On Permanent and Temporary Meadows and Pastures. 215 
cultivated artificially by irrigation. For these we must take 
into account the elements which the water can bring or take 
away. This determination can only be made if we know the 
mode of its distribution, the amount of it the land can absorb, 
and the useful elements contained in it. As these conditions 
vary considerably, according to situation, it is difficult to say 
anything except in a general way. It is, however, probable 
that in many cases it will be found well to give to the land 
after each mowing a small dressing of manure, of like com- 
position to that which is suitable for the maintenance of un- 
watered grass-lands. It pays better to apply the manure 
frequently, and in small quantities only, so as to avoid, as 
much as possible, the risk of its being washed away. This 
would apply equally to any sloping meadow not artificially 
irrigated, and that permits the rain-water to run freely off its 
surface. 
Pasture-lands. — When grass-lands are used for pasture, the 
greater part of the fertilising elements contained in the grass 
are returned at once to the soil in the excrements of the cattle. 
The restitution being thus partially effected on the spot, arti- 
ficial manures are less necessary. Nevertheless the cattle only 
return a portion of the mineral elements which have been 
supplied to them by the grass. The potash, lime, and magnesia 
are found, for the most part, in their excrements, but the phos- 
phoric acid is carried off by them in relatively greater propor- 
tion ; hence the advantage of annually restoring to grazing- 
land the phosphoric acid so removed. It will also be well to 
apply a certain quantity of potash, being guided in this matter 
by the plants on the land, and in the way I have previously 
pointed out. In the great majority of cases the desired end 
will be attained by applying annually in February 267'6 lbs. 
to the acre of a mineral manure, containing — 
In 100 parts. 
In 26" -6 lbs. 
Assimilable phosphoric acid . . 
12-0 
lbs. 
32-11 
Non-assimilable do. do. 
20 
5-35 
5-0 
13-38 
This manure should be obtained commercially at Is. hd. 
per cwt., say, 85. lOrf. per cwt. delivered ; or at an annual 
expense of 19s. OJc?. per acre. 
As far as regards nitrogen, the animals' dung, &c., provides 
sufficiently, so that this need not be a point for our con- 
sideration. 
