INFLUENCE OF MANURES ON MUTTON. 320 

As slag is a cheaper source of phosphate than super- 
phosphate, Plot 4 has a very decided advantage when the 
profits are considered. But had there been no slag in the 
question a return of mutton worth 68s. 1d. for an expendi- 
ture of 36s. 4d. in superphosphate (and this apart from any 
residual value) would have been entirely satisfactory. 
Nine sheep were put upon Plot 5 in May, and no additions 
were made. The stock did exceedingly well, especially 
during the last three months, and the valuer considered them 
the best finished lot that he examined. They were not quite 
so big as the sheep on Plot 4, but were worth 1s. a head 
more for the fat market. Seven were taken as being fit to 
kill. The herbage in the sub-plot was of first class 
quality, well mixed and well grown. On the whole there 
was very little difference to be seen between Plots 4 and 5. 
The former was rather greener, and especially in the month 
of July it appeared to carry more food for stock, but both the 
weights and appearance of the nine sheep on Plot 5 showed 
that individually they were doing rather better than their 
ten neighbours on Plot 4. 
Plot 6.—Onmanured. 
The results obtained from this plot were very much the 
Same as in former years. The six sheep made an average 
increase of 22 lhs. each, equal to a gain of 44 lbs. per acre for 
the plot. 
Although the sheep gained in weight they increased little, 
if at all, in value. ‘They were thin-fleshed, dark-skinned, and 
dull-eyed, and were worth, according to the butcher, 32s.a 
head, or 2s. 6d. less than they cust (deducting wool) in the 
month of May. At that time, however, sheep were dear, and 
2s. 6d. would barely cover the fall in market value between 
May and October. 
five hay sub-plot bore eloquent testimony to the poverty 
of the land in its natural state, the crop consisting of thin 
hard-stalked grasses and a few weeds. _ A niuch heavier crop 
might have been cut on the pastured areas of several of the 
plots than on the fenced hay-plot of No. 6. 
x 
