Field Experiments on Root- Crops. 
We may have <lifferent A'iews on these matters : some of us may 
think that land laws check tills application; otliers may justly 
point to the good done under existing laws by men to whom such 
work is an hereditary pride ; but of this we may be sure, that 
whatever tends to make the labourer more comfortable and 
kealthy in his home, fits him better for work, and will in the 
end bring its reward equally to himself, the landlord, and 
the tenant-farmer. 
XIV^ — On Field Experiments on Root-Crops. By Dr. AUGUSTUS 
VOELCKEB, F.K.S. 
Strongly impressed with the conviction that faithfully recorded 
afield experiments, performed by men on whose integrity, powers of 
observation, skill, and intimate acquaintance with ordinary farm 
operations, implicit reliance can be placed, are well calculated 
to extend our knowledge on many matters of much practical 
importance to the agriculturist, I have for years past endea- 
voured to engage the co-operation of my agricultural friends in 
an enterprise which I took in hand nine years ago, and in which 
I have since taken a lively interest. 
The performance of accurate field experiments is a work 
•beset with many difficulties, and necessitates no small amount 
-of labour and self-denial. 
Happily, the encouragement which my friends have hitherto 
given me in this work, induces me confidently to expect a con- 
tinuation and extension of their support in future years. 
Isolated field experiments have but little value at the best, 
and hence both time and energy are wasted in a great measure 
if individuals engage in the making of experiments which are 
not conceived in a philosophical spirit, and not calculated to 
bring to light really useful information. 
In all the field experiments Avhich have been carried out 
•under my superintendence in past years, I have carefully avoided 
to test in the field the prepared manures of different makers. 
Apart from other considerations, such a proceeding would 
have been undesirable, because experiments of that kind are 
not calculated to increase our knowledge of the true action of 
various fertilizing matters and their rational application in 
•agriculture. 
It may no doubt be of some use to an individual farmer to 
ascertain by actual trial in the field which of a number of rival 
artificial manures will give him the best crops of turnips or 
mangolds ; but after all, it may be asked, what information is 
