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The Improvement of Poor Pastures

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 March 2009

T. H. Middleton
T. H. Middleton
Affiliation:
Professor of Agriculture, Cambridge University.
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Extract

1. The results of six experiments in the manuring of poor pastures are described. The experiments were made in the counties of Northumberland, Northampton, Cambridge, Essex, Norfolk, and Hants. The results are given for a period of three years at all stations (except Norfolk, two years), and for two further periods of three and two years at the Northumberland station.

2. In Norfolk on a light soil a potash manure slightly improved the pasture; the other manures had no influence on the yield. At the remaining five stations on heavy soils phosphatic manures produced highly profitable returns. In the first period, the use of other manures was not justified by the results. Where, however, the experiment was continued for eight years, lime proved profitable in the second, and potash in the third period. Under the special conditions of the experiment nitrogenous manures were either injurious or but very slightly increased the yield.

Type
Research Article
Information
The Journal of Agricultural Science , Volume 1 , Issue 1 , January 1905 , pp. 122 - 145
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1905

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References

page 122 note 1 The average price of wheat in the United Kingdom for the years 1850–52 was 39s. 10d., for 1854–56, 72s. 1d., for 1863–65, 42s. 3d. See Blue-Book on British and Foreign Trade, 1903 [Cd. 1761], p. 121.

page 123 note 1 See Annual Reports on Experiments Nos. VI, VII, VIII, and IX, issued by the Agricultural Depart, of the Durham College of Science; Somerville's “Five years' work at the Northumberland County Farm”; Reports on Cockle Park Experimental Farm, Nos. VI and VII, published by the Northumberland County Educ. Committee; Annual Reports on Experiments Nos. III, IV, and V, and Report on the Cransley Experiment, issued by Cambridge Univ. Agric. Dept.; Report on the Sevington Experiment, Journal of the Bath and West of England Society, 1903–04.

page 126 note 1 Bath and West of England Society's Journal, 1903–04, p. 158.

page 127 note 1 There is reason to suspect, however, that this increase has been slightly exaggerated. Plot 1 oocupies the part of the field nearest the homestead and, through stock lying upon it, was somewhat better than Plot 6 when the experiment was begun.

page 129 note 1 A change in the slope of the field probably accounts for the irregular distribution of medick. The soil itself appears to be uniform.

page 131 note 1 For the figures for season 1904 the writer is indebted to Professor Gilchrist of the Armstrong College, Newcastle-on-Tyne.

page 137 note 1 In some respects Agrostis, by providing shelter in winter and spring, may be regarded as an ally.

page 138 note 1 The difference in the type of herbage on Plots 4 and 5 was very marked in July, 1901, and visitors to Tree Field expressed astonishment that the source of the phosphoric acid could exercise so great an influence on the appearance. At the same time the value of the two pastures for grazing purposes was very equal, and parties of farmers could never agree as to which was worth most.

page 138 note 2 See Annual Report Camb, and Counties Agric. Education Scheme, 1898, p. 16.