FIELD CROPS. 351 



almost doubled the yield of hay. The average yield of the field since 1898 is 6,597 

 lbs. of hay per acre; and the average yield when top-dressed with manure 6,827 

 lbs.; with wood ashes, 6,427 lbs.; and with bone and potash, 6,562 lbs. 



Winter and spring applications of barnyard manure were again compared, with 

 the advantage slightly in favor of the winter application. This result is considered 

 due to the ground remaining unfrozen under the snow, and that there was practi- 

 cally no wash over the surface. 



Annual report of the Dumraon Experimental Farm for the year 1902-3, 

 I>. X. Mookkiui (Dept. Land Records and Agr., Bengal, Ann. J!/>t. Dumraon Expt. Farm 

 1902-8, pp. 9). — A brief historical note on the farm is given, and analyses of the 

 surface and subsoil of the farm and a statement showing the distribution of rainfall 

 fi >r the year are presented. The results of different experiments are briefly reported. 



Fertilizer experiments were conducted to ascertain the relative merits of different 

 fertilizers on paddy, wheat, and sugar cane. The best yield of paddy was obtained 

 from the use of 19 maunds a of cow manure and 4 rnaunds of castor cake per acre. 

 The returns from this plat were closely followed by the yield on a plat receiving 

 ashes of dung at the rate of 38 maunds per acre. Sun hemp used as a green manure 

 gave almost as good results as the use of 38 maunds of cow manure alone. The 

 results of the experiments with wheat were largely in favor of the use of 125 maunds 

 of cow manure. Indigo, sun hemp, kurthi, and mung sown the second week of July 

 and plowed under for green manure the second week of August, did not give very 

 good results, indigo being the only one netting a small profit. Sugar cane was 

 damaged by white ants and no results are reported. 



Umballa potatoes were planted to compare the results from whole tubers and cut- 

 tings as seed. The whole tubers yielded at the rate of 9,200 lbs. per acre, and the 

 cuttings at the rate of 8,200 lbs. 



Twenty-nine varieties of paddy were grown for comparison and the largest yield 

 of I loth grain and straw, being 2,700 and 10,440 lbs., respectively, was obtained from 

 Sukarel, a Bombay variety. 



Twenty-six varieties of hard and soft wheat, including Indian and Australian 

 varieties, were under test and the results are shown in a table. A soft white wheat 

 from the United Provinces of Agra and Oudh led in yield of both grain and straw, 

 being 3,096 and 4,320 lbs., respectively. 



Of 8 varieties of sugar cane Khari and Hullu Cabu led in yield. Thin canes gave 

 the best results. 



Six varieties of oats were sown the last week of October, and of these the local 

 variety and Canadian Welcome were harvested the second week of March, and New 

 Zealand, White Canadian, and Algerian the second week of April. The local variety 

 was the most prolific, leading in yield with 4,800 lbs. of grain and 6,400 lbs. of straw 

 per acre. Canadian Welcome gave a yield of 2,400 lbs. of grain and 4,800 lbs. of 

 straw. The other varieties gave unprofitable yields of grain. 



Three varieties of American sweet potatoes were compared with the local variety, 

 and the yields obtained per acre were as follows: New Jersey 8,000, Mansimond 

 5,700, Virginia 4,800, and the local variety 6,400 lbs. 



A number of forage and other crops were tested and brief notes are given on this 

 work. 



Annual report of the Burdwan Experimental Farm, 1902-3, D. N. Moo- 

 kerji (Dept. Lainl Records and Agr., Bengal, Aim. li/it. Burdwan Expt. Farm 1902-3, 

 }>p. 10) . — A brief description of the farm and a record of the rainfall during the year 

 are given, and the results of experiments are reported. Similar experiments have 

 been previously noted (E. S. R., 15, p. 463). 



"Legal maund of India about 82 lbs. 



