20 JULY 1944, Page 18

'Excessive Yield One incidental result in the agricultural experiments, continuous!

in progress at Rothamsted, will please those who persist in argui against the use of artificial manures. One plot of wheat treated wi a large amount of nitrogen produced such heavy ears that the stra could not support them, and it was further proved once again t excess of nitrogen encourages a particular and particularly destrucu fungus. In the controversy the strongest point—and the point ins in need of scientific investigation—is that plants grown by aid natural manures are both more healthy and more wholesome. Th can be no doubt at all that yield can be increased, with great certain by the help of artificials on almost any soil. Is such yield secured too high a price? That is the essential question.