482 On the Growth of Barley by different Manures, tyc. 



Si'd Series. — In this series nitrogen is supplied by manure at 

 a rate equal to about 50 lbs. of ammonia per acre per annum. 

 The nitrogen is supplied respectively in the forms of nitrate of 

 soda, and of an equal mixture of sulphate and muriate of 

 ammonia. The ammoniacal salts are supplied both alone, and 

 in admixture with each of the three seveial mineral-manures 

 conditions of Series 2. The amount of nitrogen here supplied 

 is perhaps fully as much as can be used with impunity for the 

 barley crop on the soil in question, taking the average of 

 seasons. The crop would be over-luxuriant and laid, with a 

 larger amount. 



4th Series. — Here the nitrogen is supplied at a rate equal to 

 about 100 lbs. of ammonia per acre per annum. This amount 

 is given in the three separate forms oi nitrate of soda, the equal 

 mixture of sulphate and muriate of ammonia, and as rape cake.* 

 The mixture of ammoniacal salts, and also the rape cake, are each 

 given, both alone and in admixture with each of the three mineral 

 conditions above specified. As above implied, the nitrogen here 

 provided, is beyond that which gives the best result in propor- 

 tion to the amount of manure employed. 



According to the notes taken in the field, the unmanured, 

 and the only mineral manured portions, as a rule stood up till 

 the time of cutting. The crops with nitrogen equal 50 lbs. 

 ammonia per acre, were generally more or less laid ; as also were 

 those grown by farmyard manure. Those having nitrogen equal 

 100 lbs. or more of ammonia per acre were invariably laid ; and in 

 every year, excepting in 1857, very much and injuriously so, 

 the crops being far too heavy to bear any moderate amount of 

 rain about or after the time of heading. 



The effect of the " Mixed Alkalies " on the condition of the 

 crop, whether used alone or in admixture with nitrogenous 

 manures, was invariably somewhat to retard its ripening. Super- 

 phosphate of lime, on tlie contrary, whether alone or in admix- 

 ture, always tended to early ripening. The effect was most 

 striking. So much so indeed, tliat latterly it has been thought 

 desirable to cut the crops at different times as they came ripe ; 

 the superphosphate ones and the farmyard-manure coming to 

 the scythe more than a week earlier than the others. It will 

 presently be seen that the superphosphate had a marked effect 

 on the quantity of produce also, and especially on the tendenc}'^ 

 to corn. Owing to the frequent falling of the crop, where 

 nitrogenous manures were also employed, the result was, how- 



* For convenience, the rape cake plots are classed as in the Tables ; but it is 

 probable that the 2000 lbs. per acre employed, would contain nearer 100 lbs. of 

 nilrogen ; the latter amount would be equal to about 121^ instead of 100 lbs. of 

 ammotiia. 



