Experiments upon Wheat, Barleij, and Swedes. 
309 
Two similar series are now in projjress, and up to this date 
(June 22) I may mention that the wide-drilled barley on the 
College Experimental Farm is looking exceedingly stout and 
well ; it is longer in the straw and fully as promising for a crop 
as the surrounding narrow-drilled barley. 
Summary. — Such are the results of wide drilling and in- 
terculture obtained in 1SG9. In one case there was a remark- 
able increase of wheat and straw, in connection with a saving 
of one bushel of seed per acre. A second case gave an in- 
creased amount of straw per acre, and was thought up to 
harvest to promise a greater yield of corn ; strict weighing, 
however, revealed a deficiency, probably due to mildew. A 
third series gave a slightly diminished yield upon land which 
had borne a barley crop the preceding year, and was conse- 
quently in low condition. Lastly, one of the four series gave 
an unequivocal answer in favour of continuing the usual system. 
It is a somewhat remarkable fact that all the experiments 
agree in condemning deep interculture between wide-drilled 
wheat. This has already been stated as an observed fact both in 
1865 and 1868; and so many corroborative answers, extending 
over three seasons, go far to prove that in the district where these 
trials were made deep interculture in the case of wheat is un- 
necessary. With reference to barley, the results obtained were 
certainly encouraging, and the system of wide-drilling will again 
be tested in the present season. In addition to the increase m 
grain in the case of barley and the sowing of seed, the facility 
offered for working both hand and horse hoes must be looked 
upon as an additional advantage. 
Manuke Expeeiments. 
These were restricted to superphosphate and nitrate of soda. 
1st. Separate. 
2nd. Combined. 
3rd. Applied in winter. 
4th. Applied in spring. 
Simple as these experiments may appear, the following list 
will show that they entailed a formidable series of plots : — 
2 plots dressed at the rate of 3 cwts. per acre of superphos- 
phate, and \^ cwt. of nitrate of soda, applied together 
in winter. 
2 plots dressed at the rate of 3 cwts. of superphosphate, and 
cwt. of nitrate of soda, applied together in spring. 
2 plots dressed with 3 cwts. of superphos])hate in winter, and 
1^ cwt. of nitrate of soda in spring. 
2 plots dressed with 1 J cwt. of nitrate of soda in spring. 
