INSTITUTE, PUSA, FOR 1917-18 



45 



content with this second cut and then dig out the stumps 

 or to prune a second time and try to obtain a third and 

 final cut, is a matter which further experience will decide. 

 The results already obtained show that under actual field 

 conditions in the monsoon the pruned plant, grown in double 

 lines, shoots much faster and much better than the com- 

 pletely cut back plant. Further, it is possible in this way 

 to keep the land clean by bullock cultivation during the rabi 

 season and the following hot weather and to reduce the 

 labour spent in weeding. As is well known, one of the 

 great drawbacks at the present time of Java indigo culti- 

 vation in Bihar is the difficulty and expense of keeping 

 down weeds. 



The effect on the growth of Java indigo of an alter- 

 ation in the soil conditions by the addition thereto of inert 

 aerating agents such as sand or broken bricks and tiles, was 

 investigated by means of the modified system of pot culture 

 described in a paper read at the Indian Science Congress 

 at Lahore. 1 As an example of the kind of results obtained 

 by this method, the following measurements in the case of 

 Java indigo may be cited : — 



Table II. 



The effect on the growth of Java indigo of diluting Pusa soil 



with 'potsherds or sand. 



The results obtained by diluting Pusa soil have been 

 strikingly confirmed during the year by Mr. Clouston who 



1 The Agricultural Journal of India, Special Indian Science Congress Number, 

 1918, p. 36. 



