38 REPORT 1859. 



as leaf-producing substances, when applied to poor soils deficient in phos- 

 phates and other mineral matters necessary for the growth of leaves. 



In conjunction with phosphates, sulphate of ammonia in the preceding ex- 

 periment had a marked effect upon the turnip-tops, but none upon the bulbs. 



Experiments on Turnips made in 1857. 



My experiments in 1857 were principally made with a view of trying 

 whether sulphate of ammonia, applied alone and in conjunction with phos- 

 phates, had the same or a similar effect on richer land than that experimented 

 upon in 1856, and at the same time to determine the influence of nitrogenized 

 matters on the turnip crop. To this end I selected a field which was somewhat 

 deeper, more level, and altogether more fertile than the experimental field in 

 1856. It yielded on analysis the following results : 



Moisture 1*51 



Organic matter and water of combination 1 1*08 



Oxides of iron and alumina 14*25 



Carbonate of lime 10*82 



Sulphate of lime *71 



Magnesia '51 



Potash (soluble in acid solution) -32 



Soda (soluble in acid solution) *05 



Phosphoric acid *10 



Insoluble siliceous matter (chiefly clay) 61*78 



101*13 



On comparing the composition of this soil with that of the experimental 

 field in 1856, it will be found that the chemical characters of both soils are 

 very much alike. The seed sown on the 10th of June was that of white 

 Swedes. The different manures were mixed with three times their weight of 

 fine sifted burnt clay, in order to secure a more uniform distribution of the 

 manure over the land. Each experimental plot measured ^ of an acre. 

 Leaving unnoticed a number of field trials, I select only those experiments 

 which have a more immediate scientific interest. 



Plot 1 was manured at the rate per acre with 3 cwt. of superphosphate. 

 Plot 2 was manured at the rate per acre with 3 cwt. of fine bone-dust. 

 Plot 3 was manured at the rate per acre with 3 cwt. of superphosphate, 

 made by dissolving fine bone-dust in 50 per cent, of sulphuric acid. 



Plot 4 was manured at the rate per acre with 3 cwt. of bone-superphos- 

 phate (purchased). 

 Plot 5 (unmanured). 



Plot 6 was manured at the rate per acre with 1^ cwt. of sulphate of am- 

 monia. 



Plot 7 was manured at the rate per acre with H cwt. of sulphate of am- 

 monia and 1^ cwt. of superphosphate, made by dissolving bone-ash in sulphu- 

 ric acid. 



Plot 8 was manured at the rate per acre with 1 cwt. of bone-ash dis- 

 solved in sulphuric acid without ammonia. 



Plot 9 was manured at the rate per acre with 4> cwt. of gypsum. 

 Plot 10 was manured at the rate per acre with 9 cwt. of burnt clay alone 

 (the same quantity which was used with the manures in the other experiments). 

 Plot 11 was manured at the rate per acre with 3 cwt. of Peruvian guano. 

 On each plot a good plant was obtained, and the crop singled on the 16th 

 of July, with the exception of the plots upon which sulphate of ammonia and 

 guano were used. Although sulphate of ammonia was used in the small pro- 

 portion of 1 j. cwt. per acre, and previously mixed with three times its weight 



