i68 



Journal of A^riciiUure. 



[9 March, 1908. 



surprised at the luxuriant growth of fodder, and the effectiveness of a loose 

 soil mulch in conserving of moisture in the soil ; he was fully convinced of 

 the great advantage to be gained by planting maize in drills and cultivat- 

 ing between the rows. 



The following particulars as to the actual stools thrown up from each 

 variety are here recorded for general information. 



Humus ... ... ... 1-42 n 



Nitrogen in humus ... ... 0-22 n 



This soil on analysis may be said to be poor in phosphoric acid and 

 lime, fairly well supplied with potash, and over the average in nitrogen. 

 Ho\\ever, the available content of both phosphoric acid and potash is 

 sufficient to stamp it as fertile and in no immediate need of either. It is 

 of a light sandy nature and very porous, whilst the subsoil is of a clayey 

 nature and well suited for retaining moisture. 



Apart from the absolute food and money value, as shown later on, 

 and compared with bran as a basis, maize growing is extremely valuable as 

 a soil improver. This phase is overlooked by most farmers. One of its 

 principal features in this regard is the large amount of humus which it 

 adds to the soil by the decomposition of the mass of roots already referred 

 to, thereby improving the texture of the soil. When grown in rows, and 

 properly cultivated, land overgrown with weeds is effectively cleaned, and 

 few crops can be used so well for that purpose for the reason that the 

 period when most of the weeds germinate and thrive is also the time when 

 constant cultivation of the soil is given to the maize crop. 



The continuous stirring of the soil allows the land to become so well 

 oxidized through effecting free circulation of air that a considerable portion 

 of the mineral plant foods becomes available. 



Yield per Acre and Analyses. 



On January 20th, three months after sowing, most of the varieties were 

 in a fit state for feeding as green stuff, and it was accordingly decided to 

 estimate the commercial value of the crop at that stage. An average 



'Analysis by Mr. P. R. Soott, Chemical Laboratory, Department of Agriculture. 



