ON THE MIXED HERBAGE OF PERMANENT MEADOW. l25i 
(unmanured), on plot 4-1 (superphosphate alone) and 4-2 (superphosphate and 
ammonia-salts) in 1862, hut only on one of them in 1867, and not again on either. 
On plot 8 (mineral manure, then without potass) it gave more than 5 per cent, in 1862, 
and again in 1877. But the most favourable conditions for it in the struggle are 
obviously those supplied on the nitrate of soda plots, on four, of which it yielded 
more than 5 per cent, in 1862, on two in 1867, on one in 1872, and on two in 1877. 
This is consistent with the results obtained at Chiswick, where the plant was grown 
separately; and it was where the nitrate was applied that the root development of 
this plant was greatest. It also yielded somewhat more than 5 per cent, on plot 18, 
manured with the ash-constituents and the nitrogen of one ton of hay, in the second 
and fourth separation-years. 
It will be observed, however, that, even on those plots the most favourable to it, 
there was generally a decline in the percentage amount of it from the first to the third 
separation-year, but generally some recovery in 1877, though not on the plot which 
upon the whole yielded the highest percentage, namely, plot 14, with the nitrate of 
soda and mineral manure; to the produce of which it contributed 13*8 per cent, in 
1862, 9'36 per cent, in 1867, 5'55 per cent, in 1872, and only 2*63 per cent, in 1877, 
whilst on several other plots it yielded a higher percentage than this in 1877, and on 
some between 6 and 8 per cent, 
It is obvious that Lolium perenne is a plant of relatively weakly habit, and that it 
did not flourish where ammonia-salts were used, but that where the nitrogen was 
supplied as nitrate of soda, it was much more able to maintain some, though still a 
rather low position in the struggle. This may be due either to a want of favourable 
manurial conditions for the plant itself where ammonia-salts are applied, or to the 
competition of stronger species being thus stimulated, whilst with the nitrate of 
soda, the favourable conditions for the plant itself have probably something to do with 
the results. When growing separately the plant is reputed to attain considerable 
luxuriance with liberal nitrogenous manuring, and plenty of moisture and warmth ; 
and its partial recovery of prominence in the later years may be due to the prevailing 
wetness of the seasons. 
There are certain other grasses which occur only on some of the plots, and then 
only in very small proportions, and which therefore demand merely passing notice. 
Phleum pratense .—The Cat’s-tail, or Timothy grass , occurs in moist pastures, and 
has a slightly creeping root which occasionally becomes bulbous, a tufted stock whence 
arise erect stems bearing cylindrical flower-spikes. It produces in spring an abundance 
of leaves at the base of the stems. This grass was observed on, or found in the samples 
from, six plots in 1862, five in 1867, six in 1872, and three in 1877. The plots on 
which it was found were for the most part those treated either with ammonia-salts or 
nitrate of soda, but in no case did it reach 0*2 of the total produce, and generally 
much less. 
