( i>^ ) 



Assays antJ BcportS — prizes for 1857.— ah Prizes of the 

 Royal Agricultural Society of England are open to general com- 

 petition. Competitors will be expected to consider and discuss the 

 heads enumerated. 



I. MICROSCOPIC INVESTIGATION. 



Fifty Sovereigns will be given for the best Report on the 

 Results of Microscopic Observation applied to the Vegetable 

 Physiology of Agriculture. 



It is not thought desiraLlc to confine the observer too strictly to any 

 particuhxr line of research, the only necessary limitation beimr, that 

 the plants to be examined and reported upon shall be selected from 

 those commonly cultivated ; siTch as the cereals, or those usually 

 known under the names of jyulse, roof, and fodder crops. The 

 stnictural foniiation of these plants — their ordinary vital processes 

 — modifications of the above induced by climatic influences or the 

 application of manure — morbid changes of their tissues consequent 

 upon the attacks of insects or disease, — woidd all prove extensive 

 and interesting fields of inquirj' ; and it must be left to the writers 

 themselves to select those particular l)ranche3 of the subject on 

 which they are able to supply the greatest amount of original 

 information. 



n. LEVELLING EIDGE AND FUEROW IN PASTURES. 



Twenty Sovekek.xs will l)e given for the best Essay on Levelling 

 Ridge and Furrow Pasture Land after drainage. 



Any method rccommen<led must be consistent with the preservation of the 

 old sward, and must be accompanied by a detailed account of the 

 cost of the whole oix-ration. 



III. ADMIXTURE OP SOILS. 



Twenty Sovebeigns M-ill be given for the best Essay on the per- 

 manent Amelioration of Soils by admixture with others. 



Claying, marling, drj'-w.arping, or any similar (ijcration l)y which suil of 

 one kind is nuxed with land of a difl'erent description in suflieient 

 rpiantity to effect a iicrnianent improvement in its quality, may 



