OTAGO A.AND P.ASSOCIATION.

Otago Witness, Issue 2416, 28 June 1900, Page 14

OTAGO A. AND P. ASSOCIATION.

T URNIP-GROWING EXPERIMENTS.

The following report has been kindly placed at our disposal: —

Dunedin, May 21, 1900,

Sir, — I have the honour to report results of experiments in turnip-growing, concluded under si pervision of the committee appointed for thi£ purpose.

The ground used for experiments had been, for about three years, under grass. ~

As it was late m the season before it was'decided to conduct experiments, it therefore could not be expected thai, a great crop would be obtaii'Ocl — nevertheless, the comparative value of the diffeient plots has.been readily proved. The land was worked in September, and the crop was sown^Jn the latter part of December The weather for some time afterwards being bleak and cold to a great extent retarded the growth of the crop ; in fact, the season was much against late crops of any kind. The quantity of seed used was about -41b per; ?cre, in order that a good braird would result, and afterwards the turnips were carefully thumed. The plot selected for experiment was divided into five equal portions — each containing 1000 square yards of surface— and properly marked ofl.', to distinguish plots. DIVISION AS FOLLOWS : — No. 1. This portion of land was worked much, more; in fact, double to other plots, but no fertiliser was used. No. 2. This plot had 1121b of phosphate 3 added — sClb superphosphate, 561b guano yphosphates. alone). No. 3. This plot had 841b phosphates and 28!h blood (phosphates and ammonia). No. 4. This plot had 1031b phosphates, 9lb poiash sulphate -(phosphates and potash). No. 5. This plot has 751b phosphates, 281b blood, 91b potash (phosphates, potash, and ammonia, or complete fertiliser). Prom the above it is seen that No. 1 plot had no fertiliser, and Nos. 2 to 5 had each' 1121b of various kind's. The result of experiments show: — No. 1 plot. The crop brairded badly, and come to nothing foi want of nourishment. No. 2. Brairded well, grew very slowly, very little top, and did hot finish well. No. 3. Brairded very well — better than No. 2 —and came away with a rush, owing no doubt to presence of nitrogen in fertiliser; gave fair' results. N<o. 4. Did not come up well, and grew very slowly, and did not give good results. No. 5. Came up best of all and grew well ; in fact, produced most satisfactory crop. Tv% the result of the above experiments, I am of opinion that, although the crop was late in being sown, and season against it, tho resi'.lts as a comparative test are ol much value, and go to show : — 1. That a pool class of soil, no matter how much work is put into it will give no satisfactory results, unless the plant food is present in a condition :n: n which the young plants can assimilate it. 2. Where the soil is proved to be wanting in the chief feitilising properties required for the crop, a complete fertiliser — i.e., one which, contains the necessary ingredients in proper proportion — will give Lest results. I enclose analysis of soils and fertilisers used. — I am, your obedient servant, A. G-. KIDSTON-HUNTER, F.C.S., F.R.M.S., M.P.S. etc. E. F. Duthie, Esq., Dtmedin. ANALYSIS OF AIR-DRIED SOIL FROM EXPERIMENTAL PLOT, ANDERSON'S BAY.

* Contains nitrogen equal to ammonia .. .. », c 0.11 per cent. JSxteact soluble p. wate? as; 0.13 per cen^

The soil is a clayey loam, of poor composition, and wanting in soluble constituents of .fertilising value. Especially was this the case in regard to potash, phosphoric acid, and amjnonia.. UKALYSIS OF FERTILISERS USED IN EXPERIMENTS TURNIP CROP, AN- •" DERSON'SBAY.

* Con'ain'? nitrogen equal to ammonia. " t Phosphoric acid equa -.q ggg tO EoTuble PSh rendered /- 52.33 47.05 45.07 M.U3

Moiature 2.50 per cent. matter .. 5.05 per cent. Silica .. .. .., .. 80.95 per cent. Iron 3.25 per cent. Alumina 4.12 per cent. Lime 0.37 per cent. Magnesia 0.25 per cent. Potash 0.08 per cent. Soda - °-10 per cent. Phosphoric acid ... 0.13 per cent. Sulphuric acid .. .» 0.03 per cent. Chlorine .. .. ,« 0.02 per cent. Nitric acid .0.02 per cent. Carbonic acid and loss 0.13 per cent.

No of Plots. 1 I 1 I I 2 i i 3i 3 1 141 4 I 5 . Moisture ... /""Organic matter and water of combination Silica Iron acd ahiinica tSolubl'e ijhoßpbate of lime -tlnsoluble phosphate of lime ' Calcic sulphate Potash, sulphate Ttfasaesia and soda salts i { 2.80 4.0 3 70 4 00 a 12.60 4.-:o .30 371 d 3.30 .CO 11.90 3.70 .40 37.70 2.90 .50 10.29 10.89 15.22 11.10 o 38 70 3111 32 60 U.b, 24.99 2.09 2 20 SSO 18.61 17.39 2 30 5.70 - 100 100 100 I 100 Total I