, 1882-06-17

some time in London, for the purpose Of
studying in a practical manner the science
of chemistry. Possessed of independent
means, a handsome property, and a beau
tiful old maHOr-h0uSe and demeSne, Mr..
Lawes at once interested himself III agrI'
culture. In October 1884, he first cOmmenc-
I'd regular experiments in agricultural
chemistry on taking possession OF his
property and h0me at R0thamSted, and
from that date up to the present time, Mr..
Lawes has increasingly been applying his
scientific knowledge to the solution OF
questions affecting practical agriculture.
IN the commencement of his experiments,
among other subjects, the effect OF bones
as a manure on land occupied his attention
for SOME time. A friend and neighbour,
the then Lord Dacre. particularly directed
his notice to the fact that bones were very
variable in their effect in different soils.
Several hundred experiments were accord
lngly made, SEINE upon crops III the field
and others with plants in pots in which,
the constituents found in the ashes Of
plants as we'll as others were supplied in
various states Of combination. Striking
results were gained from these expert
ments, in which the neutral phosphate of
lime in bones, bone-ash and apatite were
rendered soluble by means OF sulphuric
acid, and the mixture applied for root
crops. The results obtained on a small
scale in lS37-S-9 We're such as TO lead to
more extensive trials in the field in 1901,
and 20 tie Gial taking ont Of a patent
early in 1872. This being done, Mr..
LaWeS established large works in the
neighbourhood Of London for the manu-
taeture Of super phosphate Of lime, by
which name the manure is NOVA which
has produced such q revolution in the
science OF agriculture.
Not content with the individual profit
which he derived from his Investigations,
MI. LaWes continued his work with the
assistance Of a practical chemist. IN l843
lie engaged the assistance Of DR.. Gilbert,
the present director Of the Rothamstead
farm, and undertook with him a systema-
tic series Of agricultural Investigations III
the field, the teeding-Shcd, and the IabOTa-
tory. The laboratory consisted, first of
an old barn, but this very soon became
insufficient for the growing requirements
Of the new science. Happily, an oppOr'
tanity offered to build another one, In
1891 a testimonial was subscribed for pre-
sentation to Mr.. LaWes, to express the
appreciation If the services he had rem
dered 10 British agriculture. The Com
mittee proposed to eXpend the money IN
plate, but Mr.. LaweS at once suggested
that it might be devoted to providing a
new laboratory which would enable him
the better to prosecute and extend his
inquiries, the publication OF the results
(which would be the best return he could
make for the honour that had been con-
ferred upon him. Mr.. LaWes was elected
a Fellow OF the Royal Society i'll 1884, and
in 1861 the Royal medal was awarded to
him conformity with DR.. Gilbert, by the
council Of the society. Mr. LaweS has
also received a gold medal from the I'm
periaI Agricultural Society Of Russia.
Last june the Emperor OF Germany by
Imperial decree awarded the gold medal
of merit for agriculture to Mr.. LaweS and
DR.. Gilbert jointly. in recognition Of their
services for the development of scientific
and practical agriculture. The honour,
therefore, which has been recently confer.
red upon Nr. Lawes is merely a final and
national recognition OF his reputation anu
lf.work.
The results of the Rothamsted %investi-
cations are to be found in the Journals
Of the Royal Agricultural Society OF
England.' The Reports OF the British AS
ISOLATION for the Advancement Of Science
etc. etc.
Rothamsted is situated some % miles
from London, i'll HertS, and is easily ac
cesSible to visitors, Harpenden being the
railway station. MI. la es manor-hOuse
is a remarkably fine specimen of old Eng
lish architecture, and the demesne sur
rounding it contains some magnificent
timber, including an avenue of lines, which