306 
Experiments upon Wheat, Barley, and Swedes. 
The results obtained by Mr. W. Smith, of Bibury, were so satis- 
factory that he has sown a larger area of wheat upon the same prin- 
ciple this season. Here the wheat was at once drilled the required 
width, thus actually saving 1 bushel of seed per acre. The land 
was naturally good, and may be described as a quick free barley 
soil, dark in colour, and in excellent condition. The previous 
treatment of vetches fed, followed by turnips fed, was a good 
preparation for wheat. Table V. at once shows that a consider- 
able, and in some cases remarkable, increase in yield was ob- 
tained by adopting the proposed plan of cultivation. A party 
of farming friends, who visited the experimental field, were greatly 
pleased with the wide-drilled portions, and considered that they 
would probably yield as icell as the plots manured with nitrate 
of soda. The heads were exceedingly large and well filled, and 
the yield of both grain and straw fully attested the truth of 
these observations. In one case, where alternately two rows were 
omitted and two left, the interspaces beimj firmly pressed, there 
was an increase of 8^ bushels of grain and 880 lbs. of straw per 
acre ! In a second plot, where the interspaces were planted with 
potatoes (and consequently, to some extent, worked between the 
rows), there was an increase of 440 lbs. of grain (above 7 bushels) 
and 760 lbs. of straw. In a third case, an increase of 320 lbs., 
or upwards of 5 bushels, of grain Avas obtained. And, lastly, 
where the spaces were twice forked, there was an increase of 
2G0 lbs., or 4 bushels per acre. Such results indicate the im- 
portance of carrying out simultaneous experiments iipon many 
farms if we desire to arrive at truth ; they also teach the necessity 
of each farmer trying experiments upon his own land. 
Table YI. — Me. W. J. Edmonds's Experimexts on Wheat, 1869 — 
Wide Drills and Interculture. 
Gr.Ary. 
PLOTS Cj'o Acre.) 
Total Grain 
Head. 
Tail. 
lbs. 
lbs. 
lbs. 
49 
7 
56 
2 ro'ws removed and 2 left, spaces forked 
f > > > 
2 rows removed and 2 left, spacos planted i 
54 
7 
61 
53 
9 
62 
57 
7 
04 
58 
7 
C5 
' ' . ' ' 
54 
10 
6+ 
Firmly pressed with foot 
71 
f) 
77 
56 
8 
G4 
93 
10 
103 
85 
10 
95 
82 
11 
93 
103 
9 
112 
