1920.] 



Perennial Ryegrass. 



677 



contrasting specimens of turf from Cockle Park. Two, of wild 

 white clover and perennial ryegrass, were from poor clay loam 

 soil from Palace Leas Field (meadow hay ] . Where sulphate 

 of ammonia had been regularly applied, the specimen showed 

 an accumulation of dead organic matter, about 3 inches deep, 

 on the surface, effectually preventing rain from penetrating it 

 and resulting in a dry condition of the soil beneath. Where 

 basic slag had been used the specimen showed no dead organic 

 matter, but a sweet and nutritious grass and clover herbage, 

 and the turf was greatly enriched by an abundance of clover 

 root, which rain could penetrate. The amount of nitrogen in 

 the surface of 6 inches, of soil is greater by about 400 lb. per 

 acre (the equivalent of 22 cwt. nitrate of soda) in the basic slag 

 turf than in the sulphate of ammonia turf. A similar contrast 

 was exhibited by turves from light sandy soil in Davy Houses 

 Field, which is very old pasture. Unmanured turf consisted 

 mainly of poor, wiry bent and fescue grasses, with stunted and 

 starved wild white clover plants, and nearly two inches of dead 

 organic matter below the turf, underneath which was dry and 

 apparently worthless soil. Turf treated with basic slag and 

 closely grazed with cattle contained practically no dead organic 

 matter nor wiry bent and fescue grasses, but an abundance 

 of perennial ryegrass and other good grasses, in addition to a 

 luxuriant growth of wild white clover: the soil under- 

 neath appeared a good sandy loam, dark in colour, with rich 

 organic matter and moisture. Another specimen of turf was 

 from a strong, clay loam on Davy Houses Field. Xo perennial 

 ryegrass or wild white clover had been sown for 25 years, but 

 basic slag treatment was commenced in 1903, and close grazing 

 has been practised. The turf is a valuable grazing herbage, 

 possibly as nutritive as can be obtained, and consisting almost 

 entirely of perennial ryegrass and wild white clover. 



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