542 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
£ Jur e 50, 1887. 
rately good crop—the remaining part of the field being destitute of 
this forage plant, the sheep totally ruining it in the time named. 
It was of course Red Clover that they cropped so thoroughly. They 
would not have served the small white kind in exactly the same 
way. 
The last field entered was a three-years lay, half including Rye 
Grass, the other half being sown with a standard mixture excluding 
it, the whole laid down with Oats in April, 1885 ; land poor and thin. 
In the following spring the half of the field containing no Rye Grass 
was such an utter failure that it was ploughed up and sown with 
Tares, except a portion left for these experiments. The unmanured 
plot on this portion gave a yield at the rate of 1 ton 14 cwts. 3 qrs. 
per acre green, 15 cwts. 1 qr. dried as hay. The unmanured plot on 
the Rye Grass portion of the field gave 2 tons 19 cwts. 0 qr. green ; 
1 ton 9 cwts. 2 qrs. hay, or nearly twice the weight, and not less in 
nutritious value than from the weaker part, for according to Dr. 
Augustus Yoelcker’s analysis 6 Rye Grass is only exceeded in nutri¬ 
tious properties by the Foxtail (Alopecurus). The results of the 
manurial experiments in this field may be briefly stated. In the 
portion containing Rye Grass an outlay of Ids. 3d. for 1J cwt. of 
nitrate of soda gave a net gain per acre of 48s. 9d. ; 14s. for 1 cwt. 
of sulphate of ammonia resulting in a gain of 4Gs. ; 20s. for 1 cwt, 
of sulphate of ammonia and 2 cwts. of kainit showing a clear gain 
of 37s. ; while 15s. 9d. expended on superphosphate of lime and 
kainit resulted in a loss of 13s. 9d. The after effects—that is, the 
condition of the plots—now show that those dressed with the nitro¬ 
genous manures, and that gave such a remarkable return, are not 
equal to the unmanured plot; and the best results are seen where 
the superphosphate and kainit was applied. In the portion con¬ 
taining no Rye Grass nitrate of soda gave slightly the best results 
—again of 51s. 9d. per acre on an outlay of 16s. 3d., sulphate of 
ammonia closely following, the other manures being the same and 
showing no appreciable differerice from the results in the foregoing 
experiment; the after effects, too, are essentially the same in both 
cases, the bast plot now being that dressed with superphosphate 
and kainit last year, and the worst those to which nitrogenous 
manures were applied. 
The lesson so far tiught by these well conducted experiments is 
that it is easy to err in applying nitrogenous manures too freely and 
exclusively to new pastures with little or no bottom, and thus kill the 
goose that lays the golden eggs. Phosphates and potash are clearly 
essential, as though, especially when used alone, they show no effects 
the first year, they tell very strikingly the second, and may even by 
inducing a thick growth of Clover choke out all but the robust 
grasses, unless the finer are aided by a further dressing of 
ammoniacal salts. On old pastures with a close thick sward super¬ 
phosphate of lime and kainit are clearly beneficial and profitable, 
these materially increasing the yield of produce, and certainly 
enhancing its value by rendering it more nutritious. The effect of 
the mineral manures would probably have been more marked if 
they had been sown earlier in the season. 
If property has its duties, as most large proprietors recognise, so 
Mr. Sutton appears equally to recognise that success has its obliga¬ 
tions ; and it may be taken for granted that before the Dyson’s 
Wood experiments are concluded information will be elicited of great 
value to landowners, farmers, and gardeners ; indeed, to all who 
are identified with or engaged in the cultivation of the soil. 
value among the grass for hay, and we would recommend it as invalu¬ 
able for sowing upon thin old pasture. 
Our advice was asked recently about the selection of a mov.ing 
machine, and we at once recommended the Hornsby mower, of which we 
have had three at work lately, all of them doing the work well without 
any breakdown. No doubt the machines of other makers do the work 
well, but in the Hornsby machine we find the best combination of 
strength with simplicity and lightness. The connecting rod is short 
and vefly strong ; it is, moreover, attached to the gear on the same side 
as the knife, and is altogether preferable to the long, weak connecting 
rod .of some makers, which work right across the front of the mower, 
and so are liable to clog and often become broken or bent. 
SEED STANDS AT READING. 
At the Royal Counties Agricultural Show held at Reading last week 
Messrs. Sutton <fc Sons surpassed all their former efforts in the erection 
of the structure representing their business. In design it resembled a 
Swiss chalet, with a broad verandah round three sides, ascended by 
steps and surrounded by a balustrade covered with climbing plants. 
The walls of the building w T ere cased with virgin cork and panelled with 
flowers, well furnished hanging baskets being further suspended from 
the roof. In the enclosure round the pavilion was an attractive flower 
garden, in which various kinds of hardy annuals were charmingly 
grouped, and associated with a great display of Irises. The terrace 
slope was a close and perfect lawn, though the Grass seeds had only been 
sown five weeks, and in this large letters were cut showing the name of 
the firm in Golden Feather. Inside were piles of large solid roots grown 
at home, and models presented by the Government of India, Grasses- 
tastefully arranged, bright panels of Begonias and fine groups of 
Gloxinias, among them several plants raised from seed sown in January 
of the present year flowering freely. The whole arrangement was quite 
a departure from the extensive and elaborately furnished seed stands 
and museums that are seen at exhibitions, and attracted, as it could 
not fail to attract, crowds of admiring visitors to the show. 
Messrs. Webb & Sons of Wordsley, Stourbridge, displayed their ex¬ 
tensive museum, with which visitors to shows are familiar, and which 
is admirably representative of the character of their trade and business 
enterprise. Prominent amongst the numerous items of interest to both 
farmer and gardener were specimens of Webb’s agricultural roots grown 
in 1886, which, in addition to being of great size and fine quality, gave 
undeniable proof of keeping properties by their splendid condition. 
Webb’s Imperial Swede, Mangolds, common Turnips, and Kohl Rabi 
were also of great merit. Pots of Grasses in growth were exhibited, 
whilst the extensive collection of natural and other Grasses was interest¬ 
ing. A splendid collection of Potatoes was an attractive exhibit, com¬ 
prising all the best sorts, and notably Webb’s new varieties—Kitiver Hill, 
Red King, Renown, Wordsley Pride, Discovery, Benefactor, &e., also 
new seedlings to be sent out next season, and to some of which first- 
class certificates have been awarded. The novelties^ on this stand 
included those valuable forage plants, Maize and Sorghum, which 
are recommended by Profe-sor Long in a recent issue of the Royal 
Agricultural Society’s Journal. Another important feature was formed 
by sheaves of Webbs’ Prize Cereals. Samples are also exhibited of 
Webbs’ special manures, which have attained popularity owing to the 
liigh-class results obtained from their use. They are manufactured on 
a large scale at Widnes, Lancashire, and are sold to guaranteed 
analyses. Boxes of vegetable seeds, also samples of grasses, cereals, &c., 
adapted for ensilage crops were on view, and numerous large photo¬ 
graphs and coloured plates of Webbs’ specialities in bulbs, flowers, &c., 
contributed to the attractions of the display. 
WORK ON THE HOME FARM. 
Meadow hay requires careful management always, and this year we 
have to see that it is not over-dried before it is carted to the stack, for 
the heat and drought tell so much upon many of the pastures that much 
of the grass has been quite brown before it could be mown. We are 
still mowing grass, for we have extensive pastures on the home farm, 
and the mowing machine is kept going from 4 A.m. till 8 or 9 P.M., 
fresh horses being used every two or three hours. The tedding machines 
are also kept briskly at work, the horse rakes follow in due course, and 
so fine has the weather been, that up to the time of writing this note 
we have made no haycocks this season. The. work was never got through 
more quickly and at less cost. Fermentation is going on nicely in the 
ricks that are finished, and we believe that with the exception of a thin 
crop upon some portions of the pastures, the hay harvest will be a good 
and successful one. Two meadows of about forty acres have a fine 
deep rich loam, in which the grass is still growing freely ; this will be 
left to be mown last of all after the thinner and more forward crops 
are saved. The value of the Clovers in permanent pasture was never 
more apparent than now, for where the grass has ripened prematurely 
and deteriorated in quality for hay, the Clover serves to impart both 
flavour and richness. Not only would we have White and Red Clover 
in such pasture, but also the common Yellow Clover, which is also 
known as Trefoil, Black Medick, and by its scientific name of Medicago 
lupulina. It is really a biennial, but once established it reproduces 
itself so freely from seed that it may be regarded as a permanent plant. 
Its early growth renders it valuable for grazing, but it is of even greater 
“ Sutton’s Permanent and Tempor. ry Pastures,” pp. 124 to 148. 
METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS. 
CAMDEN SQUARE, LONDON. 
Lat. 61°32' 40" N.; Lmj, 0° 8- 0" W.; Altitude, lit feet. 
Date. 
9 A.M. 
IN THE DAY. 
d 
a 
« 
1887. 
Jane. 
Barome¬ 
ter at 32° 
and Sea 
Level. 
Hygrome¬ 
ter. 
Direction 
of Wind. 
j Temp, of 
| soil at 
j 1 foot. 
Shade Tem¬ 
perature. 
Radiation 
Temperature 
Dry. 
Wet. 
Max. 
Min. 
In 
sun. 
On 
grass 
Inches. 
deg 
deg. 
i deg. 
deg. 
deg. 
deg. 
deg. 
In. 
Sunday . 
30.240 
72.1 
628 
N.E. 
63.9 
84 3 
53.5 
130.4 
— 
Monday. 
2) 
30.35 L 
60.6 
54.3 
N.E. 
1 64.6 
75 6 
54 2 
119.4 
52.8 
— 
Tuesday ... 
21 
3C.855 
62 8 
52.9 
N. 
| 64 2 
74.3 
45 5 
124 3 
43 3 
— 
Wednesday. 
22 
30.532 
58 4 
50.9 
N.E. 
63.7 
75.7 
49. L 
119.4 
44 7 
— 
Thursday ... 
23 
30.262 
59.6 
55.7 
N.E. 
64 2 
78.7 
52.7 
123.6 
— 
Friday . 
24 
30.2 7 
56 9 
54.0 
N. 
64 5 
65.7 
52 0 
107.5 
— 
Saturday ... 
25 
30.V63 
54 7 
53.0 
N.E. 
63 1 
76.2 
52.3 
106 8 
53-7 
“ 
30.207 
60.7 
54.8 
64 0 
75 8 
51.3 
1188 
48.7 
REMARKS. 
19th.—Very bright and hot throughout. 
20th.—Bright, breezy, and pleasant. 
21st.—Clear, bright, end fresh. 
22 nd.—Cloudy early ; bright day. 
23rd.—Cloudy till about 10 A M„ bright after. 
24tb.—Overcast all day and cold. , . 
2,th.—Gloomy and overcast, with scarcely a breath of wind in the morning; nne an r 
blight after 8 P M. 
A wee’e of rainless eumtrer werther, hut cloudy at times. Temperature ah'-Ji - 
belotv th it of the preceding week, hut still above the average.—G. J. Symo is. 
lb 
