46 Influence on the Production of Mutton 



vetchling and the like, quickly responded to the addition of 

 potash to superphosphate, and similarly at Sevington and 

 Cransley. One would, therefore, expect stock to produce 

 more meat on pasture treated with potash, and this has proved 

 to be the case at most of the stations where the test was made. 



The various stations, where potash entered into the scheme 

 of experiment, have been brought together in Table XX. 

 In every case there was a plot getting phosphate only (super- 

 phosphate at Cockle Park, Sevington, Cransley, and 

 Downan, basic slag at the eight other stations), while another 

 plot received potash in addition. In some instances this was 

 kainit, in others sulphate or muriate of potash, but whatever 

 the source of supply the manure was adjusted to furnish 

 [50 lbs. per acre of pure potash (K 2 0) at a cost of 26s. in 

 the case of Cockle Park, Sevington, and Cransley, 100 lbs. 

 at the six Highland Society and West of Scotland stations 

 (cost 13s. 3d.), and at Glen Dye and Ardross (cost 18s. and 

 20s. yd.), and 132 lbs. at a cost of 20s. 9d. at Downan. The 

 phosphate was applied for the first and fourth years at 

 Cockle Park, Sevington, and Cransley, while the potash 

 at these stations was given in equal quantities (50 lbs. 

 K 2 0 each) for the first, third, and seventh years. At 

 Downan the phosphate and potash were given for the 

 first and third years in the proportion of 1*5 to 1, while 

 at the eight other stations both phosphate and potash were 

 given in the first year only. The results, it will be seen 

 from the table, are (a) that at every station except Boreland 

 and Downan potash has added to the live-weight increase; 

 and (b) that at only one station (Cransley) has the live- 

 weight gain due to potash been got at a profit. At another 

 (Hillridge, described by the Highland Society reporter as 

 "light stony land") the phosphate-potash dressing has, it 

 is true, involved a loss, but the loss is less than with phos- 

 phate alone, in other words, the 67 lbs. gained by the sheep 

 (and after making some allowance for cattle grazing at this 

 station) is of greater value than the cost of the potash. At 

 three stations (Boon, Holestane and Downan) a profit gained 

 by slag alone is converted into a loss where potash was used 

 in addition. Looking a little beyond the mere figures, it 

 is quite evident that the use of potash is not even justified at 



