OS 
Drought 0/ 1 870 and 
having been carefully selected on each plot, a case or frame, open 
at the top and bottom, made of strong sheet-iron, G inches square 
by 9 inches deep (but which may be of any desired size), was 
driven into the ground in the centre of the square, level with the 
surface. The enclosed soil was then dug out exactly to the depth 
of the case. The soil around the case, to the extent of the square 
yard selected, was then removed to the level of the bottom of it ; 
it was again driven down, and its contents carefully taken out ; 
and so on, the process was repeated, until the desired depth was 
attained. The determination of the water in the samples being 
the special object of the experiments in question, the exact weight 
of the soil was taken immediately on removal, so that any loss of 
moisture by evaporation during preservation, or preparation for 
analysis, might be duly taken account of. The whole was then 
broken up, the stones sifted out, separating first those which did 
not pass a 1-inch sieve, next a i-inch, and finally a ^-inch sieve 
being used. The mould, or soil, passing the :|-inch sieve was 
weighed, a proportional part of it finely powdered for analysis 
and re-weighed. In the soils so prepared, the loss of moisture, 
at different temperatures, has been and the nitrogen and some 
other constituents will be determined. 
The following Table shows the percentage of moisture, as deter- 
mined by the loss when dried at 212° Fahr., inclusive of that by 
evaporation during preparation for analysis, in the soil from 
each of the three plots of the experimental meadow-land, at each 
depth to which the samples were taken : — 
Table HI. — Moisture in the Soil from Plots of Permanent Meadow Land 
differeutiy Manured. Samples collected July 25-6, 1870. 
Pekcektages of Moisture (Soils di-ied .it 212° Fahr.). 
Depth of Sample. 
Plot 3. 
Plot 9. 
Plot 14. 
Mineral Manure 
Mineral Manure 
Without JIanuvc. 
and 
and 
Ammouia-salts. 
Nitrate of Soda. 
10-83 
13-00 
12-16 
13-34 
10-18 
11-80 
19-23 
16-4G 
15-65 
22-71 
18-96 
16-30 
24-28 
20-54 
17-18 
Sixth 9 inches 
25-07 
21-34 
18-06 
19-24 
15-75 
15-19 
The results recorded in this Table are of great interest and 
significance ; and they supplv important data towards the explana- 
tion of the extraordinary difference in the amount of produce 
obtained on the different plots. It should be premised, however, 
