Experiment on Sivedcs. 



271 



winter, consequently the tops were so trifling that T did not weigh 

 them. 



In this instance the rape-cake on the ridges produced the greatest 

 weight ; but on the flat surface it will be seen the bones had the advan- 

 tage ; this arose more from the hoeing, as there were 23 turnips more 

 on one than on the other. This will often be the case in every trial, 

 from the difi'erence in men's hoeing. These four were grown on a better 

 description of loam than the four above with a clay subsoil. 



South Creake, near Fakenham, Norfolk, 

 April 24:ih, 1841. 



VIII. — Notice of Contributions of Specimens of Wheat to the 

 Museum of the Society; icith Instructions to future Contri- 

 butors. By Rev. J. S. Hexslow, M.A., Professor of Botany 

 in the University of Cambridge, and Rector of Hitcham, 

 Suffolk. 



Having undertaken to arrange the specimens of corn presented to the 

 museum by various contributors, I take the liberty of directing attention 

 to the kind of specimens wliich should be procured, and also of sug- 

 gesting the mode of preparing and forwarding them. There should be 

 about six entire specimens of each variety, with the root and leaves at- 

 tached. Each variety should be formed into a separate bundle, by being 

 tied to a stick or flat board; and the ears should be wrapped in paper 

 to prevent friction : each bundle should be labelled. A few additional 

 ears (about a dozen) of difi'erent sizes should be put up, wrapped in 

 paper, and this packet should also be labelled. There should be about 

 half a pint of seed of each variety ; or, where so much cannot be spared, 

 about twenty seeds may be sent in a vial ; and this also labelled. One 

 of these labels should contain, besides the name of the variety, as many 

 of the following particulars as can be ascertained, viz. : — 1, the name 

 of the grower ; 2, the parish and county where grown ; 3, the nature 

 of the soil; 4, any general observations respecting the amount of pro- 

 duce, peculiarity of culture, or precise conditions under which the cul- 

 ture took place. Where several bundles are placed in the same box, the 

 whole should be carefully and closely packed, to prevent injury from 

 mutual friction during their carriage. 1 regret to say that very few of 

 the specimens hitherto sent were accompanied by separate samples of 

 the seed, or have arrived in a state sufficiently perfect to be placed in 

 the glass-cases which are to receive the collections intended for exhibi- 

 tion. Many of them will answer very well for a second, separate or 

 consulting collection, in which the specimens are to be attached to 

 paper. For this second collection it is very desirable that specimens of 

 all varieties should be sent from all parts of the country, as it will be an 

 interesting and important object to trace ihe precise influence which a 

 difl^erence of climate, soil, and culture produces upon them. The fol- 

 lowing is the list of the specimens which have hitherto been sent : — 



VOL. II. U 



