282 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



cause, and had to be modified. This want of equilibrium 

 between the organic and mineral constituents of plants is less 

 liable to happen if the application is made some time previous 

 to seeding, and then followed by deep cultivation. The winter 

 dressing requires to be moderate. If this cautiou is observed 

 the first crop of rye grass will not lodge, and the second and 

 third are less liable than the first to suffer. They also adopt 

 the plan of feeding out the most luxuriant growt^ in April, 

 thus keeping it cut down. 



Under these circumstances, it will not be surprising that the 

 balance stood on the wrong side. Many experiments had to be 

 made, — in fact that was the object, — before they could get fairly 

 started on the right track. It was found a very difficult 

 problem to combine experimental farming with profit, but they 

 felt bound to attempt to solve it. They set out to prove the 

 value and efficiency of Parisian night-soil and the thing must be 

 done, and that too, not on a small scale, which would be 

 unsatisfactory, but on a large and generous plan, where the 

 results must be of greater value. Moreover, the results must 

 be ascertained with the most rigid accuracy, as otherwise they 

 would be comparatively worthless. The whole crop in every 

 case, had therefore to be weighed, as the only way to get at 

 results which would be regarded as of the least consequence. 

 To look on and guess that this crop is better than that, would 

 not do, — so, too, for experiments, the soil must be uniform, and 

 the ploughing, harrowing, manuring, and the seeding, must be 

 done as nearly as possible at the same time, as a difference of 

 only a few hours might make a great difference in the result. 



It would be of interest, did space permit, to give the results 

 of the various experiments in considerable detail. A general 

 statement of an experiment is not worth much. The details 

 are of the most consequence, but to give these would lead too 

 far. It is possible that on the receipt of the later " Annals," 

 now just ready, I may take an occasion to allude to them in 

 some subsequent Report. 



I will only state a few conclusions to which they have led. 

 And first : night-soil, undiluted, used on crops in full growth in 

 dry summer weather, is always more or less injurious, and 

 to be avoided. It is generally useful if applied in rainy 

 weather, but its action depends a good deal on the amount of 



