bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
THE POTENTIAL NUTRITIVE VALUE OF SOME WEEDS COMMON TO NORTH‐EASTERN ENGLAND
Authors: Fairbairn C. B. , Thomas Brynmor 
Published: April 2006

The proximate and ash constituents of twenty weed species have been determined. These weeds are all common to north‐eastern England. Some are characteristic of hedgerow and roadside and a few species of arable land; the majority, however, usually occur in pasture and meadowland, or in other sites where they are freely accessible to stock. Exact locality, approximate stage of growth and date of harvesting are recorded.A comprehensive examination of their ash has been made and four trace elements of recognized importance, viz. iron, manganese, copper and cobalt, were determined.The weeds have been classified on the basis of a marking system, and it was found possible to place them in one or other of three fairly well‐defined groups, viz. high, medium or low apparent value.Reference has been made to earlier assessments of these weeds and probable values, as reflected by chemical analysis, have been discussed. Most of the weeds listed as being of high apparent value are known or could justifiably be assumed to be of good nutritive status; examples of such are dandelion, nettle, creeping thistle and broad‐leaved plantain. Ragwort, although ranked highly on the marking system used, is well‐known to be toxic to animals. Not all members of the group of medium apparent value are likely to be eaten to any appreciable extent and at least two are of doubtful wholesomeness. Among weeds of low apparent value, only bird's‐foot trefoil would appear to have much potential usefulness.
THE EFFECT OF SHEEP URINE ON THE GERIMINATION AND EARLY ESTABLISHMENT OF A COMMON WEED GRASS
Authors: Wheeler J. L. 
Published: April 2006

Sowings of annual meadow grass (Poa annua) were made in pots of soil which had been treated with sheep urine, with urine diluted × 50, or with water as a control. The treatments were applied before, at, and after sowing.Urine, whether applied at sowing time, or eleven days before or after, significantly reduced the germination or establishment of the weed grass.Diluted urine tended to reduce the number of established seedlings when applied at or shortly after sowing.In a subsidiary experiment the number of viable seeds in soil taken from pastures which had received no urine for four years were compared with those from soil under pastures receiving urine. The difference was not significant.
THE OUTDOOR REARING OF AYRSHIRE CALVES ON PASTURE WITH AND WITHOUT SUPPLEMENTARY FEEDING
Authors: Castle M. E. , Walker R. F. R. 
Published: April 2006

An experiment conducted in south‐west Scotland during 1956 and 1957 to investigate an outdoor method of rearing calves on pasture, with and without supplementary food, is described.Twenty‐four Ayrshire bull calves were put on pasture at 2 weeks of age and received an average of 37 gallons of whole milk up to the time they were weaned at 8 weeks old. Twelve of the calves received no supplementary feeding, but the other twelve each ate 257 lb. of a meal containing oats, linseed cake, flaked maize and fish meal from their 3rd to their 20th week.The calves were moved around a series of plots (0.4 acre) which yielded an average of 1400 lb. of dry matter per acre at each grazing. The mean crude protein of the herbage dry matter was 17.4% in 1956 and 14.1% in 1957.The mean daily liveweight‐gains of the calves from birth to 20 weeks of age were 1.05 lb. for the unsupplemented calves and 1.14 lb. for the supplemented ones—a non‐significant difference, as was also the difference between the mean increases in belly‐girth measurements of the two groups.Parasitic infestation of the two groups was extremely low and 83% of all faeces samples examined contained no worm eggs.The latest‐born calves made the poorest liveweight gains.The outdoor rearing of calves is discussed.
STUDIES ON THE ROOT DEVELOPMENT OF HERBAGE PLANTS
Authors: Baker H. K. , Garwood E. A. 
Published: April 2006

Herbage, stubble and root weights were recorded for thirteen months on various leys subjected to two treatments differing in frequency of cutting.The root‐weight per unit area of a ryegrass/white‐clover ley was not affected by the frequency of cutting, but the less frequently cut plots had fewer tillers per unit area; the root‐ and stubble‐weight per tiller was, therefore, higher on the less frequently cut plots, On a cocksfoot ley the root‐weight was not affected by the cutting treatment, but in late summer and early autumn the stubble‐weight was considerably higher on the less frequently cut plots.When cocksfoot was grown in rows 2 feet apart, the more frequent cutting decreased both the root‐ and stubble‐weight.On grass leys root‐weights were heaviest in the summer and thereafter decreased until the following spring.The root‐weight of lucerne decreased from May to July, increased to a maximum in December and then decreased in weight. The changes in root‐weight under lucerne leys were mainly due to changes in the weight of the tap‐roots.The vertical distribution of roots was recorded, and, in the case of the cocksfoot in rows, the lateral distribution of roots is also given.
A GRASSLAND MANAGEMENT METHOD OF CONTROLLING NEMATODIRUS INFESTATION
Authors: Black W. J. M. 
Published: April 2006

The parasite‐control value of keeping Nematodirus‐infested pasture free from susceptible lambs for a complete year was examined in a controlled experiment. The practice was shown to be successful and confirmed previous recommendations, based on a knowledge of the parasite's life cycleThe detrimental quality of Nematodirus infestation was measurable by mortalities, depression of weight gains and the quality of the lambs. In the conditions of the experiment, the effects of Nematodiriasis approximately halved the liveweight production of affected animals.
SEASONAL YIELD AND COMPOSITION OF LUCERNE IN RELATION TO THE TIME OF CUTTING OF FIRST AND SECOND GROWTH
Authors: Dent J. W. 
Published: April 2006

Cutting experiments on the spring growth of a stand of Provence lucerne, the first year of which were described in a previous paper (1), were continued For a second and third season.The value of taking the first cut at the early bud stage, particularly in an unfavourable season, was confirmed.No adverse effects were observed in the crop after three seasons of this treatment and yields were satisfactory in the third year.Similar cutting experiments were made on the second growth of an area of Du Puits lucerne after the spring growth had been cut uniformly at the early bud stage.The curves for protein and fibre production were similar to those for the first growth but the crop matured more quickly and yields were lower.No further advantage was observed in cutting the second growth before the flower stage although earlier cutting produced no apparent ill‐effect on the plant or upon subsequent yield.
THE NORMAL‐ACID FIBRE CONTENT OF SPFCIES AND VARIETIES OF HERBAGE GRASSES
Authors: Griffith G. ap , Cooper J. P. 
Published: April 2006

Normal‐acid fibre content has been suggested as a useful indication of the digestibility of herbage. The changes in fibre content were therefore recorded during the spring and early summer of 1957 and 1958 to see whether regular differences occurred between species and varieties of herbage grasses.All species showed an increase in fibre content during spring and early summer, but considerable year‐to‐year fluctuations occurred: fibre content was also influenced by manuring and spacing. Regular differences between species and varieties have been detecled and, in perennial ryegrass, differences between individual genotypes. It should be possible to select breeding material for high or low fibre content if required.
TECHNIQUE AND METHODS OF LUCERNE SEED PRODUCTION
Authors: Zaleski A. 
Published: April 2006

During 1955–8 the technique of lucerne seed production was examined to compare the yield of seed and fodder under identical treatments on light and heavy soil. In addition, direct combine harvesting was compared with the tripod method.With the exception of the first year, which suggested certain advantages in seed production on light soil, the results obtained were not conclusive because of damage to the seed crop on light soil. The previous finding, that the best yield and quality of seed are secured from the first growth, were confirmed. It was shown that the aftermath could be cut in the autumn without a significant effect on the yield of seed, or persistency of the stand in subsequent years, and that the total yield of fodder was higher on heavy than on light soil.Direct combine harvesting of a seed crop after pre‐harvest desiccation (4.8 lb. of D.N.O.C. in 30 gal. of water per acre), proved to be a satisfactory harvesting method when facilities for drying the seed were available.Observations on pollinating insects suggested that honey bees were mainly responsible for the amount of seed set.
THE GROWTH OF VARIETIES OF PERENNIAL RYEGRASS IN THE SEEDING YEAR
Authors: Davies Alison 
Published: April 2006

These studies showed that in the first autumn the capacity for soil establishment of different varieties of perennial ryegrass was connected with seed size. On one of two experimental fields, shoot production in the early stages was found to be positively correlated with seed size. The rate of tillering was initially similar for all varieties, but by January or February, the pasture varieties had the highest tiller numbers. However, shoot weights at this time differed very little from variety to variety. Tillering virtually ceased during December and January and started again in February.The yields obtained from the five varieties in spring, when cut with an autoscythe. differed greatly despite the similar shoot weights of individual plants. It is suggested that the spring growth in pasture varieties is largely below cutting level.
THE RECOVERY OF FERTILIZER NITROGEN FROM VARIOUS DEPTHS BELOW SWARDS
Authors: Kernick M. D. 
Published: April 2006

A microplot technique for the placement of nitrogen at depth under an established grass sward is described. The effect of nitrogen placement at various depths on the dry matter yields, root yields and nitrogen uptake of two grass species is recorded. The results for cocksfoot and red fescue indicate that there is little fall‐off in uptake of nitrogen from placement at depths down to 12 inches, and that cocksfoot also recovers substantial amounts of nitrogen from 18 inches and 2 feet. Recovery by red fescue at these depths was not investigated.Althotigh there is little difference between the two grasses in their relative ability to absorb nitrogen at the various depths, there is an indication that, weight for weight, cocksfoot roots are probably more efficient absorbers of nitrogen than those of red fescue.The significance of the findings is discussed in the light of present‐day methods of fertilizer application.
A STUDY IN METHODS OF GRASS VARIETY TESTING
Authors: Green J. O. , Eyles Jean C. 
Published: April 2006

Methods for the appraisal of varieties in forage grasses are examined in the light of results from an experiment. Five varieties of perennial ryegrass were grown as spaced plants, broadcast swards and swards with white clover, and all were subjected to five cutting treatments during the first and second harvest year.Spaced plants and swards gave equally good information on the order in which varieties attained maximum rate of growth in spring each year; but in respect of actual yield, the order in which varieties were placed in spaced‐plant culture was reversed in broadcast swards. It is suggested that the disparity may have arisen because all varieties were sown at a common seed rate; and that spaced‐plant cultures give a better indication of relative potentialities than do the majority of sward trials.Late‐maturing varieties compared better with early varieties when each variety was cut with reference to date of ear emergence than when all varieties were cut simultaneously (that is, in respect of dry matter production: at a given stage of development the early varieties had a slightly higher nitrogen content than the late). The shortcomings of both systems of cutting, and the need for comprehensive tests, are discussed.There was little interaction between method of culture and cutting treatment in this experiment.
STUDIES OF ROOT DEVELOPMENT IN A GRASS SWARD GROWING ON DEEP PEAT USING RADIOACTIVE TRACERS
Authors: Boggie R. , Knight A. H. 
Published: April 2006

The experiment was designed to investigate the root activity of plants growing in deep peat. This was measured by the absorption of radioactive phosphate placed at different depths in the peat, and the method is described.The roots in the grass/clover sward were apparently confined to the surface 6 in. of the peat and no differences were detected between those growing next to the ditch, where the water table was at its lowest, and those in the middle of the plot.These points are discussed in relation to seasonal differences in the height of the water table, depth of cultivation and application of lime and fertilizer.
DAIRY PRODUCTION FROM PASTURE; A COMPARISON OF TWO METHODS OF CONTROLLED GRAZING AT TWO RATES OF STOCKING
Authors: Foot A. S. , Line C. 
Published: April 2006

An experiment was started in 1957 that compared the production from dairy cows on daily strip‐folding with that from a system of rotational grazing where the cows were given a fresh allocation of pasture about once or twice a week. Management was so arranged that equal areas of pasture were grazed off by the same number of cows in a similar period of time. The experiment was carried out at two rates of stocking, one about 20% greater than the other, the lower rate considered to be equivalent to good close folding practice and the higher rate therefore somewhat restrictive. No supplementary food was given during the grazing season.At the high rate of stocking, rotational grazing gave an average milk yield of 40 lb./cow/day whilst daily strip‐folding yielded 38 lb./cow/day. At the low rate of stocking production was 42 lb./cow/day for both methods.At the high rate milk yield/acre from the rotational grazing was 1007 and from the strip‐folding 977 gals. At the low rate comparable results were 881 and 874 gals.There was no general trend in yield per cow or per acre in favour of either the rotational grazing or daily strip‐folding systems of management. Increasing cow days/acre by 21% decreased yield/cow/day by 7% but significantly increased milk yield/acre, by 13%.
THE DISTRIBUTION OF CARBOHYDRATES, NITROGEN AND LIGNIN IN SOLUBLE FRACTIONS OF THE STEMS AND LEAVES OF LUCERNE HAY
Authors: Couchman Jean F. 
Published: April 2006

The nitrogen‐free extractive (or soluble carbohydrate) and total nitrogen contents of the stems and leaves of lucerne hay were separated into three fractions, soluble in (a) 90% ethanol, (b) cold water, and (c) acid + alkali of the same concentrations as used in the crude fibre determinations. Total and “soluble” lignin contents were also determined.The soluble carbohydrates in the stems comprised a lower proportion of the simpler types (90% ethanol soluble) and a higher proportion of a more complex nature (acid + alkali soluble) than in the leaves. The differences between the 90% ethanol soluble fractions were not due to the sugars but to unidentified materials which would include oligosaccharides, acids, saponins and possibly other constituents of an unknown nature.The lignin content of the stems was more than three times that of the leaves, but, in both parts of the plant, the amount of “soluble” lignin was small.In the stems, “protein” nitrogen constituted a lower proportion of the total nitrogen, and was possibly of a less digestible type than that in the leaves.These results added emphasis to the importance of preventing leaf loss during the conservation of lucerne hay, not only to prevent actual loss of material but also in order to preserve its nutritive value.
SWEDES OR GRASS SILAGE FOR BEEF CATTLE IN EAST LOTHIAN?
Authors: Livingston H. R. 
Published: April 2006

Four East Lothian farms, two growing silage and two roots (swedes) for winter keep of beef cattle were studied in detail. The yields of all crops grown for winter keep and the output of each crop in terms of pounds starch equivalent per acre were measured. The following are the main conclusions reached:The output per acre from roots was approximately twice that from silage.Output per acre from hay was lower than from any other fodder crop.The output per acre from all fodder crops, taken together, was very similar on all four farms. This was because the farms growing swedes grew a proportionately larger acreage of hay than did the silage farms.The yield of starch equivalent per acre from sugar beet tops was approximately half that from swedes.
SOME EFFECTS OF GANGMOWING AND NITROGENOUS FERTILIZER ON A RYEGRASS/WHITE‐CLOVER LEY
Authors: Wheeler J. L. 
Published: April 2006

Gangmowing encouraged the spread of unsown grasses (Poa spp.) in a ryegrass/white‐clover ley, compared with grazing and no gangmowing. Herbage production from an ungrazed gangmown sward receiving a range of nitrogen dressings was higher than from grazed swards receiving little or no fertilizer nitrogen, but was almost identical at high rates of N application. The experiment was ploughed up in autumn 1955 and sown to wheat. The yields of wheat in 1956 were increased by previous nitrogen treatments up to the moderately high dressing but declined with the final increment.Attention is drawn to the need for further experimental work on the practice of gangmowing.
THE RELATIVE EFFECT OF FREQUENCY AND TIME OF CUTTING LUCERNE
Authors: Davies W. Ellis 
Published: April 2006

Eight varieties of lucerne were compared under three cutting schedules for two years. Yield comparisons of early and late types subjected to different cutting treatments gave significant interactions and indicated that their behaviour was not identical in each treatment. With one exception the late types compared unfavourably with the early, so that the latter appear more flexible in their management requirements.The percentage of leaf and of crude protein showed significant positive correlations; these were most pronounced in the individual cuts.
A COMPARISON OF LUCERNE VARIETIES IN SOUTH‐WEST SCOTLAND
Authors: Castle M. E. , Reid D. 
Published: April 2006

Five early, three mid‐season and two late varieties of lucerne were grown in drills in a replicated plot experiment at the Hannah Dairy Research Institute in south‐west Scotland in the period 1956–59, inclusive. The lucerne was cut three times each year after the year of establishment (1956).Average yields were 10,200 lb. of dry matter and 1970 lb. of crude protein per acre in the first harvest year, but declined rapidly to 6290 lb. of dry matter and 1190 lb. of crude protein per acre in the third year. On average, the early types of lucerne gave the highest yields of dry matter and crude protein. Over the three harvest years of the experiment, Flandria was the highest yielding variety and New Zealand B the lowest. The distribution of dry‐matter yields averaged over all varieties was 44, 29 and 27% for cuts 1, 2 and 3, respectively.The crude‐protein content of the herbage from all the varieties was high, 63% of the values being greater than 19%. Grimm, a late variety, had the highest crude‐protein content.With all varieties tiller density declined rapidly from the first to the second harvest year, but increased again at the third harvest year.11–34% of the total yield of dry matter in the second harvest year consisted of weed grasses, but this was reduced in the following year by spraying the plots with Dowpon, a selective herbicide.
THE EFFECT OF THE TIMING OF AMMONIUM NITRATE DRESSINGS ON THE HEADING OF S48 TIMOTHY (PHLEUM PRATENSE L.)
Authors: Stoddart J. L. 
Published: April 2006

The response of single plants of Aberystwyth S48 timothy (Phleum pratense L.) to increasing rates of ammonium nitrate applied in the spring and autumn is described.All spring treatments markedly increased the number of heads, as well as the total head‐length per plant, but autumn dressings had no significant effect. Percentage head‐length distribution was also greatly influenced by applications of nitrogenous fertilizer in the spring. Each higher rate of application gave a proportionate increase in the number of heads over 9 cm. in length, and a corresponding reduction in the frequency of those of 4 cm. or less. There was a positive correlation between head‐length and number of florets per unit length.The results are discussed in terms of their relationship to current practices in managing timothy crops for seed.
THE PRODUCTION OF EARLY SPRING GRASS
Authors: Baker H. K. , Chard J. R. A. , Jenkins D. G. 
Published: April 2006

The effects of autumn management and nitrogenous manuring on the production of early spring grass were studied from 1954 to 1957 on farms throughout England and Wales.The most important management factor influencing spring yields was the application of spring nitrogen. In the early spring 6 to 10 lb. of dry matter were produced per lb. of nitrogen applied. Autumn nitrogen increased herbage yields in the auttimn by 8 to 17 lb. of dry matter per lb. of nitrogen applied.Italian and perennial ryegrass responded well to autumn nitrogen but it was important to graze off the extra growth fairly quickly to prevent the sward becoming too open. The yield of ryegrass swards which received spring nitrogen were very much higher if they were grazed during the previous September and October than if they had been rested during those months.In two years neither the autumn management nor alumni fertilizer appeared to influence the spring yields of cocksfoot, timothy or meadow fescue swards, in one year, however, when autumn growth was poor, autumn nitrogen and resting resulted in slightly better yields on these swards in the following spring.It is suggested that resting swards during September and October to build up “reserves” is relatively unimportant in relation to the yields of grass in the following spring.
BENEFIT OF LEYS—STRUCTURAL IMPROVEMENT OR NITROGEN RESERVES
Authors: Clement C. R. 
Published: April 2006

Although it has been widely established that increased crop yields follow leys sown on arable land, the relative importance of the many causative factors which may be involved is obseure. An attempt has been made to evaluate the influence of 3‐ to 4‐year leys on the organic matter in an arable soil and to distinguish also the relative importance of the resultant change in moisture‐holding capacity, crumb stability and the nitrogen status of the soil as factors in the yield of winter wheat.An increase of about 4 tons per acre in total soil organic matter was recorded after 3 years under grazed swards. Moisture‐holding capacity increased by an amount equivalent to the evapo‐trans‐piration loss from a full plant cover on one summer day. An increase in crumb stability was largely confined to the top inch of soil, which is effectively buried when leys are ploughed.The influence of variation in soil nitrogen status and in crumb stability on the yield of winter wheat after leys was examined by multiple regression analysis of data obtained over a number of yean from field experiments. After allowing for the effect of variation in the nitrogen status of the soil, the influence of variation in crumb stability was insignificant Conversely variation in the nitrogen status of soils, sampled under leys before ploughing, was closely correlated (r =+0.93***) with wheat yield.