11)21.] 



Notes on Manures von \\nm. 



83 



and superphosphate can be used instead of superphosphate. As 

 a general rule, however, the mixture given above has worked 

 satisfactorily. 



Manures for Mangolds. — As in the case of potatoes, the best 

 preparation for mangolds is a dressing of farmyard manure, 

 applied in the previous autumn if possible in the case of most 

 of England, but in spring in districts where the winter is very 

 wet. j\tany dairy farmers in the Home Counties have used 

 little else, but this is not a satisfactory method of treatment 

 unless dung is very cheap. Better results are obtained by th(! 

 use of not more than 20 loads of dung, supplemented by 

 artificials. 



The following mixture has proved satisfactory: 1 cwt. of 

 sulphate of amuionia, 8 cwt. of superphosphate, 4 cwt. of kainit 

 or sylvinite, and 2 to 4 cwt. of salt in the drills, and IJ cwt. 

 nitrate of soda as a top dressing when the plants are singled 

 and hoed. 



The dressing seems heavy, but owung to the importance of 

 the crop liberal manuring is quite justified. In the case of 

 mangolds nitrate of soda gives better results ao a top dressing 

 than sulphate of ammonia: experiments show that nitrate of 

 lime is also effective. 



Kainit or sylvinite are suggested in preference to other 

 potash manures because the salt present is of value to the man- 

 gold crop. I^ven when 4 cwt. of these fertilisers are used, how- 

 ever, mangolds would often respond to further dressings of salt. 



Swedes and Turnips.— These crops require altogether 

 diiferent manunal treatment from the preceding. If grown 

 without dung they need large quantities of phosphate, and 

 sufficient, but not excess, of nitrogen. A useful dressing in 

 this case would be, in the southern part of England: 4 cwt. of 

 superphosphate or G cwt. of basic slag, and 1 cwt. of sulphate 

 of ammonia. If, however, climatic and soil conditions favour 

 a yield of 18 tons or more per acre, the following .'ould bo 

 used: 6 cwt. of superphosphate or 8 cwt. of basic slag, 1 cwt. of 

 sulphate of ammonia, and 1 cwt. of sulphate of potash in the 

 drills, followed by 1 cwt. of nitrate of soda as a top dressing at 

 the time of singling. 



Where, however, dung is applied it is very doubtful whether 

 artificials are required at all. In numerous careful experi- 

 juents there has been no response to the additional artificials. 

 The phosphate and potash would of course remain in the soil 

 for future crops, ])ut the ammonia would be lost. 



F 2 



