327 
being preferable to Sulphate of Potash, and that corresponding dress- 
ings of Kainit and Muriate of Potash give much the same increase 
in yie 
# (23) ‘Kainit or Muriate of Potash may be applied either in 
caters or at sowing time with equally good results 
**(3.) The results i feaeh a combination of Kainit cud a slow-acting 
nitrogenous manure, such as rape meal, although in some seasons 
satisfactory, were too irregular to warrant the general adoption of 
this mixture as a manure for flax in preference to dressings of 
Kainit or Muriate of Potash now so generally applied.” 
From the 1910 experiments it was found that a dressing of 
Muriate of Potash at the rate of 1 ewt. to the statute acre resulted 
in an estimated profit of £2 Os. 10d. per acre over unmanured 
ground. When 1 ewt. of Muriate of Potash and } ewt. of Sulphate 
of Ammonia was used, the profit was estimated at £2 16s. 9d. a 
statute acre, and £2 175. 8d. a statute acre when 1 ewt. of Muriate 
of Potash and 4 ewt. of Sulphate of Ammonia was applied. When, 
however, 1 cwt. of Muriate of Potash, } ewt. of Sulphate of Am- 
monia, and 2 ewt. of Steamed Bone Flour was used there was an 
estimated Joss per statute acre over unmanured land of £1 8s. 3d. 
The experiments indicate that Muriate of Potash and Sulphate of 
Ammonia in the proportion of two parts of the former to one of the 
latter is a suitable manure for flax, but that phosphates, whether in 
the form of bone meal or other guise, are unsuitable. Their unsuita- 
bility is chiefly due to their tendency to encourage weeds. The full 
results of the experiments for 1910 will be “found in vol. xii. iy 
pp- 502-507. 
The flax seed tests tend to show that quality of seed only can 
be relied upon to settle the question as to whether it is better to 
sow Riga or Dutch seed. Some years one country produces the 
best seed, and other years the other country. Seed from both 
countries, however, is likely to produce a heavier crop of fibre than 
Irish seed, though trials relating to this side of the question are still 
in progress, Seed from selected ae is said to oe : cuuey 
influence upon fibre yield, and also upon se 
planters are advised to procure the eat on Flax Boe d ‘(Ne 29), 
which is revised annually in order that it may afford a guide to the 
best country from which to obtain seed. Planters are also advised 
to test the quality of their seed before making a general sowing. 
With regard to Great Britain the Development Commissioners 
are taking an active interest in the condition of the flax industry 
and on their behalf a considerable amount of first hand information 
has been collected in the chief flax-growing countries of Europe, 
i.e., Russia, Holland, Belgium, France, Ireland, Austria-Hungary, 
and Germany. Last year experiments were conducted in Bedford- 
shire both in growing and retting, and this year the assistance of 
Leeds University has been enlisted in conjunction with a Flax 
Growers’ ae formed last year, in carrying out experiments 
in flax cultivation. 
A Presi ieee 2 amount of information eollected in the above- 
mentioned countries, together with notes on the history of flax in 
Great Britain is given in an interesting article entitled “ The Pro- 
jected Revival of the Flax Industry in England,” by J. Vargas 
