191 1.] Summary of Agricultural Experiments. 



777 



From 1907-10 a comparison was made of the phosphatic manures 

 usually applied to swedes, the amounts of each used being such that 

 their money values were equal. High-grade basic slag and steamed 

 bones were found to Be slightly inferior to low-grade basic slag with 

 nitrate of soda, bone meal, or dissolved bones. 



Basic slag and superphosphate were compared as manures for 

 swedes in respect of the feeding value of the roots, half-acre plots 

 being treated with these two manures on an equal money value basis. 

 The roots were fed off by 60 sheep (30 on each plot), the increases 

 in live weight being noted, and the sheep were sold in the market. 

 The animals from the superphosphate plot gained 2 qr. more in 

 weight than those from the basic slag plot, and realised is. io^d. 

 more per cwt., so that the results were in favour of superphosphate. 



Various compound manures of different manufacturers for swedes 

 were tested in 1909 and 19 10. The composition of the manures and 

 the yields in 1909 and 19 10 are given in the report. 



Manuring of Potatoes (Monmouthshire Agric. Educ. Com., Potato 

 Trials, 19 10). — The manurial trials were carried out at two centres 

 with a number of different varieties, the point tested being the effect of 

 artificials. It is considered that the experiments go to show that the 

 flavour, quality, and keeping properties of potatoes grown without 

 artificial manure are better, though the bulk obtained is smaller, than 

 with artificials. 



Field Crops. 



Varieties of . Potatoes (Monmouthshire Agric. Educ. Com., Potato 

 Trials, 1910). — A large number of varieties were tried, Scotch, Irish, 

 and English seed being used, and the crops, together with the result 

 of a cooking trial of each variety, are given. 



Varieties of Wheat (Bedfordshire C.C. Agric. Educ. Com., Rept. on 

 Wheat and Oat Plots, 191 1). — Fifteen varieties of wheat were grown in 

 191 1 on a well-drained, heavy clay soil. The crops per acre this year and 

 the average crops for the five previous years are shown in the follow- 

 ing table :— 





Average 







yield for 







five years 







previous 



Yield 





to ion. 



IQII. 





Bushels. 



Bushels. 



Kinver Red (Webb) 



43 



31 



Square Head Master 





34 



White Stand Up (Carter) , 



41. 



33 



Red Stand Up (Carter) 



40 :.. 



35 



Red Standard (Webb) ... 



40 



33 



Blue Chaff Rivetts (Percival, Reading 







College) 



Not grown 



39 



Burgoyne's Fife (Camb. Univ. ) 





35 



Little Joss (Camb. Univ. ) 





35 



Red Fife (Canadian)... 



32 



... f3 



It is concluded that on heavy clay land it is advisable to 



grow a red 



in preference to a white variety. Red Fife was by far the best sample 

 of wheat, but does not yield well enough. Little Joss, a new Cam- 

 bridge wheat, was one of the best samples after Red Fife. 



