144 Annual Report. 



phosphate of lime, in conformity with Mr. Lawes's experience, 

 decidedly favoured the development of the clover-plant, whilst 

 nitrate of soda and sulphate encouraged in a marked degree the 

 growth of the grasses in the mixed clover and grass-seeds. Sul- 

 phate of lime also showed a beneficial effect in this case, probably 

 on account of the deficiency of lime in the field in which the 

 experiment was tried. 



Neither sulphate nor muriate of potash produced any great 

 effect upon seeds, but in conjunction with superphosphate, mu- 

 riate of potash gave a very considerable increase. 



A different set of experiments were tried upon a clover-field 

 in Bedfordshire. 



This field was in high condition, and the clover-plant upon it 

 was uniformly and unusually strong. 



The manures which were used were : — 



1. Nitrate of soda applied at the rate of 3 cwt. per acre. 



2. „ 1 J cwt. per acre and 4 cwt. of sui)erphosphate. 



3. Common salt, (^ cwt. per acre. 



4. „ 3 



5. No miuuire. 

 0. 



The two unmanured portions of this clover-field produced the 

 large crop of 2 tons 10 cwt. 80 lbs. and 2 tons 11 cwt. and 8 lbs, 

 of clover-hav respectively. 



3 cwt. of salt had no effect ; f! cwt. of salt slightly diminished 

 the produce ; and the nitrate of soda alone and the mixture of 

 nitrate of soda and superphosphate gave only a very inconsi- 

 derable increase in the produce. 



It follows from these experiments that the land was in too 

 high a condition for experimental purposes, and that beyond a 

 certain maximum produce, determined by season, climate, and 

 the presence of an ample supply of all the elements of fertility 

 required for the perfection of the crop, we cannot increase it by 

 the administration of an additional quantity of manuring matter. 



d. Experiments on Top-dressings upon Oats and Barley. 



A number of experiments were made, under my directions, by 

 Mr. Pocock, of VVanston Manor, Micheldover, Hampshire. Their 

 results confirm mv belief in the beneficial effect of nitrate of 

 soda and superphosphate on the barley-crop grown on chalky 

 soils. 



Probably Mr. Pocock will prepare a paper on the subject, to 

 be read on one of the weekly meetings of the Society. 



For the forihcoming volume of the Journal I have in prepara- 

 tion papers on the following subjects ; — 



