37 



6. Objects of the present experiments. The practice of 

 dbing as at present carried on is very injurious to forest 



growth and in the case of cowdung, there is a great loss of 

 mauurial substance. The present experiments were instituted to 

 investigate the following questions : 



I. What does the efficiency of nib depend upon? 

 II. What rabs are most beneficial? 

 III. Can any substitute for the present custom be found ? 



IV. Will any after-treatment of the crop secure the 

 effects of rab ? 



7. Treatment of seed-beds. The experiments were divided 

 into eleven series which were further sub-divided into 63 plots. 

 Series la, Ib, III, VII and IX had duplicate plots. 



Series la. Object. To ascertain the merits of the practice 

 of rabing. 



Plot No. 1. -Aiu loppings covered with the usual quantity 

 of grass and earth. All materials were weighed and burnt. 



Plot No. 2. This was treated with ashes obtained in the 

 following way : An equal quantity of Aiu loppings, grass and 

 earth was spread on corrugated iron sheets in the same thickness 

 as in Plot No. 1. The material was weighed and burnt. Ashes 

 were collected, weighed and spread out equally on the plot and 

 mixed lightly with earth by rakes (Dantale). 



Plot No. 3. No treatment of any kind. 



Plot No. 4. The soil in this plot was pulverized until the 

 condition of dust. 



Plot No. 5. The earth to the depth of 3 inches was taken 

 off and spread in a layer 3 inches deep on sheets of corrugated 

 iron raised on stones, one foot high. The earth was heated for one 

 hour by burning fuel underneath the sheets. When the earth was 

 cooled down, it was collected and spread again evenly on the plot. 



Series Ib. Plots 6 to 10. Received the same treatment as 

 Series I (a), but the ra"b used was mixed branches. 



Series II. Object To compare different kinds of rab. 

 Plot No. 11. Ain rab as usual. 

 No. 12. Cowdung rab as usual. 

 ,, No. 13. Mixed branches rab as usual. 

 No. 14. Grass rab. 

 No. 15. Leaf rab. 



