FIELD CROPS. 457 



In Staffordshire the results of experiments on manuring meadows show that a 

 complete commercial fertilizer was most effective, being followed by barnyard 

 manure at the rate of 12 tons per acre annually. The use of lime was not profitable. 

 Barnyard manure gave a large increase in yield in every case, while nitrate of soda, 

 basic slag, and kainit, applied singly, were not always effective. 



In a variety test with potatoes, Scottish Triumph and Up-to-Date gave the best 

 yields. Up-to-Date, however, is regarded as a variety showing signs of deterioration. 

 Fertilizer experiments with potatoes indicated that an application of 20 tons of barn- 

 yard manure per acre is not so beneficial as an application of 10 tons with a complete 

 mixture of commercial fertilizers. In experiments with mangels a large increase of 

 crop was obtained by the substitution of 4 cwt. of kainit for the same quantity of salt, 

 and it was also shown that a medium quantity of barnyard manure given with a 

 complete commercial fertilizer is most profitable. 



Field experiments [in Ireland], 1903 (Jour. Dept. Agr. and Tech. Instr. Ireland, 

 4 {1904), No. 3, pp. 469-510). — As in the 2 previous years, Archer Chevalier barley 

 again produced larger yields than either Goldthorpe or Standwell. In quality it was 

 inferior to the other varieties and the percentage of small grains was also higher. It 

 was found that Archer Chevalier did not ripen as well under unfavorable weather 

 conditions as the other varieties, but the loss of heads at ripening was considerably 

 less. Archer Chevalier needs a dry soil, while Goldthorpe and Standwell do best on 

 rich and stiff soils. The results of cooperative fertilizer experiments with barley vary 

 considerably, and it is recommended that farmers consider principally the results 

 obtained on their own lands. Commercial fertilizers proved profitable on soils in 

 low condition, but on lands in good condition they did not give profitable results. 



In a second variety test with barley on a smaller scale than the first, Archer Cheva- 

 lier has in the 2 previous years produced a larger average yield than either Garton 

 Brewers Favorite, Garton Invincible, Hallett, Pedigree, or Scotch Chevalier. The 

 Garton varieties were low in yield, but in quality they were superior to the Chevalier 

 varieties, and also seemed to mature better in unfavorable ripening weather. The 

 results of the fertilizer tests show that 1 cwt. of sulphate of ammonia alone per acre 

 retarded maturity, but when given with 3 cwt. of superphosphate the application 

 produced a profitable average increase. The use of 3 cwt. of kainit per acre was not 

 satisfactory, but where the kainit was applied with superphosphate only the quality 

 of the grain was improved to such an extent that, although the yield was not the 

 best, the profit was the largest. 



The results of cooperative fertilizer experiments on meadows for the season, as well 

 as those for the 2 previous years, indicate that in the different soils under test 1 cwt. 

 of nitrate of soda, 2 cwt. of superphosphate, and 2 cwt. of kainit per acre can be 

 profitably applied. 



The report of the fertilizer experiments with potatoes shows that 20 tons of barn- 

 yard manure per acre apparently increased the yield by 5 tons and 1 cwt., and an 

 application of 15 tons by 4 tons and 8 cwt. in one instance, and by 4 tons and 5 cwt. 

 in another. Commercial fertilizers applied in addition to the lighter dressing of 

 barnyard manure gave in all cases a larger yield than the heavier dressing of manure 

 alone and also proved more profitable. Of the varieties of potatoes grown by all 

 the experimenters Up-to-Date and Beauty of Bute produced the best crops. 



Mangels were given 15 tons of barnyard manure per acre as a general application 

 for a series of plats, and in some instances commercial fertilizers were added. The 

 use of the manure alone gave a good profit and the addition of a complete mixture 

 of commercial fertilizers increased the net profit by 37s. 6d. The substitution of 4 

 cwt. of salt for 2 cwt. of kainit in the application proved beneficial. 



Experiments conducted with oats have shown that kainit applied alone is not 

 satisfactory. The use of superphosphate and sulphate of ammonia each alone resulted 

 in much smaller profits than the use of the 3 substances in combination. In a com- 



