1905.] Improvement of Poor Pastures. 611 



almost as potent a factor in determining productiveness as the 

 manures. 



Looking at the results over the three seasons, it will be seen 

 that the grass growing on the unmanured land produced in the 

 sheep an average increase of 53 lb. per acre each season. A 

 heavy dressing of lime on Plot 2 did not greatly increase the 

 yield, but the other plots were much improved. The greatest 

 increase was obtained on Plot 1, but in two years out of the 

 three the sheep were receiving a liberal supply of decorticated 

 cotton cake, while on the other plots they were getting grass 

 only. On Plot 3 the sheep did nearly as well without cake 

 as they did with the assistance of a concentrated food on 

 Plot 1. The manure for this, the most successful plot, was 

 10 cwt. basic slag ; 10 cwt. of basic slag per acre is a heavy 

 dressing, but it was warranted in this case, for with half the 

 quantity there was just half the increase (Plot 4). Super- 

 phosphate (Plot 5) did not do so well as basic slag. 



Plots 3, 4, and 5 received phosphates only, but there are many 

 pastures for which phosphates, if used alone, would not be 

 suitable, and accordingly Plots 7 to 10 received other fertilisers 

 in conjunction with phosphates. The standard for comparison 

 with Plots 7 to 10, is Plot 5, which got 7 cwt. of superphosphate. 

 Plot 7 received the same quantity of superphosphate with a. 

 liberal supply of a potash manure in addition, and potash has 

 increased the yield. Lime and sulphate of ammonia have- 

 similarly increased the yield on Plots 8 and 9. The results on 

 Plots 9 and 10 have been similar, but are slightly in favour of 

 dissolved bones. 



The chief lesson of the Cransley experiment may be summed 

 up in a sentence. In order to improve poor pastures on clay 

 soils, we must begin by giving a heavy dressing of basic slag ; 

 no other manure is likely to be necessary. There is one 

 important proviso : — The pasture must contain clovers, other- 

 wise basic slag will be of no use. The quantity of manure must 

 vary according to circumstances, and should usually run from 7 

 to 10 cwt. per acre. If the pasture contains small white clover 

 plants and bent grass {Agrostis) apply 10 cwt. slag, but if 

 suckling clover, or medic, or bird's-foot trefoil, then 7 cwt. slag 

 is likely to be enough. Farmyard manure, or sulphate of 



