1907.] Utilisation of Peat Land. 153 



about three weeks after. In the second year about no lb. of 

 phosphoric acid and the same quantity of potash are applied, 

 with about 40 lb. of nitrogen as a top-dressing. Potatoes are 

 not planted after the second year, as the yield diminishes very 

 much. The maximum yield obtained reaches 10 to 15 tons 

 per acre. 



The crop selected in Bavaria in the third year is normally 

 winter rye, which receives about 110 lb. of potash, half that 

 quantity of phosphoric acid, and 40 lb. of nitrogen. 



In the fourth year, oats are grown or the land is laid down 

 to grass. In either case liming is usually desirable, but only a 

 small quantity, about 5 cwt. per acre, appears to be used. If 

 oats are grown the manure applied is similar to that for rye 

 but with rather less nitrogen. Before laying the land down 

 to grass, other fodder crops can be grown, such as peas and 

 vetches, but deep rooting plants, such as turnips, kohl-rabi, or 

 carrots are not reliable. Many garden vegetables are found to 

 do well if heavily manured, and also strawberries. 



x\lthough the cultivation of field and garden crops is found to 

 be thoroughly satisfactory, experience on the upland moors of 

 Bavaria is not favourable to laying down of permanent pasture. 

 Grass is found to grow very well for the first two or three years, 

 after which it deteriorates and the land has to be ploughed up. 

 The crop from rotation grasses and clovers is, however, said to 

 be very good if suitably manured. 



Low-lying moor or fen land presents different conditions, 

 and in some cases by manuring with basic slag and kainit a great 

 improvement can be effected in the natural flora without previous 

 cultivation. It is usually better, however, to break up the soil, 

 take one or two crops, and then about the third year sow grass 

 and clover. 



Some other crops, such as maize, vines, and hops, have also 

 in individual instances been cultivated on moorland. With 

 regard to the latter crop, its cultivation seems to have met 

 with considerable success in Austria in the neighbourhood of 

 Salzburg,* where it has been grown since 1900 and where some 

 125 acres are now planted with hops. The plantations made 

 in 1901 yielded 8 cwts, per acre in 1903, 13 cwts. in 1904, and 



* Zeitschrift fur Moor hi/far, Vol. IV, No. i, 1906. 



