FIELD CROPS. 537 



slag, superpliospliate, sulphate of potasli, and sulphate of ammonia in various 

 mixtures. 



The plat which receiA-ed no commercial fertilizer had almost as good an 

 appearance as the fertilized plats. Among the fertilized plats the lowest cost 

 of gain per ton followed the use of 2 cwt. of basic superphosphate and J cwt. 

 of sulphate of potash per acre. Swedes remained perfectly sound although 

 growing side by side with kohl-rabi badly diseased with club root. 



[Variety and manurial tests of mangels], P. McConnell (Jour. New Zeal. 

 Dept. Agr., 3 (1911), No. 2, pp. 107, 108).— In a test at the Moumahaki farm of 

 3 different mixtures of basic slag, kainit, and basic superphosphate, the highest 

 yield of mangels followed the application of 2 cwt. basic superphosphate and 

 f cwt. of kainit per acre. A cross-dressing of A cwt. of sulphate of ammonia 

 had no apparent effect on any of the plats. 



On the influence of th.e arrowing of the sugar cane on the production, 

 R. A. QuiNTUs (Internat. Sugar Jour., 13 (1911), No. 152, pp. Jf31-.'f3-'f) . — In 

 this experiment the samples averaged 100 canes each and " were so taken 

 that one arrowing and one nonarrowing cane were alternately picked from 

 50 stools. The canes were cut as far under the ground as possible, the non- 

 arrowing varieties being pruned exactly at tlieir vegetation point ; while from 

 the arrowing specimens all spongy joints were removed." The numerical data 

 obtained is stated in full. The author concludes that in case of the early ripen- 

 ing varieties " no harmful influence of arrowing can be established ; while with 

 the late ripeners, on the other hand, there is a loss in the production of sugar." 



The sugar industry in the island of Negros, H. S. Walker (Manila: Dept. 

 Int. Bur. 8ci., 1910, pp. I'/S, pis. 11). — This is a compendium of information on 

 sugar growing in the island of Negros. A discussion of the physiography of 

 the island is followed by notes on the status of cane growing, the principal 

 sugar-producing districts, soils and canes, directions for producing, harvesting, 

 and manufacturing the crop, suggestions for improvements in the cultivation of 

 sugar cane, and the manufacture of sugar in the island. 



Report on experiments on the manuring of turnips in 1906 and 1907, 

 R. P. Weight (West of Scot. Agr. Col. Ann. Rpt. 10 (1911), pp. 133-155).— 

 These experiments were conducted on 16 fiirms in 1906 and 20 farms in 1907 

 in the central and southwest counties of Scotland. 



The author concludes that potash is an essential fertilizer but that nitrogen 

 is less important. A 30 per cent potash manure salt proved as effective as 

 kainit in supplying potash. Phosphoric acid applied half in the form of super- 

 phosphate and half in the form of basic slag produced as large a crop as when 

 applied entirely in the form of superphosphate. Better results were obtained 

 by applying nitrate of soda in drills than as a top-dressing, but this appeared to 

 vary with the season. Lime nitrogen appeared to be as valuable a source of 

 nitrogen as either nitrate of soda or sulphate of ammonia, and on soils to which 

 it was adapted it appeared capable of giving better results. 



Tables give in detail the yields obtained at each farm by the use of each of 

 the 12 mixtures of superphosphate, basic slag, sulphate of ammonia, nitrate of 

 soda, and kainit tested, and other tables summarize comparisons of various fer- 

 tilizers. 



Wheat fertilizer trial, Cowra Experiment Farm, 1910, F. Ditzell {Agr. 

 Gas. N. S. Wales, 22 (1911), No. 10, pp. 8-}5-S//9).— In a test of bone dust, 

 superphosphate, rock phosphate, bone charcoal, and Thomas phosphate as phos- 

 phorus sources, each used in conjunction with other commercial fertilizers, the 

 yield of wheat was apparently increased somewhat by the use of phosphates, 

 but less than 10 per cent variation was observed on various plats. The rock 

 phosphate plat produced a lower yield than the check plats. 



