238 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ September 11,1890. 
merit of Agriculture, and we have now to record other results, 
which were clearly explained by Professor Jamieson at the annual 
visit of the members to the experimental stations on the 
21st ult. 
Not unimportant were his preliminary remarks about the size 
of the experimental plots. The end and aim of the experiments 
is precise information, and this for some time appeared to be 
impossible of attainment. The learned Professor’s experiments 
with land were begun some fifteen years ago in Aberdeenshire, and 
"they were subsequently extended to Sussex and elsewhere, and he 
told how at the outset quarter of an acre plots were tried ; the 
results were so contradictory that the size of the plots was gradu 
ally reduced, till the present size of l-1000th of an acre was arrived 
at. This was eight years ago, and it has been retained ever since 
with most satisfactory results, to which the plan of thoroughly 
mixing the soil of each plot has much contributed. He told how 
in France Professor Grandean has adopted plots very similar in 
"Size, as also has Dr. Peterman in Belgium ; and Dr. Yoltmann 
who has been over from Germany to inspect the experimental 
stations of this country, gives his unqualified approval of the 
Sussex stations, which is highly satisfactory, as we have reason to 
'regard German scientists as our leaders in this great work. 
Turning to the plots we saw how admirably the stronger¬ 
growing Grasses hold their own in weedy young pasture. Rye 
Grass did not bear the test at all well, for it appeared to have 
.gradually been overpowered by weeds ; but Cocksfoot has gone 
-on improving year by year, and we have no doubt that eventually 
it will be cultivated separately, just as it is in New Zealand, and 
just as Rye Grass is here. Cocksfoot has a remarkable future, for 
even those who obj’ect to the great prominence given it never 
attempt to deny that it is most nutritious and productive. Of 
Rye Grass we had another valuable lesson in the importance of 
seed selection and careful cultivation, both which tell materially 
upon bulk of crop. But perhaps the most remarkable develop¬ 
ment of plant and bulk of yield was seen in a plot sown with the 
strong-growing Grasses at the rate of 14L lbs. of seed per acre, and 
at a cost of 7s. lOd. Nothing could be more satisfactory, and 
^equally heavy crops of the same Grasses have been obtained at the 
trial station in Aberdeenshire. 
The elaborate and costly mixtures generally used for new 
permanent pasture are calculated to meet all requirements of 
grazing and haymaking, and are so far desirable ; but it is obvious 
that when hay, silage, and cattle grazing are only required, not 
only may-a very considerable saving in cost of seed be effected, but 
a more satisfactory result obtained by the use of stronger Grasses 
only. There should, of course, be a fair proportion of Clover in 
alTpasture of a permanent character, and Dr. Fream’s recent trials 
of ■ old pasture show beyond a doubt how very generally Perennial 
White Clover predominates in the best old pasture. 
Probably nine farmers out of ten would obj'ect to the breaking 
up of an old pasture in view of obtaining a better by cultivation 
and in East Anglia we doubt not that the tenth man would j'oin 
the majority. Now we know many an old pasture that in our 
opinion is, and always will be inferior, simply because they con¬ 
tain no really good Grasses. They may be made to yield a full 
crop by means of judicious and persistent manuring, but the 
practice is not commendable under all circumstances, and it has 
been shown at the Bridge Farm Station how much better it 
answers to plough up an old inferior pasture and to re-sow it, 
the herbage being altogether of a superior character, and in the 
third year its very great superiority over the plots of old pasture 
was evident. A light ploughing appears sufficient to give the new 
plant a sufficient start to thrive and become thoroughly established 
in the overturned sods of old pasture. The popular plan of sowing 
seed on old pasture has been tried at the Bridge Farm Station with 
most unsatisfactory results, no real improvement being perceptible, 
and we were reminded of the strongly expressed opinion of the 
manager of a large estate, who once told us how often he had 
supplied tenant farmers with seed for pasture renovation against 
his conviction of its usefulness. 
The manure experiments are steadily continued, and they tend 
now more to emphasise the fact well known to our readers, that the 
only three essentials are nitrogen, potash, ani phosphorus. Even 
now we occasionally read statements that sulphur, iron, and 
magnesia are necessary in manure mixtures. Professor Jamieson 
now says emphatically that to spend money upon either of these 
things or upon lime as a manure is waste. Lime acts mechanically 
in the most admirable manner upon all clay soils, and the experi¬ 
ments show its especial value upon heavy land. One important 
outcome of the manure experiments is that the best form of 
manure application to pasture is found in annual dressings of quick 
acting chemical manures. Better than dung, better than heavy 
expensive dressings of chemicals are they. Well do our readers 
know this, for have they not been reminded year after year to 
apply about 2|- cwt. of home mixed mineral and nitrogenous 
manures to pastures in February ? 
WORK ON THE HOME FARM. 
Gloomy and wet as so much of August was, it gave us a parting 
smile on the last two days, which were bright enough, and September 
came in with a hoar frost and clear sky. Brisk and bracing was the air 
as we drove at early morn through fields still full of uncarted cora, and 
we are glad to add of corn that has not sprouted, despite an almost 
daily rainfall. There should be very little Wheat threshed before the 
new year, for soft corn will be the rule and hard cora fit for grinding 
the exception this autumn. This should tend to keep the price of 
Wheat firm, and we hope the price may not induce premature threshing 
and the inevitable loss which always follows such bad practice. 
Though most of the cora has been kept from sprouting by drying 
winds, yet we have to deplore much discolouration of Barley, which is 
certain to put up the price of good malting samples, and will probably 
induce a still greater reduction of the area devoted to Barley culture 
next year, and a proportionate extension of that of Oats. The extra¬ 
ordinary crop of Beans will prove a boon to heavy land farmers, and 
will do doubt induce them to sow winter Beans extensively this 
autumn. New layers, both of Clover and mixed seeds, are exceedingly 
good and so strong in growth that we have seen some Clover in full 
bloom, and almost as high as the corn. This should induce caution in 
carting such corn, as the large quantity of herbage in the sheaves may 
do harm in the stacks if not well ripened. 
We are giving dairy cows a little extra dry food, as the rank growth 
of herbage on pastures is not so nutritious as usual at this season of the 
year, and there is a risk of some falling off in quality of the milk. 
Excessive moisture and a low temperature is liable to cause trouble 
among the udders of cows that are out constantly on pasture, soreness 
being especially prevalent in herds on low marsh pasture. During the 
present month the yards and lodges will all be closely examined and set 
in order for the coming cold season. October is frequently the most 
trying month of the year for cattle, owing to the great fall in tempera¬ 
ture and heavy rain. We like to be on the safe side, and begin using 
the yards at night according to the state of the weather. Especial care 
is taken to have the drainage of every yard in perfect order, so that 
there may be no risk of cattle having to stand about in water, or litter 
so sodden that a small puddle is made by every step taken by the 
cattle. 
METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS. 
CAMDEN SQUARE, LONDON. 
Lat. 51° 32' 40" N.; Long. 0° 8' 0" W.; Altitude, 111 feet. 
DATE. 
9 AM. 
IN THE DAY. 
Rain 
1890. 
August 
ami 
September. 
Barome¬ 
ter at 328 
and Sea 
Level. 
Hygrome¬ 
ter. 
Direction 
of Wind. 
I Temp, of 
soli at 
| 1 foot. 
Shade Tem¬ 
perature. 
Radiation 
Temperature. 
Dry. 
Wet 
Max. 
Min. 
In 
sun. 
On 
grast 
Inches. 
deg. 
deg. 
deg. 
deg. 
deg. 
deg. 
deg. 
In. 
Sunday. 
31 
80.184 
54.5 
48.0 
N.W. 
51.2 
63.6 
40.4 
112.9 
38.4 
— 
Monday. 
1 
30.343 
50.4 
48.0 
S.K. 
56.0 
67.1 
37.8 
116.7 
37.1 
— 
Tuesday .... 
2 
30.203 
59.4 
54.1 
S.E. 
56.6 
68.1 
49.4 
108.8 
47.2 
— 
Wednesday.. 
3 
30.248 
59.6 
57.3 
8.E. 
57.4 
70.4 
52.4 
113.8 
51.0 
— 
Thursday.... 
4 
30.304 
69.8 
57.7 
S. 
58.4 
70.6 
54.9 
94.0 
53.3 
— 
Friday . 
5 
30.373 
62.1 
59.2 
N.E. 
59.1 
75.8 
53.8 
115.7 
51 0 
— 
Saturday .... 
6 
30.394 
63.8 
60.3 
N.E. 
60.0 
75.4 
52.1 
110.4 
49.7 
— 
30.302 
58.5 
54.9 
57.7 
70.1 
48.7 
108.9 
48.8 
— 
REMARKS. 
3Dt —Pine and generally sunny, but occasionally overcast. 
1st.—Misty early, line day, not much bright sunshine. 
2nd.—Fine bright morning, cloudy and frequently threatening in afternoon. 
3rd.—A little sun about 11 A M. and 4 P.M.; otherwise overcast throughout. 
4th.—An almost uniform covering of thin cloud till 3 r.M., then generally bright 
5th.—Cloudy early ; bright warm day. 
6'h.—Generally overcast in morning ; bright afternoon and evening. 
A week of fine autumn weather, without measurable rain.—G. J. Symons. 
