244 Summary of Agricultural Experiments, [june, 



Manuring, of Swedes (Midland Agric. and Dairy Coll., Bull. 4, 

 1908-9). — Trials have been carried out on the same plan at various centres 

 during the past five years, and will be repeated in 1909, so that no 

 final conclusions can be drawn. The results up to the present, however, 

 show that the greatest profit has been obtained from two plots, one of 

 which received 151 lb. sulphate of ammonia, and the other 194 lb. nitrate 

 of soda, with the addition in both cases of 502 lb. superphosphate and 

 58 lb. sulphate of potash. Applying all the artificials at seeding has so 

 far given better results than when a portion has been held back until 

 the time of singling. 



Varieties of Swedes (Midland Agric. and Dairy Coll., Repts. on Expts. 

 with Crops and Stock, 1907-8).- — Field trials have been carried out for 

 some years at one or two centres, and in 1907 ten varieties were com- 

 pared on six farms. On the whole, bronze-top varieties gave better 

 yields than the purple-top varieties. Sharpens Ne-Plus-Ultra gave the 

 largest yield of roots and of dry matter per acre. The dry matter in 

 the several varieties was fairly constant, only in one case (Pioneer) falling 

 below 8 per cent., and in one case (Imperial) rising above 9 per cent. 

 The latter variety was the only one that produced " bolted " roots. 



Manuring of Turnips (Aber. and N. of Scotland Coll. of Agric, Bull. 

 No. 10, 1909). — Experiments were undertaken in 1907 at sixteen centres. 

 In a comparison of the effects of sulphate of ammonia, calcium cyan- 

 amide, and nitrate of lime at eleven centres, the respective yields were 

 16 tons 12 cwt., 15 tons 17 cwt., and 17 tons 3 Cwt., nitrate of lime 

 yielding somewhat better and calcium cyanamide somewhat smaller 

 results than sulphate of ammonia. Calcium cyanamide was in all cases 

 applied with the seed, on which it appeared to have no detrimental 

 effect. 



A trial was made to ascertain the best quantity of superphosphate. A 

 larger crop was obtained -by the heavier dressings in each case (2^, 5, 

 and 10 cwt. being applied), but apart from the residual value the 

 increase in the crop did not cover the extra cost. 



In a comparison between high grade and low grade basic slag, the 

 average figures indicate that there is little difference, there being an 

 increase of only 5 cwt. in favour of the higher grade. The quantities 

 used were 5 cwt. of the higher grade (37*56 per cent, phosphate) and 

 9 cwt. of the lower grade (20*77 P er cen L phosphate), equivalent amounts 

 of phosphates being present. While the cost of the lower grade slag 

 was jQi 145. 6d. and the value of the crop £6 10s. qd., the cost of the 

 high grade slag was 2s. 4^. less and the value of the crop 2s. more. 

 There is some reason to think that the low grade slag proved more 

 effective on land which requires liming, by reason of the greater propor- 

 tion of lime it contains. It is suggested that land deficient in lime 

 should receive low grade slag, but on this point further investigation is 

 necessary. 



The effect of distillery fertiliser was also tested, a complete dressing 

 of manure costing 375. 6d. per acre being compared with the quantity of 

 distillery fertiliser which could be purchased for the same money. The 

 result was unsatisfactory on account of the difference in the ingredients 

 of the two dressings. The distillery fertiliser proved inferior to the 

 mixture as a producer of turnips, though it had a distinct manurial 

 value, 



