By Edward Solly, Esq. 



65 



at what price it might be prepared. The salt employed in this 

 experiment was pure ; for practical use of course a commoner and 

 cheaper salt might be employed. The experimental squares were 

 rather less than a rod each, the results are however all calculated 

 for a rod and likewise for the acre. 



The proportion of corn to the whole produce therefore was as 

 1804 to 10000. The average weight of the seeds was ascertained 

 by weighing a known number, generally from 1500 to 2000. One 

 thousand seeds weighed 653 grains. The density of the wheat 

 was found by weighing a given bulk ; a brass measure holding 

 exactly the hundredth part of a bushel was used ; twelve weighings 

 were made of each sample ; and the mean of the whole twelve taken 

 as representing the average specific gravity of the wheat. The 

 average weight of the standard measure full was 4167 grains, hence 

 the bushel would weigh 59^ lbs. 



It is necessary to observe that the quantity of corn, its density, 

 and the weight of a thousand grains, as given in the following 

 pages, is throughout deduced from the undressed corn. It was 

 not dressed or screened in any way, but the whole corn, just as it 

 was threshed out, was taken ; hence some of the samples appear 

 extremely light and cannot be fairly compared with dressed 

 samples ; the weights are merely comparative, but cannot be taken 

 as expressing the real goodness of the corn. 



The effect produced on the growth of the young plants by this 

 salt was very marked, in about a week after applying it the plants 

 looked rather poor, a few of them being killed or the leaves turned 

 brown ; in three weeks a decided improvement was visible, the 

 blades were larger and greener than those in the squares numbered 

 3, 4, 5 and 6, and in fact looked very flourishing. The dark 



VOL. in. 2nd series. K 



