Ixxxii 



Enylish Agricultural Society. 



for the best Account of Experiments on the application of Nitres as 

 Manures, including Saltpetre (the nitrate of potash) and Cubic Nitre 

 (the nitrate of soda). 



Competitors will be required to state — 



1. The quantity and mode of these applications, whether used before 



sowing, along with the seed, or after the blade is up. 



2. Every particular of each experiment ; and a comparison made with 



the same quantity of ground sown both without manure and also 

 with common yard-dung; stating the value of the manure in 

 every case. 



3. The result at different periods of the growth. 



4. The conclusion come to from the experiments. 



5. Not less than a quarter of an acre to be taken for each experiment ; 



and to be varied as much as possible. 



3. Improvement of Peat-Soils. 



Twenty Sovereigns, or a Piece of Plate of that value, will be given 

 for the best Essay or Report on the most successful means by which the 

 Improvement of jPeat Soils may be effected. 



Competitors will be required to state the following particulars : — 



1. Description of the mode, so far as it can be ascertained, in wdiich the 



peat has been formed, whether by rain-water lodging on the sur- 

 face, the oozing of springs, or under a body of stagnant water. 



2. Description of the plants, from the decay of which the peat appears 



to be formed, and of the state of decomposition in which they are 

 found. 



3. Chemical account of any acid or bitter principle injurious to vegeta- 



tion wdiich may be found in the peat. 



4. Account of any substances applied to the peat, either for correcting 



its chemical defects or improving its consistence. 



5. Level of the water in the neighbouring ditches in winter and sum- 



mer. 



6. General treatment and mode of cropping. 



N.B. — General Conditions for all Experiments on Soils or Manures. 



1. The nature and depth of the soil. 



2. The proportions of clay, sand, lime, or other substances, of which the 

 soils are composed: or, otherwise, to send specimens of the soils (in quan- 

 tities of a pound or pint of each variety) to the Secretary, on his application 

 for them. 



3. The nature of the subsoil. 



4. When the ground is not level, the degree in which it slopes, and the 

 direction (north, east, &c.) of its inclination, as found by the compass. 



5. The two or three preceding crops ; the manure put on for them, and 

 the produce of these crops. 



