1909.] Summary of Agricultural Experiments. 241 



the results show, up to the present that both nitrate of soda and super- 

 phosphate can be used economically as top dressings for mangolds. 



Another experiment dealt with the effect of potassic manures on 

 mangolds, the value of the manure applied in each case being the same. 

 The fertilisers selected were basic slag, .superphosphate, and potassic 

 superphosphate. Equal amounts (15 tons) of farmyard manure were 

 applied in each case, with 8 cvvt. basic slag, 7! cwt. superphosphate, 

 and 6 cwt. potassic superphosphate respectively, and the yields were 

 48 tons 7 cwt. (basic slag), 45 tons 4 cwt. (superphosphate), and 45 tons 

 15 cwt. (potassic superphosphate). 



Another experiment dealt with the use of salt, and confirmed the 

 results obtained in 1907, the heaviest dressing of salt giving in both 

 years the largest yield of mangolds. In 1908 the application of 2^ cwt., 

 5 cwt,, and 10 cwt. of salt gave increased yields of 7 tons 4 cwt., 12 tons 

 4 cwt,, and 17 tons 3 cwt. respectively. The effect of salt in checking 

 weeds was again observed, and must be reckoned as increasing the 

 value of salt. It is particularly necessary that heavy dressings of salt 

 should be thoroughly worked into the soil, and not merely harrowed in 

 before sowing. An instance occurred where this was not done, with 

 the result that the germination of the seed was much affected. 



Manuring of mangold experiments were also carried out at two 

 centres in Staffordshire, on behalf of the County Education Committee. 



Manuring of Mangolds (Univ. Coll., Reading, Results of Experi- 

 ments at College Farm, 1908). — Calcium cyanamide, calcium nitrate, 

 nitrate of soda, and sulphate of ammonia were applied at the rate of 

 r| cwt. per acre to plots '-^ acre in size. As in 1907 the calcium cyan- 

 amide applied as a top dressing very greatly damaged the leaves of the 

 young plants, which, however, recovered afterwards, and grew a good 

 crop of roots. Nitrate of soda gave the best yield (33! tons), but was 

 nearly equalled by calcium nitrate (32 tons), while sulphate of ammonia 

 was just equal to calcium cyanamide (both 283 tons). 



Manuring of Mangolds (Dorset C.C., Education Committee, Report 

 on Agricultural Experiments, 1907-8). — Experiments were carried out 

 at two centres to demonstrate the effect of slow- and quick-acting 

 manures, and to compare a medium with a heavy dressing. 



Manuring of Mangolds (Shepton Mallet Grammar School, qth Annual 

 Report, 1908). — The soil on which the trial was made is stated to be 

 naturally deficient in potash, and this was confirmed by the experiment, 

 the plots to which kainit was applied all growing the heaviest crops. 

 It has been found, for several years, that where the plots have pot 

 received potash the plants have been badly attacked by wireworm. The 

 pest seems to flourish where potash is lacking, but to avoid soil which 

 has received a dressing of kainit. 



Varieties of Mangolds (Harper-Adams Agri. Coll., Field Experi- 

 ments, 1908). — Trials of varieties were continued in 1908 on the College 

 Farm, and the yields were higher than in any previous season, seven- 

 teen varieties yielding upwards of 45 tons per acre, seven of these 

 exceeding 50 tons. These were Garton's Improved Yellow, Dickson's 

 Imperial Tankard, Dickson and Robinson's Eclipse Red, Sutton's Prize- 

 winner Yellow Globe, Leighton's Rentpayer, Dickson and Robinson's 

 Defiance, and Garton's Gate Post. The first prize at the Newport 



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