Of the Kaimrig Experiments. 87 



" The kidney vetch seems to be a remarkable forage plant to 

 grow on light gravelly soU, and for such I think it very valuable. 

 The biimet and chicory also seemed deep-rooting, fine plants 

 for standing drought, and, from the state of the pasture, much 

 appreciated by sheep, as they were so closely eaten down. For 

 your fine crop of hay, however, I noticed you were in the largest 

 measure indebted to the red and alsike clover. The grasses will, 

 I have no doubt, show more later. 



" The pasture field adjoining of young grass [the grazed field 

 alluded to] astonished and pleased me even more than the hay. 

 The amount of stock on it and the quantity of grass is wonderful, 

 and your manager told me it was stocked in April. I remarked 

 how closely the sheep had eaten the bumet and chicory, and here, 

 again, how the kidney vetch showed on the gravelly soil." 



As I had asked my correspondent to be kind enough, 

 to give me any hints or suggestions as to my procedure 

 of laying down, he further remarked, in the letter quoted 

 froin, as follows : — 



" I have a very strong opinion, and that founded on experience, 

 that your system, followed by a liberal use of cake on the pastm-e, 

 would show results even more surprising than those attained. 

 This I mentioned to your manager, who said it was thought an 

 objection to the sale of the lambs their having been fed on cake. 

 Those who use cake for their lambs, from this time of year, prefer 

 those who have learned to eat it. If I farmed Ohf ton I would 

 spend £500 per annum on cake, and I feel certain it would pay. 

 I spent £1,700 on it last year, and so I know something of the 

 results, and I intend, so long as it is as chpp as it is now, to 

 use more than ever. It is the only way land can be kept in 

 condition and rents paid." 



In the opinion, then, of the eminent agriculturist I 

 have just quoted the fanning of the future resolves 

 itself into plenty of stock and abundance of grass and 

 oilcake to feed it, and with his view I need hardly say- 

 that I entirely concuri 



And here I must note one point of importance as 

 regards the two poor fields to which his letter refers ; 

 that is, that neither were re-seeded in the spring, 



