Field-Experiments on Pcnnanent Faaturc. 429 



hearts and well-filled purses — and much has yet to he done before 

 it can in any way be adapted to farms of limited extent, whose 

 occupiers are in straitened circumstances. By a system of co- 

 operation, small surface-holders might certainly share in the 

 benefits of steam cultivation, but before this end can be accom- 

 plished, the scheme will have to be taken up either by wealthy 

 individuals or enterprising companies. 



The rise in the value of farm produce has been remarkable 

 since Mr. Dickinson penned his Report. The price of grain 

 certainly has remained almost stationary, with the exception, of 

 course, of fluctuations now and then owing to droughty seasons, 

 war panics and the like ; but that of most other substances has 

 advanced materially. Agricultural horses are 80 to 100 per cent, 

 higher ; lean cattle and sheep, 60 per cent. ; beef and mutton, 

 80 per cent. ; potatoes, 20 per cent. ; milk 75 per cent. ; butter, 

 40 to 50 per cent. ; and eggs, 80 per cent. : while, on the other 

 hand, the occupier has to pay 25 per cent, more for his land, and 

 double the price for hands to work it. Notwithstanding this, 

 the position of the Cumberland farmer for many years, in spite 

 of advance in rents and critical seasons, has been anvthing but 

 unsatisfactory. 



XVI. — Field-Experiments on Permanent Pasture. By Dr. 

 Augustus Voelcker, F.R.S., Consulting Chemist to the 

 Society. 



The object of the following short paper is to put on record 

 the results of some experiments which I set on foot eight 

 or nine years ago, and which have since been carried out in 

 various parts of the country, chiefly by former pupils of mine, 

 in accordance with the plan which I laid down for uniform 

 ■observance. 



The manures most generally used for improving pasture land 

 are lime or chalk, bone-dust, Peruvian guano, and superphosphate 

 of lime. I have included these fertilizers in the manuring scheme, 

 which further comprises experiments with salts of potash and 

 common salt. 



The first series of experiments on which I have to report were 

 made in 1868 by ]Mr. Clement Cadle, at Ballingham Hall Farm, 

 near Ross. 



The manures were spread on the land on the 14th of April, 

 and the grass cut and weighed on the 29th of June, when the 

 following results were obtained : — 



