228 PROCEEDINGS OF THE CHEMICAL DEPARTMENT. 



Experiments made by Mr Munro, Faimington, Kelso* 



Tliese experiments were made on plots of four drills wide, with 

 one blank drill. The crop was sown on the 19th June, and was 

 well sprung by the 27th. On the 11th July the plants were 

 singled. The plots were twice inspected during the season, but 

 the difference in the lots receiving: the different manures were 

 too slight to merit recording. The only exception to this was 

 on No. 13, which did not surpass the nothing plots. The crop 

 was weighed on the 10th February, severe weather having pre- 

 vented its being done sooner. The leaves were then a good deal 

 decayed, and some of the bulbs slightly injured by wood pigeons. 

 (See Tables XL and XII.). 



The conclusions to be drawn from these experiments on the 

 whole bear out those of the other experimenters. Muriate of 

 potash alone has no effect, but when associated with sulphate of 

 ammonia and glue, it does produce a distinct addition to the 

 crop. 



Experiments of the Second Series. 



These experiments were conducted in a similar manner to the 

 first series, excepting that glue was discarded, and Peruvian and 

 Bolivian guanos introduced in its place. All the plots, therefore, 

 were manured in exactly the same manner as in the first series, 

 with the exception of Nos. 3, 4, 9, and 10. ISTos. 3 and 4 were 

 manured respectively with Peruvian arid Bolivian guanos alone, 

 and Xos. 9 and 10 had, in ad anion, muriate of potash enough to 

 supply 56 lbs. of potash per acre. The latter substance was used 

 in order to test its effect as an addition to ordinary manures. At 

 the present time a good many manures are offered for sale con- 

 taining muriate of potash, or more frequently sulphate of potash, 

 to the extent of 5 or 6 per cent., and as there is at present no 

 very distinct information as to the effect of this addition, it was 

 thought that some information on this head might be brought 

 out. 



Experiments made by Mr Hope at Fenton Barns. 



These experiments were made on a thin clay loam or trap 

 rock. It is not stroug land, but has a tendency to run together 

 when wet. During the early part of June the weather was very 

 wet, 2-3 inches of rain having fallen between the 1st and 15th, 

 on which latter day the crop was sown. The soil was in fine 

 condition for turnip-sowing, and with plenty of moisture to secure 

 a quick braird, which accordingly showed itself on the 24th. On 

 the 13th July all the plots were horse-hoed or grubbed. The 

 nothing plots were much paler in colour, but nearly as well 

 Grown as the others. ISTos. 2 and 8 had the lamest leaves and 



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