Scientific Agriculture. 34 |-j AN jgQg 



follow, to keep plenty of fresh water where it can be always accessible. Whilst the 

 salt costs less than the increase of milk was worth from 6s. to 7s„ a very large 

 profit on an insignificant outlay. It may be that nobody who begins to place salt 

 regularly before his stock may find such a large profit result from it as in this case, 

 but it is more than likely that he may improve their condition to such an extent 

 that the milk secretion will increase, and he will gain some profit from it, even if 

 not to the large extent which is shown by this experiment." 



SWEETENING FODDER. 



For sweetening and preserving fodder, and to prevent hay from fermenting 

 and becoming mouldy when stacked, the antiseptic properties of salt make it a 

 most valuable remedy. Sprinkle salt over every layer of 2 ft. in the central part of 

 the stack. Coarse salt is the best for this purpose. 



SALT FOR DAIRY PURPOSES. 



Too much care and judgement cannot be exercised in choosing salt for dairy 

 purposes, as upon this depends, to a large extent, the saleable appearance and 

 keeping quality of the products. A suitable quality of salt dissolves quickly with- 

 out leaving behind a particle of " grit," and the butter or cheese will have a uniform 

 taste and flavour. The"Ashton," "Eureka," "Yeoman," " Falcon," and " Black 

 Horse," brands of dairy salt are undoubtedly the most approved.— Indian Agricul- 

 turist, Vol. XXXII, No. 10, October, 1907. 



PRINCIPLES OF TILLAGE AND ROTATION. 



By Wm. H, Day, b.a., Lecturer in Physics. 



It is the chief purpose ot tillage to improve the condition of the soil in order 

 that it may the better minister to the plant, which needs moisture, air, warmth 

 food, and proper sanitary environment. 



Perhaps the most important factor in crop production is the proper supply 

 of moisture, for on this depend all the others. If the water is excessive, the soil is 

 cold and germination and growth slow, air cannot reach the roots, and the plant 

 suffocates, grows sickly, and refuses to assimilate the food. If, on the other hand, 

 the water is insufficient, no amount of air, warmth or food can avail to produce a 

 crop. Hence we shall notice first, tillage in relation to soil moisture. 



It may be well at this juncture to inquire, " Whence do crops draw their 

 supply of moisture ? Do they draw it mainly from the rains that fall throughout 

 the growing season, or do they draw it rather from the store of water in the soil 

 beneath, accumulated ther e from the April showers, the snows of winter, and the 

 rains of autumn ? " This is a vital point, on it hangs the whole question of cultivation. 

 If the supply is drawn mainly from the summer rains, then our cultivation must be 

 such that the soil will absorb quickly the water of those summer rains, and rid 

 itself quickly of the surplus ; if it is drawn mainly from the spring, winter and 

 autumn precipitation, then our cultivation must be varied accordingly. Whether 

 they draw from the summer or winter precipitation, depends to a certain 

 extent upon the season. During a very wet season plants feed largely upon 

 current rains ; but during a moderate or dry season they have to draw from 

 the store below, because the evaporation from the soil and the transpiration 

 by the plant exceed the amount of rainfall while the plants are growing. Let 

 me! give you here the result of a little test we have made on this point. Last year 

 was a rather dry season. We sowed wheat, peas, barley, and oats in four-gallon 

 crocks, and set them outside where they received all the rain that fell during their 

 period of growth, but this was found insufficient, and the crocks were watered at 



