On the Growth of Barley by different Manures, Sfc. 455 



Systematic experiments with barley grown by different manures 

 were resumed in 1852. It is the field results of these from 

 that time to the present, together with some gleanings from the 

 laboratory relating to them, and also the records of collateral 

 experiments on the crop grown under certain other known con- 

 ditions of manuring and cropping, and in rotation, that will form 

 the subject of the present Paper. On this plan our tabulated 

 matter will be necessarily very voluminous. It would be un- 

 desirable, therefore, to encumber our statement with a detailed 

 account of the earlier series of experiments, especially as the 

 later ones, though not quite so comprehensive, are somewhat 

 better arranged for showing up the points of interest. It will 

 suffice to say then, of the earlier experiments, that their results 

 were consistent with those of the later, which are now to be 

 examined. 



The land set apart in 1852 for the continuous growth of barley 

 by different manures was in the adjoining field to that devoted to 

 the continuous growth of wheat, and its general character was very 

 similar to that of the latter. It had grown clover in 1849, wheat in 

 1850, and in 1851 barley, dressed with sulphate of ammonia. It 

 was, therefore, in an agricultural point of view, in a somewhat 

 exhausted condition so far as the aftergrowth of grain was con- 

 cerned, and it was hence in a suitable state for testing the effects 

 of different manures upon the barley crop. The area of land 

 appropriated was about five acres, divided into nearly square plots 

 of about one-fifth of an acre each. In order to distinguish this 

 set of experiments from those afterwards to be noticed, it will be 

 convenient to give the field in which it was made its usual name, 

 namely, Hoos-field. 



The description and quantities of the different manures are given 

 as fully as space will permit, in tlie Tables, by the side of the 

 results they yielded. To the statements there given one or two 

 explanations will be necessary. 



It should be mentioned, that there were two plots unmanured, 

 one at either side of the experimental land ; and it is the mean 

 result of these that is given as Experiment No. 1. 



The clay and weed-ashes employed in Experiment No. 2, were 

 of the same description as those mixed in smaller quantity with 

 the other manures to aid their easy distribution over the land. 



The farmyard manure, was only from the open yard, and did 

 not contain the dung of animals highly fed on artificial food. 



The so-called " Mixed Alkalies," comprised, per acre — 



300 lbs. sulphate of potash, 

 200 lbs. sulphate of soda, 

 100 lbs. sulphate of magnesia. 



2 H 2 



