lo Mar., 191 1.] ^-i Bee-keepers' Field Day. 177 



In the case of sections 3 and 4 (1910-11) the dressing of bonedust anci 

 superphosphate was reduced to 4 cwt. per acre ; secdon 3, dressed with 

 r cwt, sulphate of potash, showed practically no difference in the growth 

 of the plants and only yielded 11 tons 14 cwt. i qr., or 3 tons 9 cwt. 2 qrs. 

 less than section 4 for the same cost in manure. 



Section 4, which received the nitrogenous dressing, show^ed an unusually 

 profuse growth of plant during the whole growing period which was 

 reflected in the crop of tuber.s — a yield of 15 tons 3 cwt 3 qrs. per acre. 



The past season was very faxourable during the whole growing period 

 for both the early and late crops. This no duubt accounts for the satis- 

 factory results obtained by the use of sulphate of ammonia, which shows 

 to advantage in all soils during the early period when there is abundant 

 moisture. It always happens that this section gives the poorest return 

 if a dry period occurs during the tubering stage of the plants. It is a 

 singular fact that potash in the form and quantity applied in the.se experi- 

 ments has never given satisfactory returns. This is a matter that calls for 

 further in\-estigation as to whether better results may not be obtained 

 from this ingredient of plant food in ether forms ; also whether a more 

 liberal dressing might not be necessary. 



The results of the manurial dressings on those olots extending over 

 four seasons point to the following conclusions : — - 



1. That the most profitable manure is a mixture of bonedust and 



superphosphate, up to 6 cwt. per acre, combined with a 

 moderate dressing of stable manure. 



2. That potash, as applied in these experiments, has not increased 



the yield. 



3. That the beneficial results from the use of suljjhate of ammonia 



depend on the supply of moisture right through the life ot 

 the plant, and are confined to .seasons of abundant rainfall. 



A BEE-KEEPERS' FIELD DAY. 



F. R. Beuhne, Bee Expert. 



In America and Europe, meetings of apiarists are often held during 

 the honey season at well-managed apiaries, the object being to impress 

 upon the visitors the advantages of the latest appliances and labour-saving 

 methods by enabling them to see the work actually performed. On the 

 nth January the Stawell Apiarists' Association held the first meeting of 

 this kind in Australia at Mr. F. C. Be.st's apiary at Great Western. 

 The attt-ndance of over 100 Ixt-keepers showecl that the elll'ort was well 

 appreciated. 



One of the recent develo])ments in apiculture is the t-mployment of 

 larger extractors, driven V)y motor power, in the larger apiaries. By this 

 means the work of extracting is performed, not only more quickly, but more 

 tiioroughiy. The emjMy combs, when leaving the machine, are much 

 l)etter cleand of honey than if treated in a ^mailer hand-driven machine. 



A (louid eight frame reversii>le extractor, driven by a motor and 

 operated bv Mr. !•". 15ariiis. birmcd the centre of" inlert^st. A numlier 

 of the apiarists jjrcseiit t(K)k it in turn to remove the full combs from the 

 hive.s and. after shaking and brushing off the bee.s, to wheel the load to 

 the honey house, and there uncap the combs rearly for the extractor. 

 Each operator did the work in a .somewhat different wav, and each was 

 ke<^n1v watclird bv the spectators and comuKMK''-'' 



