18 



BXPKRIMENTS ON WINTER RYE. 



[Appendtte, 



Character of the Soil — Nos. 1, 2, 3, and 4 were good sharp soil, on rotten 

 rock, (decayed trap,)all^as neaf as possible the same description of land, 

 drained, and lying together. Nos. 1 and 2, Crook's High, stiff clay, drained; 

 the hay was after wheat. Nos. 1, 2, and 3, Crook's Low, light clay-loam, 

 drained ; the hay was after barley. 



On Covenlea the dressings were applied on the 22nd of April, and the hay cut 

 on the 2nd of July ; on the other fields the nitrate and gypsum were applied on 

 the 12th of April, and the hay cut on the 9th of July. 



N. B. The above is the average of trials in three parts of the Covenlea field; 

 a small portion of moss was also sown with nitrate of soda, in the low part of 

 the same field, but no benefit was observable, beyond the usual dark green 

 colour which appeared about ten (Jays after the application. The sulphate of 

 soda, although evidently beneficial, does not produce the dark green colour. In 

 the Crook's fields the effect of nitrate of soda in producing the dark green colour 

 was as remarkable as in the Covenlea field. The gypsum on both fields seems 

 to have had a good effect, particularly on the aftermath clover. 



Rkmarks. — In these experiments also the sulphate of soda was used in only 

 half the quantity recommended. By referring to the prices paid by Mr. Fleming, 

 it will appear that the use of sulphate of soda gave an increase of 200 lbs. of 

 hay for Is. 9d. (or 500 lbs. for 4s. 5d.), while the nitrate of soda gave an increase 

 of 516 lbs. for 7s. lOd. ; so that, though the actual increase of hay per rood was 

 considerably less by the use of the sulphate, yet that increase was obtained at 

 little more than half the cost of the same weight of increase derived from the ni- 

 trate. A similar remark applies to the gypsum, so that these experiments give 

 ample encouragement for the application of both these substances in somewhat 

 large quantity to succeeding crops, on the same land. 



2. — Experiments on Winter Rye, dressed with Nitrate of Soda, Lime vriih Potash^ 

 Sidfhate of Soda, and Muriate of Avrmonia, {Sal AmvioJiiac.') 



Character of the Soil. — Tilly clay, which had been trenched, and in potatoes 

 the year before. The Rye was sown on their 6eing lifted in October, 1840. 



The applications were made on the 14th of April, the grain was cut on the 

 9th of August, and thrashed on the 25th. 



N. B. As early as the end of April the effects of the nitrate of soda were very 

 apparent from the dark green colour produced, and broad leaves, and after it was 

 ripe the heads were longer than any of the others ; but it was so strong that it 

 was laid a month before it was cut ; none of the others were laid. Every ap- 



f)lication seems to have done good, 'by increasing the produce. The potash and 

 ime was made by slaking quick-lime and sand with a solution of potash, and 

 allowing them to lie together for a month. As much was used as contained 1 

 lb. of carbonate of potash to the pole. 



Remarks. — From these experiments, it appears that, besides the proportionate 

 increase of straw, that of grain was 



From nitrate of soda, 12 bushels for 31s. Od., or 2s. 9d. per bush.; 

 " lime and potash, 7 " for 33s. 6d., or 4s. 9d. " 

 " sulphate of soda, 3 "for 7s. Od., or 2s. 4d. " 

 ** sal-ammoniac, 5 " for 10s. 9d., or 2s. 2d, " 



