400 Report of Experiments with different Manures 
for a sufficient length of time, to a temperature of 212° F. in 
a large water-bath. The means only, of the two determinations 
in each case, are given in Table XI. These will be quite suffi- 
cient for the elucidation of the points to which the results are 
applicable. But the individual determinations are giv<?n for 
reference in Table I. in the Appendix. 
In the lowest division of Table XI. are given the mean per- 
centages of Dry matter of all the specimens for each of the three 
seasons. The average percentage for all the specimens of 1856 
Avas 79-3; that for 1857 was 86-8 ; and that fpr 1858 was 84-1. 
Tiie mean percentage over the three years together was 83 '4. 
There was, therefore, a variation in the average proportion of 
Dry matter in the hay of more than 7 per cent., according to 
season. The produce of 1857 gave a very high, and that of 
1856 a very low proportion, of Dry substance. 
The season of 1856 was, in every respect, ill adapted for high 
and dry condition of the hay. Accordingly, analysis indicates a 
very low percentage of Dry matter in the produce of that season. 
The seasons of both 1857 and 1858 were very much better in 
this respect. Of the two, the produce of 1857 contained con- 
siderably the higher proportion of Dry matter. But a comparative 
examination of the climatic statistics of these two seasons leads 
to the conclusion, that the higher percentage of Dry matter in the 
j)roduce of 1857 is not so much due to the conditions during 
the last two or three weeks before cutting, as to the influence of 
climatic circumstances somewhat earlier, which developed more 
the seeding tendency in 1857 than in 1858. 
Among the percentages of Dry matter relating to the produce 
of the individual plots, there is not a single instance that does 
not show the same general relationship between the characters of 
tlie three seasons on this point, as is indicated by the mean results 
only of each season. 
Nor was there much difference between the average proportion 
of Dry matter in the specimens of the produce of each season 
taken at the time of carting, and that found in the bulk of the hay 
from the same (and adjoining land) after it had been some time 
in the rick. As a check on this point, samples were cut from the 
top to the bottom of the ricks which contained the mixed produce, 
both experimental and otherwise, of the seasons of 1857 and 
1858 respectively, and the Dry matter was determined in them. 
The results are given at the foot of Table XI. ; and the com- 
parison afforded is as follows : — The average percentage of Dry 
matter in the experimental specimens of 1857 was 86 8 ; and that 
in the hay taken from the rick of that year (sampled Dec. 1858) 
was 87'2. Again, the average percentage of Dry matter in the 
experimental specimens of 1858 was 84"1 : and that in the liay 
