the Progress of English Agriculture. 849 = 583 
\ter percolating, respectively, through 20 inches', 40 inches', 
nl 60 inches' depth of soil, with its subsoil or natural state of 
cisolidation, have also been constructed. A more numerous 
s les of smaller drain-gauges, arranged for the investigation of 
t influence of different crops, and of different manures, are in 
cirse of construction. Each of the differently manured plots of 
t permanent experimental wheat-field having a separate pipe- 
d in, the drainage waters have frequently been collected and 
a ilysed. 
Experiments were made for several years in succession to 
d ermine whether plants assimilate free or uncombined nitrogen, 
al also various collateral points. Plants of the graminaceous, 
h aminous, and other families, were operated upon. The late 
I Pugh took a prominent part in this inquiry. 
I. Experiments on Animals, Sfc. — Experiments upon the Experiments 
a mals of the farm were commenced early in 1847, and have animals. 
h>n continued, at intervals, up to the present time. 
The following points have been investigated : — 
. The amount of food, and of its several constituents, con- 
sued in relation to a given live weight of animal within a 
g-.jn time. 
. The amount of food, and of its several constituents, con- 
st ed to produce a given amount of increase in live weight. 
. The proportion, and relative development, of the different 
ouns or parts of different animals. 
. The proximate and ultimate composition of the animals in 
di ;rent conditions as to age and fatness ; and the probable 
cc position of their increase in live weight during the fattening 
pi ;ess. 
. The composition of the solid and liquid excreta in relation 
toiat of the food consumed. 
. The loss or expenditure of constituents, by respiration and 
ct neous exhalation — that is, for the mere sustenance of the 
li'ig meat-making and manure-making machine. 
upplementary Investigations. — In conjunction with Professor Application of 
W ^, an extensive investigation was undertaken on the appli- sewage, 
ca 3n of town sewage to different crops ; but especially to grass. 
T amount and the composition of both the sewage and the 
ptluce grown were determined, and in selected cases the com- 
I>( tion of the land-drainage water was also determined. 
omparative experiments were also made on the feeding 
ities of the differently grown produce ; the amount of in- 
^1 se yielded by oxen, and the amount and composition of the 
m i yielded by cows, being determined. In this inquiry part 
of he analytical work was performed at Rothamsted, but most 
of t by Professor Way in London. 
3 L 2 
