"I give and bequeath to the Southern California Academy of Sci- 

 ences (of which 1 am a member at this date) the sum of ten thousand 

 dollars, suggesting that said sum be loaned on good security and 

 that the interest thereon be used to defray the expense of free lectures, 

 or other proper entertainments, bearing on scintific topics." 

 or other proper entertainments, bearing on scientific topics." 



The Directors of this Academy hereby place upon record an ex- 

 pression of their sorrow for the loss of an associate so zealous in 

 the prosecution of investigations instituted solely as well for the in- 

 formation of the individual inquirer as for the welfare of the general 

 public, and we extend to the widow and son our profound sympathy 

 for them in their great affliction. 



The Secretary was authorized to have said Memorial suitably en- 

 grossed and transmitted to Mrs. Beeman. 



There being no further business the Board adjourned. 



Academy Meeting 



The monthly meeting was held on Wednesday, December 16, 1914, 

 in Symphony 11 all, President Benton in the chair. 



Probably at no time has been presented before this Academy of 

 Sciences a topic more interesting or instructive than the address of 

 Prof. George E. Bailey upon Soil Hygiene, what soils are and how 

 to keep them in good physical condition. 



He recited the progress made by Colleges and Universities, as well 

 as by private laboratories in chemical analyses of soils, plants, vege- 

 tables, cereals and fruits, and by the United States Bureau of Sods 

 in the physical analyses of the same; the function of water in agri- 

 culture, which has been scientifically classified into the three distmc- 

 tive ranks or divisions of gravity, capillary and film; the proper use 

 of phosphates and nitre and the greatly increased abundance of crops 

 produced by the action of selected microbes, bacteria and bacdli. 



Deep plowing and the use of explosives for breaking up the under- 

 lying hard-pan"have demonstrated that ground, thought to be worth- 

 less for agricultural purposes, may be made fertile for the yielding 

 of bountiful crops. 



The numerous questions asked of the lecturer evidenced the great 

 attention with which his statements were received by many present, 

 the representatives of the various agricultural interests of California. 



Academy Meeting 



On Wednesday evening, January 13, 1915, the Academy meeting 

 was held in the Women's Club House on Figueroa Street. 



Mr. Spalding reported that the National Academy f>f Sciences had 

 selected Los Angeles as the place for its Convention during the com- 

 ing Summer and, upon his motion, the President was authorized to 

 appoint a Committee for the purpose of making suitable arrange- 

 ments for the reception and entertainment of the visiting members 

 of that Academy of Sciences. 



Prof. F. P. Brackett, Director of Pomona College Observatory, 

 related his experiences in Algeria as a member of the Expedition 

 for measurement of Solar Radiation. His graphic descriptions were 

 illustrated by many views of the instruments employed upon that 

 occasion and of the people, cities, mountains and valleys of that 



interesting country, r^ <-. 



HoLDBiDGE 0. Collins, 



Secretary. 

 29 



