2 
IMPERIAL COLLEGE OF 
experimental purposes, however, this arrangement does not 
answer. Each plat must he supplied with water that has not 
been used on the others, and all with equal quantities. To 
secure these conditions the rice was planted in frames, each 
having an area of 9 square feet. These frames were placed 
some feet from each other, sunk about lj foot in the soil and 
projecting about five inches above the surface. The water for 
each was supplied from a small tub placed by its side, with a 
capacity of about 15 gallons. These tubs were filled as often 
as required, usually both morning and evening, care being 
taken, however, that equal quantities of water were supplied 
to all the frames. The water was let on in a constant stream 
through a spout with a small opening. A notch in the side of 
the frame provided an outlet for waste water, but the overflow 
was made as light as possible to avoid waste of the soluble 
fertilizers. The whole area between the frames was planted 
to rice and irrigated in the usual manner. The experimental 
plats were thus little independant areas in the rice field with 
their water level but very little above that common to the 
whole field. This contrivance had the disadvantage that the 
water thus confined in small quantities in the tubs and frames, 
became warmed by the sun somewhat more than in ordinary 
fields, and to that extent rendering the conditions abnormal. 
This extra warmth no doubt stimulated the growth of the 
plants; but for purposes of comparison it is of no consequence, 
as this stimulant was supplied to all frames alike. 
FERTILIZERS. 
Only three elements were supplied : nitrogen as sulphate 
of ammonia, potash as carbonate of potassium and phosphoric 
acid as superphosphate. The quantities were based on the 
demand of a normal crop with an allowance (30 o/o of Pa O 5 and 
N. and 50 o/o Ka C0 3 ) for loss through escaping water and none 
absorption by plants. The normal quantities pr. box were of 
sulphate of ammonia. 49.25 grams, 
carbonate of potassium 15.32 „ 
superphosphate 21 „ 
