14 SCIENTIFIC REPORTS OF THE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH 



marked. In the case of lucerne, the withholding of irrigation 

 during the resting period markedly increases the yield the 

 following year. The rest from surface-flooding during the 

 winter enables the soil to regain its tilth in a remarkable 

 way. The restoration of the tilth is shown by the level 

 growth all over the area and the small edge effects. Plots 

 which have been irrigated during the winter, on the other 

 hand, always show pronounced edge effects and only grow 

 well next to the earth bunds separating the irrigation com- 

 partments. In the case of shafted, soil-aeration has been 

 found to be exceedingly important at sowing time and the 

 crop establishes itself far more readily on a recently culti- 

 vated surface than under a crop of maize or juar, the soil 

 of which has been consolidated by several waterings. The 

 presence of aerating agents in the soil also increases the life 

 of the crop and the total yield of fodder and seed. A good 

 deal of work is in progress on these matters which promises 

 interesting results. 



During the last five years, considerable quantities of 

 green fodder, mostly shaftal, have been sold to the Militaiy 

 Dairy at Quetta. Shaftal is much appreciated at this Dairy 

 •on account of its value in milk production. The Manager 

 of the Dairy, Mr. J. H. Riddick,' referred to this matter in 

 his report for 1916 as follows : — 



' Mr. Albert Howard, M.A., CLE., Imperial Economic 

 Botanist, has assisted the Dairy by disposing of the whole of the 

 green fodder grown at the Fruit Experiment Station to the Dairy 

 authorities, which resulted in a most satisfactory increase in the 

 milk yield of the animals at the Quetta Dairy. His advice on 

 improved irrigation methods and with regard to other agricultural 

 improvements has been of much assistance to the management." 



3. The sun-drying of vegetables. 



One of the difficulties encountered in connection with ttie 

 supplies needed by the Army of Mesopotamia has been the 

 provision of vegetables for the troops. In the fresh condi- 

 tion, transport is difficult and expensive and involves the use 

 of cold storage at sea and at the base. In 1916, the Bota- 



