4 The History of a Field neivhj laid down to Pei^manent Gi'ass. 
Hence the quantity was reduced, until it is now found that, with 
the amount of dung and of artificial mineral manures used, 
about two-thirds of a cwt. of nitrate of soda per acre per annum 
is sufficient to yield as full a crop as can be obtained without 
reducing the bottom herbage, and therefore the quality of the hay. 
It is seen that, under the above conditions as to manuring, 
the amount of crop has increased from an average of 1 ton 
8 cwts. per acre per annum over the first 8 years, to nearly 
1 ton 14 cwts. over the second 8 years, and to nearly 2 tons 
4 cwts. over the third period of 7 years ; the average over the 
23 years being 1 ton 14| cwts. of hay per acre per annum. 
It is obvious, therefore, that the condition of the land has 
gradually improved. It may be added that, in 1888, in conse- 
quence of the luxuriant second growth, a second crop was, for 
the first time, taken. It amounted to 1 ton 4;^ cwts. per acre, 
and the first and second crops together amounted to 3 tons 
1 cwt. Purchased dung, at the rate of 9 tons per acre, has, 
however, since been applied. The amount of the second crop is 
not included in the record of produce given in Table I., which 
relates to first crops only. 
Table II. — Balance Sheet. 
Average per acre ])cr annum, 23 years, 186G-1888. 
£ s. d. 
3 tons 8 cwts. purchased dung, including carriage, cartage, and 
spreading, at 7s. 6d. per ton 15 6 
61 lbs. superphosphate, at 5s. per cwt. 0 2 0 
46 lbs. sulphate of potash, at 15s. per cwt 0 6 2 
26 lbs. guano, at lis. per cwt 0 2 6 
91 lbs. nitrate of soda, at 16s. per cwt 0 13 0 
Total for manures . . . . . 2 9 11 
Rent (as arable), tithe, and rates 1 10 0 
narrowing, rolling, and occasional labour 0 10 0 
Total 4 9 11 
1 ton 14| cwts. of hay sold, at il. per ton 6 18 6 
Balance 2 8 7 
In attempting to make out a balance-sheet of the results, it is 
impossible to be strictly accurate, owing to the number of years 
over which the operations have extended, and the great fluctua- 
tions which have taken place in the prices both of the manures 
used and of the produce obtained during the period. As to the 
expenses of hay-making, they may be considered as set against 
the rent obtained for feeding the after-grass, as this fully or 
more than paid the cost. Adopting an average price of 4Z. per 
ton for the hay, of 7s. 6d. per ton for the dung spread on the 
