PROCEEDINGS AT GENERAL MEETINGS. 7 



facturer and the former had been issued to 438 parties now using steam-ploughs 

 or cultivators in England, Scotland, and Ireland. Many of the formers had 

 already given most elaborate answers, though the return of the schedules is 

 not due till the 2d of July. The noble Marquis mentioned that it was the 

 intention of the Directors to extend the period of observation in steam cultiva- 

 tion to the whole year, in order that they might have an opportunity of ex- 

 amining the different modes of stirring the sod, as well as the instruments 

 that had been brought into use, and had been employed since steam had been 

 brought so much into use in agriculture. It would be one of the great objects 

 of this committee to inform those that wished to engage in steam cultivation 

 of all that was necessary to be known in regard to it. They would have an 

 opportunity of knowing the expense of the engines, of the apparatus, the cost 

 of tear and wear, and the number of men required to work the engines, and 

 all the contingent expenses ; as also the amount of labour that could be per- 

 formed within a specified time. In short, the committee hoped to be able to 

 answer the whole inquiries of those who contemplated the introduction of 

 steam cultivation on their farms. 



The report was unanimously approved. 



The Society's Premises. 



Mr Murray of Dollerie, in the absence of Mr Mackenzie of Dolphinton, 

 reported that, in conformity with the authority given at the general meeting 

 on the 17th of January last, the collection of roots, seeds, woods, and other 

 articles of produce in the Society's Museum had been entirely made over to 

 and accepted by Government for the Museum of Science and Art in Edin- 

 burgh. This had enabled the Directors to effect a very convenient arrangement 

 for conducting the Society's business. The Albyn Place property had been 

 disposed of, the first floor of the museum had been converted into offices, includ- 

 ing a board-room, and the whole business of the Society would, in future, be 

 concentrated in George IV. Bridge. The price of the Albyn Place house had 

 been invested in railway debentures. 



The report was approved. 



Removal of Sheep. 



Mr Goodlet, Bolshan, wished to draw the attention of the meeting to the 

 restrictions on the removal of sheep under the late Privy Council Orders. 

 By the 47th section, no sheep could be removed from one place to another in 

 any county or district within ten miles of any infected place ; and the conse- 

 quence was that, there being infection in several parts of the county of Forfar, 

 the sheep there could not be removed at all. The restriction caused a great 

 amount of what he thought unnecessary hardship in the county, and he, for 

 example, had grass parks a mile or two from his farm, to which he could not 

 remove his sheep without breaking the law, although there was no infection 

 in the locality, and the local authority could not, under the Order in Council, 

 give him the requisite authority. The restrictions on the movement of sheep 

 were, strange to say, much greater than on the movement of cattle, though it 

 was among the cattle that the great pestilence had broken out ; and it was a 

 very doubtful matter whether the disease had ever attacked the sheep at all. 

 He moved that the Society petition to get that part of the clause containing 

 this restriction struck out of the Privy Council Order, leaving the matter to 

 rest on the 49th clause. 



Mr Russell, Pilmuir ; Mr Harvey, Whittingham Mains ; Mr Campbell 

 Swinton, and others, having expressed their opinion on the subject, 



Mr Walker of Bowland seconded Mr Goodlet's motion, which he thought 

 was founded on reason and experience. The 49th clause, he thought, afforded 

 all the protection in regard to the movement of sheep that could be desired or 

 required. He did not, however, think that all restrictions should be done 

 away. Knowing, as they did, the extent of the calamity in Forfarshire, and still 



