TOP DRESSING PASTURES.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIV, Issue 9714, 26 March 1910, Page 2

TOP DRESSING PASTURES.

MR J. W. MARSHALL, POREWA

Following are the results obtained, taking the value of hay at 50s per ton, and estimating that hay is 35 per cent, of the weight of green grass:*Plofc I.—No manure, yield oi grass IPOB-9, 14,1601b5; 1909-10, ll,(il611is. Plot 2. Oowt. slag., yield 1908-9, 11,7001bs; 1909-10, 12,5361b5; increase for two years over no manure 9201ba. Plot 3.—Oowt. slag, potash sulphate; yield 1908-9. 22.2401b5; increase over no manure 80801bs ; yield, 1909-10, lG,4lGlbs; increase over no manure 4800bls ; increase for two years, 12,8801bs; value of increase per acre £5; cost of manure £2 17a 4d ; profit £2 13s. Plot 4. super., potassium sulphate ; yield 1908 9, 21,8201h5; increase over no manure, 71601b5; yield 1909 10, 13,9841b5; increase over no manure 23081ba; increase for two years, 9528iba; value of increase, £3 14s; cost of manure, £2 7s Id; profit, £1 6a lid. Plot bonedust, 2owt. super.; yield 1908-9, 19,280ib5; increase over no manure, 5120; yield 1909-10, 11,5841b5; increase over no manure, 32bls; increase for two years 5088Ibs; value £2, coat of manure £l9s; profit 11s. Commenting on these results Mr Baylis, of the Agricultural Department, says: — The notes made by Mr A. Morrison, managing during Mr Marshall's absence, ai'e as follows: —■ Plot I.—Mostly soft meadow grass, with very little clover. Plot 2.—An improvement on plot 1, with a small proportion of trefoils and clovers. Plot 3.- Decidedly the beat, plenty ol trefoils and clovers, and of a rich dark green colour. Plot 4.—Clovers not so plentiful aa on plnot 3, but ha s made a grand sample of bay. 7 Plot s.—Made a fair sample of hay, with less clover than in plot 4. It must be noted that the average yield of hay this season here has not been Jequal to that of last. Comparing the yields of |plot 1 for the two seasons, we find that this season the average yield has decreased on the no manure plot nearly 18 per cent. It was noted in last year’s report on his experiment that plot 1 was unfortunately an abnormal plot for a no manure plot, as it has the shelter from two hedges, which have greatly benefited it. This must be remembered when comparing the various plots. Allowing therefore for a decrease in crop this season of 18 per cent, it will be Hound thafe plot 2 has made a considerable improvement, although it still shows a lack of potash. Plot 3 stands at the end of the sceond season with aa increase yield of 12,8801b5. The expenditure on manure was heavy, but it has more than doubled [it in returns made. It should be noted that there is a decided downward tendency in both plots 4 and 5. The probable.reason being that the super. gi which only two owt. Lwas given, has been nearly all exhausted, and the bonedust is not becoming available sufficiently quickly to take its place. The addition of potash to plot 4 still maintains it considerably superior to plot 5. There can be no doubt but that very considerable profit is to be derived by the use of basic alag and potash upon this soil, and the financial benefit likely to accrue should be tested by a carrying capacity experiment run in this district on much the same lines as the one conducted by Mr G. L, Marshal), of Tnraklna.