From J. H. Gilbert   24 July 1875

Dear Sir—

In a note received a few days ago from M^r. Thiselton Dyer¹ he mentions that you have expressed interest in the results obtained at Rothamsted in experiments on the mixed herbage of permanent meadow land, & he asks if I can send you any papers relating to them.²

I find from our list that we have sent you one published about 1858–9, entitled—Report of experiments with different manures on permanent meadow land, etc, in which some notice is given of the earlier observations on the changes in the flora, so to speak, of the different plots; and I believe also we sent one published in 1863, recording the results of the first more systematic botanical analysis.³ I send you however, another copy of this latter; but I may observe that the results here tabulated have been somewhat revised more recently.

We have, however, gone into the matter in much detail on three occasions, at intervals of 5 years, namely in 1862, 1867, & 1872, & thinking that a view of the results might interest you, I send for your examination, with M^r. Lawes’ concurrance, Tables embodying the whole of the results of the separations—one showing the percentage amount, by weight, of each species, & the other showing the relative predominance of certain of the more important Orders. You are quite welcome to detain them for a few weeks, after which please return them to me here. I may mention that we have a paper in progress on the results in question, & we hope it will be completed during the coming autumn or winter.⁴

I am, Dear Sir | Yours sincerely | J. H. Gilbert

Charles Darwin Esq^re. FRS &c, &c.