480 Field Experiments on Clover-Seeds. 



Plot 10 (mineral superphosphate and muriate of potash), — A 

 very regular mixture of clover (especially red) and rye-grass ; an 

 extremely clean crop, and by far the best of the ten plots. 



Mr. Wilson writes further to me: — " Owing- to the extremely 

 dry season, the aftermath was a complete failure and not worth 

 cutting, as previously mentioned. As far, however, as I could 

 notice — and I was particular on this point — the relative propor- 

 tions of each plot in the second crop were quite in harmony 

 Avith those in the first crop ; and I have no doubt if they 

 had been severally weighed, such would have been found the 

 case." 



These observations are interesting and practically useful. They 

 show unmistakably that nitrogenous manures, and more espe- 

 cially sulphate of ammonia, produce a great increase in mixed 

 " seeds," but that the increase is obtained at the expense of the 

 clover. On the other hand, we have here a clear proof of the 

 remarkable effect of phosphatic manures on a mixed herbage, 

 in which they greatly promote the development of clovers and 

 leguminous plants, and keep in check the cereals. It will be 

 noticed that whereas on Plot 2 thf rye-grass grew very gross 

 and kept the clover in check, on Plot 3, manured with mineral 

 superphosphate, the clover-crop is described as very clean, with 

 a very small mixture of rye-grass, which, moreover, appeared 

 weakly, and only made some progress late in the season. 



Purely phosphatic manures, even when applied to the land in 

 the most available form, it thus appears do not produce an in- 

 crease in the bulk or weight of seeds, but, by promoting specially 

 the growth of clover, they improve the quality of the crop. This 

 agrees well with Mr. Lawes's experience as regards the special 

 effects of different manuring agents on the mixed herbage in 

 permanent pastures, and also with the general agricultural expe- 

 rience of many Cheshire farmers, who find that, after the appli- 

 cation of bones or of superphosphate to worn-out pastures, clover 

 — especially Avhite — will spring up without being sown afresh, 

 though scarcely any was visible for years past. 



In the next place, I have to record another series of experi- 

 ments which were tried in 1864, at Burcott Lodge, by my friend 

 Mr. Robert Vallentine. 



The experimental field was rather light, and had not been in 

 clover for many years — at least, not for twelve or sixteen years. 

 The crop (red clover) was quite heavy and uniform throughout 

 the field, and no difficulty was experienced in selecting for expe- 

 riments a part evenly covered with clover. This part was divided 

 in 6 equal plots of l-20th acre each, which received on the 

 27th of April the top-dressings stated in the following Table ; the 



