108 Sir J. B. Lawes and Prof. J. H. Gilbert. [Jan. 9, 



abundance in pots 2 and 3. Most of the root was within 6 inches of 

 the surface, and there seemed to be none below 14 inches. One to 

 two inches from the surface, there were swellings on the main roots 

 which were less raised, but more spreading, than those on the roots in 

 pots 2 and 3. There were also, on one side branch, six very small 

 nodules. 



To sum up in regard to the yellow lupins : Under the influence of 

 the soil-extract seeding, the above-ground growth was Dot only very 

 luxuriant, but the plants developed great maturing tendency, flower- 

 ing and seeding freely. The development of the roots generally, 

 and that of swellings or nodules on them, were also very marked ; 

 and there can be no doubt that the gain of nitrogen will be found to 

 be very large. In pot 4, with the lupin-sand itself, which would 

 supply a not immaterial amount of combined nitrogen, although the 

 growth was normal, it w^as, both above ground and within the soil, 

 very much less than in the pots with soil-extract only ; and the de- 

 velopment of nodules was also less. It is possible that the less 

 development in the lupin-sand itself, than in the quartz-sand with 

 soil-extract only, was partly due to the much less porosity of the lupin- 

 soil, especially when watered. At any rate, the results with the soil- 

 extract only are very remarkable. 



As the main growth of red clover is in the second year, and that of 

 lucerne also in years subsequent to the first, the pots of these plants 

 are left for further growth ; so that there is, at present, but little of 

 definite result available in regard to them. There are, however, some 

 points of special interest to notice. 



A photograph of the clover plants taken on September 28 was 

 thrown on the screen. The above-ground growth in pot 1, without 

 soil-extract, was distinctly more than in either pots 2 or 3 with it ; 

 and it is judged that the amount of growth will probably prove to be 

 greater than is to be accounted for by the amount of nitrogen sup- 

 plied in the seed sown. As the soil-extract seeding in pots 2 and 3 

 seemed to be without effect, a second amount of extract, but this time 

 from garden soil where clover was growing well, was, on September 4, 

 applied to pot 2 ; but to pot 3 there was added instead a solution of 

 calcium nitrate, and this application was continued up to December 6, 

 when, in all, 0"23 gram of nitrogen had been so applied. The effect 

 of the nitrate was, undoubtedly, some increased growth, but especially 

 an increased depth of green colour. It remains to be seen what will 

 be the final result. 



The application of garden-soil-extract to lucerne also appeared to 

 be entirely without effect up to the beginning of September ; the 

 plants in pot 1 without soil-extract, and those in pots 2 and 3 with it, 

 showing no difference, and apparently no progress. On September 4, 

 therefore, pot 2 was re-seeded with soil-extract, this time from a soil 



