1058 JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



It will be seen that the greatest average weight of nuts was obtained on 

 the plot receiving a dressing of phosphates and potash salts with 2 cwt. of 

 nitrate of soda per acre. 



Where potash has been omitted the average crop has not been so 

 good, and the same thing is observed where nitrate of soda has been 

 omitted. 



A more important point, however, than quantity, affecting the market 

 value of Kentish Cob-nuts, is the length of the "beard " or cupule (the 

 calyx-like envelope of the nut). For some reason or other, nuts with a 

 fine " beard " realise a much better market price than others, even though 

 the nuts within may be of the same size. Mr. Godwin has found that 

 the nuts from the plots manured with phosphates, potash salts, and nitrate 

 of soda have realised in the market as much as 5s. per cwt. more than 

 nuts grown merely with wool waste. 



Our experiments up to the present do not afford any precise informa- 

 tion as to what is the most remunerative quantity of nitrate of soda to 

 employ, in conjunction with phosphates and potash salts, for this crop. 



Damsons. 



The Damsons are grown on precisely the same plan of manuring as 

 the Cob-nuts, and in the same field. This crop is, unhappily, subject to 

 many influences, both general and local, which interfere sadly with its 

 regularity from the experimental point of view. Some of the trees are 

 nearer than others to a hedge, which in certain directions of the wind 

 affords some protection from frost, and this in some critical seasons may 

 largely affect the yield of the favoured trees. Then, again, the birds are 

 great enemies of experiments on fruit, since they will capriciously select 

 some particular trees for attack, while leaving others more or less alone. 

 Then, again, the crop differs enormously in different seasons. For 

 instance, in 1897 our yield averaged about 50 " sieves " per acre ; in 1898 

 over 400 '* sieves " ; in 1899 about 30 " sieves " ; and in 1900 as much as 

 600 " sieves " per acre. A " sieve," it should be mentioned, is the market 

 weight of 56 lbs. 



The season of 1900 was indeed so prolific a one with regard to 

 Damsons that the greater part of the crop in many Damson orchards was 

 left unpicked and allowed to fall and manure the ground. Our friend 

 Air. Godwin left the greater part of his Damsons unpicked, and, although 

 most of our experimental plots were carefully picked in order to obtain 

 our records, by some misunderstanding the wool waste plot was left 

 unpicked, thus making it impossible to include its results in our four 

 years' average. Its three years' average is, however, given in the table 

 which follows. 



In 1901 the crop partially failed ; and in 1902, owing to a late and 

 severe frost, there were no Damsons at all to gather. The results in- 

 dicate on the average a great advantage from the use of nitrate of soda 

 in conjunction with phosphates and potash salts; but, owing to the 

 more or less chance influences to which a crop like this is exposed, a 

 longer experience is necessary before we can form an opinion as to what 

 is on the whole the most favourable quantity of nitrate to use. 



