QUALITY OF BARLEY GROWN AFTER ROOTS. 297 


plots receiving 3 cwt. per acre of superpnosphate, with 
samples marked A, which are from plots receiving no manure, 
and again with samples marked E, from plots receiving 
5 cwt. per acre of superphosphate. Samples 6 and 7 must be 
rejected, as after analysis it was found that their identity 
was doubtful. On making the comparisons thus indicated, 
it will be seen that a dressing of 3 cwt. of superphosphate 
raises the bushel weight and lowers the percentage of 
nitrogen, both of which are factors of value, for it is difficult 
to make good beer from barley with a high nitrogen con- 
tent. The proportion of starch and the relative proportion 
of mealy and flinty grains is little affected by the super- 
phosphate dressings. 
The effect of 5 cwt. of superphosphate on the grain is not 
marked with the consistency that is seen in the case of 3 cwt. 
dressings of superphosphate; perhaps the large quantity of 
superphosphate combined with the dry seasons over-accele- 
rates the ripening before the grain has had time to fill, but in 
each year we have found the grain from the plots with 5 cwt. 
superphosphate little if at all better as regards weight 
per bushel, proportion of nitrogen, proportion of mealy and 
flinty corns, than the corn from the unmanured plots.* 
The colour and appearance of the grain have always been 
improved by the dressings of superphosphate. This was 
particularly noticeable on comparing the samples grown on 
a large scale; the farmer who grew samples 18-21 reported 
that he obtained a better price for his crop through the 
superphosphate dressings. In our own case the two lots 
were unfortunately sold in small parcels and at different times 
as seed barley, but 17, which received superphosphate, was 
judged to be worth 2s. per quarter more than 16 from the | 
unmanured part of the field. 
Calculating the menetary return on this basis we obtain :— 
Yield per acre, bushels Price per qr. Gross return. 
16. Unmanctred. 44°3 28s. 154s. 
17. 3 cwt. super. 48°8 30s. 180s. 
to which must be added about tos, for the extra four bushels 
of tail corn. The cost of the dressing may be taken as 
* See Journal S.E. Agricultural College, vii. 32 ; viii. 17. 
