FARM AND GARDEN.

King Country Chronicle, Volume V, Issue 308, 2 November 1910, Page 6

FARM AND GARDEN.

BASIC SLAG.

The question of basic slag, especially of its true manurial value, is one farmers in this country would do well to study more closely. It is therefore timely to draw their attention to the following interesting facta contained in a recent communication on the subject issued by the British Board of Agriculture:—lt is pointed out that the best results are obtained on old pastures, composed mainly oi coarse grasses, weeds and moss, and on low-lying black, land which is deficient in lime. The effects of the manure are most noticeable in the improvement of the "sole" or bottom; fine grasses and clovers often almost entirely replacing the inferior herbage which formerly composed the pasI ture. Basic slag should be applied at the rate of from six to ten cwt. per acre. Farmers are warned against the purchase of low-grade inferior slags; some brands being practically worthless. There is nothing in the appearance of basic slag which will give the slightest indication of its value. That depends on three things, and three only. These are: (1) The total percentage of phosphate of lime; (2) the percentage of that phosphate of lime which, under certain conditions, is soluble in a two per cent, solution of citric acid; and (3) the fineness of grinding. When asking for quotations, farmers should see that they are supplied with figures referring to each of these points, and when giving their orders they should insist on getting an invoice on which these figures are clearly stated, as a guarantee. No slag should be used in which less than 80 per cent, of the phosphates are soluble, or which shows less than SO per cent, of fineness. For the guidance of farmers, however, it may be stated that a slag which is guaranteed to contain 34 per cent, of citric soluble phosphates is practically of equal value to a .slag which is guaranteed to contain 42 per cent, total phosphates, of which 80 per cent, are soluble in a two per cent, solution of citric acid, provided both are equally finely ground.