THE MANURING OF MARKET GARDEN CROPS. 



1057 



including 2 cwt. of nitrate of soda per acre, the total crop was increased 

 only to the extent of 3 cwt., being 4 tons 7 cwt. per acre. But in the 

 first few days of picking we gathered from the chemically manured plot 

 nearly 700 lbs. more fruit per acre than from the dunged plot ; and 

 during this time the market value of the Strawberries per pound was at 

 least twice that of the fruit picked during the succeeding days. This is 

 a matter of very vital importance to a large grower. 



Apples. 



In the winter of 1900-1901 we planted an experimental Apple orchard, 

 an acre in extent. This orchard is divided into six plots, each of which 

 contains a number of varieties of Apple trees. All the varieties are 

 represented on each of the six plots, an equal number of trees having 

 been planted of each variety. 



The plan of manuring followed in the other fruit experiments has 

 been adopted and is being carried out year by year. 



Although some of the young trees are bearing very promisingly, they 

 are, of course, too immature to give any experimental value to the relative 

 weights of Apples gathered. 



Kentish Cob-nuts. 



These experiments, as well as those on Damsons, have been carried 

 out on the fruit farm of our friend and neighbour, Mr. Godwin, of East 

 Peckham. 



One portion of the plantation is manured in alternate years with 

 15 cwt. of wool waste per acre, this being the customary mode of manur- 

 ing practised in this neighbourhood for nuts for many years. During 

 the experimental period of six years this plot has been three times thus 

 dressed with wool waste, one plot has been left wholly unmanured, and 

 four other plots have received dressings of phosphates and potash salts 

 with and without various quantities of nitrate of soda ; while on one 

 plot the potash salts have been omitted, phosphates and nitrate of soda 

 only being applied. 



Although the mode of manuring distinctly affects the growth and 

 appearance of the trees, it has not, on the average of the six seasons, 

 produced any very great effect on the actual quantity of nuts yielded per 

 acre. 



The results are shown in the following table : — 

 KENTISH COB-NUTS. 



Annual manuring per acre 



Unmanured since 189(5 ...... 



15 cwt. Wool Waste in alternate years 

 Phosphates and Potash Salts only .... 



Phosphates, Potash Salts, and 1 cwt. Nitrate of Soda 

 Phosphates, Potash Salts, and 2 cwt. Nitrate of Soda 

 Phosphates, Potash Salts, and 4 cwt. Nitrate of Soda 

 Phosphates (without Potash Salts) and 2 cwt. Nitrate of Soda 



Average annua] yield 

 of Cob-nuta per acre 

 over six seasons 

 (1897 to 191)2; 



cwt. 



7 

 7 



S 



