Influence of Manures on Mutton. 307 



Effect of Decorticated Cotton CaJze (Plot i). — The 6 cwt. of 

 ground, cake applied to the hayland of Plot, i has produced 

 -an increase of 8| cwt. of hay per acre, but at the rate of 

 valuation adopted, namely 50s. per ton, this form of treat- 

 ment has not yet produced a profit. The Legiimiiiosce are 

 here at their absolute minimum. 



The effects of the cake on the sheep are very satisfactory. 

 In 1897 the live-weight gain recorded on Plot i was the 

 ^highest of the series, though in 1898, when the influence 

 of the manures was much more pronounced than in 1897, 

 the aggregate gain in mutton was considerably greater 

 •on one of the other plots, while the increase per head 

 per week was exceeded by the sheep on four of the plots. 

 By both systems of valuation, how^ever, the use of the cake 

 lias been directly profitable. 



At the end of the season of 1898 tlie butcher reported, 

 Skin show^s healthy thriving condition. The sheep have 

 slaughtered quite equal to promise according to handling, 

 chat is, their mutton showed a good deal of what we call 

 ' sap,' and is therefore fine-flavoured and tender." 



Effect of Common Lime [Plot 2). — This substance has pro- 

 duced practically no effect on the hay, and has done nothing 

 to stimulate the growth of clover or other LegiiminoscE. In 

 both years the rate of increase per head per week was lower 

 on the limed plot than on the untreated ground. Whether 

 tested by hay, by live-weight increase, or by the butcher's 

 valuation, the use of this substance shows a loss of 44s. to 

 .50s. per acre. 



Regarding the sheep the butcher reported, " Not thriving, 

 skin shows a want of 'bloom.' Mutton as dry as * chips,* 

 ■giving the impression that the sheep were not only not 

 improving, but had the appearance of going back." 



Effect of Adding Lime to Phos^pJiate [Plot Some interest 

 centres round the question as to whether the free lime in basic 

 slag contributes anything to the effectiveness of that manure. 

 By way of throwing some light on the question, Plot 8 was 

 treated precisely like No. 5 — that is to say, both received 

 7 cwt. per acre of superphosphate ; but Plot 8 got, as an addi- 

 tional dressing 10 cwt. per acre of finely- ground quicklime. The 



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