10 Aug., 1918.] 



Lucerne Manurial Trials. 



499 



Table showing Aggregate Net Profit per Acre for Four Years, 



OBTAINED AFTER DEDUCTING THE CoST OF THE MaNURE. 



* A"* nitr.ate of soda, base slag, and sulphate of potash were obtainable at prohibitive prices only, 

 Calculations of net p.'ofit from their use have not been made. 



t In calculating the profit per acre tne cost of the manure for two seasons only and the return of hay 

 for four seasons have been talten into consideration. As a matter of fact the cost of an application of 

 manure which was made at the seeding in 1913 and for which no direct returns were obtained has not been 

 included. This dressing would have a certain residual effect, which must be talcen into accoimt, but oft- 

 setting this there would be the after effects of the whole of the applications. Tlie value of wliich can only 

 be surmised. It is probably quite as much as that of the first application spread over five years. 



Winter Renovation. 



There can be no doubt that the winter renovation has contributed 

 largely to the results, and recent observations in the Goulburn Valley 

 irrigation areas have shown that where no cultivation is undertaken or 

 manure applied, the stands have become very ragged. The most 

 advanced men, however, by manuring .and cultivation have, except in 

 extreme cases, kept their plots in good order and eradicated weeds and 

 rushes, and their stands of lucerne leave nothing to be desired. 



It should be remembered that the lucerne in the irrigation areas 

 is now four years older than it was at the time of the last drought, 

 and should abnormally dry conditions recur, the stands will not be 

 nearly so remunerative either for grazing or for hay growing. 



In nearly every case the increased yield of lucerne will pay for a 

 thorough scarifying in two directions at right angles, and then a dressing 

 df 1 cwt. of superphosphate. The present month is the best time for 

 siich treatment. 



