MANURES FOR FARM CROPS.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 4, Issue 115, 1 December 1915, Page 4

MANURES FOR FARM CROPS.

(From the "N.Z. Dairyman.") GRASS LAND. Perhaps the most difficult farm crop for which to advise the application of fertilisers is that under notice, there being so many factors which determine what is best for them. It is very easy, by the use of special manure*, to increase the weight of the crop, but the larger weight obtained may be of inferior feeding value, owing to the development of the coaiser grasses. One thing is certain, and that is that the constant mowing or feeding of grass from a tit Id lowers its fertility, for the growing plants aie always timing their growth removing the elements of fertility from the land, which in "the case of a hay crop is taken away (a ton of bay containing about 401bs of nitiogen, 4'Jlbu of potash, and lOlbs cf phosphoric acid.), but some of them are returned io the excrements ol animals when these are grazing. Unless the land is exceptionally good, this constant removal must in time tell; and uikss the loss is made stood, poor crops of low feedirg value will be produced. It is much cheapsr to buy fertilisers to eniich the pastures than to purchase their equivalents .in cattle focd. A grass field coi.tains a large variety of different species ox plants to make up the herbage. These conßist in varying proportions of grasses, red and white clover, trefoil, yellow vetching and a miscellaneous variety tf other l.lants of litila or no feeding valur, which for all practica 1 purposes should be looked upon as weeds. A system of manuring may al er the character of the herbagf, by sipplying food for the development of some kinds, which by their increased growth crowd out others. The object ot the cultivator shculd be to increase the useful plant?, grasses and legumes, at the expense ot the weeds. At Rothatostead, in Hertfordshire, a series of experiments have been carried tut, to ascertain the effect on grars growth of always ap lying the same class of fertilisers to the same piece of land, these experiments have been gokg on fur more than fifty years, and the lecUlts obtained are most valuable, as ehosirtp, not only the increase ot crop obtaiifled by the application of the different manures, but also the difference in the character of the herbage. Briefly the conclusions come to are these:— (1) That when no manure n given a poor crop (average 21 cwts. per acre per annum) is obtained, the plantß classified as weeds predominating. (2) That when putaßh and phosphate are given, and no nitrogen, iha plaits known as kgumes, podbearers, like clovers, etc., predominate?, the we?ds and grasses being in about equal proportions, but the average crop obtained U 40cwt8 per acre. (3) That when nitrogen and phosphates are applied, the grasses form the bulk, there being no legumes and very few weeds, the crop tow being 35cwts per acre. (4) That when u complete fertiiser is applied, containing nitrogen, potash and phosphates the herbage consists mainly of grasses, with a few legumes and weeds, but the crop has increased to 60 cwts per acre.

MANURES FOR MKADOWS Meadows wbich are mown every year—unless the soil be very ricb —should have a dressing of 3 cwts of kainit and 2 cms of superphosphate per acre, applied in January, followed by an application of 1 Jcwts of sulphate of ammonia or nitrate ol soda in April. On stiff, heavy soil, oi that of a peaty nature, 3 cwts of basic slag should take the place of superphosphate, and no kainit need be given. Ooce in every live or six yeais farm yard manure should take the plsce of these fertilisers. It should be applied in the autumn, at the rate of 15 tons per acre. A slight dressing of lime,' one ton per acret should be occasionally applied to stiff, heavy and pealy soils, using two tons of chalk for the same area it the laud be light and sandy. MANURES FOR PASTURES

When cattle and sheep are allowed to graze a field, and their food is supplemented by other richer foods, there will be no need to apply fertilisers to the fields. But in this case, if butter-cups and daisies become numerous, it abows that an unbalanced condition of the soil food has taken place, and a dressing cf 5 cwts of basic slag will scon improve matters. Land of a pour quality, t r on which cattle are giazed, and not given an additional food, should be manured every other year. The best fertiliser fur stiff, heavy and Reaty soils is basic slag at the rate ct 10 cwts per acre. On tbic, light, Eandy sails 13 cwts of dissolved bonss and 2 cwts ot kainit per acre should be used, aud for those of a chalky character appy 3cwts of superphoshpate and 2 cwts of kair.it per acre. These fertilisers should be applied in the autumn. In April stiff, heavy soils should be dressed with cwts of sulphate of ammonia per acre, using the same quantity of nitrate of soda it the land be eandy or contains much chalk.

ROTATION OF CROPPINii

The successful farmer is one who adopts a special system of rotation for his crops. This varies according to the kinds of soil he is dealing witb, and also to the climate. The crops produced on a farm vary considerably in the method of growth, food requirements, and root range. Some of them require more of one element of food than another, while others need a more mixed variety cf soil food. Special circumstances may occur where it would be better to alter somewhat the system advised, but this only tha grower can determine. A email piece of the land left ugtreated, a little of it treated with increased or smaller amounts, will soon teach what is required. Experiments carried out only in a small way help ta sfnw tha effect of different systems of manuring, and are of lift-lung value.