21 



the worst seasons in the last 30 years for quality of barley. 

 When the barleys from the different farms are compared, their 

 values are related to nitrogen content ; when, however, barleys 

 from different manurial plots on the same farm are compared, the 

 relationship is less marked ; it can be shown statistically that the 

 effect is reduced at least one-half (p. 50) . 



POTATOES. 



The relative effects of sulphate of potash, muriate of potash 

 and salt have been studied. The samples were valued by an 

 expert buyer — George Major, Esq., of Major Bros., King's Cross 

 Potato Market. 



There was no obvious connection between manuring and 

 valuation. Cooking tests, however, showed certain relationships. 



The professional cooking test was kindly carried out by 

 Messrs. Lyons, the well-known caterers, who placed the potatoes 

 in the following order : — 



MESSRS. LYONS' COOKING TEST: ORDER OF (JLIALITY. 



L Sulphate of potash. 



2. Muriate of potash. 



3. Muriate of potash and salt. No potash. 



No farmyard mniuirc was used with tliis sit. 



A home c(K)king test gave the following result : — 



1. Sulphate of potash. 



2. Muriate of potash and salt. 



3. No potash. 



4. Muriate of potash. 



No dung was given to this sot. On the dunged plots th(> differences were smaller. 



It will be observed that both agree in placing the sulphate- 

 treated potatoes at the head of the list, and of the others the only 

 fertiliser as to which there is disagreement is the chloride. 



Certain differences were detectable in the laboratory. l^he 

 tubers receiving sulphate of potash had a higher specific gravity 

 and a larger percentage of dry matter than any others, excepting 

 only those from the no-potash plots receiving dung. The 

 quantities of starch are being determined. 



WHEAT. 



The wheats grown at one centre — Seale Hayne, Devon— and 

 receiving respectively sulphate of ammonia, muriate of ammonia 

 and no nitrogen, were examined by Dr. Humphries. The two 

 samples grown on muriate of ammonia contained slightly more 

 gluten than those grown on sulphate, but no difference could be 

 detected by the expert buyer or the miller. The baker in one case 

 put the ammonium chloride plot above, and in the other below, 

 the ammonium sulphate plot, but he preferred the unmanured 

 wheat. 



