ANIMAX. PRODUCTION. 69 



calcium between 0.1 35 and 0.424 iter cent, in potassium between 1.41 and 2.43 

 per cent, and in total ash between 4.S and S.32 per cent. " Those samples which 

 were richest in phosphorus were from pastures which were heavily fertilized 

 by the excreta of animals grazing upon them. In one such pasture the grass 

 contained 0.403 per cent of phosphorus, on a dry-matter basis, while on a thin 

 clay hilltop the grass contained only 0.1G4 per cent of phosphorus. The organic 

 phosphorus content of these grasses was generally highest where the total phos- 

 phorus was highest, and where the grass had been heavily fertilized. The next 

 to the highest figure of all for organic phosphorus accompanies a medium total 

 pho.sphorus content in a field of grass which had been twice fertilized with a 

 complete commercial fertilizer. . . . Thus we may conclude that the organic 

 phosphorus may be increased by manuring and the use of complete fertilizers, 

 but not to so great an extent as the inorganic phosphorus." 



The analyses of blue gra.'-s grown on experimental plats showed: "(1) That 

 the grass fertilized with sf)dium phosphate contained more pho.sphorus than any 

 other; (2) that the grass fertilized with potassium chlorid contained more 

 potassium than any other; (3) that the grass fertilized with lime contained 

 more calcium than any other; (4) that the grass fertilized with a mixture of 

 the three compounds contained more ash than any other grass; (5) that the 

 excess of phosphorus in the grass fertilized with sodium phosphate over that 

 present in the unfertilized grass was all in an inorganic condition ; that is, the 

 addition of sodium phosphate to the soil did not increase the percentage of 

 phosphorus-containing ])roteins in the blue grass; (G) that the use of the phos- 

 phate as a fertilizer ai)iieared to increase the potassium in the grass, and con- 

 versely the use of the potassium salt as a fertilizer increased the phosphorus in 

 grass; (7) that the use of lime was without noticeable effect on cither the 

 potassium or the phosphorus in the grass; and (8) that the addition of potas- 

 sium chlorid to the soil increased to a marked extent the organic phosphorus of 

 the gi'ass, while sodium phosphate and lime were without effect on this 

 constituent." 



Analyses showed that the phosjjhorus was higher in the plants grown with an 

 abundance of water than in those grown in a dry place. It is stated that this 

 may have been only a coincidence and a further study is necessary on this 

 point. To further test the effect of moisture, oat plants were grown in pots in 

 greenhouse, and the following results were obtained from an analysis of plants 

 cut at various times : " The percentages of moisture, ash, and phosphorus in the 

 oat plant vary in an orderly way according to the amount of moisture available 

 during growth. The nature of the effect of increased soil mixture depends, in 

 a measure, on the stage of growth of the plant. In the early stages of growth 

 of oats increased moisture increases to a slight extent the percentages of mois- 

 ture and phosphorus in the plant." 



Canadian blue grass (P. compressa) was found to be .somewhat more woody 

 than the common blue grass. It was richer in potassium but less so in nitrogen, 

 calcium, and phosphorus, and is probably not so valuable a feed. 



Some practical conclusions drawn from this work are the following : " It 

 seems likely that the organic phosphorus in blue grass is present in sufficient 

 amount to sustain normal growth of animals, but the need for inorg:aiic phos- 

 phorus is much greater, and on infertile pastures we may be able to grow better 

 bone, at least, by feeding calcium phosphate. Calcium phosphate may be fed 

 ad libitum, mixed with salt, or it may be fed mixed with the ration. It may 

 also be indirectly administered by using on the pastures fertilizers containing 

 calcium and phosphorus. For growing or milk-giving animals we would give 

 about * lb. of bone flour per 100 lbs. of air-dry feed." 



