51G Abstract Report of Agricultural Discussions. 



yielded almost precisely tLie same quantity, the exact amount being 

 2 tons 14 cwt. 721bs. In all these four trials the produce was almost 

 the same. The application of 6 cwt. of salt j^er acre slightly reduced 

 the yield of clover hay, viz. to 2 tons 8 cwt. 241bs. ; and 3 cwt. of salt 

 gave 2 tons 10 cwt. The maniu'e was aiDplied in the month of 

 February, and the crop was weighed on the 20th of June, just when 

 it was about ready for stacking. Now, it is evident from the result of 

 these field experiments, that the land in that case was in such high 

 condition that no further application of manure produced, or probably 

 could produce, any result. The agricultm-al condition of the soil was 

 at the highest pitch of excellence. We know that if we ourselves have 

 filled our stomachs, no amount of additional food will do us any 

 good ; and so it is with fields. This is only one instance showing 

 how necessary it is to take account of the agricultural condition of 

 experimental fields. 



Let me give you another illustration showing how the character of 

 the soil will influence the final result. Some years ago I published 

 in our ' Journal ' the result of some field-trials of salt upon mangolds. 

 The effect in that case was by no means beneficial, indeed, the heavier 

 dressings of salt reduced the crop by several tons. In the following 

 year similar experiments were tried on light soils ; and by the appli- 

 cation of salt I obtained an increase varying from two to nearly sis 

 tons of mangolds per acre, the larger quantity of salt jiroducing the 

 greater increase. The result of the trials on the light soil was in fact 

 diametrically opposed to the result of the trials on the heavy clay 

 land ; this being another proof how necessary it is to take into 

 account the character of the land under trial. 



Again, we Icnow by experience how difierent the effect of nitrate of 

 soda is on different soils. On some land nitrate of soda should, I 

 believe, never be used, simply because such land is too poor in the 

 mineral constituents which, we must take it as an established truth, 

 are essential to the very existence of every kind of agricultural produce. 

 If these minerals are very sparingly distribiited in the soil, by applying 

 nitrate of soda we exhaust the soil too much : and though the result 

 may not appear unsatisfactory in the wheat and barley crops, yet in 

 the succeeding crops the injury of such an application will at once 

 become apparent. Let me further illustrate the modifying influence 

 of the soil by the effect of bone as applied to land. There are soils 

 in Vf hich bone produces no effect, for the simple reason that phosphatic 

 constituents are disseminated so widely through the soil that no 

 fiu'ther importation of phosi)hate of lime can jiossibly produce any 

 benefit. 



In the next place, regard should be had to the time and mode of 

 applying manures for experimental purposes. Some field trials ought 

 to be commenced in autumn ; others ought to be reserved for the 

 spring months. The experiments on grass-land should, if I am not 

 mistaken, be begun in autumn ; for on grass-land it is desirable to try 

 the effects of manm-es that are abiding in their action, that become 

 soluble in the soil gradually, and are not rendered available so soon 

 as other manures. If we can get the soil to perform this oflice, we 



