58 
EOTAL HORTICULTrEAL SOCIETY. 
that it is to tbe natural " habit " of the plant that we must look 
for the explanation of this phenomenon. Every plant has its 
own mode or habit of growth ; and the application of various ma- 
nures does not alter the natural habit in kind, but only in degree. 
It is easy to see why Dactylis or Achillea should gain a victory 
over many competitors less favourably circumstanced by nature. 
The Dactylis, with its general vigour, its bold tufts of foliage, its 
spreading shoots, its dense masses of roots, the AcJiillea, with 
its tufted habit, branching crown, profusion of runners, and ample 
root-development, must have the advantage over such grasses, 
say, as Antlioxantlium. 
But while the natural advantages possessed by some plants over 
others are obvious to all, it is equally manifest from these and 
similar experiments that it is possible, by the addition of cer- 
tain manures, to increase the root-development or that of run- 
ners &c. as the case may be, as has been shown in the preceding 
remarks. JSTo doubt when each plant is grown separately under 
fairer conditions, not crow^ded by its neighbours, these results 
will be even more manifest. 
At any rate it is clear that the natural habit of the plant is 
of primary importance. For practical purposes, we must select 
those plants or those varieties whose " habit " is suitable for our 
purpose, whatever that may be ; and having secured the right 
plant, we have it in our power to encourage those peculiarities of 
its conformation on which its value as an economic plant depends. 
The following Table shows approximately the cliraatal conditions 
to which the plants were subjected from the beginning of May till 
the end of June ; the thicker line indicates the temperature, the 
thinner one the rainfall. The diagrams show the fluctuations in the 
growth of the plants during the same period. In the last column 
is indicated the condition of the plant in October. These points 
are fully explained in the foregoing notes. 
Similar diagrams were prepared showing the comparative effects 
of the several manures on the various species of plants, and also 
showing the condition of the roots in April 187 0 and the contrast 
between the development of the roots and that of the herbage. 
These diagrams were unfortunately mislaid and were not fouud 
till too late for use on this occasion. It is hoped, however, that 
the details relating to these subjects contained in the foregoing 
pages will sufficiently convey the required information. 
