The removal of the raoss from the surface by means of a harrow and the subse- 

 quent sowing of grasses and other leguminous plants aerated the surface soil and pro- 

 duced a good effect, but it was inadequate for the complete utilization of the com- 

 mercial fertilizers applied. The best success was obtained when the original sod 

 was plowed up, well worked, and sown to clover and grass. In this way the soil 

 was sufficiently aerated, good forage secured the first year, and the land freed from 

 weeds. For the first year an application of 200 kg. of potash and 150 kg. of phos- 

 phoric acid, and for the second year 120 to 150 kg. of potash and 100 kg. of phos- 

 phoric acid per hectare are recommended. 



For the formation of a new sod 40 per cent potash salt is considered best, while 

 for the maintenance of an old soil kainit may be used instead. Phosphoric acid is 

 generally applied on these meadows in the form of Thomas slag, but superphos- 

 phates are also effective. Of the raw phosphates lime phosphate only proved satis- 

 factory. Lime rendered the soil more friable, promoted aeration and bacterial 

 development of the soil, and so acted indirectly in furnishing plant food. The 

 applications of commercial fertilizers were effective in direct proportion to the culti- 

 vation given. 



Report on the experimental farms in the Central Provinces for the year 

 1904-5, C. E. Low (Rpt. Expt. Farms Cent. Prov. {India'], 1904-5, pp. 32).— The 

 work for the year 1904-5 at the several experimental farms, including a cattle breed- 

 ing farm and a seed farm, is reviewed. 



The experimental results obtained establish the superiority of nitrate of soda as a 

 top-dressing in connection with irrigated crops to most other forms of fertilizers. 

 Upland Georgian cotton acclimatized on the farm during the last 10 years was dis- 

 tributed in several districts and gave promising results. In experiments with rice, 

 transplanting gave by far the best results over the untransplanted crop. An awned 

 variety of Pennisetum typkoideum maintained its superiority and is becoming popu- 

 lar among cultivators. 



Selections made from Andropogon sorghum excelled the older strains in both yield 

 and quality of grain. Brief notes on work with cowpeas, peanuts, and other forage 

 crops are given. 



Guide to experiments conducted at Burg-oyne's (university) Farm, Imping"- 

 ton, and at other centers in the eastern counties, T. H. Middletox {Cambridge 

 Univ., Dept. Agr., Guide to Expts., 1905, pp. VIII -{-67, plan 1, dgms. 4). — Results of 

 cooperative experiments with different field crops are reported in tabular form with 

 brief notes. 



The Long Red mangel was apparently the leading variety on all deep fertile soils, 

 while for general purposes on soils not suited to this variety the Globe and Tankards 

 did best. The Yellow Globe, as shown by experiments at two centers, yielded 29.9 

 tons of roots containing 3.2 tons of dry matter and 1.88 tons of sugar per acre; while 

 Long Red, with the same yield of roots, produced 3.92 tons of dry matter and 2.36 

 tons of sugar. The results of 3 seasons' tests at Burgoyne's (university) Farm show 

 that Sutton Long Red produced 81 cwt. of dry matter per acre as compared with 66 

 cwt. for Carter Windsor Yellow Globe. 



In studying the effect of fertilizers on the composition of mangels it was found that 

 individual large roots are often richer than individual small roots. In the case of 

 I ong Red mangels, as the size increased from 2 to 3 lbs. the dry matter decreased 

 0.7 per cent; from 3 to 4 lbs., 0.6; from 4 to 5 lbs., 0.4; from 5 to 6 lbs., 0.3; and from 

 6 to 7 lbs., 0.2 per cent. In fertilizer tests with swedes the effect of omitting phos- 

 phates was marked. The use of a complete application increased the weight of the 

 roots and decreased the percentage of sugar. 



Findlay British Queen ranked first in a variety test with potatoes with an average 

 yield of 12 tons 6 cwt. of merchantable; tubers. Whole sets for seed gave better 



