210 



Basic Slag on Clay Land. 



tions ; thus, dog's-tail is abundant, as is usual on such poor 

 pastures, and fiorin [Agrostis alba, var. stolonifera) and hard 

 fescue are both plentiful, whilst in lesser quantities there are 

 cocksfoot and quake-grass. There is also a sparse growth 

 of white clover. None of the better grasses, however, are in 

 a flourishing state ; the small amount of cocksfoot to be seen 

 being very stunted. Large patches consisting entirely of 

 carnation-grass and hoary plantain are met with all over the 

 fleld. 



This is the normal state of the herbage in the field, and its 

 character sufficiently indicates the need for improvement as 

 regards its feeding quality. In this respect the basic slag 

 has brought about the most remarkable change. Upon the 

 plot in question scarcely a plant of carnation-grass is now 

 to be seen ; the white clover has been greatly stimulated, 

 and there is a very good bottom-growth, consisting chiefly 

 of fiorin-grass. Cocksfoot seems to be distinctly benefited, 

 for it has not only increased in numbers, but has assumed a 

 much coarser growth. Another grass which seems to have 

 been greatly encouraged is hard fescue. Hoary plantain, on 

 the other hand, does not appear to be much affected by the 

 altered conditions of growth ; but the diminution of other 

 weeds is most marked — though this is perhaps partly attri- 

 butable to the preference shown by the stock for the herbage 

 of this plot. 



In another field upon this farm, having a similar soil, and 

 with a herbage of somewhat similar character, the basic slag 

 has worked an even greater change in the relative proportions 

 of useful and worthless plants. The chief difference, however, 

 in the two cases is the larger proportion of clover in the 

 second field. 



A third plot upon this farm is situated in a field having a 

 rather steep slope, and characterised by a sparse herbage, 

 with a profusion of ox-eye daisy, self-heal, and cudweed. 

 Here the effect of the manure has been to bring on a very 

 fine head of red clover, and to eliminate, to a great extent, 

 the ox-eye daisy and some of the other weeds. 



In the field adjoining the last, but occupying the crown of 

 the hill, a fourth experiment has demonstrated the apparent 



