1922.] 



Grassland in Cornwall 



73 



poor condition. The treatment was designed to ascertain 

 whether such a pasture could be so improved as to obviate the 

 necessity of breaking it up for i\ few years. The field was 

 divided into six one-acre plots and treated with (1) Superphos- 

 phate, (2) Superphosphate, Sulphate of Ammonia and Muriate 

 of Potash, (3) Superphosphate and Muriate of Potash, (4) No 

 manure, (5) 33 per cent, solution of Sulphate of Ammonia, and 

 (6) Farmyard Manure. 



On 2^- acres across the plots, one half of which had received 

 lime and the other half had not, a renovating mixture consisting 

 of 2 lb. Single-cut Cowgrass, 1 lb. White Clover, 1 lb. Alsike 

 Clover, 1 lb. Timothy, 1 lb. Rough-stalked Meadow-grass, 8 lb. 

 Perennial Eye-grass per acre, was sown in April, 1921, after 

 the surface had been thoroughly harrowed. The field was in- 

 spected in November, and the following report made : ' ' The 

 limed portion showed great improvemeni and was more evenly 

 grazed. The effect of the renovating mixture was excellent, 

 there was a good * take ' of clover, and such weeds as Prunella 

 and silver leaf, which were very conspicuous before treatment, 

 were only to be seen in isolated patches. The plots to which 

 superphosphate and potash were applied were all greatly im- 

 proved, particularly the potash ones." 



The success of this experiment in renovating a very poor thin 

 pasture is striking, and should encourage other farmers to try 

 the effect of a good harrowing with a toothed harrow, followed by 

 the application of a few pounds of suitable mixture per acre, 

 rolled in and dressed with superphosphate and potash. 



At another centre at Trebilcock, Roche, three experiments 

 were conducted. In Field A. hming was followed by a " seeds " 

 mixture for temporary pasture. The lime applied was at the 

 same rate as in Field A. of the Mawnan centre (gi'ound Hme, 

 ground limestone and sea sand). The field w:>s " seeded out " 

 on dredge com in 1921, four separate mixtures being sown on 

 one-acre plots. A great difference was seen in October, 1921, 

 between the limed and unlimed portion of the field, the sea 

 sand plot especially showing up remarkably well. 



Field B., an old rouo^h and coarse ])asture. was divided into 

 four one-acre plots and treated with artifiiMnls. The plots were 

 then cross-dressed with lime in the tliroe previously mentioned 

 forms. In October, 1921, and ago in in Mnrch, 1922. a great 

 improvement on all the manured n^ots could be seen, but the 

 most noticeable was on Plot 4. wliich had received Superphos- 

 phate, Sulphate of Ammonia and Muriate of Potash. 



