THE BATTLE OF LIFE. 105 



to Cereals, Crucifers (turnips), Chenopods (beet, man- 

 gels), Solanums (potatoes), etc. 



Minerals and Nitrate, The produce in those cases 

 where this combination is used is generally large, ripens 

 early, is of a dark green color, with abundant foliage 

 and relatively little stem. The per-centage of grasses 

 has been large, that of Leguminosae very small, and that 

 of miscellaneous plants on the whole greatly reduced, 

 effects which, in general terms, are very similar to those 

 observed on the mineral and ammonia plots. 



The mineral and nitrate appears to have encouraged 

 the growth of Poa trivialis, Bromus mollis, and latterly 

 of Alopecurus pratensis, while leguminous and miscel- 

 laneous plants have been discouraged. The following 

 grasses are discouraged by nitrate : Briza media, Cyno- 

 surus cristatus, Poa pratensis. Leguminosae in general 

 and Umbelliferae and some Composites are also discour- 

 aged. 



Cerastium triviale, Plantago lanceolata, Galium verum, 

 Centaur ea nigra, and Ranunculus, are slightly favored 

 by the nitrate. 



The combination of minerals and ammonia favors the 

 growth of Poa pratensis, Agrostis vulgarls, Festuca 

 ovina, etc., more than does the admixture of mineral 

 and nitrate. On the other hand, the following species, 

 among others, are more benefited by mineral and nitrate 

 than by mineral and ammonia : Poa trivialis, Dactylis 

 glomerata, Bromus mollis, and Lolium perenne, etc. 



In some seasons, especially in years of drouth, (1870), 

 Bromus mollis was extremely prevalent, its deep roots 

 giving it an advantage over others. 



Effects of change of Manure, The object sought at 

 Rothamsted in changing the conditions of manuring has 

 been to ascertain definitely to what particular ingredient 



