590 Summary of Agricultural Experiments, [oct., 



1908). — Four different seeds mixtures were sown, together with a plot 

 each of red clover and rye grass for comparison. The experiment is 

 being repeated. 



Manuring of Seeds Hay (Midland Agric. and Dairy Coll., Repts. 

 on Expts., 1907-8). — These trials have now been carried on for five 

 years for the purpose of ascertaining whether this crop can be profitably 

 treated with artificial manures. Plots at a number of farms were 

 dressed with different mixtures of artificials and compared with un- 

 manured plots. The results are considered to show that : — 



1. The seeds hay crop can be profitably treated with artificial 

 manures, even in a prolific season, and on good land. 



2. It is better to apply a complete dressing — i.e., one containing 

 nitrogen, phosphates, and potash — rather than an incomplete one. 



3. Unit for unit the nitrogen contained in the two manures, sulphate 

 of ammonia and nitrate of soda, is of equal value to this crop. The 

 user's choice should, therefore, be in accordance with the cost per unit. 



4. In these trials muriate of potash was the only form of potash 

 which gave a profitable return, and then only when applied within the 

 first fourteen days of March. 



The following mixture is recommended as giving the best and most 

 profitable yields : — 105 lb. muriate of potash (50 lb. potash) applied 

 within the first fourteen days of March, followed by 130 lb. sulphate of 

 ammonia (25 lb. nitrogen), 216 lb. superphosphate (25 lb. phosphoric 

 acid), applied within the first fourteen days of April. 



The results of the experiments carried out on similar lines in 1908 

 are given in Bulletin No. 1, 1908-9. 



Manuring of Grass Land (Univ. Coll., Reading, Expts. at the College 

 Farm, 1908). — An acre of old grass land has been divided into ten plots 

 and is treated with different manures, which are repeated annually, to 

 observe the effect of the fertilisers on the quality and quantity of the 

 herbage. In 1907 and 1908 the best average results were obtained 

 with: — (1) 1 cwt. nitrate of soda, 3 cwt. basic slag; (2) 1 cwt. nitrate 

 of soda, 5 cwt. kainit ; (3) 5 cwt. basic slag, 3 cwt. kainit. All these 

 did slightly better than 16 loads of dung, but the results obtained from 

 5 cwt. basic slag alone were slightly inferior. 



Laying Down of Permanent Grass Land (Univ. Coll., Reading, 

 Expts. at the College Farm, 1908). — Two series of § acre plots have 

 been sown with different seeds mixtures, and the percentage of ground 

 covered by the different species, and the hay crops in 1907 and 1908, are 

 given. 



Manuring of Meadow Land (Univ. Coll. of Wales, Rept. on Expts,, 

 1907-8). — An experiment was commenced in 1906 at Waunifor to deter- 

 mine the manurial requirements of meadow land in the district. The 

 land is a medium loam with a good percentage of organic matter, but 

 was much exhausted by preceding crops. The crops obtained on 15 

 plots in 1906 and 1907 are given. 



In 1907 as in 1906 the heaviest yield and the greatest profit per acre 

 were obtained on the complete manure plots. Of the single manures 

 kainit seems to have been the ingredient most required, which has been 

 found to be a common experience in manuring land of this description. 

 The experiment is being continued. 



