JOURNAL 
EOYAL AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY 
or ENGLAND. 
I. — The History of a Field newly laid down to Permanent Grass, 
By Sir J. B, Lawes, Bart., LL.D., F.R.S. 
Contents. 
PAGE 
Introduction . . . . 1 
The Economical Results . . 2 
Constituents supplied in the 
Manures and removed in the 
Crops . , I , .5 
PAGE 
Changes within the Soil in the 
Formation of the Meadow , 9 
The Botany of the Meadow . 21 
Summary and General Conclu- 
sions . . . . .24 
Introduction. 
The history of a field laid down to permanent grass nearly 
thirty years ago, which has been mown for hay every year from 
the commencement, and of which the particulars, both of the 
manures applied and of the produce removed, have been recorded 
for the last twenty-three years, cannot fail to be of interest; 
especially at the present time, when the subject of permanent 
grass is receiving so much attention. 
The land in question forms part of the Rothamsted Estate, 
and it had previously been under arable culture. In 1856 about 
two acres were fenced off, and let to Dr. Gilbert, who wished 
to have some grass-land near his house. The soil is very similar 
to much of that of Rothamsted and the neighbourhood ; the 
surface being a heavy loam, with a few feet of reddish-yellow 
clay subsoil mixed with flint stones, and chalk below. In some 
parts of the parish the subsoil flints are so abundant that they 
are sifted out and sold in large quantities for road-making, &c. 
It is probable that Dr. Gilbert's field has a more gravelly subsoil 
than the portions of the farm at a higher level, and that it is, 
therefore, somewhat less suitable for permanent pasture. He 
decided to sell hay every year ; and, as he kept no stock, he de- 
pended entirely upon purchased manures^ 
VOL. XXV. — s. s. B 
