Rothamsted, June, 1891. 



EXPLANATION. 



IT has now for some time been known that Sir John 

 Bennet Lawes has set apart a sum of 100,000, the 

 Laboratory, and certain areas of land, for the continuance 

 of the Eothamsted Investigations after his death. In 

 furtherance of this object, Trustees were appointed, and 

 the necessary Trust Deed was executed, in February 

 1889 ; and, in accordance with the provisions of the 

 Deed, a Committee of Management has been appointed, 

 and has entered upon its duties. The Trustees are, 

 Sir John Lubbock, Bart., F.B.S., Lord Walsingham, 

 FB.S., and Dr. John Evans, Treasurer of the lioyal 

 Society. The Committee consists of nine members : 

 Dr. John Evans, Treas. E.S. (Chairman), Dr. Hugo 

 MuUer, F.E.S. (Treasurer), Professor M. Foster, Sec. E.S., 

 and W. T. Thiselton Dyer, Esq., F.E.S., nominated by 

 the Eoyal Society; Professor H. E. Armstrong, F.E.S., 

 nominated by the Chemical Society; William Car- 

 ruthers, Esq., F.E.S., late Pres. Linn. Soc., nominated 

 by the Linnean Society; Sir John H. Thorold, Bart., and 

 Charles Whitehead, Esq., F.L.S., nominated by the Eoyal 

 Agricultural Society of England ; also Sir J. B. Lawes 

 himself. 



In view of this new arrangement for the future con- 

 duct of the Investigations, it was considered desirable 

 that I should draw up a somewhat detailed account of 

 their history, and their present position ; such as might 

 not only aid the members of the present Committee in 

 acquiring a clear view of their objects and scope, but 

 also serve as a permanent record for future reference. 



The Eeport was printed by order of the Committee, 

 and after they had obtained as many copies as they 

 required, they kindly placed the type at the disposal of 

 Sir J. B. Lawes and myself, with permission to make 



