1904.] 



Experiments with Swedes. 



221 



The number of roots on each plot and the regularity of the 

 plant was very distinctly influenced by the amount of manure 

 applied. In the majority of cases the unmanured plots grew a 

 small number of roots at very irregular intervals. The most 

 regular plant was obtained on Plots 3 and 4, where scarcely a 

 root failed. Unless the young seedling swede obtains soluble, 

 available nutriment soon after germination, it is exceedingly 

 likely to die or become very much weakened by its early 

 struggle in life. 



Experiments in the manuring of swedes have also been 

 carried out by the Midland Dairy Institute at five centres in 

 Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire, and the results obtained 

 admit of comparison in some respects with those recorded 

 above. In both cases it must be remembered that the season 

 of 1903 was not the most favourable. The following table 

 shows the manures applied and the average results obtained at 

 the five centres :— 





Amount of Manure per acre. 





Increase 













Average 



compared 





No. of 

 Plot. 



Nitrate 



of 

 Soda. 



Super- 

 phosphate. 



Kainit. 



yield on 

 five farms 

 per acre. 



with un- 

 manured 

 plots per 

 acre. 



Profit per ' 

 acre. 





lti. 



lb. 



lb. 



Tons. cwt. 



Tons. cwt. 



: s. d. 



2. 

 3- 



4- 

 5. 

 12. 



168 

 168 

 336 

 180 



448 

 448 

 448 



896 

 402 



— 



224 

 448 

 147 



12 8 

 14 8f 



14 3i 

 17 m 



15 2 



. 



4 0 

 6 0^- 



5 i5i 

 9 9'i 



6 14 



29 0 



34 4 

 26 9 

 32 10 

 37 10 



The crop was valued at 10s. per ton, so that the use of 

 1 is. worth of superphosphate on Plot 2 shows a profit of 29s. per 

 acre, while on Plot 3 the profit was increased to 34s. 4d. by the 

 addition of cwt. of nitrate of soda. On Plot 4, however, the 

 further addition of 2 cwt. of kainit resulted in a reduction of 

 the produce, and, as has been pointed out, a similar result was 

 obtained in the Reading experiments, where a smaller yield 

 was obtained with a potash manure than without. In the case of 

 the Midland experiments, Mr. Blackshaw observes that " It is 

 known that a wet season reduces the effect of kainit, but even 

 after making allowance for the excessive rainfall, the result 



