Annual Report. 141 



the superior judgment of the experienced instructor, estimates of 

 value would be tested by actual purchases and sales, and would 

 be verified to a considerable extent by the weighbridge, and the 

 measuring-tape, when placed in skilful hands. 



Appropriate prizes may be given so as to excite the spirit of 

 emulation as far as is desirable, or even forms of sweepstakes 

 might be devised which would give to each student a keener 

 interest in a particular animal, and bring him directly into 

 contact with profit or loss dependant on judgment in stock. 

 Thus in one branch of his practical education, which is of 

 great and growing importance, the agricultural student while 

 still at college might obtain valuable training, and one of the 

 objections of practical men to general education, as being a 

 disqualification for special business, might be lessened. At least 

 that contempt for trade, or shame of shop, which 1 think the 

 public-school education in England has too much promoted, 

 might be broken through if a knowledge of some of the arts and 

 sciences necessary to an honest livelihood were combined with 

 those that are essential to an honourable life. 



I am yours truly, 



J. L. Breketon. 



Mectory, West BucMand, South Molton, 

 Devon. 



X. — Peofessor Voelcker's Annual Report. 



During the past season I had the honour of delivering before 

 the members of the Royal Agricultural Society two lectures : — 



1. On atmospheric food of plants. 



2. On the chemical composition and properties of water. 



In consequence of the interest which was thus excited, I have 

 since received a larger number of specimens of water for analysis 

 than at any previous time. 



Amongst the samples examined by me several were found to 

 be quite unfit for drinking. 



I find that the drinking-water supplied in towns is generally much 

 better than that used in the country, a difference which is attri- 

 butable to the prevalence of surface wells, and to defective drainage. 



Water which smells in the least degree disagreeably, or which 

 holds in suspension light floculant matter, or does not become 

 perfectly bright on standing for 6 hours, or which is distinctly 

 yellow in appearance, should at any rate be regarded with sus- 

 picion, and should be carefully examined before it is employed 

 for domestic use. 



