lU Aug., 1916.] Lucemr Maniirial Tests. 453 



A perusal of these returns will give some interesting comparisons. 

 Taking the results for the two years the following deductions would 

 seem to be permissible : — 



1. The Use of Lime and Ground Limestone. — The a,pplication of 

 lime or ground limestone has increased the yields of hay by 12i cwt. 

 per acre. There is practically no difference in yield between the results 

 from a ton of lime per acre and its equivalent in the form of ground 

 limestone (36 cwt.). It will be seen that the first season the quick 

 lime gave a better return than the ground limestone, but in the 

 second year the returns were reversed. So far as the profit is con- 

 cerned, it will be seen that, with lucerne hay averaging 50s. per ton 

 over a period of years, the increased return for the two years is just 

 sufficient to cover the cost of the manure and its application. In fair- 

 ness to the lime and ground limestone it should be added that the effects 

 of these applications are likely to persist for more than two years, 

 and the whole cost of the manure therefore should not be debited to the 



Fig. 2. — View of Fifty-acre Block of Lucerne, Fertilised with 2 cwt. 

 Superphosphate per acre, State Research Farm, Werribee, 



first two seasons' returns. Moreover, had more irrigation water been 

 available, it is probable that the differences in yield compared with the 

 unmanured plot would have been still more striking. 



2. The Value of I'hosphatlc Manures for Lucerne. — The results un- 

 mistakablv demonstrate the value of phosphatic manures for lucerne, 

 and particularly superphosphate. A comparison of the yields from Plots 

 7, 8, and 9 (lime with 2 cwt. phosphate) with that from Plot 8 (lime 

 only) shows that the addition of 2 cwt. of a water soluble (super), a 

 citrate soluble (basic slag), or an insoluble phosphate (bone dust) in- 

 creases the yield of hay by a ton per acre. 



As 2 cwt. of the phosphate costs but 10s. to 12s. the profit on the 

 outlay is at least £2 per acre. It will be noted, however, that when 

 superphosphate and 20 cwt. lime are applied in combination the yields 

 are practically the same as super a,pplied by itself. Thus Plot 12. 

 treated with super 2 cwt. gave 9 tons 12.6 cwt.. wliilst the addition 



