PRESIDEKTIAL ADDRESS. 



379 



Cockle. Park, Hanging Leaves Expertment (All Plotit receired per acre about 

 6 ciuf. Slag for 1S98 and 10 cwt. for 1903). 



and 4 got the same initial dressing of slag (10 cwt. per acre) for 1903, since 

 which year the stock grazing on Plot 2 have eaten 3 cwt. per acre per annum of 

 cotton cake. In addition, this plot has every 3 years (commencing with 1906) 

 received 5 cwt. per acre of slag. Plot 4 has every 3 years received 4 cwt per acre 

 of slag and 3^ cwt. of fish meal, the slag and fish meal combined Ijeing estimated to 

 supply P2O5 and nitrogen equal to these eubstances contained in the 5 cwt. of 

 slag and 9 cwt. of cotton cake given every 3 years to Plot 2. The cake plot 

 (No. 2) has yielded in the aggregate of 14 years about 470 lb. more live-weight 

 increase, but as ihe cost of doing so has been about 14Z. the balance of profit is 

 much in favour of Plot 4. As in the case of Plot 3 (cake alone after initial 

 dressing of slag) the productivity of Plot 4 is distinctly on the down grade, and 

 both as regards the live-weight increase and net returns it compares very 

 unfa\ourably with Plot 1, which received the same initial treatment a« regards 

 slag, and subsequently was dressed at 3-year intervals with 5 cwt. of slag, instead 

 of 4 cwt. of slag and 3^ cwt. of fish meal. It seems to be quite clearly proved, 

 therefore, that on such pasture land as Cockle Park the addition of nitrogen to 

 phosphates is most detrimental, and no doubt for the reason that it encourages 

 grass to the disadvantage of clover. 



From this rapid survey of grass-land experiments the following conclusions 

 may legitimately be drawn : — 



1. That the quality of a pasture is not primarily dependent on its botanical 

 composition, though, as a rule, the presence of white clover and other 

 Leguminosfe is indicative of high feeding value. 



2. That poor pastures, especially on clay soil, can be rapidly and profitably 

 improved by the use of phosphate.?, especially basic slag. 



3. Tliat, as a rule, phosphates alone are sufficient to effect and maintain the 

 improvement, and that, of supplementary substances, potash and lime are 

 occasionally worthy of attention. 



4. That the improvement of poor pasture is very dependent on the presence 

 of Leguminos;e, and especially of white clover. 



5. That renovating with the seed of wild white clover may, in the absence 

 of natural Leguminosre, be a necessary preliminary or concurrent operation. 



6. That cake can rarely be used at a profit, and that, as an agent in improving 

 poor pasture, it occupies an unsatisfactory position. 



7. That nitrogen, whether in the form of artificial manure, or as cake 

 residues, when added to phosphates for pasture, is always unnecessary and 

 frequently detrimental. 



8. That, in the case of hay on permanent grass land, equal weights of produce 

 may have very different feeding values. 



9. That few forms of agricultural expenditure are more certain in their results 



