558 
On the Slcopinfj of Seeds. 
llye-grass, prepared and unprepared, and sown both at the same time 
and ill the same soil, presented a striking contrast, the former being 
much more vigorous, and of a deeper green than the latter. 
I prepared the various mixtures from the carbonates of the above 
specified salts, whicli were exactly neutralized, and then added from 8 
to 12 measures of water. The time of steeping varied from fifty to 
ninety-four hours, at a temperature of about 60° Fahrenheit. I found, 
however, that barley docs not succeed if steeped beyond sixty hours. 
Rye-grass, and other gramineous seeds, not cereal, do with from six- 
teen to twenty hours. 
My experiments were all made in ground which had received no 
manure for eleven years, and in which there was little organic matter of 
any kind. 
For the purpose of instituting exact comparisons between prepared 
and unprepared seeds, I sowed Feeds prepared in seven difl'erent ways, 
alongside of others in the natural state, on the 14th and 16th ult., in 
pure sand and gravel, and in virgin earth dug 6 feet from the surface, 
and spread over poor soil, on a farm which 1 have in Kinross-shire, at 
an elevation of 400 feet above the level of the sea ; but having to leave 
the place on the 31st ult., I could not form a correct estimate of the 
comparative growth. I intend, however, to visit the place on the 12th 
of October, when I shall be able to judge correctly both of the difference 
of the prepared and unprepared seeds, and also to satisfy myself of the 
real value of the preparations on inferior soils. 
I am. Sir, 
Your most obedient servant, 
Jas. Campbell, 
of Crookmill. 
Seminaries^ Dundee, 20th Sept., 1843. 
Mr. Campbell has subsequently sent the following communication 
as to the results of the unfinished experiments noticed in his former 
letter : — • 
The salts were neutralized by adding the carbonates till effervescence 
completely ceased, and this was done that there might be no excess of 
acid. 
With respect to the experiments which I purposed to examine on the 
12th of Octoiier, I have the satisfaction of mentioning that they were 
completely successful, showing a decided contrast in favour of the pre- 
pared seeds. In the tilly soil, dug up from G or 8 feet under the sur- 
face, the prepared seeds showed plants with seven and eiglit stems, 
while the unprepared had not more than three. 
