14 PROCEEDINGS AT GENEKAL MEETINGS. 



in upliolding tlae value of insoluble phosphates as a manure for the turnip croj), and 

 also for other crops. In volume xiii. of the Transactimis we have also a careful set 

 of experiments by Mr. Lawsou. Sandj-ford, who adduces quite extraordinary testimony 

 in favour of the superior excellence of imdissolved phosphates as a manure for turnip's 

 on the Braes of Angus. On the other hand, we have an equally careful set of experi- 

 ments, carried out on the home farm of the Marquis of Tweeddale, showing in a far 

 more extraordinary degree the superior value of dissolved phosphates as a turnip pro- 

 ducer on that soil ; and we have our own experiments with turnips on both our stations 

 giving very decided evidence in the same direction. It is not unnatural that those who 

 are engaged in such investigations, and strongly impressed with the accuracy of their 

 own work, should be filled with a desire to have their results corroborated by others, 

 and look with suspicion upon the work of those who find results that lead to difierent 

 conclusions. That, how^ever, is wrong. Let each one accord to others engaged in the 

 same work the accuracy which he claims for himself, and welcome, for the truth's sake, 

 well-earned results, however much they may run counter to those of his own finding. 

 The experiments before us, similar as they are in almost all respects, differ very widely 

 in one — namely, that they have been conducted in widely different localities, and on 

 totally different soils : and granting, what cannot be doubted, that they have been 

 carefully and accurately carried out, we are led to the conclusion that soils differ 

 greatly in character and act very differently on manures. Those engaged in manurial 

 investigations are too apt to regard the manure as everj-thing, and to undervalue the 

 great importance of the differences which exist in the characters of soils. Keeping 

 that in xievf, we should conclude from the experiments which I have noticed, that on 

 some of the soils of Aberdeenshire, if turnips are grown with soluble and insoluble 

 phosphates, side by side, the former will yield a crop on an average about 7 per cent, 

 heavier than the latter. If the experiment is tried in Forfarshire, the probability is 

 that the undissolved phosphates will produce 10 per cent, more than the other. If the 

 experiment is tried in the Lothiaus, then the dissolved phosphates will likely cause an 

 increase of 20 per cent., or more, than the same phosphate undissolved, and in the 

 neighbourhood of Yester the soil manured with dissolved phosphate may yield a crop 

 50 per cent, heavier than that manured with the other. I submit that this shows the 

 need of being cautious and guarded in generalising from experiments conducted in one 

 district. In mj' report I have described one method by which a farmer may begin the 

 study of his soil ; and I promise that he will be both a wiser and a richer man who 

 tries it and applies it. I hope that the number of experimenters will go on increasing, 

 until every farmer is in some measure an experimenter, and mitil an experimental 

 station of some kind in co-operation with this Society is found in every county of Scot- 

 land." 



Forestry Department.- -Professor Balfour reported that the examinations for the 

 Society's certificates in forestry took place on the 28th, 29th, and 30th ]\Iarch, when a 

 second-class certificate was conferred on Mr. Alex. Inglis, Tyninghame, Prestonkirk, 



Veterinary Department.— Colonel Williamson of Lawers reported that the last 

 examination which is to l^e held under the auspices of the Society took place on the 

 18th, 19th, and 20tli April last, when thirty students presented themselves for examina- 

 tion, and out of that number twenty succeeded in obtaining certificates. 



The Veterinary Surgeons Bill. — Professor Macfadyean, in moving that the 

 Society petition against clause 3 of this Bill, stated that, in order to explain the full 

 force of the clause, he would read it with the preamble. The preamble began by stat- 

 ing — " Whereas it is expedient that provision be made to enable persons requiring the 

 aid of a veterinary surgeon for the cure or prevention of diseases in or injuries to horses 

 and other animals, to distinguish between qualified and unqualified practitioners, be it 

 therefore enacted,^' &c. Tlien clause 3 of the Bill than thus — " On and after the-first 

 day of October, one thousand eight hundred and eighty-one, a person shall not be 

 entitled to take or use the name or title of veterinary surgeon, or veterinary practitioner, 

 or any other name, title, addition, or description, implying that he is a member of the 

 Ptoyai College of Veterinary Surgeons, or is otherwise qualified to practise, or is a jDrac- 

 titioner of veterinary surgery, unless he is registered as a member of the said Royal 

 College." The Bill thus sought to obtain exclusive privileges for the members of the 

 Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons. It declared by implication that those who 

 practised on the strength of the certificate granted by this Society were in no sense 

 qualified practitioners. That was surely a most anomalous thing, as the Royal College 

 was not called into existence until twenty years after this Society instituted its veteri- 

 nary examinations. It might be supposed also that the graduates of this Society 

 had received an inferior education and undergone an examination less rigorously 

 conducted. That, however, was not the case ; and the period of study required 

 by this Society has always been the period required by the Royal College. One 

 sought in vain for any reason or explanation why the clause stood as it was. 

 There was one thing he could conceive some one advancing as an apology for the clause 

 in its present fonn. It was true that a few years ago an agreement was entered into 



