Transactions of RHASS Volume 1940 - Page 071
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| Year | 1940 |
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| OCR Text |
130 AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH IN SCOTLAND IN 1939. year approximately 2400 samples of soil were examined, and Reports dealing mainly with advice on manuring and liming of the land were issued. On the outbreak of war arrangements were made to enable the Institute to cope with a considerable increase in this branch of work. > General soil fertility investigations have been continued, and on much the same lines as hitherto, and special attention is being paid to experimental work on lime and slag. During the year about half a dozen large-scale experiments on arable land were laid down at the request of the Land Fertility Com- mittee to obtain information on the effects of lime and basic slag on crop yield and soil properties. These experiments were laid down on different types of soils throughout the North of Scotland, and observations will be continued over a number of years. Experiments on forest nursery soils are being continued, and as in previous years co-operative work has been continued in collaboration with the Animal Diseases Research Associa- tion with a view to studying the possible relationships between soil properties and the incidence of disease. Soil Surveys and Geological Work—The detailed soil survey in the Insch district has been extended, and some 90 sq. miles have now been completed. A number of typical soil profiles have been studied in the laboratory. An area in the Loch Long district of Argyllshire is now being surveyed on the 6” to 1 mile scale, and considerable progress has been made. A land utilisation survey of a part of Rogart Parish, Suther- land, was carried out, paying special attention to the soils and vegetation, and a report has been drawn up. The study of the mineralogical composition of soils and their parent materials from the East and North-East of Scotland has been continued. An investigation of the mineral composition of the clay fraction of the soil by X-ray and optical methods is in progress. Peat Soils—The Land Reclamation Scheme in Lanarkshire undertaken for the Commissioner for Special Areas in Scotland has been completed during the past year. Two hundred and fifty acres of land have been fully reclaimed and large areas were either grazed or cropped during the season. Grazing was commenced early in the season and has been carried on successfully since that time. Yields of hay and silage crops were again satisfactory, the former producing from 1% t0 2 tons per acre. On a further 200 acres partial reclamation has been completed, and fairly satisfactory establishment of grass and clover seeds has been obtained in spite of the very severe winter. AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH IN SCOTLAND IN 1939. 131 Craibstone I4/simeters.—The study of the composition of the drainage waters from the soils of the Craibstone lysimeters was further advanced during the year. The crop during 1939 was pasture, which was cut and weighed at sultable intervals throughout the season. The usual collection, measurement, and analysis of the drainage waters have been continued. Spectrographic Work—Investigations on those materials which are present in the soil in very mmute traces, and whlch are, nevertheless, of vital importance to the health of the plants and animals, are being carrled .out. The elements cobalt and boron are amongst those bemg studied, as they appear to be responsible for ‘pinmg’ of stock and heart rot ’ of beet respectively. Special Investigations—Pasture investigations which were being carried out with the Edinburgh and East of Scotland College of Agriculture on means of preventing the reversron of good pasture to poorer types have been completed, and the results are about to be published. _ During the past year the survey of peat lands in Aberdeen- shire has continued. The horticultural usefulness of the various types obtained is being exaniined,.wi’t.h. mterestmg results as to the suitability of some and unsuitabihty of others as a medium for the growth of glass-house crops, and for composting and other horticultural purposes. . The methods of investigation of soil organic matter are under review with a view to the correlation of these With distinct-ions made by practical observation. |
| Title | Transactions of RHASS Volume 1940 - Page 071 |
