346 



Manuring of Essex Pastures. 



nitrogenous manures directly to the field. Taking these 

 results into consideration, it is concluded that the best treat- 

 ment is to mow and g*raze the herbage in alternate years ; to 

 feed the stock, when grazing, with oilcake or other nitro- 

 genous food, and so manure the land with nitrogen by this 

 means; and to dress the land periodically with basic slag, 

 say 2 to 4 cwts. every alternate year. In no case did the 

 application of lime prove remunerative. 



Of the individual centres, Ramsden was an old pasture, 

 upwards of half a century old, and hence comparatively rich 

 in humus and poor in phosphates and potash. Dressings of 

 superphosphate and basic slag proved the best treatment. 

 An interesting point is that the percentage of weeds was 

 found to be nearly inversely proportional to the weight of 

 hay. The best way to eliminate the weeds is to use manures 

 which encourage the herbage : in this respect the phosphatic 

 manures also proved best, augmenting both grasses and 

 clovers. In the absence of nitrogenous manures, however, 

 weeds are somewhat increased, but nitrate could not be used 

 in addition to superphosphate without greatly reducing the 

 clovers. 



Two other pastures (Ongar and Nazeing), also fully fifty 

 years old, on London clay, have only been under treatment 

 for a year or two. 



Two trials are being conducted on new grass land. One 

 centre, Bulvan, is on the London clay, and was laid down to 

 grass in 1892 ; the other, Roxwell, is on the boulder clay, and 

 was laid dow r n in 1884. As is usually the case on new 

 pasture, nitrogenous manures have paid for their application, 

 but there is evidently a limit to their profitable employment 

 when used alone. As regards this class of land, basic slag 

 applied at the rate of 2 to 4 cwt. per annum, or a heavier 

 dressing in the first year followed by smaller quantities 

 subsequently, formed the most remunerative treatment. 

 Nitrogenous manures also increased the hay, but as they 

 reduced the proportion of clovers, the application of this 

 substance in the form of cake fed to stock is suggested as 

 preferable. To obtain quickly and maintain a good bottom 

 of grass the field should be grazed every alternate year. 



