43^ 



Use of Artificial Manures. 



suffice to produce maximum crops throughout a rotation. For 

 this reason it is found to be profitable to purchase artificials, 

 which, however, should be regarded as a supplement, not as a 

 substitute, for the natural fertiliser. The larger crops that these 

 artificials produce mean, of course — if the crops are consumed at 

 home — a larger dung-heap, so that when once a farm has been 

 brought up to a high state of fertility it is prudent to curtail the 

 manure bill. 



Cereals. 



Wheat receiving 10 loads or upwards of dung per acre 

 seldom needs artificials, and the same is usually true where this 

 crop follows a well-dunged root crop, or a good clover root. 

 Where artificials are used, nitrogen is the most important 

 element, and, as wheat usually occupies strong land, nitrate of 

 soda (i — 2 cvvt. per acre) is preferable for use in spring to either 

 sulphate of ammonia or organic manures. Sometimes it is 

 desirable to help a weak plant in autumn, and then I cwt. of 

 sulphate of ammonia or 2 cwt. of rape dust or fish meal may be 

 used. The residues from applications of phosphates to the root 

 crop usually make the direct use of such manures for wheat 

 unnecessary. On the lighter classes of wheat soils, and especially 

 in the later districts, 2 cwt. per acre of superphosphate applied 

 iin autumn, by improving quality and hastening maturity, may 

 be profitable. Potash is practically of no importance in the 

 ^nanurial treatment of this crop. 



Barley responds readily to nitrogenous dressings, but as it is 

 -easily laid, and is often put in with " seeds " which thrive best 

 under a light crop, it is not often top-dressed. Moreover, barley 

 generally follows a well-manured root crop, often folded with 

 sheep, so that the land is in good condition. It is also to be 

 remembered that the grain is apt to be horny or flinty when 

 grown with too much nitrogen, so that an increase in yield may 

 be more than discounted by a reduction in quality. A fine 

 sample of barley, though a small yield, is often got after a wheat 

 crop, largely because the soil is thereby to a great extent 

 .depleted of its surplus supplies of nitrogen. 



If the field is in low condition, and especially if a short- 

 stemmed, stout-strawed variety is grown — more particularly in a 



