1909.] Summary of Agricultural Experiments. 243 



(calcium cyanamide). The three varieties tried were " Elephant," 

 " Kangaroo," and " Invicta." All three plots received a standard dress- 

 ing, consisting of 12 tons farmyard manure, 3 cwt. superphosphate, and 

 13 lb. sulphate of potash per acre. Two of the plots received per acre in 

 addition 70 lb. nitrate of soda and 6 cwt. basic turnip manure respec- 

 tively. The results showed that, whatever the manuring, Invicta was 

 the best, followed by Kangaroo. A notable point in this experiment was 

 that the nitrate of soda reduced the crop in each case, though the tops 

 looked more luxuriant. The " basic turnip manure " could not be said 

 generally to have produced any benefit over the standard dressing, 

 though it gave some gain with the Elephant variety. 



Varieties of Swedes (Harper-Adams Agric. Coll. and Staffs. C.C., 

 Field Bxpts., 1908). — At the Harper-Adams College, 21 varieties were 

 tested, in continuation of similar trials in previous years. 



Manuring of Swedes (Harper-Adams Agric. Coll., Field Expts., 1908). 

 — A comparison of various phosphatic manures was made, the quantity 

 applied being equal to an expenditure of 205. per acre in each case. The 

 result of the trial was clearly in favour of bone meal, which contains, in 

 addition to phosphates, a certain amount of nitrogen. In the case of 

 steamed bones containing less than 1 per cent, of nitrogen, the yield 

 was not equal to that produced by a phosphatic manure, which, being 

 cheaper, allowed of a larger quantity of the one ingredient being 

 applied. 



In a similar way a comparison was made between superphosphate 

 and kainit and potassic superphosphate, about 415. being expended in 

 each case. The purchasing power of this sum enabled a larger quantity of 

 a mixture of superphosphate and kainit to be applied per acre, and these 

 manures gave better results than the potassic superphosphate. 



A comparison of nitrogenous manures was also made in continuation 

 of similar trials during the previous three years. A standard dressing, 

 containing 4 cwt. steamed bones, 3 cwt. superphosphate, and 2 cwt. 

 kainit, was applied, with a quantity of nitrogenous manure representing 

 the same money value on each plot. On the average of the four years 

 there was not very much difference between 1 cwt. sulphate of ammonia, 

 104 lb. calcium cyanamide, and 126 lb. nitrate of soda, but the ammonia 

 gave a slightly higher yield than the other two. 



Manuring of Swedes (Univ. Coll., Reading, Results of Expts. at the 

 Coll. Farm, 1908). — Sixteen plots of one-eighth of an acre each were 

 laid out to show the effects of various manures. It was observed that 

 halves of plots near a hedge with tall trees yielded 35 per cent, less 

 crop than similar halves away from the trees. Owing to an attack of 

 " finger and toe " some of the plots were too irregular to justify weigh- 

 ing. 



Manuring of Swedes (Midland Agric. and Dairy Coll., Report on 

 Expts., 1907-8). — The results of the experiments at five centres in three 

 counties in 1907 showed that a small dressing of dung and artificials 

 gives a larger crop than when dung alone is used, either in small or 

 large dressings. Nitrate of soda proved a better source of nitrogen 

 than sulphate of ammonia, while basic slag and superphosphate were 

 the best sources of phosphate. Sulphate of potash gave the greatest 

 profit, though it was run very closely by muriate of potash and 

 kainit. The experiments are being continued (see next page). 



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