258 253340 23 2732 28,34139 20,26,36 20I41I4I 97 140 165 152 154 149 147 133 13' J 97 73 ® ec 247 407 485 428 442 426 400 320 340 214 160 2.54 2.91 2.94 2.82 2.87 2.86 2.72 2.41 2.61 2.21 2.19 18.14 32.06 38.18 33.75 34.8 33.56 31.48 25.24 26.82 16.88 12.62 W « d ^ 14287 21050 25987 23940 24255 23467 23152 20947 20552 15276 11 520 * This row was seriously injured in the summer by iiroximity to a fig" ^ree, and is not counted in stubble. TABLE 2— PLAT O— FIRST YEAR STUBBLE HARVESTED NOV. 14, 1888 Part of Stalks Planted. No. of Stalks Harvested. Weight of Stalks. Average Weight of each. Tons per Acre. No. of Stalks per Acre. 1 Upper White joints 76 lbs. 136 lbs. 1.79 10.71 11970 2 Next to White joint 119 206 11.73 16.22 17742 41 Next to No. 2 133 257 11.87 19 72 20947 4 Next to No. 3 127 226 1 I .7 17.79 20002 5 Next to No. 4 13U 244 ' 1.88 19.21 20475 6 Next to No. 5 142 238; 1.68 18.74 22305 7 Next to No. 6 124 220 4.77 17.32 19536 8 Next to No. 7 132 256 1.94 20.16 20790 9 Next to No. 8 104 192 1.84 15.12 16380 10 Next to No. 9 89 146 j 1.64 11.49 14017 508 TABLE 3-PLAT O-SECOND YEAR STUBBLE HARVESTED OCT. 15, 1880 Part of the Stalk Planted. No. of Stalks Harvested. Weight of Stalks. Average Weight of eacli. Tons per Acre. No. of Stalks Per Acre. 1 Upper white joints 60 lbs. 78 lbs. 1.3 6.16 9480 2 Next to white joints 91) 167 1.72 13.19| 1 14536 3 Next to No. 2 110 182 1.66 14.37 17380 4 Next to No. 3 125 257 |2.06 20.3 19750 5 Next to No. 4 92 125 l.,36 ' 9.8 14536 6 Next to No. 5 112 246 2.2 19.41 18960 7 Next to No. 6 124 2.35 1.9 18.56 19592 8 Next to No. 7 123 214 1.74 16.9 19434 9 Next to No. 8 90 165 1.84 13.03 14220 10 Next to No. 9 64 114 1.78 9. 10112 TABLE 4— PLAT O— FIELD AXD SUGAR HOUSE RESULTS, NOV. 3, 1887. FIRST YEAR PLANT. Number and Kind of Experiments. Yield per Acre in Tons. Degree Baume Total Solids. ^ Sucrose. ® Glucose. Purity Coefficient. Glucose Ratio. Poui av a suga 70 p> extr d o CD Ph ads of liable IT upon er cent action. p c rt 1 Upper white joints. . 18.14 7.4 13.31 10.3 !i.24 77.38 ! 12.04 118 ! 2141 2 Next to white joints. 32.66 7.8 14.01 1 11.2 1.35 79.94| 12.05 128 1 4104 3 Next to No. 2 38.18 7 6 13.71 i 10.3 1.28 75.12 12.42 117 4467 4 Next to No. 3 33.75 7.3 13.21 10. 1.6 75.7 16. 99 3341 5 Next to No. 4 34.80 7.5 13.61! 10. 1.6 73.47! 16. 99 3445 6 Next to No. 5 33.56 7.8 14.01 10.9 1 35 77.80 12.38 124 4161 7 Next to No 6 31.48 7.3 13.11 1 10.5 1.28! 80.09 12.19 120 1 3777 8 Next to No. 7 25.24 7.8 14.011 10.6 1.35' 81.36 12.73 120 3029 9 Next to No. 8 i 26.82 8. 14.41 10.5 1.35 72.86 12.95 119! 3192 10 Next to No. 9 | 16.88' ' 7.9 14.31 11.5 1.3,5^ 80.36 11.73 133 ! 2245 509 TABLE 5. — PLAT O — FIELD AND SUGAR HOUSE EESTOTS— -NOV. 14, 1888. — FIRST YEAR STUBBLE. Number and Kind of Experiment. Yield per acre, in tons. Degree Baume. \.nal3 t£ 'o 1 13 o H rses. CD SO 2 o s 1 Glucose. 1 Purity. Coefficieut. Glucose Ratio. Pound* aTaiiable sugar upon 70 pev cent, extraetion. Per ton. Per acre. 1 Upper white joints. . 10.71 8.4 15.2 13.5 89 88.81 6.59 170.1 .1821.77 2 Next to white joints 16.22 8.2 14.8 13 3 75 89.86 5.63 169.75 2753.34 3 Next to No. 2 19.72 8.4 15.1 13.5 77 89.4 5.7 172.27 3397.16 4 Next to No. 3 17.79 8.4 15.2 13.7 80 90.13 5.84 175 3113.25 5 Next to No. 4 19.21 8.3 14.9 13.5 82 90.6 16.07 171.78 3299.89 6 Next to No. 5 18.74 8.6 15.5 14 69 90.32 4.92 181.51 3401.49 7 Next to No. 6 17.32 8.3 15 13 82 86.66|6.3 164.78 2853.98 8 Next to No. 7 20.16 8 1 14.6 12.7 87 86.98 6.85 159.53 3216.12 9 Next to No. 8 15.12 7.5 13.6 11.4 89 83.82 7.8 140.91 2130.56 10 Next to No. 9 11.49 7.8 14.1 12.3 91 87.23 7.39 153.09 1759 TABLE 6. — PLAT O. — FIELD AND SUGAR HOUSE RESULTS — OCT.. 15, 1889. — SECOND YEAR STUBBLE. Number and Kiud of Experiment. Yield per acre in tons. Analyses. Purity Coefficient. Glucose Ratio. Pounds ble sug 70per c trac o "fH qj Ph. availa- Degree Baume. Total solids. Sucrose. Glucose. ;ar upon lent, ex- tion. <© w CS S-t <© 1 Upper white joints 6.16 6 6 11.9 8.2 2.6l| , 69 31.82 59.99 * 369..54 2 Next to white joints 13.19 6.7 12.2 8.2 2.67 67 .32.56 58.66 773.72 3 Next to No. 2 14.37 7.6 13.7 8.4 !2.46 61 29.4 65.99 947.56 4 Next to No. 3 20.3 7.6 13.8.10.8 2.41 78 22.31 100.66 2043.4 .5 Next to No. 4 9.88 7 12.7 9.6 2.37 75 24.68 84.7 836.84 6 Next to No* 5 19.41 7 12.6 9.7 2.38 77 24.53 85.82 1665.76 7 Next to No. 6 18.56 7.7 14 10.7 2.63 76 24.57 94.64 1756.52 8 Next to No. 7 16.9 7 12.6 8.6 2.91 68 34.18 58.66 990.35 9 Next to No. 8 13.03 6.5 11.7 7 3.23 59 46.14 30.24 394.08 10 Next to No. 9 1 9 5.5 10 5.1 3.33 51 1 65.29 1.54 13.8S 510 The following table will give the aggregate yield and the available sugar on 70 per cent, extraction per acre for the three years : Yield Available sugar tons pounds. 1 Upper white joint 35.01 4332 2 Next to white joint 61.47 7631 3 Next to No. 2 72.27 8812 4 Next to No. 3 71.84 8497 5 Next to No. 4 63.89 7582 6 Next to No. 5 71.71 9228 7 Next to No. 6 67.36 8387 8 Next to No. 7 62.3 7235 9 Next to No. 8 55.67 5717 10 Next to No. 9 1 37.37 4018 CONCLUSIONS. Here NTo. 3 has given the largest tonnage and next to No. 6 the largest available sugar. The upper white joints germinate much more quickly than the others^ but these sprouts are inca- pable of withstanding prolonged droughts in early life. Many of these sprouts died in 1886, and the stubble crops were there- fore “gappy.’’ Again the stubble of No. 5 was somewhat in- jured in 1888 by driving carts over it to obtain cane from the ex- periments beyond, and, hence, its yield was very low in 1889. These experiments clearly show that the upper portion of the cane, barring the green, immature joints, is the equal if not the superior of the whole cane, or any other portion for seed, and suggests the propriety of search for some practical way of utilizing the upper thirds of the entire crop for seed and grind- ing the other two-thirds. HOW MANY STALKS OF CANE TO PLANT ? This question propounded to the plant cane in 1887, has been followed through the first and second rattoons. Simultaneous with this question has been incidentally pro- pounded another : WHICH IS BEST FOR SEED— PLANT OR STUBBLE CANE ? In the same plat were also tried a few experiments comfirm- atory of *^^hose already described, viz c WHAT PART OF THE CANE IS BEST FOR SEED ? The following are the experiments in full : CO lO CO L- 511 1. One cane with a lap, cut iu the row, 2. Two canes with a lap, cut in the row. 3. Three canes with a lap, cut in the row. 4. Four canes with a lap, cut in the row. 5. One cane, no lap, uncut. 6. Upper halves of canes, two and a lap. 7. Lower halves of cane, two and a lap. 8. Upper thirds of canes, two and a lap. 9. Middle thirds of canes, two and a lap. 10. Lower thirds of canes, two and a lap. The results of three years are given in the following table s .* TABLE 7.— PLAT O— GERMINATION QUESTIONS— PLANTED FEB. 10, AND GATHERED NOV. 4, 1887. PLANT CANE. Number and kind of Experiments 1. One cane, (cut) . Two cane, (ent) . Three cane (cut) . Four cane (cut) . . One cane ( nnent) . Ui)per halves . . . I. Lower halves... 8. Upper thirds. .. . 9. Middle thirds. . . 10. Lower thirds... Mfircli 13. May 25. Nov. 4. JSo. of Sprouts. No. of Sprouts Plant. Stubble s oj 3 m Plant. 42 U1 No of Stalks. l'S;5 ® 4^ 9 o ■rA CS nt . . 20.42 7. 12.7 ^ 9 . 4 ; 2.48 74 26.38 79.52 1,623.8 9 middle thirds, stubble ^ 3.49 7.4 13.4 10 . 2 ! 2.5 . 76 25.09 89.04 1,310.75 10 lower thirds, plant. . . 20.8 7.1 12.81 9.61 2.70 75 28.12 77.7 616.16 10 lower thirds, stubble.. * 2.3 7.3 13. 1 ! ■ H.?! 2.95 66 33.93 61.95 142.48 ’^lujured by shade. lu the above experiments several of those where stubble ^ane was used as seed, were injured by shade. Eliminating these, we find that in an average year, with good seed, two stalks and a lap will be abundant see 1 5 that stubble cane is as good, if not better seed, than plant and that the upper halves or thirds of the cane are [as good as the entire stalk for seed. It is also shown that there is no physiological benefit accruing from cutting .the cane. Whatever benefit may arise from this practice, now almost universal, must be ascribed to care and efficiency of work in planting and covering, and to the decreased risk of unearth- ing the cane during early cultivation, especially when the latter is very. crooked. When cane has to remain in the ground all winter, 515 before germinating, it is best not to cut the cane at all if its physical condition will permit such a procedure, since every cut i3roduces a wound which more or less induces fermentation and decay. It is the belief of those who practice cutting that when an eye on an entire stalks starts vigorously into growth, it can and may injure the vitality of the other eyes, and hence they recommend cutting the cane, to prevent this destruction. That such is not the case has been shown by a number of experiments conducted by the station. In planting entire stalks it is difficult to cover each eye at the same depth. Those near the surface germinate first, while those at the greatest depth may never ger- minate at all, though perfectly sound and healthy, because ere the conditions necessary to germination at that depth are secured the earlier sprouts are being cultivated and more dirt thrown on them. It frequf^ntly happens in digging stubble that eyes on the mother cane are found sound and, in many instances,, germinate after a burial of over twelve months. With a view of throwing more light, on this subject, the following experiments were instituted and carried to successful completion : 1. Two whole canes planted, tops three inches, butts six inches deep. 2. Two whole canes planted, tops three inches, butts ten inches deep. 3. Two whole canes planted, tops three inches, butts four^ teen inches deep. 4. Two whole canes planted, tops three inches, butts six- teen inches deep. 5. Two whole canes planted, tops three inches, butts seven- teen inches deep. 6. Two whole canes planted, tops, three inches, butts eighteen inches deep. 7. Two whole canes planted, tops three inches, butts twenty inches deep. 3. Two whole canes planted, tops three inches, butts twenty-one inches deep. 9. Two whole canes planted, tops three inches, butts, twenty-tw'o inches deep. 516 10. Two wliole canes planted, tops three inches, hntfs twenty-four inches deep. 11. Two whole canes i^lanted, tops eighteen inches, butts three inches deep. 12. Two whole canes planted, tops twenty-two inches, butts three inches deep. 13. Tsvo whole canes planted, tops twenty-four inches, butts three inches deep- 14. One whole cane planted perpendicularly, top up, butt down. Canes of about four feet in length were placed carefully in trenches properly prepared of above depth, on March 13, 1889. ^ <3 On November 14th and 15th, they were carefully dug up, the growing canes removed and counted, the mother stalk care- fully washed^ and examined, and each eye carefully treated as regards germination and soundness. The following are the notes niade : Experiment 1. Both mother canes rotten, seventeen developed stalks, one stool coming from the eye deepest buried (six inches.) Experiment No. 2. One mother cane rotten. The other perfectly sound with two well preserved sound eyes on it : there were twenty-four well developed stalks, one stool from eyes at3 depth of six inches, eight inches and ten inches, (lowest eye). Experiment No. 3. Both mother canes sound, twenty-eight growing stalks ; one stalk had a stool at fourteen inches depth, another at ten inches, and another at six inches, with one sound eye. The other stalk had its lowest four eyes staided, but not yet to surface, with stools at ten inches, six inches. Every eye but one had germinated, this was dead and was at depth of near eight inches. ExiDeriment No. 4. Both mother canes rotten ; only twelve stalks of cane. The lowest eye which germinated was at six inches. Experiment No. 5. Both mother canes rotten, twenty -one stalks of cane, one stool from an eye twelve inches dee}^, one at eight inches, and another at kix inches. 517 Experiment 6 . Eoth motlier canes rotten 5 thirteen stalks of cane, one stool of two stalks from an eye four inches deep and another from eye twelve inches, and at the lower end (eighteen inches) was found a living sucker not yet out of the ground, coming from a dead sprout, which had doubtless, been smothered in the spring. Experiment ISTo. 7. Both mother canes rotten ; eleven stalks cane, one stool from eye fifteen inches deep, and another from eye fourteen inches deep. Experiment No. 8 . Both mother canes rotten, and no eyes germinated. Experiment No. 9. One mother cane rotten, the other sound. No eyes germinated on rotten cane. Three stools from sound cane from upper eyes. Thirteen canes 5 three eyes still good. Exx)eriment No. 10. One mother cane rotten, and one ex- cellently well preserved. Twenty-three canes. Only one stool of three stalks from rotten stalk, from second eye from top of cane ((about five inches). Four stools had developed on sound cane, from twelve inches up to three inches deep. Five eyes had developed on lower x)art of cane into short sprouts, which had been smothered. Two eyes still good. Exx^eriment No. 11. Both mother canes sound ; twenty canes ; one stool from an eye twenty-four inches deep, was very curious in its underground connection with the mother stalk. It ran out at an angle of about 45 degrees to mother stalk to a length of seventeen inches, and then came x^erpendicularly to the surface. This. forcibly illustrated the x)ower of vitality. Three €^yes on the two canes were still sound. Experiment No. 12. Both mother canes rotten ; thirteen €*anes from only two eyes, at eight and six inches deex). Exx^eriment No. 13. Both canes rotting ; twelve canes from two eyes, ten to eight inches deep. Experiment No 14. This cane was still sound. Every eye from eighteen inches deep to the top germinated, giving twenty- one fully developed canes. After being dug up the stalk with its adherent growth was a great curiosity. It had the form of an 518 umbrella inverted by the wind, only the ribs were placed at inter- vals along the stalk. At the depth of twenty- five inches there was found a sound eye. Below this the stalk was rotten, above sound and strong. The sound eyes in every case were planted, and germination actually produced. It is to be regretted that the canes used in these experiments were defective. Our best seed had been planted before this work was projected, and in preparing for this work we had to select stalks from refused seed cane. However^ enough is shown to controvert the opinion that an eye starting: early into growth does destroy the other eyes on the same cane unfavorably situated. It also suggests the immense power resi- dent in a good sound eye of cane. Last season was, however, a. very dry one, and perhaps favorable to these experiments, whiles the seed used was defective and unfavorable. A Avet season, aa itlr excellent seed cane, might giA^e different i esults, especially u}3oni stiff, undraiued soil. Whenever a large number of stalky, appeared aboA^e ground, the mother cane was nearly always sound. Along with the above, another series of exx>eriments was^ made. Canes were cut up into one and two joints and planted^ A^ertically at distances apart varying from six to eighteen inches. The land was nicely bedded, and the joints Avere simply inserted by hand. A drouth of unprecedented fury prevailed immedi- ately after planting, Avith disastrous results to the experiments.. Eow No. 1, where one joint was planted 12 inches apart,, failed to germinate. Eow No. 2, where one joint Avas planted 18 inches apart,, give one stool of fifteen stalks. Eow No. 3, where one joint was planted 6 inches apart, gave eight stools, aggregating seventy-nine stalks. Eow No. 4, where two joints were planted 12 inches apart^ gave six stools, aggregating seventy-six stalks. Eow No. 5, where two joints w^ere planted 18 inches aj)art,, gave five stools, aggregating sixty-eight stalks. Eow No. 6, Avhere two joints Avere planted 6 inches apart^ gave seven stools, aggregating eighty-three stalks. 519 This cane came up very scatteringly and suckered enorm- ously, giving very few well develoj)ed stalks. PHYSIOLOGICAL EXPEEIMENTS. WHAT DISTANCE APART SHALL WE GIVE OUR CANE ROWS ? This question was experimentally begun with plant cane in 1888. This year it has been followed into stubble. The following, taken from bulletin No. 20, gives an account of the original planting. This year the stubble has been treated in same manner as regards fertilizers, the latter applied on May 2. Some difficulty was experienced in working properly the uarrrow rows, and they suffered in consequence. ^^1. Three rows, three feet wide. ^ ^ 2. Three rows, four feet wide. ‘^^3. Three rows, five feet wide. 4. Three rows, six feet wide. I ^ 5. Three rows, seven feet wide. ^^6. Three rows, eight feet wide. ‘‘These rows were two acres long, and were divided into «qual parts. Upon the upper part, plant was used for seed ; and on the lower, stubble. Each of these parts was' again equally divided, and upon the southern half of each part manure was used, the same amount to each experiment. This gave each row the same amount of manure, but very varying quantities iier ucre. Bradley’s fertilizer was used on the part planted with stubble, and Bowdker’s fertilizer on that with plant. These goods were especially prepared in Boston, for Mr. Frank Ames, for his sugar plantation, and by him presented to the station. “ Two attempts were made, after the cane had reached seve- ral feet in height, to cultivate the narrow rows with a two horse plow, by driving the mules “tandem,” but a failure was made each time. The soil was too stiff. The other experiments were cultivated like the rest of the cane on the station, in the usual way. “ The difficulty of cultivation must alw^ays remain as a seri- ous objection to iiarro^w rows for cane in stiff soils. In light soils a one horse plow may do all the work effectually. Howwer, in these ex]ieriments our narrow^ row^s do not show any loss from 520 lack of cultivation, nor from the absence of high ridges and deep middles, though the subsequent seasons were extremely unfavorable.’’ Eesults of both 1888 and 1889 are herewith given : RESULTS OF PLAT 13— DIFFERENT WIDTHS OF ROWS IN PLANT CANE, FOR 188ri. f rows, feet. 1 £» f-( Fertilized per acre. 32 o -M OJ !-i O a © 3 An 32 alyst iS. _© "© © o .2 Pounds of a vail a b le sugar upon TO per cent, extraction. Width o] o N s o 3 <5 © © tc © GO CZ -*-» o H Sucrose. Glucose. © © 30 O © o Per ton i Per acre 3 Bradley Lbs. 1,336 39.38 16.2 14.1 .78 87.03 5.33 181.02 7,128.57 4 Bradley 1,002138. A5l8. 4 15.1 12.5 1.15i 82.789, l'.i 150.9 6,748.25 5 Bradley 800:34.048.8 15.8 13.4 .971 '84.817.23 167.3 5,694.89 6 Bradley 668 30.8718.5 15.3 12.8 ;i.i5 83.66,8.97 155.12 4,788.55 7 Bradley 573 29.69 8.4 15.2 12.7 jl.08; 83.. 55 8. 5 155.12 4,605.51 8 Bradley 504 21.59 8.2 14.8 12 4 ! M 83.78|7.82 153.3 3,177.91 3 No manure 31.41 7.3 13.2 11.2 .75 84.09;6.75 141.12 4,432.58 4 No manure 25.93 7.3 13.2 11.2 .75 84.096.75 141.12 3,659.24 5 No manure 24.91 7.3 13. 2l 11.2 .751 84. 0916.75 141.12 3,515.3 6 No manure 21.69 7.3 13. 2i 11.2 .75! 84.099.7. 141.12 3,060-91 7 No manure 24.69 7.3 13.21 11.2 .75| 84.(96.75 141.12 3,516.48 8 No manure 20.65 7.3 13.2 11.2 .75| 84.096.75 141.12 2,914.13 3 Bowdker’a 1,336 35.91j 7.5 13.5 11.2 .86; 81.967.67 138.79 4,982.15 4 Bowdker’s 1,002 31.44!7.8 14. 12.2 1.07 87.14,8.77 148.4 4,665.7 3 Bowdker’s 800 27.72 7.4 13.4 11^2 .8 83. 5817. 67 138.74 3,845.87 6 Bowdker’s 667 21.29 7.9 14.2 11.9 1.06 83.8 8.90 144.34 3,023 7 Bowdker’s 573 21.91 6.7 12. 9.5 .87 79.169.15 114.8 2,515.2^ 8 Bowdker’s 504 18.4 7.8 14. 12.5 .96 89.287.68 154.84 2,^'49.06 3 No manure 31.37 8. 14.4 13. 1.01' 90.277.76 160.86 5,040.18 4 No manure 23 . 53 7.5 13.6 11.9 .96 87.5 |8.06 146.44 3,545.73 5 No manure 20.82 7.9 14. 2| 12. .83: 84 5 6.91 150.64 3,130.32 6 No manure 16.22 8.2 14.8 12.7 .92| 85. 8 117. 32 158. 4 ■< 2,570.54 7 No manure 17.1 8. 14.4, 12.3 .>6 85.4i;6.99 151.14 2,635.79 8 No manure W 75 8.4 15. l' 12 9 .9 ' 85.43 6.07 161 .7 3.190.57 521 RESULTS OF PLAT 13— DIFFERENT WIDTHS OF ROWS -IN STUB- BLE CANE, 1889. ? o o Fertilizer Used. Amount Fertilizer per Acre. Lbs. ! Yield per Acre in Tons' Analyses. Coefficient of Purity. Glucose Ratio. Pounds availa- ble sugar upoii 70 per cent, ex- trac tion. Degree Baume. Total Solids Sucrose. Glucose. Per Ton. 2 < Pm 3 Bradley 1,336 23.22 7.8il4.ll 11.9 1.31 84 11. 139.09 3,231 4 Bradley 1,002 19.74 7.8 14.1 12. ll 1.11 185 9.17 146.16 2,885* 5 Bradley 800 21.76 7.8 14.1 1 12. i 1.17 '85 9.75 143.5 3,123:- 6 Bradley 668 20.31 7.8 14. i 11.9 1.13 !85 9.49 142.94 2,903 7 Bradley .573 20.17 8. 14 . 5 ' 12.5 1.04 ^86 8.31 153.16 3,089’ 8 Bradley 504 15.88 7.9 14.2 12.4 ,1.14|87 9.19 149.66 2,37T 3 No manure.. 15.63 8. 14.5 12.3 il.06 84 8.61 149.94 2,343- 4 No manure.. 10.82 8. 14.5 12.5 1.14i86 9.12 151.06 1,634 5 No manure*. . 12.64 7.8 14. 12. :1. 15:85 i 9.58 143.92 1,819' 6 No manure. . 12.69 8.1 14.6 12.2 1.16 183' 9.5 146.44 1,8. 58-. 7 No manure.. 14.04 8. 14.5 12.1 1.22 83 10.08 143.78 2,018: 8 No manure.. 15.12 8. 14.5 12.5 :i.l8|86 9.44 150.22 2,271 3 Bowdker’s. . . 1,336 , 24.45 7.9 14.2 12. ;i.03 84 8.58 146.44 3,580- 4 Bowdker’s. . . 1,0(12 20.09 7.9 14.3 12.1 il.06 184 8.76 147.14 2,95d. 5 Bowdker’s. . . 800 17.2 7.9 14.2 12. |1.07 :84 8.91 145.. 6 2,504 6 Bowdker’s. . . ! 668 15,36 7.9 14.2 11.5 ll.ll 181 9.65 137.69 2,114 7 Bowdker’s. . . 573 14.61 7.9 14.2 11.8 1.19 83 10.08 140.21 2,048'- 8 Bowdker’s. . . 504 15.5 7.5 1 3,5 11.3|1.2l 183 10.7 132.79 2,058- a No manure. . 12. .‘■16 7.9 14.2 11.5 1.08 '81 9.39 138.32 1,737 4 No manure.. 13.68 8.3 15. 13. 1.01 87 7.76 160.79 2,199' ») No manure. . 15.52 8.4 15.1 13. 1.02 86 7.84 160.. 58 2,492 6 No manure.. 15.2 8. 14.5 12 . 5 1.11 86 8.88 151.69 2,30d 7 No manure.. 14.84 8.3 15. 12.6 1.19 84 9.44 151.41 2,247 8 : "Vr. trx'imrp 13 ^6 8.3 !i5. 12 71.13 85 8.89 1,54.07 2,12ffi % COMPAKISON OF AGGHEGATE RESULTS OF PLAT 13 FOR TWO YEARS. 9XqBtI13AY iO 1-5 >o ICrHTHOOOCO'THCD 00 )0 tH »0 CO !M 00 O THa5co'^^ooxc^^'^ 'i6 ^ lO io of i-T — 00 •snox MTJ.0118 91 tpqi^Ay r/> CO CO X O LO CO CO CO X CO lO O lO »0 X CO 'HI X 1-5 Iff hh' lo of •snox •jbSus 9U PTP-AY •81I0X o: t— CO oi t- X I ^ X t- »0 CO T-l i CO T-l X CO X 1-5 1 ^' x’' •JTJ.ollS 9{ qiqi«AY r^X h-5 x' -H O Ol ^ CO X )0 OJ X X X X X CO >C^lC lO irf co" o' ccT — •snox MuSns 9iqiqiT?AY •snox ® j •J'C.<)n8 ^ i^I q^IlTJAY X OI )0 X o X OI t— oi X o o X o o ■ o -£ X ^ o CO oi c- X CO t- ^ t- lO t- rl CO'OD x'od' snox o o ® © r' o o X a:i X 00 ^ ^ ^ o o o o g © '© ^ "© ^ >;J< O CO t- ® O O O O 5^ OD OD 5C 00 OD « C5 ® OJ CB «3 M -&-©©©©© ©©©©©© t5ooo>xxxxx w ^ <1 H H H H H © ^ I 3 fcc 523 The sucrose content seems to depend upon factors other than width of rows, thongh the narrow rows have slightly the advan- tage. Attention was called in bulletin No. 20 to the defective drainage of the six foot plat, due to an old water furrow which once drained an oat patch. The decrease in yield due to this cause was also apparent this year. To plant an acre in cane, with rows seven feet apart, using ^Hwo stalks and a lap ” for seed, will require about four tons of cane ; at the same rate there will be required for seed : In three foot rows, nine and one-third tons per acre. In four foot rows, seven tons per acre. In five foot rows, 5.6 tons per acre. In six foot rows, four and two-thirds tons per acre. In seven foot rows, four tons per acre. In eight loot rows, three and one half tons per acre. Substracting these qualities from average yield above will give net cane j)er acre over the amount used in planting a» follows : Three foot rows, 44.15 tons. Four foot rows. 38.94 tons. Five foot rows, 38.05 tons. Six foot rows, 33.67 tons. Seven foot rows, 35.26. Eight foot rows, 31.66, These results are so striking that we can not avoid the con- clusion reached last year. It is unwise as well as unscientific to draw conclusions from a few years’ experience, yet the above results strongly suggest thought and reflection. Have not in our eTorts at eisy and thorough cultivation passed the boundary of maximum yield sugar content in the width of our rows? Do not wide rows and late cultivation also tend to large ininiiture canes at harvest? The frequent remarks of planters that ^^cane never grows well until laid by,” and ‘-cane never grows fast until it shades the ground,” cause the inquiring mind to ask the reasons for these popular axioms. May not the frequent rupture of the roots in 524 <$iiltivation, wliicli wide rows permit to be extended (perhai)s) l^eyond tlie requirements of the plane, and the growth of grass ^ind weeds, which flourish longer (because unshaded) in wide "a-ows (the killing of which often requires the late cultivation), liave much to do with originating these j)opular beliefs ! It is certainly desirable in this climate to have early matur- ing cane. To-do this obstacles or checks upon its growth must 'bit presented in some form in order that it may do the only thing left it — i. e., mature. These obstacles may be found in want of drainage, or lack of fertility. The last obstacle may be presented by withholding fertilizers, absence of deep ploughing, want of rain and crowding the land with cane, etc. IVCay not a witdh of rows just sufficient for good cultivation, varying accord- ing to soil, be better than the conventional seven foot row now -almost everywhere found. The station continues to test this •question. VARIETIES OF CANE. The station has now growing on it over sixty varieties of <assed over 18 per cent, in several instances. MANUEIAL EEQUIEEMENTS. For four years the station has made strenuous exertions to determine a fertilizer suitable for caue on the sugar lands of Louisiana. A fertilizer is desired which will give simultane- ously large tonnage with large sugar content. Unfortunately, these combinations are rarely obtained in this latitude, where the cane is harvested long before maturity. So far that class of manures which will insure a large tonnage are known to give succulent watery canes, poor in sugar, while unmanured stunted canes are apt to be comparatively rich in saccharine. It is there- fore, for the present at least, prudent to seek a fertilizer which will give a fair tonnage with chances in favbr of high sucrose. The ingredients of value in every commercial fertilizer are nitro- gen, phosphoric acid, and ]3otash. These in different forms are combined in varying proportions to form the fertilizers offered on our market. Do our soils need all three of these ingredients to make a remunerative harvest of cane? If so, in what forms shall they be presented, and in what proportions shall these combinations be made and what quantities of the mixtures shall be used per acre ? To answer truly all these questions would be the solution of the chief agricultural problem to-day presented to our sugar planters. In experimenting to determine these questions, a .seemingly insuperable difficulty confronts us. We are seeking mgar — a compound containing only carbon and hydrogen — without a trace of any of the above ingredients, and yet it is universally 527 known that well developed cane can not be obtained when ttee soil is deficient m any one of them. What then are their rela- tions to the elaboration of sugar in the cane ? Their action i&> not nntritons. It may be physiological, bat exactly in Avhat way is yet an undetermined problem. Do excesses of all or any one of these ingredients tend to develop sugar in the juiced M- trogenous manures alone certainly do not, for when offered in-^ excess, larodnce exceedingly poor canes in large quantities. Phos- phatic manures may accomplish this end, yet there are seasons'-. when they, too, utterly fail to augiiient the sugar content, pot- assic manures in all forms have failed with us to effect the sugar- content or tonnage in any way, though reported favorably as to the former in some foreign experiments. Experiments covering' all of the above questions have been carefully and patiently made- for four years, under the hopes that some light would be thrown*, upon this important problem. While the problem has been byr no means solved, yet much valuable information has been gained., and we are enabled to report successful progress. NITROGEN MANURES. In 1886 a series of experiments were begun with the differ- ent forms of nitrogen, using nitrate of soda, sulphate of ammonia^, cotton seed meal, fish scrap, and dried blood. All of these were^ used in such quantities as to give twenty-four, forty-eight, an^ S3venty-twm pounds of nitrogen per acre, styled one-third, two- thirds, and one full ration. The results of 1886 and 1887 clearly demonstrated that the full ration of seventy-two pounds per acre was excessive and wasteful, and hence, in subsequenl years, only the one-third and two-thirds rations were used. The above forms were used with excesses of acid i)hosphate and potash^. At same time experiments with a mixture of these last twQ> substances, called mixed minerals, were made to test their effi- cacy when used alone. In 1886 the stand was severely injured,., and hence tonnage not secured j only analyses of canes obtained.^ Each subsequent year gave both. The following table gixre; the results for 1«89 : o Q H 't Poniids available sugar upon 70 per et. extration. •a.Toy 19 j 2905 3194 2720 2050 2917 2533 2926 2640 2870 1588 2505 2941 •no; .T9J t- »0 »0 OT lO l- CO ^ CO CO i •OT^UH f>SO0U[fJ r-^ 1-H Ci X CO CO OJ cr. oi x ci •^.Tiap^joo^ " a';liuj Analyses. ■osoonif,j S? sS32£.^ = SSi ;:| •9S'().i.ni^< tH rH 'X cm X X X OI i-h <>, CO -+I •Spi[t)S P-loj. t-h (M X lO Ol 1— X CO CO X CO CO •STIO:^ Til ‘a.iau jad ppip^ r T3 'SSSSSSSS^SS ^ 2 r s s 2 o{ 2 J:: 2' m O 1 > a th CO lc CO ; - X' c; o r-i 'm 529 COMPARISON OF RESULTS. AVEliAGE YIELD PEK ACEE OF No Manure. Mixed Minerals. Tons. Ave’ge sugar Tons. A ve’ge sugar '^cottonseed meal over 7.62 lbs. 1,288 1,345 7.75 lbs. 1,115 cotton seed meal over 9.20 9.33 1,172 lisli scrap over 5.48 5.61 fisli sera]) over 6.40 1,231 6.56 1,056 i dried blood over 7.86 7.99 drie tion of sill, ammonia ^ 10. No manure lU Mixed minerals f I ration of nitrate soda ^ 12. Mixed minerals, f > ration of nitrate soda ^ 1886 1887. 1888. 1^89. 15.7 14.5 11.7 14 Yield per acre Sucrose Glucose Lbs. available sugar Yield per acre Sucrose Glucose Lbs. available sugar Yield per acre Sucrose Glucose Lbs. available sugar Yield per acre Sucrose Glucose Lbs. available sugar Yield per acre j... Sucrose 113. Glucose Lbs. available sugar Yield per acre Sucrose Glucose Lbs. available sugar Yield per acre Sucrose Glucose Lbs available sugar Yield iier acre Sucrose Glucose Lbs. available sugar Yield per acre Sucrose Glucose Lbs. available sugar Yield per acre Sucrose Glucose Lbs. available sugar Yield per acre Sucrose Glucose Lbs. available sugar Yield per acre Sucrose Glucose Lbs. available sucar 19.18 26.^3 12.2 1 13.2 1.45! -83 2,695 22.4 11.6 1.82 .. 2,780 4,289!3,194 3,421 29 17 7 3.1 1.11 2,816 1.24 19.07 12.2 | 12.2 1.561 .7 1,719 20.33 12.7 1.56 2,948 12.8 13.1 12.9 13.1 13 11.4 22.75 11.1 1.'32 4,492|2,905 26.25124 85i24.5 22.92 13 05 1.2 3.364 13 11.1 .89 1.28 I" |12.55 1.33 25.55 19.09 11 8 1 08 2,720 14 03 12,2 1 04 2,979 2,050 25.2 12.9 26 11 5 1.8 3,203 26.84 10.4 1.6 3,006 21.31 11.5 1.8 20 78- 15 17 12 37 1.1 2,249 19.65121.73 12.3 12 85 . to 4,156 21.81 22.75 13.2 .81 3,822 23.8 13.1 .79 1 13 1 15 2,917 3,307 3,203 3,975 29 10.4 2 3.004 15.22 10.8 1.8 1,726 27.4 10 6 2 2,913 21.77 8.8 2.42 -.-^ 3.56 22 18 66 11 1 07 2,532 22.79 ]1 3 1.42 2,9;>6 19 68 11 2 1.07 2,640 22.16 13.4 .8 4,029 17 87 12.6 .65 2,9i3 20.55 12.9 .62 3,411 24-85 11.6 .72 1,576 3.653 11.1 1.38 2,870 12 81 10.7 1.23 I, 588 17.05 12 1 2,505 21.. 51 II. 4 1.11 2,941 24 12 11.93 128 3,251 2159 12 23 1 22 3,273 25 8 11 95 1 39 3,301 15 3 11 8 1 22 2,076 22 33 12 13 1.21 2,943 22.71 10 8 1 41 2,723 532 FOEMULAS FOR CANE. Another part of Plat 14 was devoted to the trial of various formulas hitherto given to the public as adapted to cane. No. 13, consisting of — 130 pounds nitrate of potash, 650 pounds acid phosphate^ 510 pounds gypsum, ^ is prescribed by Prof. George Ville, of the government school at Vincennes, France, as specially adapted to plant cane. It is an expensive compound and experience here has shown excessive in phosphoric acid and deficient in nitrogen. No. *14 is a formula prescribed by the Exj^eriment Station upon St. Denis, on the island of Reunion (formerly Bourbon), und is highly endorsed by the planters of this island and Mauri- tius. It too is expensive and the quantity per acre much in ex- cess of the ordinary requirements of our crops. It is as follows : No. 14— 140 pounds sulphate of ammonia, 100 pDunds nitrate of soda, 120 pounds dried blood, 560 pounds acid phosphate, 80 pounds muriate potash. Here the nitrogen is presented in three forms, which is be- lieved to best meet the requirements of the x)lants. Nos. 15, 16 and 17, which were fertilized last year respec- tively with Ohlendorff’s ‘^A’’ Special Cane Manure, “B” Early Oane Manure, and Dissolved Peruvian Guano, were this year as stubble, in default of these goods, treated with the fol- lowing mixtures : No. 14— 720 pounds cotton seed meal. 500 pounds acid phosphate. 320 pounds kainite. No. 16— 720 pounds cotton seed meal. 500 pounds acid phosphate. 80 pounds muriate of potash. No. 17 — 720 pounds cotton seed meal. 500 pounds acid phosphate. 80 pounds sulphate j)otash. 533 YIELDS OF 1888 AND 1889.— PLAT 14. r 13. Ville’s ForuniLi 14. St. Deuis Formula ^ 15. Olileudorf'S Special Cane Manure f in 1888 j Meal phosphate with Kainite iu^, 1889 [ 16. Ohlendorf’s Early Cane Manure f in 1888 ! Meal Phosphate with Muriate | Potash in 1889 [ 17. Ohlendorf’s Dissolved Peruvian f Guano in 1888 ] Meal Phosphate with Suli)hate of ) Potash in 1889 [ Yield per acre Sucrose Glucose Pounds available shgar Yield per acre Sucrose '. Glucose .’ Pounds available sugar Yield per acre Su(‘rose Glucose Pounds available sugar Yield per acre Sucrose Glucose Pounds available sugar Yield per acre Sucrose Glucose Pounds available sunar 1888. Plant. 1889. Sthl e- 26.01 15.65 13.2 11 .84 1.31 4,357 1,979' 30.05 21.56- 13.1 10.9 .9 1.32 4,943 2,692 29.16 20.82' 11.7 11.2 .9 1.22 4,225 2,731 24.73 19.13 12.4 11.4 .91 1.47 3,825 2,462 22 20.88 15.7 10.9 .85 1.22 3,527 2,651 The St. Denis formula has furnished the largest tonnage each year, while No. 15 has given this year the largest sugar yield. The fertilizers used in Nos. 15, 16 and 17 are far cheaper than those prepared by the foreign formulas, and give equally as good results. Ville’s formula is deficient in nitrogen and exces- sive in phosphoric acid, while St. Denis is excesssive in both j both nitrogen and phosphoric acid in Nos. 15_, 16 and 17 were greatly in excess of requirements last season, this being an un- usually dry one. WHAT PROPORTIONS SHALL NITROGEN AND PHOSPHORIC ACID BE COMBINED FOR CANE? A part of Plat 14 was used for these experiments. The object of these experiments was to determine, if possi- ble, the proportions in which cotton seed meal and acid phos- phate should be mixed to give the best results on cane. Cotton seed meal has been used alone on experiment 18. In the other experiments it has been combined in such proportions with acid phosphate as to give the following ratios of nitrogen to phosphoric acid, viz : 1 — 3, 1 — 2, 1 — 1, 2 — 1, and 3 — 1. In this combination, no account has been taken of small amount of phosphoric acid in cotton seed meal, or of the still smaller 534 amount in the insoluble form in the phosphate. The nitrogen is reckoned at 7 per cent, in the meal, and the soluble phosphoric acid at 14 per cent, in the phosphate. The combination was used at rite of 750 pounds per acre. The following are the •quantities used : JExperimeut No. 18 — ‘‘ ‘‘ 19— I a 20 I u 21— u 22— I “ 23— i 24— j 650 lbs. cot. seed meal 300 ? 450 “ acid phosphate S 375 lbs. cot. seed meal ) 375 “■ acid phosphate ) Nothing 500 lbs. cot. seed meal ) 250 “ acidphospliate ) 600 cot. seed meal ? 150 acid ])ho8phate ^ 650 “ cot. seed meal ) 100 “ acidphospliate > Nitrogen 1 to phosxihoric acid ,3 Ito “ “ 2 “ Ito 1 2 to 1 “ 3 to 1 The results of both years are herewith given : PLAT 14. 18 19 .20 21 •22 .23 .24 Cotton Meal (alone). Nitrogren 7 to Phosphoric Acid 3. Nitrogen 1 to Phosphoric Acid 3. Nitrogen 1 to Phosphoric Acid 2. No Manure Nitrogen 1 to Phosphoric Acid 1. Nitrogen 2. to Phosphoric Acid 1. Nitrogen 3 to Phosphoric Acid 1. { Yield per acre Sucrose Glucose Pounds available sugar , { Yield per acre Sucrose Glucose Pounds available sugar { Yield per acre Sucrose Glucose Pounds available sugar, { Yield per acre Sucrose Glucose Pounds available sugar r Yield per acre I Sucrose ) Glucose Impounds available sugar { Yield per acre Sucrose Glucose Pounds available sugar, I Yield per acre I Sucrose 1 Glucose t Pounds available sugar 1888 Plant. 1889 Stubble. 18.69 20.23 11.9 11.1 .71 1.19 2,839 2,638 19.48 19.79 14.2 12.6 .39 1.04 3,623 3,059 20.07 19.85 14.8 11.5 .56 .9 3,914 2,834 16.97 14.65 11.4 12.8 .76 .91 2,435 2,345 22.75 18.53 12.2 10.5 .75 .1 3,536 2,334 24.5 19.25 13 4 11.5 .71 1.21 4,241 2,610 33.8 20.55 13.4 11.3 .78 1.29 4,082 2,694 In 1888 ^7o. 23, nitrogen two parts to iDhosphoric acid one ;p^rt, gave the largest tonnage, and No. 20, nitrogen one part to 535 phosphoric acid' two parts, the largest sugar content. In 188^- ]S'o. 24 gives the largest tonnage, and No. 19 the highest sucrose •- period. TILED VEESUS UNTILED LAND. In the fall of 1885 a plat of the blackest and stiffest land on the Station, and perhai)s as black and stiff as any piece in the State, was selected for testing the efficacy of tiles in ameliorating; the physical and chemical properties of such soils. This plat was four acres deep and nearly one acre wide. It was divided into two equal parts — one was tiled and the other left undis- turbed. After comi:>leting the work there was no sign or indica- tion of the line of demarcation between the two pieces. These tiles were laid four feet deep and twenty feet apart. The work was performed by Mr. Oakes, of Ohio, and was well done. Early in the winter of 1885-’86 the plat was flushed and di- vided in tv/o equal parts. The untiled part was named Plat No. lY, and the tiled. No. V. They were carefully bedded and planted in cane in the early spring of 1886. These plats were in. stubble cane when we obtained the place, and we were told that it had been in succession cane for years. The seed cane used was defective and the stand was poor, except on the first group. Hence, only this group was harvested this year. On account of the poor stand of 1886, the stubble was plowed up and land replanted in cane March 5, 1887. An excellent stand was obtained, which has subsequently been culti- vated as first and second year stubble (1888 and 1889). The fol- lowing are the manures used per acre on each plat : No. 1. 500 pounds cotton seed meal. 500 pounds acid phosphate. 500 pounds kainite. No. 2. 500 pounds cotton seed meal. 500 pounds acid phosphate. No. 3. Nothing. No. 4. 500 pounds cotton seed meal. 500 j)ounds natural phosphate. 500 pounds kainite. 536 Ko. 5. 500 pounds cotton seed meal. 500 pounds natural phosphate. oSTo. 6. Nothing. No. 7. 500 pounds cotton seed meal. 500 pounds bone dust. 500 pounds kainite. No. 8. 500 pounds cotton seed meal. 500 pounds bone dust. No. 9. Nothing. No. 10. 500 pounds cotton seed meal. 500 pounds floats. 500 pounds kainite. No. 11. 500 pounds cotton seed meal. 500 x^ounds floats. No. 12. Nothing. No, 13. 500 x)ounds cotton seed meal. 500 x)Ounds ashes cotton hulls. 500 |)ounds kainite. ^ No. 14. 500 pounds cotton seed meal. 500 i)ounds ashes cotton hulls. No. 15. Nothing. No. 16. 500 pounds cotton seed meal. No. 17. 500 pounds acids phosphate. No. 18. 500 x^ounds kainite. No. 19. Nothing. Both plats have received the identical treatment througb the four years. The accomx^anying table gives the results of the four years. RESULTS PLAT 4 AND 5, UNTILED AND TILED LANDS. •8qt‘9J0'B j[9d j'eSng C 005050 Xt^ 01 '^t^X-^-^COX 03 H#OOrH 03 l 0 l 0 l 0 i 05 03 rH 05 05 OC 0 rHCr 05 03 C 0 03 r+(,-HOX X 03 -+XC 05 C 0 -i H-< .-h ‘980J9ng XXIO ^X-H <05 CO XCOXX COXOXIOOO rH rH rH 03 * oj rH O 03 O 03 r-l 03 * 0 > rH 0 > 03 * 03 * 03 * rH rH I rHrHrHrHrHrHrHrHrHrHrHrHrHrHrHrHrHrHrHrH •8n0!). ^9J0B J9d PI9IA X CO 03 CO 03 CO rH CO X X X 05 X O CO X 03 t-- X XiO XjO *^t^(XCx 5 cO- 2 x* 03 XOrH*rH*odcOrH*COt>^COX 03 CO 05 rH— 'T— i rHrH-i— IrH rHrHrHrH rH rH '8qx ‘9J93? a;9d j^Siig 2797 3756: 3454 . X X X X X — ' XO X • O X X O CO t- •XXOXOXXX 03 L'- 'OrHrHOOXO • X 05 rH rH X 05 05 X 't-XXOit-XO • 03 XXrHrH 03 XX •rHO 3 O 303 XrH *9809nXO I xo t— [ CO rH o I r-i rH •rHlH-rHt^C 5 XtH-X •03 05 XXXX • 05 X X t- CO tH* -COCOCOXxOtO ” 98 OI 0 ng t- CO t-; -H^* CO CO rH rH rH • rJH CO CO t- C 5 05 05 • CO X CO O; CO rH • CO CO riH X* CO X* CO rj< •* 03 X* CO CO CO X • rH rH rH rH rH rH •— rH • r-' rH — • rH rH rH "sno| 19 cl PX9TJt 'sqi ^91013 J9cl jijSng •980onx]9 [ Tt CO I (M iT-i 00 IC CO CO O C5 IC CO CO O tH 01 05 CO XC 00 UO (M CO CO CO CO o o CO CO — CO 03 CO ^ lO O -S' c- CO C- I-H CO 00 o o 00 CO 01 c- »0 CO CO 03 03 01 CO 03 •98OI0ng •sno!; ‘910^ j;9cT *98010ng •0JO^ J9(I snox 03XOXO"sf -^lOXOCO- l>t^C0 1005 03 03 031-IC0 01 03030303CO •03 03 03 03 C00303C0 T~l T— I .—I 1— I 1— < 1— I tH rH t— 1 ^ T— ( » 1—1 1—1 tH rH T— I T— I tH i— f 03 TfXOCO^ COCO-S- X 03 rH iX> CO CO t-H Oi CO 05 05 X XI:^U0C0ri0 • »0 O lO CM cq ^ X oq CO . T-l oq .-I O 0 » tH ^ tH X X • X • X oq X CO 'St ID • oq x‘ o) -• CD ■AD ID CnCD(Mt-XXiH05DqCDt>t> • I 1— I — < T— I O X D1 ^ "rf ID Di XOCDXXDIXX OXC-t^DlOOX 'THi-(rH 05 XCDXX X X C't Dq X r-l Dq DJ -r X X JD ' D) t- X X T-l CD iH X CD ■CO TT ID If'O lbs Kaiiiite ) 1. Ditto 2. .^'00 lbs. Cot. See 100 lbs Kaiuite ) 2* Ditto 3. 500 lbs. Cot. Seed Meal ) 2.50 lbs. Acid Piiosphate ^ 3. Ditto 4. 500 11)8. Cot Seed Meal I .500 lbs. Acid I’hosphate S 4. Ditto 5. No manure 5. No manure 6. No manure 6. No manure 7. 100 lbs. Nitrate Soda 70 lbs. Sulpli. Am. I 150 lbs. Cot. Seed Meal > 300 lbs Acid Phosphate 100 lbs. Kaiuite J 7- Ditto 8. 300 lbs. Nitrate of Soda) 300 lbs . Acid Phosphate ? 100 lbs. Kaiuite ) 8. Ditto 0. 10‘»lbs Sulph, Am. 200 lbs Dried Blood 1 300 lbs. Acid Phosi)hate [ 100 lbs Kainite J 9. Ditto 10. 200 lbs. Sulph. Am. ) 300 lbs. Acid Phosphate > 100 lbs. Kaiuite S 10. Ditto Disposition of Pea Vines Yield Per Acre in Tons. Analyses. t 1 Total solids. 1 Sucrose. Glucose. Purity coefficient. Glucose ratio. 1 Turned in 1 16.03 11.9 8.2 3.03 69 36.95. 16.02 j 10.9 6.4 3.48 59 54.37 Turned in 17.17 10.7 6.6 3.44 62 52.33; Removed 16.45 10.4 7.6 3.36 73 44.21; Turned in 15.99 ko.9 7 3.06164 43.71: Removed 14.88 'll 1 6.6 3.37 68 51.06: Turned in 17.05 11.7 6.4 3.4155 53.28: Removed 14.37 11.6 7.1 3.59*61 50.561 Turned in ill.4l! 11.8 7.3 3.42:62 46.84 1 j Removed 10.54i 11 6 6 3.33 60 50.451 Turned in! 11.52111.8 7.3 |3.48'62;47.671 j Removed 10.7 .10.6 5.7 3.55 54 62.38 1 Turned in 17.95 9.5 4.8 3.51 50 73.12 . 1 Removed 17.57 10.7 5.5 3.33 51 60.54 Turned in 17 26 10.7 5.5 3.33 51 60.54 Removed 15 . 54 10 -.7 5.6 3.57| 52 63.74* Turned in 17.25 10.7 6 3.57 56 59.5 Removed 18.06 10.5 5.8 3.7 55 1 1 63.79 Turned in 17.68 10.5 i 5.8 ! 3.7 55', 63.79 Removed 15.83 10.6! 5.3: 3.85' 50' 72. 64 . Pounds avai 1 a- ble sug- ar on 70 per ct . ext ra c- tiou. 16.5 5.3 760 264 346 590 540 322 335 56 7.1 7.1 3.5 3.5 124 122 53 156 63 62 RESULTS FOR THREE YEARS. Taking the experiments with no manure, and where no known errors have influenced results, we have obtained the fol- 544 ISowing per acre due to pea vines turned under : In 1887, 2.91 tons; in 1»88, 3.69 tons, and 1889, .82 tons. "■Total, 7.42 tons. Taking the entire plat, with several known modifying errors, we have, in 1887, 2.23 tons; in 1888, 1.08 tons, and 1889, .94 tons. Total, 4.25 tons. The former increase is perhaps nearer the actual gains than ■'the latter. The vines removed would have given about two tons per acre of cured hay, worth, after the expenses of harvesting is deducted, $5 i^er ton, or $L0 per acre. They were worth as a -fertilizer the equivalent of 800 pounds cotton seed meal and 640 pounds kainite. The former is now worth $20 per ton and the Tatter $15, and these would give a fertilizing value to pea vines ^•of $12.80. From this investment there has been an increase of 7.42 Tons cane, worth, say, $4 per ton, or $29.68 per acre. It is be- lieved’ that the average results from pea vines turned under are v'even higher than those obtained here. However, the results obtained show conclusively that re- moving the pea vines for hay is to the detriment of subsequent '^rops, even to the third year. The incidental questions involved in the above experiments ;are corroborative of others answered elsewhere. 1. Potash in ■small quantities is without effect on these soils. 2. That exces- .rsive quantities of phosphoric acid are without beneficial results. That while sulphate of ammonia has given slightly better re- .“sults, the increase is so slight and the price of this article pro- portionately so dear, that any form of nitrogen usually offered on our market can be used with safety by our planters. 4. That ^stubble cane makes just as good seed as plant. PLAT 2— POPULAE MAAUEES. In 1886 this plat was planted and fertilized with the follow- ing popular manures : Cotton seed meal, acid phosphate, kainite, •Charleston fioats, gypsum, cotton hull ashes, tankage, and cot- ton seed. These experiments have been continued to third ^year stubble and one remarkable fact has been shown conclu- isively by them, viz. : that when the proi3er manure in aijpro- priate quantities has been used yearly, a profitable crop of Third year stubble has been gathered. When an improper fer- tilizer has been used, or tho soil has received no fertilizer, no crop has been gathered. An inspection of the following table will shovf this : RESULTS OF PLAT 2— THIRD STUBBLE, 1889. •p9!^80Aa;T]H AY rH'- V. VV. V.X.V. r2 ^ ^ ^ :::r o O Lbs available sugar on 70 per cent, extraction. •9j;oy J9X 396 589 979 997 1545 589 472 4S9 •nox J9X 00 OJ CO lO O C- 'S' nr.^ CO CO CO oi ' L-- CO JO rr C- CO 00 CO : •oi^n^ 9sooni^f) CO Cl O t- JO i-H 00 ci-rH cioicocoi^ CM CO CO CO (M CM CM CM •A’l^ninj JO jnoiopjooo cirH c: -^cooocaoo CO t:~ CO CO t- CO «>. CO : Analyses. *980011]^^ 00 o> CO oi ca ^ o '00 Ol O r-i lO CO (M !M CM CO (M Ol OI (M z •980.T0ng CO >-< JO ';!« CO JO crici 00 t^oioooioo z spiios FIOX lO 00 CO 00 00 CO JO CO CM (M CM (M tH CO oi 1 — ll-H 1 (r-lT— I t— (t— 1 z snox ni 9ioy J9(I ppxi CO CO -tl 00 JO JO CO O (M T— 1 O OI 00. lOOO Cl t>.TH00JOt>.OlT-«. 1—1 —'CM ^ O o CS ^ GG ^ a)Sc:_,S^2^ ^ ® “ ® H © "S ® "S • Cj rt iS a r^ -if r4 c^ ^ pj o '^GO^^QC^OQ .^^ODpjOQ O O O POf^ 5 ri 3 ^ ;^r3!-+^^ ’C .rf .p^' O 'o o p-i 'fH o 'o ^ o O 'o o 'o t! O 'o ^ 'o ^ <^ OCO r/)QO* 00000 CD '^00000000000 0 ‘ O'TtMOOOOCDCOOOOC- OOCOyCOOO-OO r-lTHr-i(M' 3 ' rfJ'iCDCOCOCOCOOG^'n' CO Tf lO CO t- QO > o c3 o 1076 1 1200 664 CM CO or CO lo t- 0-1 lO t>- 01 CO • 1— ( • (M • 00 t- t- tH 1445 (M 03 00 00 00 CO - • 'tH CO X lO CO CO cd 00 00 o • t- td 0-1 CO 'T 03 O • t- X iH T— ( 00 KC lO 00 CO 00 • CO X CM cd •J> lO 03 lO O lO • cd 1— 1 lO CO C-l CO CO (M (M (M • Oi CM 1— 1 CO CO -H o ca t- • X t- t- CO CO t- • i> X CO 00 TO IC CO ^ • lO CM o CO c» CO CO tH • o t- oi oi (M CO oi (M o> • oi (M rH t>. O) T-i CO • CM X X 05 00 cd 00 03 cd o i ^ (J3 T-< 1—1 1—1 • »o lO t- 03 ac CM • t- oi tH cd CM oi CO co’ CM r-l tH tH 1—1 1—1 1—1 ! 1— N ■05 CO CO CC 00 CO • CM 'rt^ -f* X CO 00 <05 CO rH 00 CO (M Oi l O • CO TT 00 T— 1 r-l C— X tH cd cd id cd ci (M CO • o CO y—^ 1-^ 1-1 0-1 td ■ • r-l tH f— 4 O -g 56 32 SC rX P O ;=o <3i s CO ^ =1 5 ' r^ "A H— ^ rH : c 4-::i o ! -M !qS56 ! sc so 33 ffl ® !K „ CC CJD sc P c: :5 EP rS ^ r® t- ^ "w CD k;:: ' r-c : o o o o 7>7 CO ® ® © be -C o be »<^ocococo'g'L'-(ay a handsome dividend upon investment. Experiments indicate that best results are obtained when tiles are placed from twenty to thirty feet apart. 17. That pea vines turned under give an increased yield to the subsequent crops, exteneling even to the second year’s stubble. 548 18. That the stubble from canes properly manured will ^Ive profitable crops for several years, while that unmanured, or improperly fertilized, will fail in a year or two. 19. That manures can be prepared which will give tonnage, but no special manure has yet been found which will insure a large sugar content. The latter seems to be largely dependent upon soil, sunshine, temperature, moisture, and climate. These are the deductions from the work of the past four years, and may be modified by future investigations. The question of the proi3er manuring of cane is not yet ^settled. Seasons, particularly rainfall, modify the benefits of fertilizers. If one could accurately foretell the season, then manuring could be done with some degree of intelligence. It seems quite well established that manures should be api^lied in such quantities and proportions to meet the requirements of a vigorous growth from the time of germination until Sex^tember. At that time all available plant food should be exhausted and growth should be suspended and the plant permitted to mature. The proportions are independent of seasons, but the quanti- ties assimilated by the plant are regulated almost entirely by the amount and distribution of rainfall. Therefore, what would be an excessive manuring in a very dry season, might prove inade- quate to the requirements of a plant in a very favorable one. Our experiments indicate that from twenty-four to forty-eight pounds of nitrogen and forty to seventy-five pounds phosphoric acid to the acre, are the quantities which can be successfully assimilated during an average season. These are furnished by using from 350 to 700 pounds cotton seed meal combined with 300 to 600 pounds acid phosphate, and this mixture is recom- mended both on account of its cheapness and its efficacy. Upon new lauds abounding in nitrogen or pea vine fiillow (see Plat XY,) less nitrogen is required than upon stubble or succession cane. Equal mixtures will do for the first, while two or even three parts of cotton seed meal to one of acid x^hosphate may be required upon the lattar. Each xhanter should study his soils, and when found deficient in vegetable matter, should always in- <«*rease his nitrogen. There are very few seasons that will permit of the assimila- tion by the plant of over 900 i)ounds of this mixture to the acre^ -and hence quantities above this should never be used. On th& other hand, there are still fewer seasons when 500 pounds can not be easily assimilated, therefore a less quantity per acre will rarely ever be found profitable. In the application of manure greater care is needed. It would by some means be thoroughly incorporated with the' soil. The time of apj)lication is also important. Many planters apply nitrogenous manures at the time of planting and mineral man- ures when the cane is well advanced. There is no objection to an apx)lication, at least in part, of the nitrogenous manures at- the time of planting, but there is a decided loss in i)ostponing the application of mineral manures. They should by all means be apx)lied at planting, or, even better, before planting. These do not leach from the soil, and the sooner applied the more dif- fusible they become in the soil. This is particularly the case with potash. Mtrogenous manures maj be applied at planting and at any time during early growth. . UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS-URBANA 630.7 L931B no. C002 v.2-2fl(1886-189 Sugar cane ; field experiments / 3 0112 088693491