Excerpt from Experiments With Humogen in Comparison With Other Fertilizers: A Report of the Tests Carried Out at Reading in 1916

The widespread interest aroused by the reports which from time to time appeared in the press on the possible use of bacterised peat as a fertiliser, suggested to me that a comprehensive series of tests with this preparation, in comparison with other fertilisers, would prove of some service to agriculturists and horticulturists.

Through the courtesy of Professor Bottomley a supply of Humogen (or bacterised peat), as manufactured for him at Manchester, was placed at my disposal for the purpose. I have also to acknowledge the help given me by his assistant, Mr. Machen, with whom the details of the scheme were arranged, and who was good enough to make periodical visits to Reading while the experiments were in progress.

Although it was originally intended to carry out only one series of pot tests, circumstances which were not foreseen at the time arose, making a second set of trials appear necessary, and these were subsequently undertaken.

The first series consisted of experiments with Dwarf French Beans, Potatoes, and Red Clover, and was commenced on May 20th. On examining the pots shortly after this date, however, Mr. Machen expressed the Opinion that the soil (ordinary potting soil) contained too much humus to permit of the Humogen giving satisfactory results. He further explained that Humogen could only be employed to advantage on poor soils, deficient in organic material. This is a point to which, it appears to me, it is desirable to call the attention of those who may contemplate using this fertiliser when placed upon the market for commercial purposes.

In view of Mr. Machen's statement I had the original series destroyed, and commenced again, using on this occasion poor soil taken from a newly broken-up piece of ground which had received no manure for some years. Details of these tests, referred to as Series I, are given on pages 4 to 8. As the trials developed, it became clear that in every instance where a dressing of Humogen had been given, growth was seriously affected. The plants presented a stunted and scorched appearance, this condition being accentuated in proportion to the increased amount of Humogen employed. Yet in the Controls, and in all other sections where Humogen had not been incorporated with the soil, the plants were perfectly healthy throughout the entire period of growth.

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