522 INFLUENCE OF MANURES ON MUTTON. 


Plot 7.—7 cwt. superphosphate for 1897 and 1900, and 15 cwt. 
sulphate of potash (50 lbs. potash) for 1897, and again for 
1899. 
This plot, it will be seen, has been treated in the same way 
as Plot 5, except that it has received liberal dressings of 
potash. The heavy dressings of potash have not benefited 
the land to anything like the degree that phosphates have. 
Comparing Plots 5 and 7, we find that in four seasons the 
latter has produced 37 lbs. live-weight increase more than 
the former. This increase, wortn 11s. 7d., has been got at an 
outlay of 15s. 4d. on manure, so that up to the present the 
potash has not paid its way. There is no doubt, however, 
that it has exerted an influence on the pasture, the appearance 
of which led to the expectation of a profit this year. It was 
one of the earliest plots to be ready for stock, and in the 
height of the season the quality of the pasture was considered 
to be the best in the field. Indeed, considering the appearance 
of the herbage, the gains made in July and August were 
unexpectedly small. 
The butcher valued the sheep at 38s. each. Seven were 
very good and fit for market, while two were inferior. As a 
lot, they were decidedly poorer than those of Plot 5. 
The hay sub-plot was very similar in appearance to sub- 
plot No. 5, but, as in former years, it did not yield so well. 
Plot 8.—7 cw¢t. superphosphate for 1897 and 1900, avd 10 cw. 
ground lime for 1897, and again for 1899. 
This is a plot in which the interest increases each season, 
and this year it merits special notice, as it has produced the 
greatest aggregate increase of all, being 20 lbs. per acre 
ahead of its nearest rival, Plot 4. 
It is with Plot 5, however, that we must compare it in 
order to ascertain the influence of ground lime. In 1897 
Plot 8 was 13 lbs. ahead of Plot 5; in 1898, 15 lbs.; in 1899, 
11lbs.; and in 1900, 22 Ibs.; so that this year the lead 
has been much more marked than previously, and from the 
appearance of the grass during the past summer it looks as 
if Plot 8 were going to increase its lead still further in future. 
So far, with 61 lbs. live-weight increase to its credit, the plot 
