ON THE MINED HERBAGE OF PERMANENT MEADOW. 1379 
excess of Festuca ovina , and a diminishing one of Holcus lanatus and Alopecurus pra- 
tensis. In the last separation-year only was there a considerable excess of Agrostis*. 
There was also, in smaller, but in fluctuating amount, an excess of Foa pratensis, P. 
trivialis, Lolium perenne, Avena pubescens , and Avena jlavescens, the excess in each 
case more or less declining. There was, on the other hand, generally an actual 
deficiency of Anthoxanthum odoratum and Dactylis glomerata. 
The Leguminosae were even in somewhat less actual amount with the “ superphos¬ 
phate” in addition, than with the ammonia-salts alone. 
Of miscellaneous herbage, the mixture yielded more than the ammonia-salts alone, 
especially of Rumex Acetosa and Achillea Millefolium; whilst there was, excepting in 
the first year, a reduction in the amount of the species of Ranunculus, and also of 
Conopodium; Centaurea nigra was sometimes in deficiency, sometimes in excess. 
The main effect of the addition of superphosphate to the ammonia-salts was, then, 
notably to increase the total gramineous, and slightly that of the total miscellaneous 
herbage. The chief increase was contributed by the poorer grasses— Festuca ovina, 
Holcus lanatus, and Agrostis vulgaris; a few of rather better character developing 
somewhat better with the mixture than with the ammonia-salts alone. 
The general aspect and character of the herbage were, however, much the same on 
the two plots. It consisted mainly of very dark green, fine-leaved, tufted, and stunted 
grasses ; but these characters were less marked under the influence of the “ superphos¬ 
phate,” which aided the formation of stem, and tended somewhat more to maturity of 
a few of the superficially rooting species. However, in dry seasons, the herbage has 
seemed rather to die at the bottom than to ripen. 
As referred to elsewhere, the excessively dark green colour is indicative of a high 
percentage of nitrogen, an abundant formation of chlorophyll, bat deficient carbon- 
assimilation, due to a deficiency of certain mineral constituents, relatively to the 
amount of nitrogen taken up. In fact, there is, so far as the nitrogen available, and 
the chlorophyll formed, are concerned, so to speak potential, but not actual growth. 
It is obvious, therefore, that the superphosphate used did not suffice for the full 
efficacy of the nitrogen supplied. 
13. Ammonia-salts (400 lbs. per acre), and mixed mineral manure, with and 
without potass; Plots 9 and 10. 
The results of the experiment last considered have shown that the mere addition 
to ammonia-salts of superphosphate of lime (supplying phosphoric acid, sulphuric 
acid, lime, and some magnesia) did not suffice very materially to affect either the 
quantity of the produce or the character of the herbage. We have now to consider 
the effects of the further supply of salts of potass, soda, and magnesia, and of salts 
of soda and magnesia, without potass. The point will be illustrated by a comparison 
