TOP-DRESSED PASTURE.

Shannon News, 24 April 1925, Page 4

TOP-DRESSED PASTURE.

The question having been recently raised whether it is wise to allow stock on pastures freshly dressed with artificial fertilisers, may be disposed of easily enough by use of common sense, says “Agricola” in the Otago Witness”. Losses might occur if sheep are turned oh before the bulk of the artificial fertiliser has been washed by rain or dew from the herbage into the soil. It is as well to wait a while. According to some experiments carried out under veterinary supervision in Australia last year, slag, it is stated, cannot be regarded as without danger, though this, it is pointed out, may be due to ,the fact that it is hot spread so thickly as to make it possible for animals to pick up such a large amount as was fed to them in order to determine what quantity could be taken into tbe system without injury. Superphosphate turned out to be a greater source of danger than sing, and both kainit and sulphate, of ammonia set up diarrhoea, which minimised toxic effects. Nitrate of soda, on the hand, is easily and rapidly absorbed, and comparatively small doses proved fatal. Both ’nitrogenous manures are, however, soluble fairly quickly, and, if wet weather supervenes after the artificials have been applied, a few showers, or a continuous night’s rain effectually wash the herbage clear and carry the nutrient elements to the root area, where these are most of all needed. ' The exercise of some discretion in withholding stock is all that is required to avoid a danger which may not be £o real as supposed.