Influence of Manures on Mutton. 



301 



left a profit ; but it has paid its way from the butchers point 

 of view. Possibly the free lime in the basic slag may be the 

 cause of that manure proving slightly superior to super., as 

 shown below. 



The effect of the lime of Plot 8 on the weight of hay was 

 practically immaterial, but it was very manifest on its 

 botanical composition. The plot was in marked contrast to 

 No. 5 in regard to the richness of its herbage, and this 

 superiority could be seen from a long distance. The 

 botanical analysis of 1899 shows that Agrostis has been 

 reduced from 45 per cent. Plot 5) to 33 per cent., cocksfoot 

 has been raised from 5 per cent, to 7 per cent., fescues and 

 Yorkshire fog from 5 per cent, to 8 per cent, each, and white 

 clover from 2 per cent, to 6 per cent. 



The joint report of the butcher and wool-expert is as 

 follows : — 



" Plot 2, sheep in rather better condition than those on 

 No. 6, wool 2^Jbs. Plot 8, sheep better quality than those of 

 No. 3, though not so heavy. Quality and lustre of the wool 

 as good as in the case of No. 3, but ^lb. less of it, i.e., 3|lbs. 

 As compared with Plot 5, the sheep of No. 8 are very superior, 

 and carry Jib. more wool." 



Plots 4 and 5. — $cwt per acre of basic slag compared with an 

 equivalent amount of super. — In comparing basic slag with 

 superphosphate the basis may be : 



(a) Equality of weight — 5 cwt., let us say, of slag being 

 tested against 5 cwt. of super. Such a basis, however, 

 would have nothing to recommend it. for equal quantities of 

 these materials would represent neither equal cost, nor an 

 equal amount of plant food. 



(b) Equality of cost — a system of comparison that is 

 unsatisfactory on account of the fluctuations of the market. 



(c) Equality of amount of plant food — which is the most 

 strictly accurate basis of comparison, and the one here 

 adopted. Plots 4 and 5 each received ioolbs. of phosphoric 

 acid in the spring of 1897 in the form of 5 cwt. of basic slag 

 and 7 cwt. of superphosphate respectively, nothing having 

 since been applied. In the first year the super. — as was to be 

 •expected — produced more effect than the slag, but in the 



