31 



the section where nitrogen was used in full formula. The record 

 of the decline of our pastures is read on their face. Weeds, bushes 

 and change in character of grasses tell us of a century's flow of 

 nitrogen, lime and phosphoric acid from the soil, and in their 

 character tell us too that these have not gone in proportionate 

 amounts. 



"Where 1,000 pounds of beef are removed from the pastures 

 there goes 1.8 pounds of potash, 25.2 pounds of nitrogen, 19.2 

 pounds of phosphoric acid and 21.4 pounds of lime. As potash 

 is much more abundant in the soil than phosphoric acid, it will be 

 seen that selling beef is selling out of the pasture phosphoric acid 

 in greatly undue ratio, while lime and nitrogen go at a good pace. 



The sale of milk, too, is a sale of the phosphate of our soils in 

 ratio to total supply faster than potash, — 1,000 pounds containing 

 5.3 pounds of nitrogen, 1,9 pounds of phosphoric acid and 1.8 

 pounds of potash. Here, however, it is nitrogen that is taken in 

 largest amount, the material that grasses find it most difficult to 

 obtain. 



Pastures Dead Property. 



This drain of phosphates and change of herbage has left so little 

 of easily available and palatable foods that animals will not eat ex- 

 cess food enough, as set forth in the bulletin of this Board for 

 July, for a growth yielding economic results. Growth has been 

 reduced per season to from 150 to 175 pounds, and on the best 

 pastures 200 pounds. Such growth has involved so much of labor 

 that cattle will consume only little more than food of maintenance 

 rather than endure more strain in securing food. The growth 

 obtained must go into the class of low-selling beef, with the result 

 that the revenue will not average over Si. 20 to $1.40 per acre, — 

 little more than taxes and care of pasture. Indeed, we should be 

 better off without them, as dependence upon them compels the sale 

 of a lower grade of beef than can' possibly yield a profit, and com- 

 pels us to winter stock once or twice too often, thus lengthening 

 the period during wJiich maintenance rations must be fed, thereby 

 absorbing all or more than all of the apparent profits of pastures. 

 This view might be set forth by mathematical calculations, yet so 

 many problems are involved that the question may perhaps as well 

 be left for reUeclion, and to the general knowledge that the old 

 system of wintering stock without growth, or on mere maintenance 

 rations, for the good growth then cheaply made on pastures is 

 giving way before the fact that our poor pastures no longer com- 

 pensate for poor barn feeding, and the further fact of no net 

 returns per acre of pasture nor none from the whole system of 



