PROFITABLE FARMING. 67 



To illustrate another manner of estimating the 

 improved value of herbage by the use of suitable 

 fertilisers, an experiment has been 

 conducted by the Midland Agricul- 

 tural and Dairy College, near Derby. 

 It was commenced in the spring of 1909, and a 

 full description is given in the College Bulletins, 

 entitled " Manuring for Milk/* from which the 

 following brief description is taken : The field 

 was poor, having been " laid down six years 

 previously in dirty condition, the grasses most in 

 evidence being cocksfoot, tall fescue, and 

 twitch/' The soil is of a strong clayey nature, 

 typical of most soils on the keuper marl forma- 

 tion. 



Two plots, each of four acres, were fenced, 

 every care being taken to have them equal in all 

 respects. Owing to the prevalence of moss and 

 other indications of the need of lime, 10 cwt. of 

 ground lime per acre was applied to both plots. 

 Two days after applying the lime, 4 cwt. of 

 XXX superphosphate (35 per cent, soluble) and 

 ij cwt. sulphate of potash per acre, costing 

 together i. 95. per acre, were broadcasted over 

 plot B, plot A receiving nothing further than the 

 lime. Both plots were chain harrowed, but no 

 other treatment was given. 



" Three weeks after the fertilisers had been 

 applied to plot B, their effect was noticeable. 

 Natural grasses seemed to spring up, and white 

 clover gradually covered all patches previously 

 bare." 



Two lots of cows were drafted from the Col- 



