258 Report on Experiments conducted in 1886 
soil. The difference, it is believed, lies in the drilling, A having 
been drilled under perfect conditions and B in wet weather. B is 
also more exposed, and the land is colder. The unmanured plots 
in either field have given results agreeing well and speaking as to 
the uniformity of the soil. Lime applied as gypsum was of no 
use in A, but was so in B. It would be safer not to draw any 
conclusion in the absence of duplicate plots and the difference 
shown in the two fields. Judging from the analysis, it is most 
likely that a dressing of lime would be beneficial in both cases, 
but gypsum was probably not applied early enough to tell this 
season. 
Great interest centered in the question as to how far potash 
would be either required or beneficially applied, experiments 
conducted by Mr. Cooke at Flitcham on this subject having 
produced very remarkable results. 
One plot. No. 1 of field A, was injured by hares to so great 
an extent that it could not be fairly reckoned in. This is very 
unfortunate, as it prevents several important comparisons being 
made. There is, however, clear evidence to show that the 
produce of A was increased very decidedly by the applica- 
tion of potash (compare plots 10, 2, 3, 4) ; that nitrogenous 
manures were required (compare 5, 3, 4, 7), and that nitrate of 
soda gave better results than sulphate of ammonia. Plot 14, 
manured with 1 cwt. nitrate of soda, 2 cwt. superphosphate, 
and f cwt. muriate of potash per acre, proved, on the whole, the 
most economical manuring. The heavier produce of plot 8 was 
not deemed a safe crop for standing in case of bad weather. 
The plots folded with sheep were very heavily treated, consider- 
ably more richly indeed than would ordinarily occur. 
In field B, the most economical manuring proved, as in the 
case of A, to be 1 cwt. nitrate of soda, 2 cwt. superphosphate, 
and I cwt. muriate of potash per acre, and again nitrate of soda 
was better than sulphate of ammonia. 
Putting together the results, they would indicate that in both 
fields there was benefit to be derived from the use of potash, but 
that a small quantity (f cwt. muriate of potash per acre) was 
sufficient, while nitrate of soda, to the extent of 1 cwt. per acre, 
was sufficient and best to use, and that the addition of 2 cwt. of 
superphosphate per acre was also advisable. In other words, that 
the combination of mineral (including some potash) manures 
with nitrate of soda was the best for such land. The question 
of liming cannot be regarded as decided. 
