15() J'J.vpenences up to the end of October, 1904. 



thick (a specimen of which, not unlike a piece of soft rock, is 

 shown at Clifton-on-Bowmont along with the entire plant), and 

 thence downward through a hard clay into the gravel which lay 

 below it. The hard pan, and the hard clay beneath it, are, 

 together, 32 inches in thickness. The root near the surface 

 was 4J inches round, and IJ inch at about one foot down. Another 

 plant was removed, and has also been preserved. This divided into 

 eleven roots close to the surface, each about IJ inch round down 

 to about a foot from the surface. The main root went down S feet 

 ■1 inches. I may here mention that I have obtained from the 

 Continent six varieties of chicory for experiment, with the view 

 of ascertaining the kind most suitable for agricultural purposes. 

 Chicory lasts in the land longer than is commonly supposed, and 

 where only two pounds per acre were sown eleven and a half years 

 ago, and the land (kept in permanent pasture) has in that time 

 been hayed four times, there is still a fair proportion of plants in 

 vigorous condition. 



A burnet plant taken up at the same time had a tap root descending 

 straight downward through the hard pan to a total depth of 2 feet 

 2 inches. Near the surface the root was one inch round, and at 

 about a foot three-quarters of an inch. The plant is a very fine 

 one, and shows its suitability for such soils. Its value for hard, dry,- 

 shallow soils is well known to those who have observed this valuable 

 plant. It met, I may here observe, with much attention from 

 agriculturists in England about from 100 to 150 years ago, if I may 

 judge by the long notice of it in the "Complete Farmer," which 

 was published in 179.3. Burnet is there recommended as a valuable 

 fodder for winter, and early in the spring, and it is noticed that it 

 not only remains green in hard frosts, but increases in bulk and 

 grows if the winter should be mild. The straw was found to be 

 very useful fodder for horses, cows, calves, and sheep, and the 

 chaff of great value if mixed with any other ordinary chaff. 

 Burnet seed was found to be as good as oats for horses, and for 

 these it found, therefore, not only hay but corn. One of the 

 farmers quoted in the article was satisfied "that there is no better 

 pasture for cows, whether milch or barren, than burnet." Mr Young 

 (afterwards Sir Arthur) is quoted as follows: — "Experiments have 

 been made in most parts of the kingdom that prove the exhausting 

 quality of rye-grass ; its narrow leaf, and fibrous roots, class it in 

 this respect, as well as its botanical arrangement, with corn ; but 

 the broad leaf of burnet, and its deep carrot root, indicate the 

 contrary effect ; and accordingly, in several trials that have been 

 made, it has been found to ameliorate. The poorest soils in the 

 kingdom agree well with it, even such as are too poor to produce 

 any other herb. The hot pungent quality of the plant has been 

 found exceedingly advantageous to sheep touched with the rot." 

 Another writer quoted in the article alluded to (Mr Pitt) thinks 

 the plant a good one to sow, instead of ryegrass, with clover or 

 trefoil, being abiding, very early in spring, extremely hardy, 



