264 
Report on Experiments conducted in 1886 
Chamber (plot 6) salt was used, and on this plot the highest 
produce of all was obtained, the 3 cwt. salt per acre being used 
in conjunction with 4 cwt. superphosphate and 2 cwt. nitrate 
of soda (1 cwt. with the seed, and 1 cwt. as a top-dressing). It 
would have been of interest to know whether potash in some 
form added to the common salt, would have still further 
increased the yield. 
From a perusal of these experiments on barley and on root- 
crops, it is evident that much information on several points of 
manuring, and notably with reference to the use of potash-salts, 
has been elicited, and that a continuation of these experiments 
is most desirable. 
2. Essex Agricultukal Society. 
Experiments on Mangolds. 
^Abstract of Report of Mr. Bernard Dyer, B.Sc, F.C.S., &c. 
Consulting Chemist to the Society.] 
The Experiments Committee appointed by the General Com- 
mittee of the Society decided to experiment on the mangold 
crop, and were fortunate in securing the co-operation of Mr. 
Edward Rosling, , of Melbourne, Chelmsford, who placed a 
portion of a field at their disposal, and undertook the carrying 
out of the scheme drafted by the Committee. The object of 
the experiments was to ascertain whether sulphate of ammonia 
or nitrate of soda furnished the more desirable form of arti- 
ficial nitrogenous manure for mangolds, and whether in each 
case it was desirable to apply the manure at the time of sow- 
ing, or later on as top-dressing. The field selected consisted 
of a loam of decidedly stiff and clayey appearance, resting on a 
gravel subsoil. Wheat after clover was the crop grown in 1885. 
Chemical Analysis of Fine Soil, dried at 212° Fahr. 
Silica and silicates insoluble in hydro-) oc.-ifjc 
Oxide of iron 3 '860 
Alumina 4 • 670 
Lime -821 
Magnesia • 300 
Potash -347 
Soda -106 
Phosphoric acid ' 141 
Sulphuric acid "048 
Nitric acid -001 
Chlorine -002 
Carbonic acid (combined) ' 180 
*Or;^auic matter, water of combination, (S:c. 4" 358 
100-000 
♦ Goutaiuing nitrogen • 189 
