218 Experiments on the Artificial Fecundatioii of Wheat. 



were attached so close as to toucli each other, thus forming a 

 sort of fringe 2 feet in depth,. Before use the wool was smeared 

 with honey, and the rope, thus prepared, was stretched across the 

 plot and trailed over the growing crop when in bloom in still 

 weather. It was thus drawn up each of the plots to be operated 

 upon on July 2n(.l, down on July 4th, and up again on July 6th. 

 Table II. gives the produce obtained with, and Avithout the 

 jirocess of artificial fecundation. 



Table II. 



Produce of "Wheat per Acre on Duplicate Plots, one Artificially Fecundated 

 and the other not. 



Harvest 1864. 



It is seen that in neither of the three trials was any increase of 

 produce obtained by means of the fecundating process. Indeed, 

 there was in each case rather more without it, though the differ- 

 ence was so slight that it might arise from causes unconnected 

 with the treatment. 



It may, perhaps, be said that, as the season was one of much 

 more than average productiveness and the crops were all unusually 

 large, it was unfavourable for such an experiment. In answer to 

 this objection, it mav be stated that the land is capable of 

 growing more produce still, and that all of these plots did grow 

 considerably larger crops in the previous year, 1863, as may be 

 seen by reference to the report in a former Number of the 

 Journal, as above referred to. 



In conclusion, it may .be remarked that it would seem our 



