232 



Early Matured Cattle. 



[JULY, 



better results than tares when followed by wheat and barley. 

 Tares are a leguminous crop, and, according to analysis, added 

 more than twice as much nitrogen to the soil as did the mustard 

 or rape. Nevertheless the highest produce was in 1906, as in 

 several previous years, obtained from green manuring with 

 mustard and rape, which yielded on the average 10 bushels 

 more wheat than did the tares, in spite of the extra manuring 

 which the latter crop supplied. In the report on the experi- 

 ments,* it is observed that " this result affords a thorough con- 

 firmation of the results obtained in former years, and leaves for 

 solution a very interesting question, viz. : What is the cause 

 of the apparent disappearance or, at least, the non- working of 

 the nitrogen, whereby a result is obtained in practice which is 

 so different from that which theoretical considerations would 

 lead one to expect ? " Apparently somewhat similar results 

 have been obtained with these grains in the United States, 

 as in speaking of suitable crops to follow green leguminous 

 manuring, it is observed in Farmers' Bulletin No. 278, that 

 " wheat and barley give varying results, often very favourable, 

 but not infrequently there is no increase or even a loss." In 

 Germany, too, this form of manuring is regarded as most 

 advantageous to hoed crops, particularly roots, and also for 

 oats, but as less suitable for wheat and barley. 



Among -the crops used for this purpose are various kinds of 

 beans, peas, vetches, lupins and clovers. Serradella is a very 

 favourite crop in Germany for this purpose. 



An objection to the practice of green manuring lies in the 

 fact that to a greater or less extent the crop occupies the land 

 for a time without bringing in any return, and there can be little 

 doubt that except in special cases it is better, where possible, 

 to give the green crop to stock and distribute the manure 

 over the land. 



During recent years there has been a steady advance in 

 the demand for early matured cattle in the United States, 

 and at the present time what is called 

 Early Matured " baby beef " has a firm hold on the 

 Cattle. market as supplying the very best class 



of meat. " Baby beef " may be defined 

 as a prime butchers' beast, thoroughly fattened and ripe for 



* Journal of Royal Agricultural Society, 1906, p. 300. 



