CHEMICAL DEPARTMENT. 



The objects of the Chemical Department are threefold : — 



I. The prosecution of researches in various subjects con- 



nected with Agricultural Chemistry, the results of 

 which are published at intervals in the Transactions. 



Dr Anderson will be glad at all times to receive suggestions 

 from Members of the Society regarding subjects they may con- 

 sider worthy of investigation, and which will be laid before the 

 Chemical Committee. 



II. To assist in the performance of minute and accurate 



Field Experiments. 



Tor this purpose it has recently been resolved to institute 

 field experiments on a systematic plan, and in such a manner as 

 to obtain exact and comparable results. The experiments will 

 be conducted in different districts under the superintendence of 

 a Committee, who will fix the precise nature of those to be made 

 in each year, and see that the precautions required to secure 

 accuracy are properly attended to. The furnishing the requisite 

 chemical data for these researches will in future form an impor- 

 tant part of the business of the laboratory. Gentlemen who have 

 any suggestions to make regarding subjects deserving investiga- 

 tion are requested to communicate with Dr Anderson. 



III. The performance of Analyses of Manures, Soils, 

 Vegetable Products, &c, for Members of the Society 

 at reduced fees. 



In purchasing manures, cattle foods, &c, Members are recom- 

 mended, in all cases, to do so by guaranteed analyses, and to 

 ascertain that the article delivered corresponds with it. Partial 

 analyses, such as Nos. 6 and 7 of the accompanying list, will 

 generally suffice to check the correspondence of the stock with 

 the guarantee, and give an approximate, though not a precise 

 estimate of its value. When an exact estimate is required, a 

 complete analysis is necessary. 



Samples intended for analysis should be sent (carriage paid) 

 addressed to Dr Anderson, 15 Shuttle Stkeet, Glasgow, and 

 when of small size, they are most cheaply and expeditiously 

 forwarded by post. They should be distinctly labelled, marked 

 with the name and address of the sender in full, and accom- 

 panied by a letter, specifying the particular analysis required, 

 according to its number in the following list, — and, if possible, 

 the object in view, — as, by doing so, much trouble and delay 

 will occasionally be saved. 



