1 9ip.] Summary of Agricultural Experiments. 403 



nitrogen and phosphates, and six a complete dressing of varying com- 

 position. The manures used were nitrate of soda, sulphate of ammonia, 

 superphosphate, and three forms of potash, viz., muriate of potash, 

 sulphate of potash, and kainit. Quantities of these were applied 

 sufficient to supply 20 lb. of nitrogen, 25 lb. of phosphoric acid, and 

 25 lb. of potash. 



This scheme has been carried through at twenty-one centres in the 

 three years, but the returns from sixteen only are considered reliable. 

 Taking the average of these, the most profitable dressings have been 

 the following: — (1) 100 lb. sulphate of ammonia; 208 lb. superphos- 

 phate; 200 lb. kainit; all applied within the first fourteen days of 

 April ; (2) 100 lb. sulphate of ammonia, 208 lb. superphosphate, both 

 applied within the first fourteen days of April ; 50 lb. muriate of potash, 

 applied within the first fourteen days of March. Each of these dress- 

 ings, costing about igs. 3d. per acre, has given an increase of io| cwt. 

 of hay over the unmanured plots, which, valued at ^3 per ton, leaves 

 a profit of about 12s. 6d. per acre, due to the manures. The experiment 

 is to be continued. 



Manuring of Ryegrass and Clover (Lanes. C.C. Educ. Com., Agric. 

 Dept., Farmers' Bulletin 15). — In 1906 and 1907 an experiment on the 

 manuring of ryegrass and clover ( 1st year's "seeds") was carried out 

 on eleven farms in Lancashire. Only artificial manures were used. 

 Nitrate of soda alone, and with superphosphate in addition, produced 

 a satisfactory increase in the crop, but the best results were given by 

 a dressing of 1 cwt. nitrate of soda, 2 cwt. superphosphate, and 1 cwt. 

 muriate of potash, and this is recommended for the crop where clover 

 is fairly abundant. If on inspecting the young "seeds" it is found 

 that ryegrass forms the bulk of the herbage the muriate of potash may 

 be reduced and the nitrate of soda increased. With the mixture recom- 

 mended, the yield of the crop (first cutting) was 11^ cwt. above that 

 without manure, and the profit from the dressing after deducting its 

 cost was 95. nd. per acre. The largest yield was produced by the plot 

 receiving 2 cwt. nitrate of soda and 2 cwt. superphosphate, which left 

 a profit of 165. Sd. per acre, but the character of the herbage de- 

 tracted much from its value. Without nitrogenous manure the growth 

 of the clovers was promoted, but the plot lacked height and growth of 

 ryegrass, while the use of sulphate of ammonia early in the year and 

 the forcing of the ryegrass by heavy applications of nitrate of soda 

 impaired the abundance and strength of the clovers. 



The whole cost of the manures was charged against the first crop 

 in calculating the results, but notes were taken on the growth of the 

 aftermath, and the effect of the manures was shown to be by no means 

 exhausted by the first crop. The complete mixture produced in tb^ 

 aftermath a better herbage than incomplete mixtures. 



Seeds Mixtures for Permanent Pasture (Univ. Coll. of N. Wales,. 

 Bangor, Bui. 6, 1909). — Plots on nine farms were laid down with four 

 different seeds mixtures in 1906. Each plot was § acre in size. The 

 following notes will give an indication of the nature of the mixtures : — 



Mixture A. — Contains a considerable quantity of Ryegrass and more 

 Red Clover than any of the others. It approaches more nearly to the 

 mixtures usually sown by farmers than B, C, or D. Weight per acre, 

 3?i lb. ; cost £1 os. ud. 



F F 2 



