30 

 SUSSEX (9 reports -7 successes, 2 failures). 



No. 105. A field of 9 acres of loamy soil on stiff sub-soil under 

 50-years-old grass, usually mown, was mole-drained and 

 broken up in November, 1914, by steam plough turning a 

 flat furrow about 8 inches deep. Pressed by steam presser, sown 

 with WHEAT on November 14th, and harrowed just enough to 

 cover seed. The crop yielded 7 qrs. per acre, although the field 

 had never been of much value as pasture. Success attributed 

 to the heavy pressing and the favourable autumn, so that the 

 crop " got away from the wireworm, which were certainly 

 present." The reporter remarks that he was afraid he was too 

 late in breaking up this strong land, but he is satisfied that even 

 if ploughed as late as safely possible, wheat will succeed well 

 on a fresh furrow if sown pretty thickly. 



No. 106. 6 acres loam resting on clay sub-soil were broken up 

 out of 40-years-old grass between the end of January and late 

 March. The grass was rough and tufty, covered with bushes and 

 in parts with rushes; drainage was bad, and half the field was 

 redrained before ploughing. Ploughed to a depth of 6 inches. 

 Harrowed along furrow, cross harrowed, and rolled twice in 

 opposite directions by the ring roller. 2 acres were sown with 

 PEAS and 4 with OATS on April 26th. Both crops very satisfactory. 

 Result attributed to fine tilth, and consolidation by rolling and 

 treading with horses. The oats received 1 cwt. of sulphate of 

 ammonia per acre, which was considered beneficial. 



No. 107. 118 acres partly clay, partly light loam overlying 

 chalk, the heavier parts of which had been 50 years in grass and 

 the lighter 10-12 years, were taken in hand in the autumn of 

 1916. Part of the heavy soil was broken up by steam during 

 September,, and pressed. WHEAT was sown on the pressed furrow. 

 The balance of the heavy land and the chalk were ploughed in 

 .spring. OATS were sown on the chalk in February and on the 

 clay in March. 1^ cwt. sulphate of ammonia was applied to the 

 whole area; in the case of the spring-sown crops, it was mixed 

 with the seed before drilling. The wheat was only partially 

 successful, and had to be patched with barley. It did fairly well 

 until the spring, but was then attacked by wireworm. The 

 reporter says: "I am certain the wheat crop would have been a 

 success but for the severe weather; although wireworms actually 

 thinned it off, wherever the wheat was protected by trees or 

 high edges a good plant remained which is now doing well. Only 

 wheat which was severely checked by the weather was destroyed 

 by wireworm." The spring-sown crop was very successful; the 

 result was attributed to the nitrogenous manuring, late ploughing 

 and heavy rolling. " All the spring oats were sown on fresh- 

 -ploughed turf, which I consider left the wireworm with something 

 to eat a counter-attraction, so that they need not feed exclusively 

 on the oats." 



fi No. 108. 7 acres grey PEYS sown April 1st on a light, sandy loam 

 on gravelly sub-soil, broken up in January, 1917, by the Kent 

 plough out of 30-years-old grass, always mown and covered with 

 a sour and very poor herbage. Ploughed 2 furrows deep, that is, 

 the first furrow was taken to a depth of 4 inches, and the plough 

 (Turnwrest), returning in the same furrow, turned a second 

 furrow 6 inches deep, so as to -bury the turf completely. The 

 soil was well harrowed, and peas drilled. The crop was successful, 



