TO4 TRANSACTIONS OF SUB-SECTION K. 
annual increase of 80 lbs. of mutton. Valuing this at 33d. per lb. and deduct- 
ing the cost of the manure, it means that a single expenditure of 23s. 6d. has 
given a clear annual gain of 22s. dd., or nearly 100 per cent. per annum, and 
even at the end of nine years the effects of the slag are by no means exhausted. 
On an adjoining plot 10 cwt. of basic slag has also been used, 5 cwt. being put 
on the first year and 5 cwt. at the end of the third. This method of treatment 
has produced an average increase of 66 lbs. of mutton, and although the 
profit here has also been large (averaging 18s. per acre per annum), it is 
considerably short of that secured under the other method of using the same 
manure. This result has been confirmed at the other duplicate stations, 
and shows that it is better to stimulate the superior plants by a large initial 
dose of phosphates than to spread the use of the phosphates over a longer 
period. 
When the source of phosphoric acid was superphosphate instead of basic 
slag the cost was considerably greater, and the actual weight of mutton 
produced was distinctly less (57 lbs. per acre per annum, as against 66). The 
annual profit was therefore reduced from 18s. to 14s. 9d. per acre. 
Adding potash to phosphate increased the yield of mutton to the extent 
of just covering the outlay involved. 
When nitrogen in the form of sulphate of ammonia was used the yield 
of hay was increased some 25 per cent., but the annual production of mutton 
was actually reduced from 57 to 54 lbs. per acre per annum. This result 
was also obtained at all the stations, and shows how far mere weighing of 
the herbage may lead one astray. 
Other manurial substances (cake residues and dissolved bones) were also 
tried, but the results of these, being more complicated, need not be discussed. 
Mention may, however, be made of the fact that at Cockle Park at the end 
of the ninth year a further dose of 10 cwt. of basic slag was applied per acre 
to the plot that had received a similar dose nine years previously, and the 
effects were seen in a large increase of mutton in the following years (1906, 
1907, and 1908). This proves that there is little ground for the popular belief 
that grass-land fails to respond to a second application of a phosphatic 
manure. At one of the duplicate stations basic slag was applied to a plot 
in the middle of June, and before the grazing season was over the effects 
were clearly reflected in the growth of the sheep and in the appearance of 
the pasture, In the following year this plot, which had hitherto been the 
worst of the series, became the best. The opinion hitherto held that an 
insoluble phosphate, like basic slag, should be applied some months ahead 
of the growing season, must therefore be revised, equally good results 
following application when the herbage is in vigorous growth. 
These experiments seem to show that probably no crop on the farm offers 
opportunities for more profitable use of artificial manures than poor worn- 
out pasture. 
5. The Development of the Dominion Experimental Farms. 
By Dr. W. Saunpers, C.M.G. 
The author referred briefly to the depressed condition of agriculture which 
prevailed in Canada prior to 1884 and to the appointment by the Parliament 
of a Select Committee to inquire into this subject and to suggest’ remedial 
measures. The report of this committee led to the establishment of Experi- 
mental Farms in Canada, institutions which were to be so managed as to 
conduct experiments in all branches of agriculture and to disseminate the 
information gained in annual reports and bulletins, which were to be widely 
distributed among farmers. 
An Act was passed by the House of Commons in 1886 by which five of these 
farms were established in different parts of the country. The encouragement 
