43

E.—s

Notes on Experiment A.—Garden in decidedly unfavourable position. Slopes away from the sun— south-east to north-west. Is in close proximity to Pinus insignis plantation. In early spring liable to be swamped with heavy rainfall. Soil of poor quality. Sandy loam ; very friable ; holds little, moisture ; sandy subsoil. Manures did not act as they should, no doubt owing to the drought following their application, consequently did not get washed into the soil. Climate : Late wet spring ; dry summer; disease-laden autumn. Average yearly temperature, 54° (9.30 a.m.). District subject to north-west and south-east winds, also salt sprays in March and September. Sheltered on west side, Pinus insignis plantation. Elevation 200 ft.

Kakaramea School.

Potatoes. Date Size of Plots. of Planting. Date of Gather. ing. Manures. Quantity of f Jj p^ Manure g a < p , per Plot. SS| P 6^ 101 " Produce per Acre. Remarks. lb. cwt. lb. oz. Tons cwt. qr. lb. Experiments A. 1. Northern Star 2 • 12 ft. X 6 ft. 12 ft. x 6 ft. 16/9/07 16/9/07 10/2/08 10/2/08 None Superphosphate 6oz. 2 12 8 16 15 3 7 1 14 Control experiment. 4 11 1 .8 A good all-round manure ; forces growth at first. 4 17 0 26 A mixture satisfactory on this soil. 3. 12 ft. x 6 ft. 16/9/07 10/2/08 2i Superphosphate and nitrate of soda | ) Sulphate of ammonia 3 oz. of eacli 2 ' 18 0 4. 12 ft. x 6 ft. 16/9/07 10/2/08 2i 6oz. 2 9 8 2 11 1 8 Disappointing, but drought no doubt cause of poor yield. 0 18 3 18 A slowly acting manure. 5. 12 ft. x 6 ft. 16/9/07 10/2/08 2 Dried blood 6oz. 2 3 8 Experiments B. 6. Northern Star 15 ft. x 6 ft. 7/10/07 10/2/08 Si None 50 0 10 16 1 20 New ground ; trenched 20 in. ; good result and good sample. 5 8 0 24 Manure had little chance. Owing to drought, potatoes very small. 3 4 3 8 Came away well at first; after that no growth at root. 7. 15 ft. x 6 ft. 7/10/07 10/2/08 3i Special potato 7oz. 6dr 2 25 0 8. 15 ft. x 9 ft. 7/10/07 10/2/08 5 Bonedust 11 oz. 1 dr. 2 15 0