PROCEEDINGS AT GENERAL MEETINGS. 25 



tnthusiiistic in his profession, and wlio bid very J'air to put larniers in \v]:at lio 

 would call the possession of a sort of Ailvocates' Library, which they could turn 

 to at will. He did nut thhdc it would bo out of place to say one word on behalf 

 of the trade that he rejn-esented here. It had been too much held before fanners that 

 manure manufacturers and feediug-stulf manufacturers had opposite interests from 

 those of farmer.-i. Nothuig of the kind was true. He believed tiiat the manure trade 

 was substantially conducted in Scotland ujiou most economical terms. There wa.s no 

 other manulacture conducteil on the same capital upon which there was less real 

 profit, anil tliey would hail with delight any universal system which would put them 

 above suspicion. 



Mr J. K. Gi.EXDiNNiNG, Hatton Main.s, seconded the motion. He thought it oidy 

 right to mention that, while he could testify to the fairness which they had experienced 

 in their somewhat extensive purchase of artificial manures and feeding-stulfs from 

 standard manufacturers, they had lound it far otherwise this year in cases of several of the 

 tenants ujion the estates with which they were connected, and that the state of matters 

 called loudly for reform. From six purchases made by these tenants, only one, on 

 analysis, ]iroved value lor the price at which it was sold ; and the other five showed 

 deficiencies varying from 30 to 50 per cent. He thought tliat was sulhcient to cou- 

 vhice any one that\vhat he would term the miildle and smaller buyers were gi'catly in 

 need of the Society's protection and guidance. He had great hopes that the Society 

 taking up the position aimed at in the motion would greatly increase its use- 

 fulness. 



Mr Smith, Stevenson Mains, said -that whilst he agreed with the motion which had 

 just been proposed by INlr Hope and seconded by Mr Glendinuiug, he thought a great 

 deal miglit be said on the use to be made of these analyses. They were still in their 

 infancy as a Society in regard to these matters. Bytheappointmentof achenusttheyhad 

 entered on an entirely new field, and very much of his time would be taken up in con- 

 nection with the experimental stations. He was just afraid, therefore, that if they 

 were to make use of their chemist for analysing to such an extent as this motion nught 

 lead to, it would have a prejudicial effect in the carrying out of what they were most 

 anxious to see — namely, the results of their experimental stations. He suggested that 

 the matter referred to in the motion be remitted to the directors for consideration, and 

 to take sucli steps as they thought best. 



Mr luviNR of Drum seconded the amendment of Mr Smith. It was not antagonistic 

 to tlie motion of Mr Hoije, but only proposed that it be remitted to the directors for 

 their consideration. He could only say for them, during the long time they had taken 

 up the subject of agi'icultural chemistry, as noticed in the recently published history 

 of the Society, and more at length in their blue-books, that whatever might be said of 

 the directors," they had not at least failed in this, in giving due and ready attention to 

 any su^estions made to them by the world outside. 



The noble Ch.\iRjVL\n said as to the amendment, that there was a gi-eat deal to be 

 urged in its favour ; but while he most fully concurred in all that fell from Mr Hope 

 on the subject, he had his doubts whether, acconling to the terms of the motion he 

 had given, all that he wished to bring about by it would be secured. There were other 

 questions which would crop up if the Society were to subsidise theii- chemist A\ith the 

 view of enabling him to give analyses to the members at a cheaper rate than otherwise 

 could be giv( n. He did not .say that that was a thing that ought not to be done, but 

 personally he thought the meeting would be well advised to accept Mr Smith's amend- 

 ment. He felt quite sure, as the directors fully concurred in all Mr Hope had said, 

 that the directors would do their best to give efficacy to the views which he had ex- 

 pressed. 



Mr Hope said his motion practically met the suggestion of the chairman, as it did 

 not say that the chemist was to be subsidised except at the pleasure of the directors. 

 If the motion was passed as submitted, it still went back to the directors to an-ange 

 details as to how it was to be carried out. 



Mr Smith. Whittiughame Plains, thought that if they adopted the motion the 

 directors could not do otherwise than subsidise the cheini.st. They did not know 

 but that the chemist might he remunerated enough without being subsidised, and he 

 would not like to be committed to their doing that until the matter had received due 

 consideration. 



The Marquis of Huntly, who occupied a seat at the opposite end of the room from 

 the chair, said that .at that end of the room they ili<l not know what was going on. 



The noble Chairman accounted for that by the fact that when gentlemen took part 

 in a public meeting they generally addressed the chair. The amendment, as he under- 

 stood it, was that, while tiie directors concurred in the object of the motion brought for- 

 ward by Mr Hope, they thought it would be better to remit the question for considera- 

 tion by them previous to giving any decision on the point. After the word " sub- 

 sidise" he suggested that ilr Hope should insert "or otherwise." It was desira'We 

 that they should have a unanimous decision. 



