PREFACE. 5 



The introduction of tlie General Index lias necessitated the con- 

 densation of the Abstract to a somewhat greater extent than usual ; 

 but it will be found to contain the cream of the Transactions as 

 returned by the county societies. I must call attention to the 

 meagi'eness of the returns from many societies, and suggest that 

 strenuous efforts be made by the officers to obtain more elaborate, 

 instructive, and valuable reports from the several committees hav- 

 ing the different departments in charge. The efficiency of a 

 society is ver}' properly judged by its record. If this is bald, and 

 destitute of life and interest, it is certain that there is a radical 

 fault in the management, which ought to be sought out and cor- 

 rected. 



In the analj'sis (1) of the Fine Bones of Messrs. L. B. Darling 

 & Co., on p. 323 of the Report, 22.03 per cent of phosphoric 

 acid should have been credited, that constituent having been in- 

 advertently omitted in transcribing. 



Chakles L. Flint. 



