128 Report of Expei-iments on the Groivth of Barleij, 
so much accumulation in the soil, more than in any year of the 
20. The weight per bushel was also much above the average ; 
throughout higher than in 1863, with few exceptions as high as, 
.ind in some cases higher than, in any other year. The experi- 
mental barley crop was, therefore, one of large produce of straw, 
indicating considerable luxuriance of growth ; of exceptionally 
large produce of grain, which was of very exceptionally high 
quality. It is probable that, with the wet March, the plant 
found sufficient moisture in the soil for the requirements of its 
early growth ; that, owing to the distribution of the compara- 
tively small total fall during the rest of the season, it was suffi- 
cient under those preliminary conditions ; that the low tempe- 
rature of June prevented over luxuriance ; that the cold nights, 
alternating with the hot days, of July, prevented premature 
ripening ; and that the dry atmosphere during the final stages 
contributed to the high perfection of the grain. 
These very favourable results in the experimental field are not 
inconsistent with the record of the barley crops in the country at 
large ; for though it was admitted that on light soils, and whore 
sown late, the crop was very poor, it was equally admitted that, 
under more favourable conditions in these respects, it was verv 
good. 
Fourteenth Season, 1865. 
After a rather wet September, but a very low aggregate rain- 
fall during the first 9 months of the year, the concluding quarter 
of 1864 was also characterized by less rain than usual. The 
deficiency was very considerable in October and December, 
though there was rather an excess in November. As to tempe- 
rature, the period was very variable, with a good deal of cold 
weather. There were occasionally very high winds ; whilst the 
degree of humidity of the air was very unusually low in October, 
and somewhat low in November and December also. In 
January, 1865, there was a considerable, and in February a 
slight excess, but in March a deficiency of rain (including 
snow) ; though, throughout the quarter, the number of rainy 
days was small. Excepting the first half of January, the greater 
part of which was warm, the quarter was almost throughout 
unusually stormy and cold, with a good deal of snow ; March in 
particular was generally very exceptionally cold and inclement. 
In April and June very little rain fell ; whilst in May and July 
there was an excess, and in August a very great excess. In 
September, however, the fall was very exceptionally small. 
April, May, and the beginning of June, were much warmer 
than the average, but the remainder of June was variable, and, 
upon the Avhole, rather cold. The mean temperature of the 
