ON THE MIXED HERBAGE OF PERMANENT MEADOW. 
1367 
others in any important amount were, Dactylis glomerata , Lolium perenne, Holcus 
lanatus, Alopecurus pratensis, and Avena flavesoens ; the Holcus, the only one of these 
which was in the list of prominence on plot 9, was, however, in less quantity than it 
was with the ammonia-salts. 
But, apart from the evidence afforded by the record of the relative and the actual 
quantities in which different species occurred on the two plots, there was very great 
difference in the general aspect and tendency of development of the herbage in the two 
cases. On plot 14, with the nitrate, the growth was almost invariably very much more 
forward, with early and very prominent development of stem, hut with comparatively 
little growth of leaf from the base. Another character incident to that of the coarse 
and luxuriant stemmy growth of a few individual species is that the turf of this plot 
(14) is less compact and looser than that of plot 9, and of most of the other plots. 
According to the season of growth, or of those preceding it, one or other of the most 
prominent plants attracted attention, and gave character to the plot. The produce 
was always ready to be cut much earlier than that on any other plot; the stems being 
generally ripe, and even dead at the bottom, before the herbage on most of the other 
plots was ready for cutting. Owing to this, and to the most prominent plants flowering 
and seeding early, and frequently shedding seed before cutting, their permanence was 
favoured. This was especially the case with Bromus mollis, which frequently produced 
seed in the first growth, and gave an abundance of seedling plants in the second. On 
the other hand, the fact of this plant being usually annual, or biennial only, may serve 
to account for the great fluctuation in its degree of prominence in the different seasons, 
dependent presumably on the climatal circumstances having been favourable or other¬ 
wise for its reproduction and persistence. Again, the fact of the occurrence of tubers 
on the roots, which has been observed in this plant on this plot, may perhaps he taken 
to indicate a tendency to assume a perennial duration. 
In conclusion, the contrast brought to view between the occurrence and predomi¬ 
nance of different species on two plots manured in many respects so very similarly as 
plots 9 and 14, the only difference being that of the condition of combination in which 
the nitrogen is supplied, is exceedingly remarkable. The result affords a striking 
illustration of the influence upon a flora, of variations of conditions of growth which 
would at first sight appear comparatively unimportant. There was also a difference in 
the character of growth, dependent in part on the diversity in the natural “ habit ” of 
the plants favoured, by virtue of which, again, it is that they have become susceptible 
to the influence of the conditions provided; but the result is also in part due, directly 
to the known characteristic action of the manure itself, in inducing great luxuriance 
and, in conjunction with sufficient mineral supply, great forwardness and tendency to 
consolidation and maturation. 
8 M 2 
