132 PLYMOUTH SOCIETY. 



to be weighed. The compost spread in May each year was 

 spread as evenly as possible, and raked in, that it might not ob- 

 struct or press down the growing grass. The several times of 

 manuring, mowing, and the produce, may perhaps be best ex- 

 hibited, as follows : 



Lot No. 1.— Manured May 20, 1845 ; mowed July 16, 1845 ; 

 weighed 218 lbs. ; manured May 11, 1846 ; mowed July 9, 1846 ; 

 weighed 298 lbs. 



Lot No. 2.— Mowed July 16, 1845 ; manured Aug. 2, 1845 ; 

 mowed July 9, 1846; weighed 296 lbs. ; manured Aug. 10, 1846. 



Lot No. 3. — Mowed July 16, 1845; manured September 11, 

 1845 ; mowed July 9, 1846 : weighed 299 lbs. ; manured Sep- 

 tember 10, 1846. 



Lot No. 4. — [This lot supposed an average lot.] — Mowed 

 July 16, 1845 ; weighed 185 lbs. ; manured October 9, 1845 ; 

 mowed July 9, 1846 ; weighed 340 lbs, ; manured Oct. 8, 1846. 



Lot No. 5. — Manured November 13, 1845 ; mowed July 9, 

 1846 ; weighed 361 lbs. ; manured November 2, 1846. 



It may here be observed, that the seasons of 1845 and 1846 

 have been remarkably dry seasons, particularly the last, and 

 therefore unfavorable for top-dressing lands in the early part of 

 the fall ; besides, if the competitors had been required to continue 

 another year, and weigh and note each lot separately, the ex- 

 periment must have been more satisfactory. As it is, the effect of 

 manuring the four last lots appears very little, in consequence of 

 the dryness of the season. The next winter and spring rains 

 must now wash the manure in, and the weight of the produce 

 of the next year test the most favorable time for its application. 



At this stage of the experiment, a few inferences may be made. 



The application of manure in May does not seem materially 

 to increase the growth of the grass, lot No. 1 producing only 33 

 lbs. more, in 1845, than the supposed average lot (No. 4,) and, 

 with the additional manuring in 1846, producing less than three 

 of the lots with only one dressing, and only two lbs. more than 

 No. 2. 



Very little difference appearing between No. 2, (296 lbs.) and 

 No. 3, (299 lbs.) The most benefit appears to be derived from 

 manuring on Nos. 4 and 5, when the application was made in 



