4 OF GRASS AND CLOVER. [Appendvtf 



The cr^tire scries of experiments, therefore, which I would recommend, would 

 occupy eight patches on a clover or grass field, one of which would be left ntu- 

 dressed for the purpose of comparison. Thus, each plot being half an acre • 



The ammoniacal liquor and the soot are placed as far as possible from the 

 gypsum and sulphuric acid, that they may not interfere with each other's action. 

 In a large field they might be placed still farther apart, and other trials might be 

 made in one or two of the vacant places. 



The appearance of each patch should be entered, with the date, in an experi- 

 ment book, at weekly intervals, and the final produce both of hay and of after- 

 math carefully noted, both as to weigJit and quality. 



Nor will the experiment be completed when the crop for the year is gathered 

 in; but, where it is possible, two further points should be ascertained, — 



1°. The relative feeding or nourishing properties of the produce. To those 

 who rear and fatten cattle, this is a matter of great importance, and it is one 

 which they could easily determine, at least very approximately. 



2°. What has been the permanent effect of tlie several substances on the soil, 

 as indicated by the comparative quantity and quality of the crop obtained from 

 each half acre, on the siucceed/mg or during the two following years. The result of 

 these further observations may materially modify the conclusion we should draw 

 from the comparative weight and quality of the produce of the first year. 



I shall only observe, in conclusion, on this head, that the result of a simulta- 

 neous trial of all these substances in the same field would not only thx'ow much 

 light on the specific action of each on the grass or clover in general, but would 

 be of permanent utility to that farm or locality in which the experiments were 

 made. It would indicate the kind of fertilizer which was best adapted to the 

 farm or neighbourhood, in the existing condition of its general culture. It would 

 form' a local record, useful not only to the tenant who made the experiment (if 

 well made) and by whom the farm at the time was tenanted, but more useful 

 by far, and more permanently so, to the owner of the land, whose interest in it 

 is supposed to be not only greater, but much moi-e lasting. 



In regard to the quantities of the several substances above-mentioned, which 

 are to be applied to each acre, they may probably be varied according to cir- 

 cumstances, but the following may be recommended in the comparative experi- 

 ments : 



1°. Gypsum 2 to 3 cwt. per acre. 



2°. Sulphate of Soda 1 cwt. per acre. 



3°. Nitrate of Soda 1 cwt. per acre. 



4°. Soot 20 bushels per acre — this in different districts may be varied accord- 

 ing to the known quality of the soot. 



5°. Of Sulphuric Acid from 30 to 40 lbs. per acre, applied at three or four 

 several intervals — and diluted with at least 200 times its weight of water. Or 

 so much water may be added as to make it perfectly tasteless, or so weak as 

 not sensibly to injure the texture of a plant left in it during the previous night.* 



6°. Of Ammoniacal Liquor 100 to 200 gallons per acre, according to its 

 strength, for this is constantly varying. It must also be diluted with so large a 

 quantity of water as will render it perfectly tasteless, and is likely to prove most 

 beneficial if laid on at several successive periods. 



* The quantity above-mentioned amounts to about two gallons of the acid of the shops, and 

 k dl^ould be diluted with three or four hundred gallons of water. 



