100 SCIENCE AND FRUIT GROWING 



fruit, the dressing consisting either of water only, or water con- 

 taining ammonium sulphate, sodium nitrate, potassium nitrate, 

 or a mixture of ammonium and iron sulphates. The results 

 in different seasons showed considerable variations, as might 

 naturally be expected owing to differences in climatic conditions, 

 but they certainly did not indicate that any beneficial results had 

 followed from the application of the minerals, either as regards 

 the total crops or the date of ripening; such advantages, or 

 disadvantages, as may have accrued from the treatment being 

 attributable to the watering only; indeed, the minerals in one 

 respect appeared to have been decidedly detrimental, for in both 

 series those plots which had received nitrate suffered a mortality 

 from two to six times greater than any of the other plots, and 

 in both these series sodium nitrate had proved more deleterious 

 than potassium nitrate. 



The general results, or rather, absence of results with straw- 

 berries at Ridgmont may seem surprising, but they are not 

 altogether at variance with those which are sometimes obtained 

 in practice, for the strawberry seems to be a plant which is greatly 

 affected by the character of the soil and by its environment, and, 

 under conditions which are not favourable to it, which is the 

 case at Ridgmont, it may give but little response to such manurial 

 treatment as would under other circumstances have a considerable 

 effect. 



