EXPERIMENTAL STATIONS — EEPORT FOE 1880. 



367 



Dissolved Phosphates. 



The increase in the crop due to the dissolving of the phosphate 

 is, at both stations, about 20 per cent. ; the percentage of dry 

 matter varies very slightly, but the total amount of dry matter 

 per acre is at Harelaw 15 per cent, more, and at Pumpherston 

 25 per cent, more on the plots which received dissolved phos- 

 phates. This is a more marked increase than that which was 

 obtained upon the large plots two years ago, and confirms 

 the opinion that there is great economy in using dissolved 

 phosphates, rather than the raw material, upon the soil of these 

 stations. 



The advantage derived from the use of dissolved phosphates 

 is greater than appears upon the surface, for there is a certain 

 fixed cost involved in the raising of a turnip crop whatever the 

 manures used, — viz., rent, labour, seed, &c., and it is only after 

 these have been deducted that the relative advantage derived 

 from the use of various manures can be compared. 



Tlie increase of crop obtained by the use of dissolved phos- 

 phates in these experiments is seen to be due not to water cliietly 

 but also to solid matter, and we shall now examine into the nature 

 of tlie solid matter forming the increase. The constituents of the 

 .solid matter may be divided into two kinds, those useful as food, 

 such as albuminoid matter and sugar and allied substances, and 

 those of comparatively little feeding value, viz., woody fibre and 

 ash. In the following table the rehative proportions of these 



