Influence of Manures on Mutton. 301 



though improvement both in quantity and quality would 

 manifestly be the most desirable result of all. 



After inspecting- several farms the Committee resolved to 

 lease Cockle Park, containing rather over 400 acres, at a rent 

 of ^200 per annum, upwards of 100 acres of which was 

 valued at 5s. per acre. In the winter of 1896-97, the Tree 

 Field, consisting of about 34 acres of the class of pasture 

 referred to, was sub-divided by stock-proof fences into ten 

 plots of three acres each, the balance being held in reserve 

 to provide an extra plot, if required. Besides these ten large 

 plots, other ten sub-plots, of acre each, were also fenced 

 off, each of the larger plots embracing one of the minor 

 plots. The whole field was very equal in character, so much 

 so that it would have been difficult to say that one plot was 

 better than another. Each of the main plots was provided 

 with a supply of drinking water, and all were in much the 

 same condition as regards shelter, Nos. 8, 9, and 10 having 

 the advantage, if any, in this respect. 



Early in 1897 the manures indicated in the accompanying 

 tables were applied, due regard being paid to such matters 

 as allowing an interval to elapse between the application of 

 the super, and lime to plot 8, and the withholding of the 

 sulphate of ammonia of plot 9 till growth had fairly started. 

 The manures were all analysed, and the quantities were so 

 arranged that 200 lbs. per acre of phosphoric acid were 

 applied to No. 3 ; 100 lbs. per acre of the same substance to 

 Nos. 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10; 50 lbs. per acre of potash to No. 7 ; 

 20 lbs. of nitrogen to No. 9; and 17*2 lbs. of nitrogen to 

 No. 10. No. I received no direct manuring so far as the 

 pasture plot was concerned, but the sheep grazing it received 

 J lb. per head per day of decorticated cotton cake — two con- 

 signments showing 6*98 per cent, and 6*84 per cent, of 

 nitrogen ; while sub-plot No. i received ground decorticated 

 cotton cake (7'3i per cent, nitrogen) equal to about 6 cwt. per 

 acre, and containing 50 lbs. of nitrogen. At the end of three 

 years the pastured area of plot i will have received about the 

 same amount of nitrogen in the form of manurial residue as the 

 sub-plot (hayed) received in its first year in the shape of 

 crushed cake. Except in the case of the pasture portion of 

 Plot I, where the sheep have each year consumed f lb. per head 



