314 



Influence of Manures on jNIutton. 



that the manures have had a markedly greater influence on 

 the quality than on the quantity of the herbage. 



Another cause that may be operating to produce the results 

 indicated, is that when land is grazed it may bear a larger 

 amount of food for stock than when its herbage is allowed to 

 grow to maturity. Certainly the vegetable matter that is 

 produced under the system of grazing must be much more 

 digestible than is the case where grass and other plants are 

 allowed to grow unchecked. Whatever the explanation may 

 be , it is a matter not unworthy of further attention. It is 

 probably hardly necessary to mention that there is a special 

 reason lor the percentage of mutton being in excess of that 

 of the hay on Plot i , where the oil and carbo-hydrates of the 

 cake would have a material effect on the sheep, though none 

 on the hay. No particular notice, therefore, need be taken ot 

 Plot I in regard to this question, but the consistent agree- 

 ment that exists between the other plots strongly indicates 

 that some general cause is affecting them all. The third 

 column, which shows the number of pounds of herbage, stated 

 as hay, necessary to produce i lb. of live-weight increase^ 

 clearly proves that a definite weight of irnproved herbage 

 may produce as much increase in live-weight as a double 

 quantity of poor herbage in its natural state. Thus, w^hile it 

 has taken the equivalent of over 40 lbs. of hay to increase by 

 I lb. the weight of the sheep on Plots 2 and 6, it has re- 

 quired less than 25 lbs of material, similarly calculated, to 

 effect the same increase in the case of the sheep grazing Plots 

 3 and 7. The conclusion would therefore appear to be justified 

 that in judging of the success of any process practised for 

 the improvement of grass-land, mere quantity of produce may 

 prove a somewhat unreliable index. 



W. SOMERVILLE. 



