254 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



The results at the differenl farms show thai the best mangel in one district may nol 

 be the best in another. The analyses of samples taken from these crops show that 

 on the whole the percentage of sugar is more constant than that of dry matter ami 

 that proteids varied more and amids much more than either sugar or dry matter. 



In addition to S varieties of mangels, L 3 varieties of swedes were grown at these 

 farms. The varieties of this crop varied less among themselves than the varieties of 

 mangels. The greatest difference in dry matter between any 2 sorts was 3.2 per 

 cent, and the greatest variation due to soil and cultivation, 1.6 per cent. The per- 

 centage of sugar was very constant, ranging from 6.1 to 6. 7 per cent. The dry mat- 

 ter of the swedes did not contain so much sugar as that of the mangels. 



A comparison in composition of different root crops shows that in general small 

 mangels are richer than large ones, but that there are many exceptions in individual 

 roots, and for this reason it is believed that mangels of both size and quality may be 

 obtained. Seed selection for the improvement of root crops is discussed, and it is 

 pointed out that the percentage of dry matter and its content in sugar and proteids 

 may be increased. 



A classification of cultivated barleys is presented. Ten varieties of oats were tested 

 at the university farm and of these Waverly, Giant Eliza, and Thousand Dollar were 

 ripe August 12, the other varieties not ripening until August 20 and 21. 



The effect of lodging on the \ield of wheat was also studied at this farm, and the 

 results show that very badly lodged grain contained 21 per cent of light kernels and 

 moderately lodged grain 8.8 per cent, as compared with 2.1 per cent from grain 

 which stood up well. A series of rotation experiments conducted for the purpose; of 

 showing the effects produced by different manures on crops in rotation are reported 

 from different sections. 



Field experiments, F. J. Howell (Jour. Dept. Agr. Victoria, 2 (190.3), No. 4, pp> 

 298-319). — Cooperative fertilizer experiments on hay crops were made on 30 different 

 fields. The highest average yield, 3.37 tons per acre, was obtained from an applica- 

 tion consisting of 2 cwt. of sulphate of ammonia, 3 cwt. of superphosphate, and 1 

 cwt. of muriate of potash. This yield was more than double the average yield 

 obtained on the unmanured fields. 



The data obtained indicate that phosphoric acid was the most important plant food 

 element to be supplied to these soils. Bone dust as a source of phosphoric acid was 

 not as effective as either superphosphate or Thomas slag. Potash produced an appre- 

 ciable effect on light, sandy soils, but on stronger soils it did not contribute materi- 

 ally to an increase in yield. Nitrogen in the fertilizer applications gave in general 

 good results, but the author advises that this element be procured for the soils by 

 green manuring with leguminous crops. 



The results of fertilizer experiments with potatoes are given in tables and briefly 

 noted. The best yield, 6.46 tons per acre, was obtained from the use of 3 cwt. of 

 superphosphate. The highest increase in yield apparently due to the application of 

 fertilizers, 2.57 tons per acre, was obtained from a complete application consisting of 

 2 cwt. of nitrate of soda, 3 cwt. of superphosphate, and f cwt. of muriate of potash. 

 In the experiments with both potatoes and hay superphosphate appeared as the 

 most effective element. 



The data for fertilizer tests with maize grown for fodder indicate that the use of 3 

 cwt. of superphosphate per acre, increased the yield 2.03 tons, and when 2 cwt. of 

 nitrate of soda were added to the superphosphate the increase was 4.43 tons per acre. 

 With only 1 cwt. of the nitrate in conjunction with the superphosphate the increase 

 was 2.82 tons. The use of potash did not give a marked Increase in yield. The 

 results of fertilizer experiments with 11 different forage crops show that the maxi- 

 mum yields in 6 cases were obtained from the use of a complete fertilizer application, 

 but these yields were in general only slightly in excess of those where phosphoric 

 acid and nitrogen only had been given. 



