1188 MESSRS. J. B. LAWES, J. H. GILBERT, AISTD M. T. MASTERS, 
liave been executed in the case of selected plots, first and second crops, as under :— 
1871. 
Eirst crops. 
5 
Second crops. 
Total. 
5 
1874 . 
5 
—i 
5 
1875 . 
9 
9 
18 
1876 .. 
8 
— 
8 
1877 . 
(Complete) 
11 
11 
1878 . 
14 - 
11 
25 
1879 . 
12 
8 
20 
1880 . 
12 
6 
18 
These partial separations have been superintended by Mr. Willis, excepting those 
of the second crop of 1877, which were conducted by Mr. Walter Davis. 
Finally in regard to the samples, although there can be no doubt that they do 
represent the actual vegetation of the plots at the time of cutting with close approxi¬ 
mation to correctness, it is to be remembered that some plants may by that time have 
grown up and already to a great extent disappeared, whilst others may escape the 
scythe by reason of their dwarf and lowly habit. It is obvious, however, that any 
inaccuracies in the indications of the botanical separations arising from such causes 
must, from the very nature of the case, be but small, and that they will practically 
be confined to the results relating to plants of only scanty occurrence or meagre 
development. The notes taken on the ground do, indeed, show that the range of 
error due to the causes referred to is not material. 
Characters of the Seasons in which Complete Botanical Separations were conducted. 
In the section on the “ Influence of Season on the Produce of Hay,” Part I., pp. 390 
to 405, it has been shown how very great was the difference in the amount of the 
mixed produce dependent on the climatal conditions, and also what widely different 
seasons might yield large, and again, what widely different seasons might yield small 
crops. In fact, a given quantity of the mixed produce grown under the same conditions 
as to manuring, might be composed very differently in two different seasons. This 
difference was stated, in general terms, to consist not only in the different proportions 
in which the various Orders, genera, or species were represented, but also in the 
character of development of the plants in regard to leafiness or stemminess, luxuriance 
and succulence, or maturation, &c. It is obvious that, if this be so, it is essential to 
consider the characters of the seasons themselves, in which the botanical separations 
were made; and to come to some conclusion as to their probable influence on the 
botanical composition, and the character of development, of the mixed herbage, apart 
from that of progressive exhaustion of the soil, or the continued application of different 
manuring substances ; so as in some degree to discriminate between results due to the 
