Experiments with Humogen 



BY 



MARTIN H. F. SUTTON, F.L.S. 



The widespread interest aroused by the reports which from time to time 

 appeared in the press on the possible use of bacterised peat as a fertiliser, 

 suggested to me that a comprehensive series of tests with this preparation, 

 in comparison with other fertilisers, would prove of some service to 

 agriculturists and horticulturists. 



Through the courtesy of Professor Bottomley a supply of Humogen (or 

 bacterised peat), as manufactured for him at Manchester, was placed at my 

 disposal for the purpose. I have also to acknowledge the help given me by 

 his assistant, Mr. Machen, with whom the details of the scheme were arranged, 

 and who was good enough to make periodical visits to Reading while the 

 experiments were in progress. 



Although it was originally intended to carry out only one series of pot 

 tests, circumstances which were not foreseen at the time arose, making a second 

 set of trials appear necessary, and these were subsequently undertaken. 



The first series consisted of experiments with Dwarf French Beans, 

 Potatoes, and Red Clover, and was commenced on May 2Oth. On examining 

 the pots shortly after this date, however, Mr. Machen expressed the opinion 

 that the soil (ordinary potting soil) contained too much humus to permit 

 of the Humogen giving satisfactory results. He further explained that 

 Humogen could only be employed to advantage on poor soils, deficient in 

 organic material. This is a point to which, it appears to me, it is desirable 

 to call the attention of those who may contemplate using this fertiliser when 

 placed upon the market for commercial purposes. 



In view of Mr. Machen 's statement I had the original series destroyed, 

 and commenced again, using on this occasion poor soil taken from a newly 

 broken -up piece of ground which had received no manure for some years. 

 Details of these tests, referred to as Series I, are given on pages 4 to 8. As 

 the trials developed, it became clear that in every instance where a dressing 

 of Humogen had been given, growth was seriously affected. The plants 

 presented a stunted and scorched appearance, this condition being accentuated 

 in proportion to the increased amount of Humogen employed. Yet in the 

 Controls, and in all other sections where Humogen had not been incorporated 

 with the soil, the plants were perfectly healthy throughout the entire period 

 of growth. 



