28 EXPERIMENT STATION EECORD. 



The Woburn field experiments, 1904, J. A. Voelckee {Jour. Roy. Agr. Soc. 

 England, GO {1905). pp. 192-205). — Earlier results have been previously noted 

 (E. S. R., 17, p. 543). In the continuous wheat-growing experiments the 

 largest yield this year. 17.1 bu. per acre, was secured from the plat receiving in 

 iilternate years, including 1904, 3* cwt. of superphosphate of lime, 200 lbs. of 

 suljihate of iwtash, 100 lbs. each of sulphate of soda and sulphate of magnesia, 

 with nitrate of soda sufficient to furnish the quantity of nitrogen contained in 

 100 lbs. of ammonia per acre. The injurious effect of the continued use of 

 ammonia salts and nitrate of soda was strongly shown this year with a rain- 

 fall of only 22 in. The effect of 2 tons of lime applied in December, 1897. was 

 still noticeable this season. Where nitrate of soda was omitted for a single 

 year the yield fell below that of the unmanured plat. In quality of grain the 

 barnyard manure plat ranked with the best, while the nitrate of soda plat stood 

 last. 



The highest yield of barley, 37 bu. per acre, was secured with a heavy dress- 

 ing of nitrate of soda and minerals. As with wheat, the continued use of 

 ammonia salts showed its injurious effects, while lime proved beneficial. In 

 the green manuring experiment nuistard plowed in with mineral manures gave 

 l)etter results with both quantity and qualit.v of barley than tares used in the 

 same way. 



Of 2 Canadian wheats compared Red Fife yielded 20.2 bu. and Preston 12.0 

 bu. per acre. Both varieties produced grain of high quality. 



The use of 4 cwt. each of superphosphate, bone dust, and sulphate of potash, 

 and 2 cwt. of sulphate of ammonia per acre for alfalfa gave a yield of more 

 than 9^ tons of hay. Where 2 cwt. of nitrate of soda was substituted for sul- 

 j.hate of ammonia the yield was a little over 8.3 tons, while single applications 

 of these substances gave in all cases less than 4 tons per acre. 



English conmion sainfoin proved more satisfactory than English Giant, and 

 loth gave much heavier yields than the French Giant and common varieties. 

 Sulphate of potash gave better results as a fei'tilizer for potatoes than kainit. 



In the finger-and-toe experiments on swedes 2 tons of carbolized lime per 

 acre was the only apiilication which produced no unsound roots. 



The Woburn pot-culture experiments, 1904, ,1. A. Voelcker {-Jour. Roij. 

 Agr. Soc. England, 66 {1905), pp. 205-211). — A report on the Hills experiments 

 :s given. The results of this year indicate that the use of solutions of sulphate 

 of manganese and sulphate of iron not over 2 per cent in strength, improves 

 the germination of seed grain. Soaking wheat in solutions of sulphate of 

 manganese gave no appreciable increase in grain and straw, while soaking in a 

 2 per cent or 5 per cent solution of sulphate of iron produced a gain in total 

 yield. It is concluded that solutions of sulphate of manganese up to 2 cwt. 

 per acre, njiplied directly to the gi'owing plant, increased the yield and that- 

 sulphate of iron used at the rate of one-half or 1 cwt. ])er acre has a similar 

 effect. Silicates of potash and soda did not improve germination, but when 

 given at least at the rate of 4 cwt. per acre were beneficial, especially in improv- 

 ing the j'ield of straw. 



The germination of l)arley was not injured by soaking in these solutions. The 

 use of a solution of sulphate of manganese up to a strength of 5 per cent was 

 of some benefit, while soaking in a solution of sulphate of iron did not injure 

 germination, but was not productive of any improvement. These solutions 

 applied directly to the growing plant produced some increase of crop. Silicates 

 of potash and soda benefited the crop, especially the straw. 



fReport on the] subsection of agronomy, W. II. Oi.tn {Colorado 8ta. Rpt. 

 1905. ])]). 2'i-SG). — The work of the season consists of field nursery work, testing 

 of grains and forage plants, cooperative field work, and sugar-beet investiga- 



