31 



the result being attributed to the method of ploughing, and the 

 fact that the land had been dressed with basic slag each season 

 for some years before breaking up. 



No. 109. 11 acres OATS sown first week of April on heavy loam 

 soil overlying Gault Clay, ploughed up in February and March 

 out of 24-y ears-old grass to a depth of about 7 inches, plough fitted 

 with skim coulter. Land rolled three times with heavy roller, 

 thrice harrowed; about 3 cwt. superphosphate and 2 cwt. salt 

 per acre applied. Only half a plant was secured, and the field 

 was re-sown Avith barley. Failure due to wireworm and rabbits, 

 which thinned the oat plant and allowed creeping thistle to 

 develop. Where the crop survived it was good. It is noted that 

 the land requires draining, the existing 4-foot drains having 

 silted up. 



MIDDLESEX (1 report). 



No. 110. A field of 10 acres loam soil on Brick Earth was 

 ploughed in February arid March out of old grass, part by tractor 

 and part by horse-plough. Rolled twice across the furrow; then 

 disc harrowed by tractor along and across the furrow. BRUSSELS 

 SPROUTS were drilled in rows 3 feet apart in April, and EARLY 

 TURNIPS sown between the rows. Parts of the field were very 

 good, but in parts the soil appeared to be thin; it dried out, and 

 the crops made slow progress. Sulphate of ammonia was applied, 

 and an improvement took place. 



HAMPSHIRE (10 reports, 10 successes). 



No. 111. 37 acres OATS sown March 20th on light soil overlying 

 Chalk. Ploughed in March by steam out of 30-years-old grass. 

 A presser followed behind the plough. Dragged four times, seed 

 sown broadcast, harrowed twice and rolled. 4 cwt. per acre 

 Castor meal was applied before ploughing. Crop excellent. 

 "The wireworm fed on the grass sod instead of on the oats." 

 The Castor meal " seems to have answered well." 



No. 112. 200 acres of OATS White Tartarian, Black Tartarian 

 and Abundance sown from 10th March to 13th April after poor 

 quality grass 25 to 50 years old on light loam overlying Chalk. 

 Ploughed by steam tackle between 9th March and 10th April to 

 a depth of 4 to 6 inches, a presser travelling behind the plough. 

 The land was, harrowed twice with spiked chain harrows, twice 

 w T ith spring-tooth harrows, and tw^ice with ordinary zig-zag 

 harrowiS. In some parts several additional harrowings were neces- 

 sary as the land was rough. After harrowing, the land was rolled 

 once (sometimes twice) with tractor rollers. 4 cwt. superphos- 

 phate or steamed bone flour and H cwt. sulphate of ammonia or 

 nitrolim per acre applied immediately after sowing, before the 

 harrowing was completed. Crop satisfactory and very uniform, 

 although it suffered in the early stages from drought. Result 

 attributed to a firm seed bed, to sowing immediately behind the 

 ploughs, and to manuring. 



No. 113. A field of 26 acres, under grass 40 years old, on light 

 chalky soil was ploughed in March by steam tackle, harrowed 12 

 times, sown with OATS, and finally firmly rolled. 3 cwt. of super- 

 phosphate, 1 cwt. sulphate of ammonia, and 4 cwt. salt applied 

 per acre. Crop estimated at 56 bushels per acre. Success 

 attributed to the free use of manure, 



