TRANSACTIONS OF SECTION M. 777 



(5) Al/iirinl and Flush Grasskmds. — These provide the best pasturage on 

 streamside alluvials and on hill slopes flushed with water from springs. They 

 may be utilised as wintering grounds or enclosed as meadows. The alluvia of 

 the upper valleys are light, and accordingly retrogression occurs through leach- 

 ing where flushing is prevented. The lower valley alluvia tend to be heavier 

 and their maintenance as grazing units depends on drainage. 



This habitat offers conditions suitable to invasion by bracken. 



The extent and distribution of the individual types are determined chiefly by 

 topography and climate, but past history and interference by animals or man 

 are important, p.//., grazing, burning, draining, liming. 



The types are relatively constant throughout, but may occur in various 

 combinations in association with differences in the factors." Thus in different 

 localities the grazing areas present distinctive features. This involves different 

 systems of management, e.g.. dry south-eastern area and humid western area 

 of Scotland. Alluvial and flush grasslands, heatherlands, and peatlands are 

 most valuable to the grazier. Nnrdus and Mol'mia are of secondary importance. 



The valiie of a grazing depends on a suitable representation of types and on 

 their relative disposition. ' Hirsel ' charts indicate the best combination of 

 types. 



Irnxnovement. 



Alluvial and Flu.'<li Grnsslaiids.— These can be made to replace heather anc 

 Nardiis by suitable irrigation with water derived from springs or with surface 

 water bearing rainwash. Invasion of acid water deteriorates the pasture, 

 favours A'ardus, and, where ' pan ' is formed, promotes retrogression to moor- 

 land. These grasslands are suitable subjects for manurial treatment, e.g.. 

 basic slag. Destruction of bracken increases the productive capacity of the 

 pasture. 



HeafJicrland.s. — The grazing value is greatly increased by regular burning on 

 a suitable rotation. Renewal of burnt areas results through : (1) Growth from 

 the shoot ; (2) Colonisation by seedlings. The former gives the most rapid 

 recovery. Types of heatherland with slow and rapid rejuvenating powers 

 require different burning rotations respectively. 



Peatlands. — Draining increases the proportion of heather but reduces that 

 of cottongrass and deer-hair grass, and favours invasion of A'ardvs. Little 

 improvement is possible. 



A'^ardus. — Where flushing is possible good pasture may be induced, other- 

 wise in A^ardus and Molinia areas grazing value is improved by burning on a 

 short rotation. 



4. On the Effect of Increasing the Amount of Calcium Phosphate in the 

 Rations of Cows on the Comvosition of the Milk. By A. Lauder, 

 D.Sc., F.I.C., and T. W. F.\g.\n, M.A. 



The investigations of previous workers on this subject were reviewed ;' 

 while there was not complete agreement between their conclusions, the £reneral 

 opinion was that the composition of the mineral matter in the milk could not 

 be readily affected by adding mineral matter to the food. 



For the present investigation six cows of the dairy Shorthorn breed were 

 selected, as nearlv equal as possible in regard to age "and period of lactation. 

 They were then divided into two lots of three each. The yield of milk given 

 bv each cow was determined at every milking by weighing. Weekly samples 

 of the milk of each cow were also taken for analysis, and the percentages of 

 phosphoric acid, ash, fat, and ' solids not fat ' determined. 



> Duclaux, Ann. Inst. Pa.steur. 1893, 2-17, Chem. Soc. Journal. 64 (1833), ii. 582 ; 

 Neumann. Milrh Zeit. 22. 701-704. Chem. Soc. Joitrnal, 66 (1894). ii. 246; Weiske, 

 Landiv. Ver.mrhs-Stat.. 1894. 45. 242-245, Chem. Soc. Journal. 66 (1894). ii. 246; 

 Neumann, J. Landiv. 1894. 42, 33; Von Wendt, Chem. Zeit. 1908. ii. 1881. Chem. 

 Soc. Journal, 96 (1909), ii. 164 ; Fingerling, Landiu. Versuchs-Stat., 1911. 76, 1, Chem. 

 Soc. Journal, 100 (1911), ii. 510. 



