48 Canadian Record of Science. 
MISCELLANEOUS. 
We have recently received the last published statement of the 
valuable series of investigations conducted by Sir J. B. Lawes at 
Rothamsted, England. This statement was first formulated in 
1877 for the occasion of the twenty-fifth anniversary of the estab- 
lishment of the First Experiment Station in Germany,at Mokern. 
Since then it has been continued each year, and extended to embody 
the more recent work of the field and laboratory. From the num- 
ber before us, we find that from 1847 to 1887 the published results of 
the work conducted during this period by Sir J. B. Lawes and his 
staff of assistants, number no less than one hundred and four. As 
most of our readers are aware, these publications embody some of 
most important scientific results touching the chemistry of plant 
foods and their sources in the soil. Probably no experiment 
station has done more in the way of securing valuable and accurate 
scientific data, to advance the cause of scientific agricultnre, than 
Rothamsted. 
The experiments at Rothamsted began in 1834 with a simple 
series of pot cultures, designed to throw light upon the relation 
of various chemical compounds to vegetable nutrition. These 
rapidly led to more enlarged operations in the field, supplemented 
by laborious researches in the laboratory by some of the most 
eminent chemists and botanists of the day. There was thus 
developed a systematic method of enquiry, which has resulted in 
throwing much important light upon many obscure or imperfectly 
understood laws. The peculiar value of the system adopted may 
be fully appreciated when we state that some of the experiments 
have been extended continuously for thirty-seven years, and are 
likely to be continued into the future for an indefinite period. 
Although this valuable work is conducted primarily with refer- 
ence to the practical application of the results, it has led to the 
accumulation of a large amount of data which are of the highest 
value from the standpoint of pure science. Very few institutions 
of a similar character have been able to surpass Rothamsted in 
the character, extent and general usefulness of its work. That the 
institution has a liberal endowment and is established on a broad 
scientific basis, reflects the highest credit upon its founder. 
Unfortunately, many of the valuable papers embodying these re- 
sults are no longer to be obtained. The annual statement, there- 
fore, serves as an important means of gaining a summary of some 
of the more extended investigations and as a valuable historicc] 
and bibliographical record. 
