lxxii 



ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



Dr. Gilbert invited the botanical Members of the Sub-Com- 

 mittee to examine the herbage reaped this season on the several 

 experimental pastures at Eothamstead Park, and promised to fur- 

 nish them with the requisite materials for such a botanical exa- 

 mination. 



The Sub-Committee next fully discussed the manner in which 

 manuring experiments on graminaceous and other plants occur- 

 ring in pastures might with advantage be instituted, and consi- 

 dered it advisable to investigate rather the more strictly scientific 

 physiological questions, which no doubt will suggest themselves 

 in the course of the experiments, than to bear in mind the purely 

 agricultural and economic points of interest which they may 

 present. 



Instead of growing together a number of plants such as are 

 common in pastures, it was deemed desirable to study the influ- 

 ence of various manures on particular species, grown separately 

 in wooden boxes 2 ft. square and 18 ins. deep, filled with poor soil, 

 such as is found in unmanured and rather exhausted soils of our 

 fields, and not with good garden-mould. 



The boxes are conveniently sunk in the land, level with its 

 surface, in order to protect the soil in them from excessive 

 evaporation. 



It is suggested that the experiments be carried out in the So- 

 ciety's Gardens, at Chiswick, and also at Eothamstead by Mr. Lawes 

 and Dr. Gilbert, as well as by any gentleman who feels disposed 

 to undertake them. 



In each set of experiments the same kind of soil should be em- 

 ployed ; but as the nature of the unmanured soil must exercise its 

 due influence on the growth of the plants submitted to experi- 

 ments, it will be desirable, if possible, to try one series of experi- 

 ments on rather light sandy soil and another on more heavy clayey 

 soil. Dr. Yoelcker will willingly undertake the chemical analysis 

 of any soils that may be employed for the experiments. 



After due deliberation the Chemical Committee have selected 

 the following plants for experiments : — 



1. Dactylis glomerata. 



2. Antlioxantlium odoratum. 



3. Lolium perenne. 

 4s. Poa pratensis. 

 5. JPoa trivialis. 



G. Bromus mollis. 



