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I firft entered upon thefe experiments with a view 

 to my own private fatisfaftion and amufement : the 

 care and attention I beflowed on them have been 

 amply repaid, on finding the refuks fo uniformly dc- 

 cifive and exceeding my expeftations. 



Having during the progrefs of thefe experiments 

 remarked feveral circumftances, which, though not 

 bearing direftly on the point in view, feem of 

 too much importance to pafs unnoticed, I fliall pro- 

 ceed to ftate fuch inftances as appeared particularly 

 flriking and interefting. Upon comparing the feed 

 value of each number, and the proportion it bears 

 to the refpeftive flraw produft, the difference ap- 

 pears materially to depend on the depth of foil ; and 

 all the firft fix numbers (except the one fown with 

 foot) exceed their ftraw value by f or f, or fome- 

 thing above par, whilft No. 7, 8, 9, fink below 

 par, in nearly the fame proportions ; thus, 



No. 1, gives — Straw, value - - - £-2 3 9 

 Seed -----426 

 Total jC.e 5 3i- 



No. 7, — — Straw, value ---338 

 Seed 2 on 



Total £.547 

 Query, Does not this argue a defeft of fome pe- 

 culiar fruftifying principle (whatever it may be) in 

 this fliallow chalky foil, which even gypfum is not 

 able to impart ? — the refults at leaft feem to point 



out 



