14 PKOCEEDINGS AT BOARD MEETINGS. 



limit set to the uumber of samples whicli any member might send iu, but all were 

 received so long as the fund held out. It was' usual, however, to effect some economy 

 in that matter when it was found that certain of the samples sent in had been sold 

 under the same guarantee, in which cases one sample was selected as a tj'pe of the 

 rest. By this arrangement it was evident that a member who farmed 400 acres and 

 paid into the association's fund 10s. annually (being at the rate of 2s. 6d. per 100 

 acres) might receive for that sum one or more analyses. The committee reviewed the 

 various resolutions passed by the Society concerning the duties of the chemist, as 

 affecting the subject of the remit. In the absence of Mr Hope, it was thought 

 expedient to adjourn the meeting after appointing a sub-committee, consisting of Mi- 

 Mackenzie of Portmore and Dr Aitken, to meet Mr Hope, and obtain definitely his 

 interpretation of his motion. 



Mr Mackenzie and Dr Aitken afterwards had an intenlew with Mr Hope, who 

 stated his interpretation of the resolution, and what he recommended was as follows : 

 —(1.) That the motion at Perth may be held actually to rescind the previous prohibi- 

 tion as to the appropriation of tlie Society's fimds for the cheapening of analysis to 

 members. (2. ) Tlie subsidising their chemist meant that the Society should pay a 

 certain proportion of the price of analyses to members as charged bv their chemist. 

 (3. ) That there should be a limit to the number of analyses which each member could 

 have performed at that rate. (4.) That these reduced rates be only available to mem- 

 bers who are fanning land. 



The committee held a second meeting on the 26th of November, when, after careful 

 consideration, it was resolved to place the following proposals before the general 

 meeting in January, not as emanating from themselves, but simply as what appears to 

 them the most practical method of carrjing into effect the resolution of the general 

 meeting at Perth :— That the motion carried at the general meeting at Perth may be 

 held as rescinding any understanding which previously existed, that no part of the 

 Society's funds should lie appropriated for the cheapening of analyses to members. 

 That the most simple method of gi\ing effect to the motion is to diniinish the charges 

 to members for analyses of manures or feeding stuffs by, say, one-half, the other half 

 of the fee being made chargeable upon the Society's funds. That the amount of money 

 so expended for any member shall not exceed 10s. annually. That the arrangement be 

 made subject to there being sufficient funds at the disposal of the Directors for the 

 purpose. 



The committee held a third meeting on the 17th of December to consider a letter 

 from Dr Aitken, which was remitted by the Board for the consideration of the com- 

 mittee. In his letter Dr Aitken called the attention of the Directors to the pressing 

 need which existed for obtaining adequate accommodation and assistance, in order to 

 enable him to carry on efficiently the greatly increased work in connection with the 

 experimental crops at the Society's stations, and stating that the establishment of a 

 specially constructed and properly equipped laboratory was the only arrangement that 

 could give permanent satisfaction, but that in the meantime it was very desirable that 

 some temporary arrangement should be made to pro\-ide for the investigation of the 

 barley crop that has now been sampled. Dr Aitken added that he thought temporary 

 accommodation might be obtained, but that it would take about £50 to make the 

 necessary alteration and furnishings. The committee resolved to recommend the 

 Directors to bear the expense of the necessary outlay. 



The Directors approved of the proceedings of the Chemical and Finance Committees, 

 and the report is now published to afford members of the Society an opportunity of 

 considering the suggestions which have been made before the general meeting on the 

 21st current. 



Hall AND Chambers.— At the half-yearly general meeting on 18th June last, it 

 was, on the motion of the Hon. Waldegrave Leslie, referred to the Hall and Chamber.^ 

 Committee to consider the number of eligible houses in Edinburgh now in the market, 

 and to report upon any really suitable house or houses for the offices of this Society^ 

 where also the Society's chemist may be able to carry out analyses of manures, 

 feeding stuffs, &c., for the benefit of members of the Society, in the same manner as 

 IS now so efficiently carried out by the Royal Agricultural Society of England. The 

 following members were afterwards added to the committee :— Mr Melvin, Benning- 

 ton ; Mr Mylne, Niddrie Mains ; the Hon. George Waldegrave Leslie ; and Mr 

 Mackenzie of Portmore. The committee held two meetings— namely, on the 17th 

 December and 6th January— when, after very careful inquiry, it was resolved to 

 report that they had failed to find suitable premises in the 01d'To^\Ti, and that only 

 three alternatives appeared to them— First, that the present hall be converted into a 

 laboratory, and accommodation for the general meetings found outside : or, second, 

 that rooms be rented in India Buildings for a laboratory : or, third, that the Directors 

 be authonsed to purchase any suitable premises that may come into the market, whether 

 m the Old or New Town. 

 The Board approved of the report of the Hall and Chambers Committee, and agreed 



