40 



In 1897 nitrate dressing began in February, but was completed by 

 the end of May. The results obtained from the larger quantities of 

 nitrate were much more satisfactory. 



In 1898 the first dressing of nitrate was put on earlier still 

 namely, in the third week in January, and the last dressing towards 

 the middle of May, and the results were yet more marked. In 1899 

 the dressing began at the beginning of January, finishing in April ; 

 and in 1900, and since, the first application of nitrate has been in 

 January, when each nitrated plot has received 2 cwt. of nitrate per 

 acre, four of the plots receiving a further 2 cwt. per acre in February 

 three a still further 2 cwt. per acre in March, two a yet further 2 cwt. 

 per acre in April, and one plot a final dressing of 2 cwt. per acre in May. 



The results for each year from 1896 to 1904, together with the 

 average of the nine years, are here given for each plot, in terms of 

 weight of kiln-dried hops per acre, as well as the manures used, 

 calculated per acre, and their cost. 



In the following table is shown the increase in hops obtained by 

 the use of the varying quantities of nitrate of soda on the chemically 

 manured plots, in excess of the yield of Plot A, to which phosphates 

 and potash salts only have been applied : 



