262 Annual Report of the Consulting Botanist for 1877. 
Moisture 18-10 
*Organic matter 7 "15 
Phosphate of lime 1 • 04 
Oxide of iron and alumina 4 '77 
Carbonate and sulphate of lime 24 '20 
Alkaline salts and nwgncsia 2*21 
Insoluble siliceous matter (sand) 42 "53 
100-00 
* Contuiiiing nitroyuu '44 
Equal to ammonia -53 
A comparison of the composition of the sample sent to me by 
Mr. Wigham with that of the sample sent by Mr. Bannister 
shows that both samples may be considered practically to be the 
same. Like the sample sent by Mr. Wigham, that analysed 
for Mr. Bannister is scarcely worth 15^. per ton. 
Mr. Bannister obtained the manure through the Ceres Nitro- 
phosphate Company's agents, Messrs. J. and N. C. Bull, New- 
haven, Sussex, who, Mr. Bannister informs me, were only ap- 
pointed a few months ago, and who likewise state that they 
have no liability, not being allowed to receive payment, and 
whose commission, by their own confession, is 1/. per ton. 
Having had previous transactions with Messrs. Bull, and being 
much pressed for an order, Mr. Bannister at last consented, on 
condition that the manure should be analysed. 
The invoice was set to Mr. Bannister direct from the office 
of the Ceres Nitrophosphate Company, Warlow Road, Stratford, 
and, curiously enough, with the same intimation which Mr. 
Wigham received, namely : — 
" Mr. W. Bannister, 
" Dear Sir, — Our forwarding clerk has omitted to pay the carriage licre, 
and we should therefore be glad if you would kindly do so at your own end, 
aud deduct it from invoice. 
" Yours truly, 
" Ceuks NiTRoruosniATE Co., Otto Schleicher." 
XIII. — Annual Report of the Consultinr/ Bolaniat for 1877. 
By W. Caebutiiees, F.R.S. 
The number of applications by Members of the Society has 
considerably increased during the past year, having exceeded 
sixty. 
Tlie samples of seed for crops which have passed through mj 
hands have been generally satisfactory, and no case has occurred 
