The Woburn Field Experiments , 1913. 
403 
of wheat. Where the wheat came, it appeared to be strong, 
green, and vigorous, but birds made such depredations upon 
this particular plot that, although repeated dibbling with fresh 
seed was resorted to right up to springtime, it was never 
possible to get more than half a “plant.” Why the birds 
should have selected this particular plot for their operations 
is unknown, but the fact remains that they confined their 
ravages entirely to this plot, never touching the wheat on 
the untreated plot, nor the ordinary wheat crop on the 
remainder of the field. 
Though this circumstance spoilt the experiment as a record 
of comparative weights, it was clear to anyone examining the 
plots, that where the magnesia had been, there the wheat grew 
decidedly more strongly, and also tillered out very much better. 
The wheat was cut on August 9, was threshed on August 30, 
and the results, for what they may be worth, are given in 
Table IX. 
Table IX . — Magnesia on Wheat , 1913 ( Lansome Field). 
Produce per acre. 
Plot 
Manuring 
Head corn 
Tail 
corn 
Straw, 
chaff, 
&c. 
Weight 
Bush. 
Weight 
per 
bush. 
Weight 
Lb 
Lb. 
Lb. 
C. q. lb. 
1 
Without magnesia 
* 
1,325 
23-9 
55-5 
65 
21 1 0 
2 
With magnesia .... 
1,250 
22-1 
56-5 
70 
26 1 0 
From these figures it will be seen that the magnesia plot, 
though there was not much more than half a plant, gave under 
2 bushels per acre less corn, and 5 cwt. more straw than did the 
untreated plot. 
Analyses made of the grain gave the following figures : — 
Percentage of — 
Moisture 
Nitrogen 
Without magnesia With magnesia 
17-50 1749 
1-62 1-73 
The corn was harvested in such bad condition, owing 
especially to the uneven ripening of the replanted magnesia 
plot, that the corn valuation, as a comparative test, was of no 
value. The better tillering and stronger straw of the magnesia 
treated plot, however, were most marked, and had conditions 
been more favourable, this plot would undoubtedly have been 
decidedly the better of the two. The experiment will be re- 
peated in 1913. 
