Use of Artificial Manures. 



441 



Five to 7 cwt. of superphosphate or basic slag, and about 4 cwt. 

 of kainit, or an equal money value of some other potassic 

 manure, will usually prove a serviceable dressing. 



Peas should receive no dung, partly because its nitrogen 

 induces the growth of weeds, which are not easily kept down in 

 this crop, and partly because it forces a rank growth of straw 

 and retards the filling and ripening of the pods. The phosphates 

 recommended for beans and vetches may be used on peas, 

 while the potash — peas being generally grown on light land — 

 may be somewhat increased. 



Beans, vetches and peas are all lime-loving crops, and for this 

 reason basic slag is well suited to their requirements. On soil 

 poor in lime dressings of lime will produce a good effect, but 

 it is better only to grow these crops on land naturally well 

 supplied with this substance. 



Lucerne, Sainfoin and Pure Clover do best when they are 

 put in after a well-dunged and thoroughly-well-cleaned root 

 crop, but they should not be directly treated with dung. Phos- 

 phates and potash are all-important for these crops. There 

 should be, to begin with, a considerable residue of these sub- 

 stances in the land, the result of dressings applied to the previous 

 crop — usually roots. Such residues are incorporated with the 

 soil in a manner that is difficult, if not impossible, of attainment 

 with direct dressings. As regards immediate applications, some 

 5 cwt. of basic slag and 2^ cwt. of kainit may be applied in 

 autumn, and as much more kainit, together with 3 or 4 cwt. of 

 superphosphate in spring. When a good stock of the necessary 

 plant-food has been got up in the soil the dressings need not 

 be so liberal. 



Hay and Pasture. 

 Seeds, Hay. — Excluding sainfoin, lucerne, and pure clover, 

 hay on tillage land is usually got from pure grass (ryegrass, 

 timothy, cocksfoot, &c), or from a mixture of grass and clover. 

 The manuring of such crops must depend on the character of the 

 plants and of the land. If clover is absent or very scarce it may 

 be disregarded, and attention be wholly directed to stimulating 

 the grass. In this case nitrogen in some form will be the main 

 fertilising element. Thus, on an ordinary loam or clay, 1 to 3 or 



