I Cornell University Library QK 757.S96 The effects of radio-active ores and res 3 1924 000 666 119 Cornell University Library The original of this bool< is in the Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924000666119 The Effects of Radio-Active Ores and Residues on Plant Life. By MARTIN H. F. SUTTON, F.L.S. COPVRIGHT A view of some of the Trials with Radio-active Ores at Sutton's Experimental Station, Reading. The immense value of Radium in the treatment of certain forms of disease having already been established, suggestions have been made from time to time that its remarkable properties might also prove beneficial in the promotion of plant hfe. In the " Journal of the Royal Society of Arts " for December 12, 1913, there appeared a most interesting Paper by Mr. T. Thorne Baker, A.M.I.E.E., F.C.S., on " The Apphcations of Electricity to Agriculture," in the course of which he referred to certain experiments that had been conducted, in a small way, with radio-active soil and to the somewhat astonishing results that were said to have been obtained. As I happened to have in Cornwall a relative hving in the neighbourhood where some of these trials were made, I went down in February, 1914, 2 The Effects of Radio-Active Ores and Residues on Plant Life. and had the opportunity of making enquiries on the spot. The particulars I had heard were confirmed, and I was also told the following story : — " A year or more ago a local carpenter who had a heap of soil on his premises found it in the way and threw the material over his small allotment garden. This heap had originally come from the ' dumps ' at the French Radium Mine at Terras, near Truro. It so happened that the soil of this allotment was very poor and never produced good crops. But in the summer following this incident a remarkable improve- ment in the crops was noticed, and only on trying to account for it did the carpenter recollect throwing down the soil and the source from which it was obtained." Those are the broad facts of the story as they were told me. No controlled experiments had, however, been carried out in this country, so far as I am aware, until my Firm undertook the trials described in the following pages, with the object of gaining definite information upon the subject and in the interests of scientific research. Considerable difficulty was experienced in obtaining either radio-active Ores, or Residues after Radium had been extracted, but I was eventually able to secure several hundredweights of each. Various vegetables and flowering plants were experimented with, the series comprising some 600 pots and boxes. In most cases the trials were divided into two sections ; the radio-active Ore or Residue being thoroughly incorporated with the soil in half the number, and placed in a layer at the bottom of the pots or boxes in the remainder. The radio-active materials used were : — Radio-active Ore certified to contain approximately 8 milligrammes of Radium Bromide per ton of Ore. Radio-active Ore (from a different source to above) certified to contain approximately 9 milligrammes of Radium Bromide per ton of Ore. Mine Residue after Radium had been extracted, but certified to still contain 1.8 milligrammes of^adium Bromide per ton. Black Oxide of Uranium. To ensure accuracy in the comparative tests, equal conditions were maintained by sowing, planting and watering each set of trials on identical dates. At a demonstration held at Reading on August 6, 1914, the results secured to date were explained, and a preliminary paper was issued for the use of those present. In the following pages are given complete particulars both of the experi- ments undertaken and the conclusions arrived at, as a result of the summer's work. All that has been attempted so far is to ascertain : — (i) Whether radio-activity has a harmful or beneficial effect upon plant life ; (2) Whether, if beneficial, strong or weak dressings of radio-active Ore should be employed ; and (3) Whether radio-active material can be used with advantage to accelerate germination. It is recognised that the whole subject is in its infancy and that only by patient, and possibly prolonged, experiments can scientific data that will prove of value be obtained. The Effects of fiadio-Active Ores and Residues on Plant Life. 3 EXPERIMENTS WITH RADIO-ACTIVE ORES AND RESIDUES, ETC., carried out at Sutton's Experimental Station, Reading. EXPERIMENTS WITH RADISHES. The radio-active Ore used in this series was certified to contain approximately 8 milligrammes of Radium Bromide per ton of Ore. In order to determine the degree of radio-activity likely to give the best result the Ore was employed in varying quantities, and the proportions are shown by the figures given in the table below. An attempt was also made to ascertain the difference, if any, arising from the two methods adopted (a) by incorporating Ore with the soil, and (b) by placing Ore at the bottom of box, thus avoiding, as far as possible, actual contact with the plants. Sutton's Scarlet Globe Radish was chosen for these trials, the seed being sown in boxes about three feet square and several inches deep. Ordinary garden soil, to which no manure had recently been added, was used. Four boxes, not dressed with radio-active Ore, served as "controls" and these contained respectively (a) plain soil, (b) soil and farmyard manure, (c) soil and guano, and (d) soil and a complete fertiliser. The seeds were sown May 26th and the roots lifted June 24th, so that the trials were in growth and under observation for about four weeks. After sowing, the boxes were placed side by side in the open ground and watered at regular intervals with plain water only. In each box ninety-six roots were allowed to mature, the roots and foliage being weighed separately at the time of Ufting. Details of the results are given in the following table : — RADISH TRIALS. TOTAL ORDER OF TOPS. ROOTS. WEIGHT. MERIT. ozs. lbs.. OZS. lbs. ozs. Control — Plain soil only H iii I 4 Lowest Farmyard Manure (at 15 tons per acre) added to soil 12 12 I 8 8th (equal) Guano (at i oz. per sq. yard) added to soil 10 15 I 9 7th (equal) Complete Fertiliser (at 3 ozs. per sq. yard) added to soil II I I II 5th ' I part Ore in 1 2 parts soil Ore mixed in soil 9i I 2 1 Hi 4th (equal) Ore placed at bottom of box 10 I 3 I 13 3rd I part Ore in 18 parts soil Ore mixed in soil 9 I 5 I 14 2nd a Ore placed at bottom of box ... 12 I 3 I 15 ist (equal) > I part Ore in 24 parts soil Ore mixed in soil 8 I 3i I 114 4th (equal) Ore placed at bottom of box 8 I I 8 8th (equal) < 1 I part Ore in 36 parts soil Ore mixed in soil 8i 14 I 6i gth q Ore placed at bottom of box 9 i I I 10 6th ^ I part Ore in 48 parts soil Pi Ore mixed in soil 12 I 3 I 15 1st (equal) Ore placed at bottom of box 9 I I 9 7th (equal) Notes on the Radish Trials are given on the following page The Effects of Radio-Active Ores and Residues on Plant Life. RADISH— continued. It will be observed that every box dressed with radio-active Ore gave a greater total weight (roots and foliage) than did the " control " box which contained plain soil only, and that in six instances the produce of the former exceeded that of the "controls" dressed with farmyard manure or fertilisers. In this connection it is important to remember that Radium is said to possess a life of several thousand years, and for boxes and pots it may therefore prove possible to employ soil once dressed with radio-active material for an indefinite period. The crops do not indicate conclusively whether better results are secured by mixing the Ore with the soil, or by placing it at the bottom of the box, neither can the correct proportion of Ore to be used be determined, but all the dressings, containing as they did approximately 8 miUigrammes of Radium Bromide to the ton, may have been too strong. EXPERIMENTS WITH LETTUCES. Here also the radioactive Ore used was said to contain approximately 8 milligrammes of Radium Bromide per ton of Ore. As in the Radish trials, the Lettuces were grown in boxes in the open ground. Particulars of the " controls " and the proportions of Ore used are given in the accompanying table. Each box contained twenty-three heads of Sutton's Ideal Lettuce. The plants were put into the boxes May 25th and the heads lifted and weighed July 14th, with the following results : — LETTUCE TRIALS. ORDER OF WEIGHTS. MERIT. lbs. Control — Plain soil only ... ... ... ... ... ... 9i 9th ,, Farmyard Manure (at 1 5 tons per acre) added to soil . . . I of 5th ,, Guano (at i oz. per sq. yard) added to soil 9 ilth ,, Complete Fertiliser (at 3 ozs. per sq. yard) added to soil 13I 1st W "" I part Ore in 12 parts soil. Ore mixed in soil "i 3rd (equal) > I ,, ,, ,, 12 ,, ,, Ore placed at bottom of box... 9i loth HH I , 18 Ore mixed in soil 10 7th , 18 Ore placed at bottom of box... 9f 8th IO-A( ORE . 24 Ore mixed in soil loi 6th . 24 Ore placed at bottom of box... . 7i 13th . 36 Ore mixed in soil 8f 1 2th Q I ,36 Ore placed at bottom of box... II 4th < . 48 Ore mixed in soil I2i 2nd Ll ,48 Ore placed at bottom of box... Hi 3rd (equal) The Effects ol Radio-Aetive Ores and Residues on Plant Life. LETTUCE— continued. During the period of growth it was very difficult to discern much difference between the several lots, so far as the size of the plants was concerned, and the heaviest weights recorded are evidently due to the fact that in certain cases there was greater solidity in the heads. It will be seen again that most of the boxes containing radio-active Ore gave a greater weight than the " control " box with plain soil. But only four of the former proved heavier than the trial grown with farmyard manure, whilst the box treated with a complete fertiliser produced the heaviest heads of all. Some allowance, however, must be made on account of the extremely dry character of the weather, and this undoubtedly gave farmyard manure, which always contains moisture, an undue advantage. EXPERIMENTS WITH PEAS. The tests with Garden Peas were conducted with Ore containing the same amount of Radium Bromide (approximately 8 milHgrammes per ton) as used for the trials of Radish and Lettuce, and in similar proportions. A very dwarf Pea — Sutton's Hundred-fold^was selected, the plants being grown in boxes from seed sown May 12th. To prevent the depredations of birds the trials were carefully netted, and no pods were removed from either lot until harvested, when the seeds gave the following results : — PEA TRIALS. WEIGHT ORDER OF OF SEED. MERIT. ozs. Control — Plain soil only 2 7th ,, Farmyard Manure (at 1 5 tons per acre) added to soil . . . 3i 2nd (equal) " Guano (at I oz. per sq. yard) added to soil 3 3rd (equal) Complete Fertiliser (at 3 ozs. per sq. yard) added to soil 4i ISt ' I part Ore in 12 parts soil. Ore mixed in soil 3 3rd (equal) I 12 ,, ,, Ore placed at bottom of box... 3+ 2nd (equal) I 18 ,, ,, Ore mixed in soil 3 3rd (equal) H 1 , 18 ,, ,, Ore placed at bottom of box... 2j 4th (equal) M ^ '^ r-K 2° I ,, ,, ,,24 ,, ,, Ore mixed in soil 3i 2nd (equal) I ,, ,, ,,24 ,, ,, Ore placed at bottom of box... 2i 5th I ,, ,, ,, 36 ,, ,, Ore mixed in soil... 2i 6th Q I ,, ,, ,, 36 ,, ,, Ore placed at bottom of box... 3 3rd (equal) < I ,_ „ ,,48 ,, ,, Ore mixed in soil... 3 3rd (equal) a I [' [', ,,48 ,, ,, Ore placed at bottom of box... 2i 4th (equal) The table shows that a heavier weight was obtained from each of the boxes dressed with radio-active Ore and with manures than from the plain-soil " control," but the best result was given by the box treated with the complete fertiliser. The Effects of Radio-Active Ores and Residues on Plant Life. EXPERIMENTS WITH TALL NASTURTIUMS. In this series the radio-active Ore contained approximately g milligrammes of Radium Bromide per ton of Ore and was obtained from a different source to that experimented with in the tests already described. Mine Residue after Radium .had been extracted, but still retaining i-8 milligrammes of Radium Bromide per ton, was also used. These trials embraced a much wider variation in the proportion of Ore or Residue allocated to the various lots, and ranged from i in 14 to i in 2,240, the latter being equivalent to i lb. of radio-active material to i ton of soil. Large pots, partly sunk in the ground, were employed. Each set consisted of four pots, four plants to a pot, making sixteen Nasturtiums in each section. When the plants commenced to run they were staked with small pea sticks. Details of the are given below : — ' control " pots and the proportions of Ore, etc., used Control — Plain soil only. Farmyard Manure (at 15 tons per acre) added to soil. Guano (at i oz. per sq. yard) added to soil, part Ore in 14 parts of soil. Ore mixed in soil. O w > l-H H O < Q <; 9 < 03 14 Ore placed at bottom of box. 28 ,, Ore mixed in soil. 28 „ Ore placed at bottom of box. S6 „ Ore mixed in soil. 56 „ Ore placed at bottom of box. .. 112 Ore mixed in soil. 112 Ore placed at bottom of box. 224 ,, Ore mixed in soil. 224 Ore placed at bottom of box. 448 „ Ore mixed in soil. 448 „ Ore placed at bottom of box. 2,240 Ore mixed in soil. 2,240 Ore placed at bottom of box. Residue in 14 Ore mixed in soil. 14 „ Pre placed at bottom of box. 28 Ore mixed in soil. 28 Ore placed at bottom of box. 56 „ Ore mixed in soil. 56 „ Ore placed at bottom of box. 112 Ore mixed in soil. 112 Ore placed at bottom of box. 224 „ Ore mixed in soil. 224 ,, Ore placed at bottom of box. 448 „ Ore mixed in soil. 448 ,, Ore placed at bottom of box. 2,240 Ore mixed in soil. 2,240 Ore placed at bottom of box. From the outset it was noticed that the two sections dressed respectively with farmyard manure and guano showed the most vigorous growth, the latter also bearing the largest leaves. In the matter of earliness to flower, there was really no difference to be seen, but in the amount of blossom produced, the radio-active Ore, i in 14, appeared to yield the most. During the later stages it was difficult to find any distinction between the several lots treated The Effects of Radio-Active Ores and Residues on Plant Life. NASTURTIUM— continued. with Ore or Residue, although the farm\ard manure and guano seetiims still remained the most vigorous in growth. In this connection see note under Lettuce concerning farmyard manure, page 5. Some experiments on Tomatoes and other subjects were connnenced with Ore and Residue from the same source as that used for the Nasturtiums, but as the material was received very late in the season the trials could not be completed. EXPERIMENTS WITH BLACK OXIDE OF URANIUM ON FLOWERING ANNUALS. As only a \-ery small quantity of the abo\'e material was available, the trials with it were necessarily limited in number. Four flowering annuals — African Marigold, Calendula officinalis (Pot Marigold), Dimorpht)theca, and Mignonette — were grown, six pots of each subject being tested in each of the four sections stated below, making a total of ninety-six pots : — Control — Plain soil only. Black Oxicle of Uranium (1 part in J.noo parts ol soil). Complete Fertiliser (at S ozs. to 40 lbs, of soil). Complete Fertiliser and Oxide of Uranium mi.xed {same proportions as above). In every case where it was used, the action of the Oxide of Uranium appeared to retard flowering, and to affect the foliage and growth much in the same manner as a nitrogenous manure. The best results were obtained from the mixture of Uranium and complete fertiliser. ^4 •\ IN 41 " Control " plain soil only. CHidc of Uianiinn and soil. Sf->cciiiiciis (•/ the TrittJs wifJi rloiccriti!^ Ann Complrtc Frrtil and soil, s The Effects of Radlo-Active Ores and Residues on Plant Life. GERMINATION TESTS WITH RADIO-ACTIVE ORES AND RESIDUES. COPYRIGHT These tests were carried out with a view to ascertaining what effect, if any, the Ores would have on the growth of seeds in the laboratory under artificial conditions, and the late autunui was chosen as a suitable period, because seeds germinate less satisfactorily at that time than at any other season of the year. Red Clover and Smooth-stalked Meadow Grass were selected as repre- sentative subjects, and the tests were systematically and carefully conducted, as the tables on the following pages indicate. The results are negative rather than positive, and generally speaking the " controls " have furnished the best records. This is especially the case in Series A (pot trials) and Series B. On the whole it must be conceded that further investigation is essential before arriving at any definite conclusions. CO a; u o > +-» o < I o cd CO (U 13 CO +-• ro CO V ^ Ti a a o cd • i-H ■♦-» c« C •r-t a Vh (U o >. u o +-• OS (h o , rO a -1 CO 'T3 C 'rt ^ Cl, e o J3 -kj •i-H u. !5 4) a, u Id rt •i-H u s 2 O O o c E •I-H D 0) kH T3 H-( 73 JD o 'n rt to 4J (U 4-J bo E E ni E c C5 ni u be 0) 1) -Cl H '75 H o s O d o 4_) •i-l I-H s bo Cl, iri en m k4 B bo ni b y^ q o a; O Tl ^ o rt fvl >^ o n -M ^+-1 o T) Xl E 0) 4) ■u o o E 13 U3 tic (/3 rt ;j^ c & E o l-l O op o a. n O ^3 c/) 00 o tn o nit IP a .8 2 d H S a-a-a Is icnincocncni/itncn Id r.ooco- rn (IJ ^ o H ^ o; U. ^ ri H Dh a^ ^ V. M qH O Ui (^ C/l /3 u S tJ w ^ > O cu ^ hn a c o o O -t-j T) n1 <1) rl T-i P o a) U a be m" « .J3 ■-1 S-i o -S C/j Note. The usual method of conducting laboratory tests of Clovers. The "control" gives the quickest and ultimately the best result of this series. "1 rHTt, 4-J (; 4-J IH (U H-) 1-1 ^ hn M C ni OJ 4-1 O 0) ^ 13 (U OJ m P^ o o - 13 aj ro U< N Oh <1) ^ fl5 q3 > o o :z; -4-» (1> c (U r/} a o fl ^ s o 13 pj (i> xi hn nt 1-) IJh y 00 ,a a; ii 3 fii +-) rn (U -(-> P^ n Fi o; M H u (1) > O 0) ( ) oi Oi T5 P4 0) 3 Note. 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D tl ■^^ ^£3 13 -S 0) 5=o /2 0) ni g ^ y 1-1 o ^ o ■ p rt ^ o D H 0^ i2 " rJ::! S-O -t-> 2 t^ ,£^ ,Cl CO +-> N K -g "el i-i ex OS u ■"Z W 5 hoc CO S c o -S s o oJ g is -4-> -•-> rr^ 13J 0) oo -4-) S'O a § ,3 o -o (U 'S "* s lU U) ■4-> « ^ T3 +^13 (U i-T >^ ifl C/1 o s= X) o a rt rt D ffi § Id 1) w ^ C/3 i ffja .if.&gfS'^ MI'S all 4)* ■2 -Si 3 I .2° £2 So'?B aiaiaitntntnmt/itn ^i • Cq iH r-l CO O '(N to rH (N rH -^ C« IN • "»*< i-H lasw c- Tji eo US cq -1*1 iou)cncntn(AcAV](A (M-*(MiHTH-^nSCqN cocAcAtno)uicnc/ico la'f^tototo'^iacqio NrH00-*O«0^C00» iHi-l T-H iH r-l UltflUltOCfltnWCACO u I 1 l-i I CIS p ^ o -4-> rn Oi Vl TS 0) CD o 6 6 ^ +-» a O Tt 0) o o o C/! Note. Here the retarding of growth (caused apparently by the additional piece of zinc) is still more pronounced than in Series H. I§1 WrHWrHCOOOr-Olt- o CO eo • . rH (N SQ Tt* (M rH lOMnSNCQCqiXNCq 00 cncnuicAtniocAEftto 0>M(MrH-<*OCOt->OTlHiQ «5iOrHiOt>co«3eo"»ifweo rn rH-*rHTtMt^t-eo rH cfltntnuincAuitfiu) rHrH rH rHifBt-lOrHWJiCOOS rH THrHTj^rHCqeiSNCOffS O efS i-( iH ■>* CO W 00 Tjt N 1 a, C0MMMmeC-*WCV5 00 l> lO ■* CSl rH rH W « ^ t- tomcAcoincAVimcn US »o ■* m (N rH Q nj •cootaDOoocqcoO & NrH-^t-^iMrH-*^ . rH-* O rH t- r- 1- 1- 1- r- 1- 00 00 13 14 The Effects of Radio-Active Ores and Residues on Plant Life. EXPERIMENTS WITH RAPE SEED TO ASCERTAIN EFFECT ON GERMINATION. COPYRIGHT ' "Control" One part Rosidiic One part Ore plain soil only. to 4i8 parts soil. to 1-lM parts soil. Some of th^ Tests with Rat>e seed. It -will be seen that in tJie boxes dressed respectively with Residue and Ore, growtli is iiincJi more luxuriant than in the "Control" box. In order to further ascertain the effects of radio-active Ores and Residues on germination, small boxes were sown with seed of Rape, one of the quickest germinating subjects. No artificial heat was applied, the boxes being stood in a cold frame. The proportions of Ore and Residue used are stated in the table below ; — Control — Plain soil only. I-"armyarcl Manure (at 15 tons per acre) added to soil. Guano (at about i oz. per sq. yard) added to soil. Complete Fertiliser (at about 3 ozs. per sq. yard) added to soil, part Ore in 14 parts of soil. O m u 5t> II- 224 448 2.240 Residue in 14 28 56 112 224 44S 2,240 The trials were carried out in duphcate, the second sowing being made five days after the first. The results of the first experiment were in all cases confirmed by those of the second. It was found that in each of the boxes dressed with Ore "or Residue the seed germinated before that in the plain-soil " control " or in the boxes dressed with manures. Further, all the radio- active soil tests germinated equally, except " Ore i in 14," which probably indicates that the proportion was too great. Next in order of germination came the plain soil, farmyard manure, complete fertiliser, and guano last. After three weeks' growth it was still noticeable that those trials dressed with artificial manures were the most backward. The experiment is extremely interesting in that it shows, so far as hastening germination is concerned, the dressing of Residue (containmg 18 of Radium Bromide per ton) at the rate of i lb. to i ton of soil, gave results equal to the dressing of Ore (containing approximately 9 milligrammes of Radium Bromide per ton) at the rate of i lb. to 14 lbs. of soil, the latter costing many times as much as the former. The Effects of Radio-Active Ores and Residues on Plant Lite. 15 SUMMARY OF THE EXPERIMENTS. IN THE OPEN AIR. Whilst not pretending that the results of a single season's experiments, embracing only a few subjects, can be considered sufficiently definite to prove the value, or otherwise, of the effects of Radium on plant life in general, the tests enumerated in the foregoing pages afford some evidence that Radium emanations possess the property of developing and increasing growth. Many of the Radish, Lettuce, and Pea trials which were dressed with radio-active Ore showed considerable superiority over those grown in plain soil, but the cost of the Ore far outweighed the worth of the larger crop. On the other hand, if future investigation conclusively shows that soil once dressed with radio-active material can be used to equal advantage over a period of years (as suggested on page 4), the original outlay would probably be justified. No material difference in results was apparent between the trials with Ore incorporated with the soil and those with Ore placed at the bottom of the boxes or pots. The quantity and degree of radio-active material to ensure the best return cannot be definitely stated, but it would appear that a light dressing is hkely to give as good results as a larger amount. In the trials with Rape seed, the influence of the radio-active material in accelerating germination was most consistent in aU the tests, but it was evident that a very small quantity of low grade Residue proved as effective as a considerable amount of Ore containing a much larger proportion of Radium. It is proposed to continue the experiments on modified hues, based on the experience already gained. IN THE LABORATORY. In these germinating tests also there is no indication that better results are obtainable with Ore possessing considerable radio-activity than with Residue of low value, nor have these trials generally proved superior to the " controls." The observations printed opposite each table on pages 9 to 13 speak for themselves, but it should be noted that in Series D and E (Red Clover) a larger proportion of weak and hard seeds were energised to swell, without, however, the radicle breaking through the coat, than in Series B and C (Red Clover). Whether this feature was due, as suggested, to the presence of zinc or not, it is important, and merits further investigation. Publications issued by Messrs. Sutton & Sons. Bulletin No. I. >i 11 2. |} »» 3- Brassica Crosses. Tuber-bearing Solatiums. Experiments ia Crossing a Wild P6a from Palestine with Commercial Peas. Resuliii obtained byCifossing a Wild Pea j ftom Palestine witli Commercial types' and Pisum sativum umbellatum. The Progress in Vegetable Cultivatioa during Queen Victoria's Jteign. By ARTHUR W. SUTTON, P.L.S., V.M.H. Price 2s. ed. net each. Permanent and Temporary Pastures. By MARTIN SUTTON, F.L.S. EIGHTH EDITION. Illustrated with z2 beautiful engravings and including 44 Analyses of Natural Grasses, Clovers, etc. Bound :in Cloth; Price 5s. POPULAR EDITION, omitting the Illustrations and Analyses. Paper Cover. Price is. The Book of the Links. A Symposium on Golf by MARTIN H. F. SUTTON, F.L.S. Illustrated with numerous interesting Photographs and Cartoons. Royal 8vo. Cloth, los. 6d.. net. the Culture of Vegetables and Flowers ifrom Seeds and Roots. By SUTTON & SONS. Fifteenth Edition. Price ss. net. Lawns. By SUTTON & SONS. Twelfth Edition. Beaiitifdlly Illustrated. Price is. Sutton's Amateur's Guide in Horticulture. Containing Descriptive Lists of Vegetables and Flowers ; profusely illustrated. Published annually in J*nnaryi^ Price IS. Post free. Gratis to regular Customers of 20s. value. Sutton's Bulb Catalogue. A Descriptive and Illustrated List of Bulbous Flower Roots, etc. Published annually in August. Price 6d. Post free. Gratis to Customers for Bulbs. Sutton's Farmers' Year>< Book and* Graziers' Manual. Contains offers of the finest cl^aed Grasses and Clovers of the last harvest, and Root §eeds saved from_ weight-producing pedigree stocks. Piiblished annually in February: Price 6d. Gratis to Customers, ' SUTTON & SONS, READING, Seedsmen By Appoinitment to His Majesty King George V.