1292 
MESSRS. J. B. LAWES, J. H. GILBERT, AND M. T. MASTERS, 
where the manures were appropriate. Miscellaneous plants had been generally 
reduced; but Rumex Acetosa had maintained its position, Achillea Millefolium had 
considerably increased, and Conopodium denudatum was also prominent. 
To conclude,—with considerably modified floras, induced by recent seasons of 
luxuriance, or of drought, or of both, and with very variable climatal conditions in the 
season of separation itself, for the most part more favourable for luxuriance than 
maturation, and the ripening period both late and much broken, there were very 
variable characteristics of produce on the differently manured plots. 
Fourth season of separation, 1877.—In the first crops of 1873 the grasses were 
dwarfish, with little stem and thin undergrowth; some strong weeds—such as Rumex 
Acetosa, Centaurea nigra, and Achillea Millefolium —were luxuriant, but Leguminosse 
were less prominent than usual. There was fairly dense aftergrowth yielding two 
cuttings, which were spread on the respective plots. Festuca ovina contributed a 
large proportion of the dense undergrowth. 
The winter and early spring of 1873-4 were warmer but drier than usual, and 
vegetation was very backward. With continued drought and low temperatures the 
herbage was materially damaged, yielding stunted and injured crops. There was 
comparatively little aftergrowth, excepting with high manuring; second and third 
crops were, however, cut, and spread on the respective plots. 
In the winter and early spring of 1874-5 the weather was very variable ; but there 
was an excess of rain, and there were higher than average temperatures in May and 
June. The produce was generally below, but with high manures it was above average. 
Agrostis vulgaris and Poa trivialis were very prominent; and the dense, leafy growth 
of the grasses kept back the leguminous and miscellaneous species. The compara¬ 
tively meagre first growth was followed by great luxuriance of free-growing species, 
such as, according to the plot, Dactylis glomerata, Arena elatior, and Bromus mollis. 
Leguminous and miscellaneous plants were also prominent and prolific. The second 
cuttings were much heavier than usual, and they were, for the first time, removed 
from the land and weighed—a procedure obviously affecting the condition of the land, 
and at the same time introducing a new element into the struggle among the 
components of the mixed herbage. 
The winter and early spring of 1875-6, and the usual growing period, were variable 
and unseasonable, yielding backward, scanty, and thin crops, excepting with the 
highest manuring, where a few free-growing grasses were luxuriant. Leguminous and 
miscellaneous species were deficient. The autumn was wet, but variable as to 
temperature, and the second growth of the grasses was accordingly patchy, but with a 
good deal of leafy bottom ; whilst both leguminous and miscellaneous species were 
deficient. Owing to the wetness and coldness of the weather, the second crops could 
not be weighed and removed, but were cut and spread on the respective plots. 
In 1877, the year of botanical separation itself, grass gave great early promise, but 
it was much checked by a cold spring, and it remained backward, short, and benty, 
