4 DR. WM. SAUNDERS. 



in the grain in the oat plots had been 28 per cent, the increase in the barley in the 

 second year was 29 per cent, and the gain in the straw was 35 per cent. This shows 

 that the effect of the clover was very beneficial at least up to the end of the second year, 

 and as far as its effect upon the grain was concerned it was fully equal to that of the 

 first year. The straw, however, did not increase to the same extent. In the first 

 year the yield of the four plots which had been sown with clover, gave in straw 78 

 per cent more than the four plots that had no clover, whereas this past year the 

 increase of straw in the case of barley was only 35 per cent. The point I wish to 

 emphasize is, that the effect of clover upon the grain the second year has been equal 

 to what it was the first year. As the presence of a good supply of nitrogen in tha 

 soil tends to an increase in straw, we would expect this part of the crop would be 

 relatively less the second year, but it was a surprise to find that the effect of the 

 clover was so well maintained the second year in regard to the production of grain. 



COMPARATIVE TRIALS OF GREEN MANURES. 



Another set of experiments was tried during the season with clover. In a field 

 of four acres of oats, there were two acres which had barley the previous year sown 

 with clover, 10 pounds of seed per acre, and the clover had been ploughed under. 

 There was half an acre after pasture grasses where clover had not been used, and 

 another half acre after pasture grasses with clover, and one acre after a crop of 

 Brome grass. Theae were ploughed under and the field was sown last spring with 

 one variety of oats which were sown on the same day. The results were as follows : 

 The acre after Brome grass gave 33 bushels and 8 pounds ; the half acre after pasture 

 grass without clover gave 36 bushels 16 pounds ; the half acre after pasture grass 

 with clover gave 46 bushels 4 pounds, and the two acres after barley with clover 

 ploughed under gave 43 bushels 25 pounds. These results show that where clover 

 was ploughed under, either after barley or when grown with pasture grass, the 

 difference averaged 10 bushels of oats per acre in favour of the land that had been 

 treated with clover, on the whole area of four acres. 



GREEN CLOVER AS A MANURE FOR POTATOES. 



In another field where potatoes had been planted and a portion of the space 

 occupied by them had been sown with clover, and another portion alongside had 

 not been sown with clover, the increased vigour of growth of the vinos after clover 

 of which there were six rows was quite remarkable, when compared with the six 

 rows alongside whioh had been cropped without clover ; the plants were much 

 larger and healthier and retained their foliage longer. When the crop was dug 

 there was found to be a difference of 28 per cent in the weight of potatoes in favour of 

 the land where the clover had been used. 



I do not think, gentlemen, there is any subject at the present time that is more 

 important to the farmers of the Dominion than this one of the ploughing under of 

 green clover to influence and increase tho subsequent orops. As we all know, the 

 farming community are a little diffioult to move in such matters ; but when once they 

 feel sure of their ground they are quite ready to adopt any praotice which will be to 

 their advantage; the chief* difficulty with all such subjeots is to bring them under the 

 notice of farmers. I think we cannot give too much prominence at the present time 

 to this important subject, the ploughing under of clover. The oost of sowing clover 

 with an acre of grain is so little that almost any farmer when once convinced of the 

 benefit of the practice will resort to it. 10 lbs. to the acre is the quantity we have 

 recommended, and this quantity has been found very satisfactory. Tho cost of the 

 clover seed will not probably average more than 80 to 90 cents per acre, and as the 

 seeding is done at the same time as the grain it is sown without extra cost. 



