Erperiments with differed Top-dressings upon IVkcat. 380 
These quantities of the different fertilizers were obtained in eac!i 
case at an expense of 1/. 12s. 6(/. per acre, except the larger dose 
of wheat-manure on Plot V., the cost of which was 21. 8,9. 
per acre. In this estimation the actual prices paid were taken. 
Peruvian guano, at the time of application, was 13/. per ton : 
nitrate of soda, 18/. 10s. per ton ; common salt, 1/. 10s, per ton ; 
wheat-manure, 8/. per ton. 
The price of the chalk-marl could not be accurately ascer- 
tained, and probably 8s. per ton will be rather under than above 
the price at which it was procured. The manures were all finely 
sifted (except the chalk-marl), mixed with about 10 times their 
weight of fine soil, and sown broadcast on the afternoon of the 
22nd of March, 1859. 
The land was clean, in good condition, and moist. A portion 
of the soil from the experimental field was submitted to a me- 
chanical and to a chemical analysis. It yielded the following 
results : — 
Composition of Experimental Wheat- Field ; Field Ko. 2 of the 
Royal Agricultural College Farm, Cirencester. 
a. Meclmnical Analysis. 
Moisture -I'lS 
Organic matter and water of combination .. 9'75 
Lime 18-63 
Clav 1)1-76 
Sand 5-68 
100-00 
It Avill be seen that there is but little sand or silica, that can 
be separated by washing, in this soil. Notwithstanding, the 
straw of the wheat was very stiff. 
b. Chemical Analysis. 
Moisture 4-18 
* Organic matter and water of combination .. 9-75 _^ 
Oxides of iron and alumina 16-25 
Phosplioric acid '12 
Sulphate of lime -31 
(Containing sulphuric acid) ('18) 
Carbonate of lime 18-63 
Magnesia 'IS 
Potash -41 
Soda -11 
Insoluble silicates and sand (chiefly claj^) .. 50-45 
100-39 
*Containing nitrogen 'ST 
E<jaal to ammonia '45 
In the preceding analysis the phosphoric acid was determined 
by the molybdate of ammonia process, which furnishes exceed- 
