9 



in the tower. Signals are displayed from an iron pole, 37 feet in 

 height, placed on top of the tower, and can be seen over a con- 

 siderable extent of country. Arrangements have also been com- 

 pleted whereby frost warnings may be telegraphed to the station 

 during the period of early and late frosts. The signal flags were 

 furnished by the Weather Bureau, and all forecasts and frost 

 warnings are sent at Government expense. 



In addition to the large amount of routine work connected with 

 the observatory, experiments in electro-culture have been carried 

 forward. Two years since, this line of investigation was under- 

 taken, but owing to adverse circumstances the work was delayed 

 till the present year. At considerable expense a plot of ground 

 has been furnished with wires and apparatus for controlling and 

 measuring the electric current, and the effect of electricity upon 

 various kinds of vegetables has been carefully watched and re- 

 corded. The results of the experiment will appear later in bulletin 

 form, as it is too early to give in this report a full account of the 

 observations. 



The Agricultural Division. 



The experimental work of the past season has been more exten- 

 sive than in any previous year ; but, owing to the early date at 

 which this report is made, it is impossible to present many results 

 in a satisfactory manner. Our corn, soya bean and millet crops 

 are not yet harvested ; our silo, though filled, cannot be opened ; 

 analytical work and moisture tests are not completed, and data 

 have not been worked up. The incomplete nature of this report 

 is therefore unavoidable. 



Soil tests have occupied a large share of attention. These have 

 been confined to land in grass, with the exception of one acre upon 

 our own grounds, which was sown with oats. Four tests have 

 been conducted with grass upon the grounds of selected farmers 

 in different parts of the State and one upon our own grounds. In 

 all, the difference in the character of the growth produced by the 

 different fertilizers and combinations of fertilizers has been a most 

 marked feature. Wherever potash has been applied, whether 

 alone or in combination with other elements, the growth of the 

 clovers has been strong ; and to a less degree the presence of phos- 

 phoric acid promotes the growth of the same plants, while the ni- 

 trate increases the yield of the grasses proper. Only upon the 

 plats receiving potash and those which received manure has there 

 been any considerable growth of rowen. These results which we 



