CROPS. 41 



manure. A nitrogenous guano, or an application of 

 nitrate of sodium and superphosphate, is generally the 

 most effective manuring for a cereal crop. 



Meadow Hay. — The grasses which form the main bulk 

 of hay belong to the same family of plants as the cereal 

 crops ; the seed, however, in grass bears such a small pro- 

 portion to the stem and leaf that meadow hay may be 

 regarded as a straw crop. In accordance with this 

 character hay is found to contain a much larger propor- 

 tion of potash and lime than cereal crops, and a much 

 smaller amount of phosphoric acid. 



The roots of grass being far shorter than those of the 

 cereals are less able to collect ash constituents from the 

 soil ; if therefore grass is mown for hay, manures contain- 

 ing potash, lime, and phosphoric acid will generally be 

 required. Like the cereal crops grass is greatly increased 

 in luxuriance by the application of soluble nitrogenous 

 manures. 



Farmyard manure, or the feeding of cake, corn, or roots 

 on the land, is the most appropriate manuring for per- 

 manent pasture, if quality as well as quantity of produce 

 is considered. Large crops of hay may be obtained by 

 manuring with nitrate of sodium, together with kainit and 

 superphosphate, but a continuance of such treatment pro- 

 motes a coarse herbage. 



The natural clovers of a meadow are destroyed by the 

 continued application of highly nitrogenous manures, a 

 bay consisting almost exclusively of grass being produced. 

 The clovers are developed by the application of manures 

 supplying potash and lime, and by pasturing instead of 



