On the Groicth of Barley by different Manures, §-c, 457 



It would be only irksome to the i^eader, and perhaps even con- 

 fusing-, were we to give a running and detailed comment upon 

 the numerous figures recorded in 'J ables I. to VII. They are, 

 however, desex'ving a careful examination, which cannot fail use- 

 fully to fix on the mind the clear idea which actually recorded 

 facts convej's, of how really great are the fluctuations in the 

 results of the farmer's efforts and outlays, due to the ever-chang- 

 ing seasons. Such a study would at the same time show, that, 

 however great the uncertainty as to . the actual amounts of produce 

 to be calculated upon, depending upon climatic vicissitudes, 

 there is still, even with these, on some points a considerable 

 degree of uniformity and certainty in the relative results of certain 

 characteristic classes of manures. In the comments which foViow 

 we sliall confine attention chiefly to the Summary Tables VIII, 

 and IX. In doing so we shall perhaps be able to convey a 

 sufficient idea of the prominent results to the casual reader, and 

 at the same time usefully to guide the further examination of the 

 more careful one. 



It would have been a useful introduction to the consideration 

 of the actual variations of result obtained in the field in the 

 different seasons, to have taken a comparative view in some 

 detail, of the climatic conditions themselves of the six seasons 

 under which the varying results have been obtained. With the 

 view of doing this, numerous tables have been arranged, bringing 

 together in much detail the actual climatic statistics of t!ie 

 several seasons ; and also others, showing the indices or relative 

 order, comparing season with season, of the actual characters so 

 registered. From the large amount of tabular matter, and the 

 space required for its consideration, which the more proper 

 subject matter of the paper — the effects of different manures on 

 the barley crop — itself involves, we are obliged to forego this 

 part of our plan. A few general observations must suffice there- 

 fore, on this intimately associated collateral branch of the subject. 

 When, however, it is considered, that the different seasons will 

 vary almost infinitely in relation to one another in their favour- 

 able adaptations at each succeeding period of their advance, and 

 that with these variations must vary as constantly the tendency 

 of development of the plant for quantity or for quality, it will be 

 obvious, that it is only a very detailed consideration of climatic 

 statistics, taken together with careful coincident observation in the 

 field, that can afford a really clear perception of the connection of 

 the ever fluctuating characters of season, with the equally fluctuat- 

 ing characters of result. It is in lact the distribution, and the 

 mutual adaptations, of the many characters making up the season, 

 in their relaticm to the stage of growth of the plant, which give the 

 resultant impress, for quantity or for quality, upon its progress. 



It 



