222 JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
good kiio-w ledge of the physical and chemical conditions of his 
particular soil, and the requirements of the crops to be grown. 
To obtain this knowledge he should have some knowledge of 
chemistry, and it is to be regretted that a great many gardeners 
know little or nothing of this subject, and in many cases apply 
manures blindly. 
Trials by Experiment, 
When the gardener has obtained a general knowledge of the 
nature of manures and the wants of different plants, it will be 
of great service in guiding his practice if he determines by actual 
experiment what is the relative amount of increase he obtains 
from the application of different manures to his various crops ; 
the influence of climate and season, with the previous manurial 
conditions of the land, being always taken into account when 
interpreting the results. 
The experimental plots need not be large, but the choice of 
them should, however, be carefully made, in order that they may 
adequately represent the general character of the garden ; and 
where possible another plot should be experimented on in an 
identical manner, in order that the results obtained from the 
first plots may be checked by the results from the second. 
None of these experiments will, however, be of value unless 
the chemical and mechanical composition of the soil has been 
previously noted. 
In the United States of America experimenting stations are 
established in every State. Each station is connected with the 
State Agricultural and Horticultural College. The officers of 
each station include a botanist, a horticulturist, an entomologist, 
a bacteriologist, a veterinarian, and a meteorologist. All kinds 
of crops, grasses, fruits, vegetables, &c., are cultivated in various 
ways and conditions, and periodical and annual reports are 
distributed gratis to any grower in the State by the Federal 
Government. It is much to be desired that something of a 
similar nature should be done in this country. 
Discussion. 
Mr. H. W. Waud, gardener to the Earl of Radnor, Longford 
Castle, Salisbury, expressed great faith in artificial manures. 
He believed tliat their use rendered many crops less liable to 
the attacks of insect pests than if farmyard manure was used. 
