134 
Basic Cinder as Manv/re. 
due to irregularity of the soil in different parts of the field, and at the same 
time to avoid the trouble of duplicate or triplicate plots, to sow the manures 
in alternate breadths (of two or three rows each, according to the number of 
coulters on the drill used) across the field. 
Another advantage of this plan is that comparisons can be easily made at 
different parts of the field as to the condition of the crop at all periods of its 
growth. 
In the proposed experiments there will be 3 phosphated series and one 
without phosphates — 4 in all — each series tried on three different sections of 
land, making altogether 12 experiments. 
Each section of the field may be as large as is convenient, provided the 
phosphatic manuring be repeated in alternate breadths. 
It is very important that the drill deliver the amount of manure required 
evenly ; and, if possible, trial should be made on unexperimental ground to 
test the delivering power of the machine when set. 
The whole experimental area should be sown in one day, and as quickly 
as possible, so as to avoid any differences in growth brought about by 
showers at the time of sowing. 
Should the nature of the 3oil indicate that potash is a desirable addition 
to the manuring, 3 cwt. kainit per acre may be sown broadcast across the 
rows over half the experimental area. 
It is essential that the basic cinder he very finely divided ; this, as well 
as the superphosphate, will be analysed in the laboratory of the Royal Agri- 
cultural College, and prepared and sent out under the instructions of Prof. 
Kinch. 
Unfortunately, owing to bad season and other mishaps, some of 
the experimental results were of no value as showing the relative 
effects of the two forms of phosphates : thus, the swedes of Captain 
Harrison (5), at Shiprods, Slinfold, Sussex, were ploughed up 
without being weighed. Those of Mr. King (6), Wainsford, 
Lymington, Hants, suffered severely from clubbing. Those of 
Mr. Chancellor (2), at Chessington, Surrey, were a deficient plant, 
owing to the dry time at the end of June, and were very much 
affected by mildew, so that they were of no quantitative value. In 
Mr. Stanier's (9) experiments, at Peplow, Shropshire, unfortu- 
nately, the previous treatment of all the plots had not been quite 
similar, and the seed, owing to the wet weather, was sown, very 
late. A very small crop was obtained, and the only marked 
result was the advantage of farmyard manure. Mr. Stanier also 
experimented at Cheswardine, Staffordshire. Here also no defi- 
nite results were obtained from the use of either form of phos- 
phate, though farmyard manure gave a good increase. Tn Mr. 
Latham's (7) experiments, there is evidence that the land was in 
too good condition, at all events as regards phosphates, for these 
to show any appreciable results. 
Below are given the weights of roots obtained in the remain- 
ing five of this series of experiments : — 
(1.) Mr. Burnett's experiments were carried out at Little Kendalls, 
Elatree, Herts, on a sandy soil, the previous cropping being: 1886, Swedes, 
manured and fed oil' witli sheep receiving cake ; 1887, Wheat; 1888, Barley 
