MINERALS AND GRASS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19721, 22 August 1927, Page 15

MINERALS AND GRASS.

TREATMENT OF SOIL. Tb absence of an adequate supply of mineral substances in modern systems of stock rations is recognised, and it is suggested that tc counterbalance the deficiency small quantities of bone flour, lime, iron, etc., should be added to the rations. But is there not a bettei and more natural way 1 asks, an Enghsh agricultural expert. When the grass lauds of the country were dressed with liberal quantities of bone meal and regulaily limed there were no complaints ot wan* of stamina among stock; on the othei hand, British stocks, both horses and cattle, had a reputation throughout the world for the possession of exceptional vigour and stamina. 1 hese dualities were due, at least in a great part, to the nounshing quality of the grass and hay, enriched by the lime and phosphoric acid applied m the bones to the grass. Analysis has demonstrated that herbage grown on land rich in these substances is itself rich in them. An occasional dressing pf farmyard manure, useful as it is, does not suffice to make good the deficiency, because the manure produced by cake-fed animals is wanting m those elements which are in question. The real specific is to supply the land with adequate quantities of fertilisers containing phosphoric acid, lime and potash This can be done without heavy expense, by regular dressings of phosphatic and potassic fertilisers, and an occasional dressing of lime.