476 Field Experiments on Clover- Seeds. 



combination with lime) in the total effect which superphosphate 

 of lime may be supposed to produce. 



Sulphate of ammonia favours in most marked degree the 

 growth of cereals, and as clover is commonly sown together with 

 Italian rye-grass, I was desirous to ascertain, by experiment, 

 whether the probable effects of potash on clover were at all 

 comparable with the well-known effects which sulphate of 

 ammonia produces on cereals, and for this reason recommended 

 a separate trial with that salt. 



The manurial properties of nitrates in many respects resemble 

 those of ammonia salts. Although this is true in a general 

 way, some leguminous crops, for instance beans, are decidedly 

 stimulated in their growth by nitrate of soda, whilst ammoniacal 

 salts, in most seasons, either produce no effect on them, or some- 

 times exert an injurious influence. There are grounds for believing 

 that nitrate of soda in some cases may be usefully applied to 

 clover, hence a trial with this salt was suggested. 



I freely discuss the circumstances which led me to adopt 

 the preceding manuring scheme, because I anticipate valuable 

 hints for future experiments from similar discussions by 

 others, whose remarks will be gladly received by me at all 

 times. 



With regard to the size of the experimental plots, I suggested 

 that each should be one-twentieth of an acre, but I am now 

 inclined to think a somewhat larger area would have been better. 

 My chief reason for my recommendation was to enable the 

 experimenter conveniently to cut down and weigh the whole 

 produce in one day. 



Believing that the effects of potash-salts would he most per- 

 ceptible on light sandy soils, I got the majority of the ex- 

 periments tried on such soils ; but I regret to say, both in 1864 

 and 1865, the clover-seeds on the 'light land farms turned out 

 more or less complete failures. It affords me, therefore, particular 

 pleasure to be able to put on record at least one successful series 

 of experiments, which were carefully carried out by my friend 

 Mr. Jacob Wilson, of Woodhorn Manor, Morpeth. 



The field selected for the experiments was thoroughly drained 

 4 feet deep in the year 1857, and otherwise in a good state oi 

 cultivation. It grew a heavy crop of wheat in 1863, upon which 

 mixed clover and rye- grass were sown by a broadcast drill, and 

 horse-hoed in by Garrett's horse-hoe. The whole field was one 

 of 24 acres, and had a gentle slope towards the south-east. From 

 a part where the plant was most regular, half an acre was 

 measured out, and divided into ten equal plots of one-twentieth 

 of an acre each. 



