On Bicarbonate of Ammonia as a Manure. 425 



plant in the earliest stages of growth, and then made with the view 

 of giving the plant such a start as would enable it to draw, at an 

 earlier period than it otherwise would, on the unlimited and untaxed 

 supplies of carbon and nitrogen which our atmosphere provides. 

 He could not doubt that one pound of nitrogen and carbon apyilied 

 at the critical period, so as to lift the plant expeditiously out of 

 helpless infancy and entire dependence on mother earth into compa- 

 rative independence, drav4-ing still gratefully on earth for what she 

 alone could supply, but able to forage for much in free air, would, 

 at the seasons when harvest arrived, be found to have produced a 

 much larger addition to our crop than the same pound protractedly 

 doled out as a supplementary supply during the entire period of 

 growth by the decay of organic matters in the soil. He would 

 recommend the application of the bicarlionated ammoniacal solution 

 to the young crop to be made during what the farmer most expres- 

 sively terms growing weather, when the ground is moist enough 

 to ensure its immediate penetration, and there is sufficient warmth 

 and geniality in both air and earth. The author stated that he had 

 made numerous and varied experiments with the bicarbonate during 

 the last five or six years, on wheat, oats, beans, peas, &c., as well 

 as roses, lupines, sweet peas, and many other garden plants, and that 

 their results, along with the theoretical considerations alluded to, 

 justified him in recommending the bicarbonated ammonia solution as 

 deserving of a thorough trial both by farmers and gardeners. 



2. " Does Magnetism influence Vegetation ?" by H. F. Baxter, Esq. 

 ' The author states as the result of his inquiry, that no positive 

 evidence has been obtained to show that magnetism either does or 

 does not influence vegetation. 



3. "On Lycium Mediterraneum" by Dr. Thomas Anderson, 

 After careful and repeated examination of specimens of i. Edge- 



worthii (Dunal), he is convinced that it is only a variety of 

 L. europcBiun (Liim.). 



4. "On the Applications of Botany to Ornamental Art," by Mr. 

 George Lawson, F.R.P.S. 



5. "Remarks on a Shower of Mud, which occurred at Corfu on 

 the 21st of March, 1857," by Mr. George Lawson, F.R.P.S. 



The day was squally and showery ; the light showers brought down 

 a great quantity of mud. On examining the surrounding fields, I 

 found the trees and every other object covered with it. Was this 

 native dust, or was it imported by aerial currents from Africa? From 

 the state of the weather during the three previous days, I am led to 

 favour the latter opinion. 



6. " Register of the Flowering of certain Spring Plaiits in the 

 Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh, from the 12th of jMarch to the 

 15th of April, I8r)7, as compared with the five pre\-ious years," by 

 Mr. James M'Nab. 



