404 Summary of Agricultural Experiments, [august, 



Mixture B. — Contains less Perennial Ryegrass, but a larger number 

 of other grasses and pasture plants. Part of the Red Clover is replaced 

 by Alsike. The price of this mixture is somewhat higher than that of 

 mixture A. Weight per acre, 28J lb. ; cost, £1 2s. %d. 



Mixture C. — Italian Ryegrass is omitted and larger quantities of 

 some of the stronger growing permanent grasses together with a few 

 bottom grasses introduced. This mixture is more expensive than 

 A or B. Weight per acre, 33! lb. ; cost, £1 10s. id. 



Mixture D.— This is one of those recommended by Mr. R. H. Elliot, 

 of Clifton Park, Kelso. It contains no Perennial Ryegrass, but a larger 

 number than usual of other pasture plants, including Burnet, Chicory, 

 and Kidney Vetch, which until recently have not been included in seed 

 mixtures. These are deep-rooted plants, and in dry seasons may be 

 useful on account of their drought-resisting properties, especially on 

 light soils. Weight per acre, 47I lb. ; cost, £2 gs. gd. 



The plots were mown in 1907 and 1908, when mixture D yielded 

 the greatest weight of hay. Mixture A also yielded a very satisfactory 

 crop, especially in the first year. 



In 1909 the experiment was continued at seven of the centres, the 

 plots being grazed and inspected during the summer. The plots sown 

 with mixtures A and B were then poor and thin, B being a little the j 

 better of the two, owing to the slightly larger proportion of perennial J 

 grasses. C was on the average much better, and with a large per- 

 centage of strong permanent grasses, and a close bottom herbage of i 

 finer grasses and yarrow, it gave every indication of providing a thick 

 close sward. Mixture D was decidedly the best in appearance. The 

 finer grasses and yarrow, which were particularly good, in some cases 

 almost gave to this plot the appearance of an old pasture. Practically 

 all the Sheeps' Parsley, Burnet, and Kidney Vetch had disappeared. 

 While it is too soon to draw definite conclusions as regards the suit- j 

 ability of the different mixtures for forming permanent pasture, it is 

 considered that there is every indication that the more expensive mix- 

 tures used on plots C and D will prove to be the cheapest in the long 

 run. A mixture such as that used on plot A, while giving satisfactory 

 hay crops in the first year or two, contains a very small proportion of 

 permanent grasses, and would appear to be quite unsuited for forming 

 permanent pasture. 



A further experiment with three of the same mixtures, and with a 

 modification of D in order to make it less expensive, was started in : 

 igo'9. ' j 



OFFICIAL CIRCULARS AND NOTICES. 

 The Committee appointed to advise the Board of Agriculture and I 

 Fisheries on all scientific questions bearing on the improvement of 



agriculture held its first meeting in Committee 

 Advisory Committee on Room A, House of Lords, on the 29th July. 

 Agricultural Science. In the unavoidable absence of Lord Car- 



rington, Sir Thos. Elliott, K.C.B., Permanent) 

 Secretary of the Board, presided, and explained the policy of the Board 

 in appointing the Committee. The Committee subsequently discussed 

 the best methods of carrying out the work entrusted to them ; and 

 appointed sub-committees to deal with particular sections of the subject. 



