152 
Effects of different Manures oil the 
expense, to some extent, of the superior Poa trivialis, but in a 
greater degree of the Leguminous herbage. The free growing 
and bulky Dactylis, as by mineral manures alone, so also by 
ammonia-salts alone (which characteristically favour the growth 
of Graminaceous herbage generally), appears to be kept in the 
background. In fact, although the increase by ammonia-salts 
alone was exclusively Graminaceous (other plants being actually 
reduced in amount), it was also almost exclusively composed of 
the leafy herbage of the less grossly growing grasses. 
Under the influence of ammonia-salts alone the produce did 
not contain a quarter of 1 per cent, of Leguminous herbage. 
The proportion of total Miscellaneous plants, and the number 
of species, were reduced by the use of ammonia-salts alone ; but 
some few plants were very strikingly encouraged, especially the 
Rumex acetosa, which was both abundant and luxuriant. Carum 
Carui was also very prevalent, more so than the figures would 
indicate ; the small weight being probably due to its being ripe, 
and having- shedded much seed before being cut. Achillaca 
millefolium was also a very prominent plant ; and Luzula cam- 
pestris was more so than on most of the manured plots. 
Effects of Nitrate of Soda alone. 
The effects of nitrate of soda alone, though in many respects 
similar to those of ammonia-salts alone, show some peculiarities. 
The proportion of the total herbage referable to the five predo- 
minating Graminaceous genera is unusually small ; whilst a plant 
occurring in the produce without manure in very small quantity, 
and in less amount still in that by mineral manure alone, or 
ammonia-salts alone, comes here into very great prominence. This 
grass, Alopecurus pratensis (fox-tail grass), a good pasture plant, 
but not a good element in hay, contributed ly'7 percent, to the 
produce where the smaller amount of nitrate of soda was* used 
alone, and nearly 7 per cent, where the larger amount was 
employed ; though, in only one other case, excepting in the pro- 
duce without manure, did it exceed 2 per cent. This grass was, 
in fact, quite characteristic of the nitrated plots. Otherwise, 
there was a pretty equal distribution of the grasses prevailing on 
the plots hitherto considered ; though, as with ammonia-salts 
without mineral manure, there was here a great tendency to 
development of foliage from the base, rather than to the growth 
of stem and stem -leaves. 
Nitrate of soda alone, like ammonia-salts alone, very much 
discouraged the Leguminous herbage. Lathyrus an<l Lotus were 
almost totally excluded ; and Trifolium only contributed about a 
quarter of 1 per cent, of the produce. 
