KITCHEN GARDEN CROPS. 267 



It appears from the above, that in 1844, most probably owing 

 to the dry state of the weather, the results from Potter's Guano 

 fell from an increase of 55 per cent, to 3. Guano and Salt, in 

 like manner, from 51 to 0. Sulphate of Magnesia, applied at 

 once, gave the steadiest results, being an increase of 43 or 44 per 

 cent, in both years ; but this substance applied at intervals, toge- 

 ther with Muriate of Lime, in 1844 fell back 81 per cent. Su- 

 perphosphate of Lime, on the contrary, rose its produce 74 per 

 cent., or from 37 less in 1843 than that from the bed which had 

 no manure, to 37 above it in 1844. 



Taking the average of the two years, — 



Nitrate of soda gave an increase of . 

 Sulphate of magnesia, applied at once 

 Potter's guano .... 



Guano and salt .... 



Guano ...... 



Salt 



51 per cent. 



29 

 25 

 24 

 11 



As regards the action of the latter, the following is an ex- 

 tract from the Report for the Garden Committee, June 30, 

 1845 :— 



" Common Salt, applied last summer as manure for Aspa- 

 ragus, has this season occasioned an earlier production of shoots. 

 The soil in the Garden is rather stiff for Asparagus, and Salt 

 has the effect of rendering it friable ; and to this circumstance 

 the earliness may perhaps be ascribed. It therefore remains to 

 be proven whether in soils sufficiently sandy, the application of 

 salt would cause so much difference. 



II. Castelnaudary Beet. 



Sown April 27th in drills about 2 inches deep, and 15 inches 

 asunder ; the plants being thinned to 9 inches apart in the rows. 

 The manures were scattered along the bottom of the drills ; the 

 Guanos having been mixed with about 7 parts of fine soil, and 

 watered previously to sowing. 



The crop was taken up November 16th ; the day was fine, 

 and the hygrometer indicated 4° of dryness, consequently the 

 leaves had no wet lodging on their surfaces. The roots were 

 cleared of soil as much as could possibly be done without wash- 

 ing, or breaking the fibres. 



