1909.] Summary of Agricultural Experiments. 



gave rather better results in 1907 than the small seed, and in 1908 than 

 either of the other plots. 



The effect of planting potatoes at different distances apart in the 

 rows was tested both in 1907 and 1908. 



Manuring of Potatoes (Somerset C.C., Kept, on Field Trials of 

 Manures, 1904-8). — An experiment has been carried out on 20 farms in 

 Somerset during five seasons to test the effect of artificial manures on 

 the potato crop. Eight plots were arranged at each centre. The 

 average yield from the uninanured plot was 6 tons, and the application 

 of 2 cwt. of sulphate of ammonia and 4 cwt. of superphosphate (Plot 8) 

 gave the best result (7 tons 18 cwt.). It was also the most profitable 

 after deducting the cost of the manure. The addition of 1 cwt. muriate 

 of potash to this mixture produced no effect, the yield being practically 

 the same. Sulphate of ammonia and muriate of potash also gave a 

 good yield (7 tons 12 cwt.), but the cost of the manures made it less 

 profitable. 



It would seem from this experiment that the most important sub- 

 stances for the potato crop on the greater number of soils in Somerset 

 are nitrogen and phosphates, though on soils known to be deficient in 

 potash 1 cwt. of muriate or sulphate of potash or 4 cwt. of kainit should 

 be used as well. 



Potato Trials (University College Reading, Expts. at the College 

 Farm, 1908). — Seed from English, Scotch, and Irish sources was 

 planted, some having been two and others three years on the farm. 

 The results showed that the cropping power of potatoes diminishes 

 rapidly in the third season. 



Potato Trials (Northumberland C.C., Guide to Expts. at Cockle 

 Park for 1909).- — The results of the trials of varieties of potatoes, and 

 of spring and winter planting in 1906-1908, are given. 



Maize Trials (University College, Reading, Results of Expts. at 

 the College Farm, 1908). — An acre of maize was grown, but the yield 

 (19 tons 6 cwt.) green was less than in 1907 (24 tons 11 cwt.), but the 

 feeding quality was probably better. 



Varieties of Lucerne (Journal of the Royal Agric. Society, Vol. 69, 

 1908). — The three different kinds of lucerne— Provence, American, and 

 Canadian — sown in 1905, were kept down in 1908, and gave three 

 cuttings. The total green produce per acre for 1908 was as follows : — 

 Provence seed, 6 tons 13 cwt. ; American seed, 6 tons 4 cwt. ; Canadian 

 seed, 9 tons 3 cwt. 



The Canadian variety has now, for the third year in succession, 

 given considerably the highest yield; the Provence variety, as in 1907, 

 was somewhat better than the American, though this was not the case 

 in 1906. 



Three Argentine varieties were sown in 1908, but were attacked by 

 a fungus at the end of September and had to be cut down very close to 

 the ground to prevent the disease spreading. The yield varied from 9 

 to 13 tons. 



Manuring of Black Fenland (Cambridge Univ., Dept. of Agric. Bull. 

 No. 6).— Although the analysis of fen soils does not suggest a deficiency 

 of phosphates, yet in practice it is found that applications of phosphatide 

 manures always increase the yield of crops, and that superphosphate 

 gives the best economic result. 



