452 
3IE. J. B. LAWES, DE. GILBEET, AND DE. PEGS ON 
total Nitrogen in the two seeds was estimated at 0-0355 gramme. That found in the 
products was 0-0334 gramme. There was a loss, therefore, of 0-0021 gramme Nitrogen. 
Lastly, foi-ty-two seeds of Cress were sown, twelve of which served as manure. Many 
of the plants seeded. The dry matter of the produce was more than five times that of 
the seed. The Nitrogen in the forty-two seeds was estimated at 0-0046 gramme. That 
found in the products amounted to 0-0052 gramme. There was a gain, therefore, of 
0-0006 gramme, or little more than half a milligramme of Nitrogen. 
The whole of these experiments in 1854, in which a current of air was supplied to the 
plants, taken together, indicated a slight loss of Nitrogen. This was the case, notwith- 
standing that all the plants, excepting the Cress, were of the Leguminous family. 
4. M. Boussixgault’s experiments in 1851, 1852, 1853, and 1854, in uoliicli the Plants 
ivere allouoed free access of air, hut were protected from rain and dust*. 
Contemporaneously with the several series of experiments above described, Bous- 
SIXGAULT grew plants simply covered with a case, in such a manner as to exclude any 
material amount of dust, but so as to allow of the free access of the external air. 
Single Haricots were grown in the manner here described, in the seasons of 1851, 
1852, 1853, and 1854, respectively. All four plants flowered; one podded; and one 
« 
seeded. The Nitrogen in the seed of the four experiments amounted to 0-1173 gramme. 
That found in the vegetable produce, soil, &c., was 0-1238 gramme. There was a total 
gain of Nitrogen, therefore, under these circumstances, of 0-0065 gramme. In one case 
there was an apparent loss of Nitrogen of a little more than 2 milligrammes; in the 
three others the gain was about equal. The dry matter in the produce amounted to 
from three to four times as much as that in the seeds sown. 
In the seasons of 1853 and 1854, three experiments of the same kind were made with 
White Lupins. The dry matter of the produce was from three to four or more times as 
much as that in the seed. The Nitrogen in the seed of the three experiments taken 
together amounted to 0-0780 gramme. That in the total products was 0-0873 gramme. 
Here again, therefore, there was a gain of Nitrogen — amounting in this case, in all, to 
between 9 and 10 milligrammes. 
Under similar conditions. Oats were grown in 1852 which yielded seed. The Nitro- 
gen soma was 0-0031 gramme. That in the products was 0-0041 gramme. There was 
a gain, therefore, of 1 milligramme of Nitrogen. 
In like manner, five seeds of Wheat were sown in 1853. The dry matter of the pro- 
duce was more than three times that of the seed. The Nitrogen in the seed was esti- 
mated at 0-0064 gramme. That in the products was 0-0075 gramme. The gain was, 
therefore, 0-0011 gramme. 
Lastly, 210 seeds of Cress were sown in 1854. Many of the plants seeded; and there 
was, of course, a considerable gain of dry matter. The Nitrogen in the seed was 0-0259 
gramme. That in the products amounted to 0-0272 gramme. There was a gain, there- 
fore, of 0-0013 gramme. 
* Ann. de Chim. et de Phys. sdr. 3. tome xliii. 1855. 
