242 Salt Experiments and Mangolds. 
The following Table shows the results that were obtained : — 
Experiments with Salt upon Mangolds (Orange Globe). 
Plots of 
A Acre - 
Salt applied 
per Acre. 
Number of 
Roots 
per Plot." 
Produce per Plot. 
Produce per Acre. 
cwts. 
Cwts. 
qrs. 
lbs. 
Tons. 
cwts. lbs. 
No. 1 
1 
482 
16 
3 
8 
16 
13 48 
0 
2 
516 
16 
0 
23 
16 
4 12 
,', 3 
3 
498 
14 
o 
21 
14 
13 4 
>i 4 
4 . 
517 
14 
3 
17 
14 
15 4 
5 
Nothing 
5 
497 
15 
0 
12 
15 
2 16 
6 
546 
18 
0 
27 
18 
4 92 
. i 7 
6 
480 
16 
2 
13 
16 
12 36 
>> 8 
7 
502 
14 
1 
19 
14 
8 44 
,, 9 
8 
515 
14 
3 
25 
14 
16 52 
These experiments, it must be confessed, are not calculated to 
demonstrate the utility of salt as a manure for mangolds. 
On four plots the produce was actually slightly lower than on 
the plot not dressed with salt, and, omitting plot No. 6, the 
increase in the crop on three plots was but inconsiderable. 
The result obtained on plot No. 6 is evidently exceptional, the 
much larger number of roots grown on this plot having, no doubt, 
affected the product. It is likewise possible. that more farmyard- 
manure may have been accidentally dropped here than on other 
portions of the experimental field. In all probability, the dif- 
ferences in the amount of produce of all the nine plots are rather 
due to the difficulty of distributing farmyard-manure uniformly, 
and to the natural variations in the productive powers of the dif- 
ferent parts of the field, than to the use of salt. 
Whatever may be the cause of the variations in the produce, 
salt evidently did not produce a decidedly beneficial effect upon 
the mangold-crop. 
All the roots of each plot were carefully weighed, and it is 
incumbent on the experimenter faithfully to record the results, 
though they may present discrepancies for which an explanation 
cannot be given. 
In conclusion, it is well to bear in mind that the soil of the 
experimental field was a stifnsh calcareous clay. On land of 
that character, common salt, if I am not mistaken, seldom pro- 
duces any good effect; whilst on light sandy soils, if my expe- 
rience teaches me true, it is generally applied with great success. 
It would, therefore, be wrong to say in a general way that salt 
is of no use to mangolds ; all that can be said with propriety is, 
that in the preceding experiments it did not produce a decidedly 
beneficial effect upon that crop. 
12, Hanover Square, London (W.), February, 1864. 
