646 Abstract Report of Af/ricultural Discussions. 
The crop on other parts of the farm showed that such was the natural 
character of the land at Rothamsted. The soil was a strong clay, much 
better suited for the growth of wheat and beans than for the pro- 
duction of grass ; yet it was clear that they could gi-ow on such land 
almost any lierbage they pleased. The question v.as rather one of 
money, and of the particular kind of herbage required, than anything 
else. Considering the kindness of Mr. Lawes in showing the plots to 
any one who visited him, it was strange that a much greater number of 
persons did not go to Rothamsted. The land there afforded the 
most extraordinary illustration of the effects of manuring that any one 
can conceive. Besides the experiments ^\'ith the grasses, there were 
similar ones with wheat and barley, all carried on with such care and 
accuracy that they might be thoroughly depended upon. They had, 
in fact, been continued so long that each plot had now developed its 
own peculiar character. He ventured to say that in a single morning, 
farmers, by walking up and down these plots, and making proper 
inquiries, might obtain more knowledge of experimental farming, and 
of what might be done for the improvement of various kinds of land, 
than they would acquire in a lifetime on their own farm or that of a. 
neighbour. 
Sir Geoege Jeneinson inquired imder what head Professor 
Voelcker would class liquid manure which flowed from a ccsspocl- 
tank. He had lately conducted the sewage of his house by pipes on 
to his pasture, and found that wherever it was allowed to run, there 
was a marked line of thick, rank, dark-gi-een grass ; it was, in fact, 
twice or three times as thick as the grass in other parts. 
Professor Voelcker said the liquid mani;rc alluded to must be 
chiefly ammoniacal manure ; but, inasmuch as it contained also mineral 
matters, it was a mixed ammoniacal and mineral manure, and that 
admixture was, no doubt, the cause of the abundant development of 
herbage which had taken place. 
Mr. Dent, M.P., wished to ask the Professor one or two practical 
questions. First, as regarded soils which required liming — In what 
condition is it best to apply lime to the gi-ass ? What time of the 
year is best for the application of lime, and also of artificial manures 
to grass land ? When the Professor aud those who make scientific 
experiments tise the expressions mixed manm-es and ammoniacal 
manures, of course they know what is meant by such terms ; but 
many farmers would like to be informed what they should apply as a 
mixed mineral manm-e. The dressing proposed by the Professor 
seems to be a rather more expensive t)nc than many tenant-farmers 
would like to apply. Four cwts. of dissolved bones would probably 
cost 7s. per cwt., making 28s. ; 2 cwts. of guano would cost 26s. ; and 
1 cwt. of salt. Is. That would give a total of 55s. per acre ; but. 
tenant farmers generally would not be disposed to expend more than 
2/. per acre in manuring their grass lands. He would therefore 
venture to suggest as a suitable dressing 3 cwts. of superphosphate, 
T cwt. of sulphate of ammonia, and A cwt. of guano, whicli together 
would come to about 35s. per acre. 
Mr. Lee : Did the Professor intend to recommend the application 
