SULPHUR.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXIV, Issue 16328, 26 August 1913, Page 5

SULPHUR.

ITS FERTILISING PROPERTIES.

Evidence appears to be accumulating : that the application of sulphur exer-'-: cises a beneficial influence on the? growth of many crops, although whe-> ther this benefit is caused by a direct fertilising effect of the substance or, whether it may be to its> action in some way stimulating the? soil bacteria has not yet beea demon-.; strated. I

Here is- another favourable report; taken from a Russian journal for ex- 1 perimental agriculture. The experi-; ments were made to ascertain what the • effect of flowers of sulphur would bo*.; on barley and rye; the soil is described g as " very rich clay soil, and the preced-'-ing crop beet." The sulphur present, in the 11 soil was found by analysis to be. the average amount. i The sulphur was applied before sowing (at about l-3oz per Equare yard, or'' 901 b per acre). The sowing was done on February 25, 1912. * 5 The favourable effect of the- sulphur i showed itself from the beginning in thej. stronger growth and brighter green ok'the plants, on the treated plot 3. This result persisted till the crops ripened. The crop reaped on July 26 was' !weighed (grain and straw together).; The average.weightper: lot of 2 square; ;raetres (2.4 -square yards) was as fol-': lows:— '• - .*. ';

These figures clearly show the good* ' effect of sulphur upon the cereals usedl for the experiment. *•

Witho With ut sulphur -. sulphur . - . Barley. - lb. 13.0 .16.5 Bye. . lb. 9.5 1-2.75 Increase due to sulprrar 3.5 3.25