16 Experiments with different Top-Dressings upon Wheat. 
top-dressing, the cost of takin<j out. The difference of cost on 
these two points would reduce the estimate by 45/. The cost of 
my own machinery for irrigation was as follows : — 
£. s. d. 
Tanks 25 0 0 
Metal jnpcs, lead and laying 86 10 0 
Cutting drains 200 
Hydrants and brass joints 680 
Manure pumps and fitting 30 10 0 
Water pump .. .. " 12 0 0 
Shafting ft)V ditto 8 0 0 
Gutta-porclia pipe, 90 yds 19 10 0 
189 18 0 
This was the expense on 20 acres, but only 12 acres were yearly 
under the system ; this made the interest and depreciation 
account 1/. 45. per acre of yearly charge. 
My pumps and metal pipes have never cost anything for repairs 
during the seven years I have worked them. The gutta-percha 
pipe has required some patching, and, with the exception of the 
outer length, will last for another twelve years, as far as present 
appearances go. I cannot conclude without saying, that I found 
the money expended in irrigation works to be a capital investment ; 
and I think that, under fair ordinary circumstances, others adopt- 
ing the system will meet with the same result. 
17, Parliament-sti'eet, Westminster. 
II. — Experiments xcitlt different Top-Dressings upon Wheat. 
By Dr. Augustus Voelcker. 
In 1859 I tried some experiments with top-dressings upon 
wheat, and published an account of them in Vol. XX., Part II., 
of this Journal. Several of the experiments were attended with 
results higlily satisfactory in an economical point of view, at a 
time when the average price of wheat was only 42s. ])er quarter. 
It seemed to me desirable to continue similar experiments upon 
the wheat-crop, and 1 have now the pleasure of laying before the 
members of the Royal Agricultural Society a short report of 
■wheat experiments made in 1860, and again in 1861. 
Wheat Experiments made in 1860. 
The season of 1860 was not very favourable for wheat, and the 
general yield was below average. It therefore affords me pleasure 
to report tliat in 1860 the wheat-crop on our farm on the whole 
