on Permanent Meadoio Land. 
261 
to be regretted that it was found in only one of our samples, and 
there in very small proportion. Professor Henfrey was, however, 
of opinion that its leaf occurred in a few of the samples of the 
" coarse " leafy produce. 
11. — Avena pmtensis — Meadoio Oat-Grass. 
This grass is best adapted to dry heathy places. It is of 
doubtful feedin? value, though conflicting opinions are given 
respecting it. But, as it is said to be soon got rid of by good 
cultivation, its qualities are perhaps not of much consequence. It 
is the last on our list of Jloioerinr/ and seedvuf Graminaceous plants. 
It was found in the samples from three only of the seven plots, 
and in those in but insignificant amount. The largest quantity 
was found in the sample grown by the mixture of mineral 
manure and the excessive amount of ammoniacal salts. 
There are two other items to be briefly noticed before closing 
this seriatim account of the different descriptions of Graminaceous 
herbage found in the produce of the respective plots. 
The proportion of the leafi/ produce set down in the Table as 
^^fine" varied extremely according to the manuring. It was 
very large where the ammoniacal salts were used alone; and 
moderately so on the other plots where the total produce was not 
very large ; but very small in the samples from the heaviest crops. 
We were quite unable to determine with any certainty to what 
plant or plants this " fine " leafy matter was to be referred. 
Professor Henfrey was, however, of opinion that some at least 
belonged to Festuca Bromoides, or Barren Fescue-grass. 
" Dead leaf and stem " is the last item in the list of Gramina- 
ceous produce. Contrary to the fine leaf, this worthless dead 
matter occurred in very far the largest proportion where the 
artificial manuring was the highest, and the crops were the 
heaviest. Where the mineral manure and excessive amount of 
ammoniacal salts were employed, this damaged portion of the 
produce amounted to nearly 12 per cent, of the whole ; and 
where the mineral manure and the more moderate amount of 
ammoniacal salts were supplied, to 7 per cent. Here, then, is 
experimental evidence showing a practical disadvantage in 
manuring so highly as to cause the crop to fall and die at the 
bottom before the bulk is fit for cutting. 
n. Leguminous Herbage. 
In the second season, 1857, four descriptions of Leguminous 
plant were distinguished on the experimental plots. These were 
Lathyrus pratensis (Yellow or Meadow Vetchling) ; Lotus cornicu- 
