100 Grass Seed Mixtures and Temporary Leys, [may, 



Rape, if sown later than about the middle of August, does 

 not produce a crop which is of much use until the following 

 spring, although if sown before that time a bulky crop, ready 

 for use in November, may be expected. In North Wales 

 comparatively heavy seeding appears to be necessary with 

 oats, peas and vetches, but, on the other hand, light seedings 

 of rape, kale and white turnips (sown broadcast) give heavier 

 crops than heavy seedings. These crops also stand the winter 

 better. For broadcast sowing, 6 lb. rape or kale and about 

 2 lb. white turnips per acre appear to be quite sufficient, 

 provided that the tilth is satisfactory^ 



In the uncertain climate of the western district of North 

 Wales, which often makes it impossible to get on to any but 

 the driest land from the middle of October to the middle of 

 March, it will probably be found impossible to develop in its 

 entirety the soiling system worked out at the Harper Adams 

 Agricultural College,* but a system of cropping which provides 

 green food to supplement pasture after the end of June will 

 be found of very great value on most dairy farms. Even 

 allowing for the present cost of labour, the milk flow and con- 

 dition of cows can be maintained more cheaply in this way than 

 by the use of purchased cake. For instance, at the North 

 Wales University College Farm it was estimated that the 

 produce of about 3I acres took the place of about 7 tons of 

 Concentrated food, and, in view of the short pasturage available, 

 probably maintained the flow of milk much better than the 

 cake w^ould have done. The cost of cultivating these crops 

 is comparativety small, the most serious item being for labour 

 in cutting and carting the green stuff. The possibility of 

 securing two crops in the year adds to the advantage of the 

 system. 



The University College of North Wales has issued a detailed 

 report on these experiments, which may be obtained from the 

 Principal of the College at Bangor. 



The scarcity and high cost of grass and clover seeds at the 

 present time renders it necessary for farmers to exercise the 



utmost care in the selection and use of their 

 L^'lZtZXl. -ed. This need becomes .ncreasingty 



important m view 01 the part the 

 temporary ley is likely to play in the immediate future in 

 connection with the. cultivation of land recently broken out 



• See this Journal^ March, 1920, p. 11 59. 



