No.X., REMARKS UPON PRECEDING EXPERIMENTS.' 89 



REMARKS. 



I submit these experiments to the reader without any lengthened comment. 

 The experiments with guano are very seasonable, and will be of much service 

 to the thousands of practical men who are now likely to try this valuable 

 manure. 



There are three interesting general observations of Mr. Fleming, to which 

 alone I would direct especial attention — 



1°. That the potato sets did not fail when powdered with gypsum, and that 

 the more extensive trials of this substance which he recommends ought cer- 

 tainly to be encouraged. 



2°. That potatoes dressed with guano, or with nitrate and sulphate of soda, 

 appear to be improved in health, and are less apt to fail when cut and planted 

 the following year. 



3°, That his trap soils are supposed to be especially deficient in phosphates, 

 and that the use of bones, in any form, always improved his crops upon these 

 soils. 



These three observations are very interesting, and a careful study of the 

 tables of results will lead the reader to make other interesting observations and 

 deductions for himself. 



It is very satisfactory to me to have been able in this Appendix to incorpo- 

 rate the results of experiments performed on three successive years by one so 

 skilful and zealous as Mr. Fleming, — conducted every year also with more 

 care, and more likely therefore to lead to important conclusions. 



The subject of agricultural experiments has now been taken up so warmly 

 and so successfnlly in almost every part of the country, that we may look for- 

 ward with confidence to the gradual accumulation of a body of facts, out of 

 whicii correct and practically useful principles may gradually be elicited. The 

 large body of experimental results, which the prize offered last year by the 

 Highland Society has brought before the public, shows how eagerly the en- 

 lightened practical farmers of the present day will follow the guidance of such 

 as are willing to show them how the art by which they live may be really and 

 permanently improved, 



