16 



fanner notices any increase in the crop of any plots over an un- 

 manured plot it shows him that the soil is benefitted by such manure. 

 In other piots he may combine the above two manures of potash and 

 nitrogen and either of them with a phosphatic manure ; also give a 

 complete manure of all the three plant foods. In thus ascertaining 

 whether his soil is rich enough in one or other of the plant foods, he 

 can afterwards sa,ve considerable sums. Unfortunately our farmers 

 are either not 'inclined to make exact experiments, or the want of 

 labor, or necessary hurry at harvest time makes it for them very 

 difficult to carry them through. It will, in such cases, be at least 

 an advantage if they let the drill make for them the experiments. 

 After they have drilled in any grain and manure, they trien let the 

 drill run on without manure for some turn-abouts, and then resume 

 manuring with the same or other manure. Tn most cases they will 

 have thus an ocular demonstration of the value of the manure, which 

 should be added to by separate reaping and thrashing of at 

 least a small average sample in a bag. Meanwhile, it 

 being hitherto almost taken for granted that our arable 

 soil in Australia reqxiires for wheat only phosphoric acid, and before 

 the farmer has convinced himself that nitrogenous, or potassic 

 manures, or both, are required, he may as well manure for his main 

 crop with phosphoric acid alone ; but try light, medium, and heavy- 

 dressings of the different phosphatic manures. The majority of our 

 farmers give at present the preference to superphosphates, others 

 to Thomas phosphates. As regards the latter it should not be for- 

 gotten that, while it does not act so quickly, it does not merely 

 benefit the first crop ; no. many subsequent crops, frequently up to 

 seven, unless you apply too small a quantity. In connection with 

 the prominent part which phosphoric acid takes in the growth of 

 plants, says Dr. Meyer : "A large quantity of available phos- 

 phoric acid quickens and strengthens the growth while young, and: 

 increases afterwards the whole green bulk of the plant, ripens any 

 grain, seed, or fruit earlier, increases the value of fodder plants, and 

 is the first condition to enable leguminous plants to collect nitro- 

 gen from the atmosphere. Without a sufficient quantity of phos- 

 phoric acid the proper development of the organs for the propaga- 

 tion, especially also the pollen of the cereals, &c., is not conceivable/' 

 And Professors Wagner and Maercker hold similar opinions. 



The use of phosphatic manures has quickly increased in South 

 Australia, and, although quite double last season's quantity has pro- 

 bably been imported, there will be many farmers disappointed who 

 have not given their orders very early. Fairly good results have also 

 been recorded at different times in our "Journal of Agriculture," so 

 long as we only compare them with the very poor crops grown upon 

 unmanured land But in good seasons, such as we now hope for, 

 larger returns should yet follow with larger doses of manure. We 

 should not be content with present results, of which much has been 

 made. They should all the more induce us to sow no crop without 

 manure, and also to try the two hitherto neglected plant foods im 



