294 SUMMER FROSTS AND THEIR EFFECTS ON SWEDES 



from the beginning of June till the end of September of these 

 years. 



It is probable that the severe frosts on June 19th, 1901, 

 and the succession of these from June 14th till 20th, 1903, 

 had a very depressing effect on the amount of dry matter in 

 the swede crop of these years as well as on the crop generally ; 

 and that the frost on August 17th, 1901 (the month of most 

 active growth for the swede crop), was one of the principal 

 causes of the exceptionally low amount of dry matter in the 

 swedes of that year. The summer of 1900 was comparatively 

 free from frost till September 25th, but the decided frost on 

 that date and the early severe frost in October (5°, October 5th) 

 probably account for the low amount of dry matter in the 

 swedes of that year. On the other hand the practically entire 

 freedom from frosts, and the favourable growing conditions 

 during the summer of 1904, as well as the occurrence of no 

 severe frost till the middle of October, coincide with the excep- 

 tionally high percentage of dry matter in the swedes of that 

 year. In Northumberland the maturation of the swede crop 

 may go on till about the middle of October in a favourable 

 season, and in the counties where the climatic conditions are 

 more favourable till a much later period. 



Feeding experiments with cattle and with sheep at Cockle 

 Park have shown that the amount of dry matter in the swede 

 crop is probably the best indication of the comparative value 

 of swedes grown in the same year. It is also probable that 

 the amount of dry matter in this crop from season to season 

 indicates the comparative feeding value of swedes in different 

 years. Assuming that this is so, the figures on the last line 

 but one of the foregoing table show a very marked variation 

 in the feeding value of swedes at Cockle Park during the 

 seasons 1900- 1904. The figures given on the last line indicate 

 approximately the weights per acre of the crop for the different 

 seasons when grown under favourable conditions. 



There are of course other climatic conditions, such as 

 drought, or continued spells of wet or cold weather, or on the 

 other hand favourable periods of good growing weather, 



