( xxxiv ) 



Papers have been read at the Weekly INIeetings by Mr. Lawcs 

 on Sewage ; Mr. Ellman on the Management of a Breeding Flock 

 of Sheep ; Professor Voelcker on Natural Deposits of Potash in 

 Germany ; Mr. T. Beale Brown on Flax ; ]\Ir. Morton on Agri- 

 cultural Education. 



The Council, in deciding upon the course of action to be 

 pursued on the important subject of Education, have found it 

 attended with much difliculty ; and, indeed, considerable diversity 

 of opinion has been expressed as to the best mode of procedure. 

 The Council, after much deliberation, have decided for this 

 vear to limit their prizes to candidates examined at the Local 

 Examinations held by the Universities of Cambridge and Oxford. 

 They consider that sufficient attention has not hitherto been given 

 to the general education of the sons of Agriculturists. A good 

 sound education once obtained, special education may be properly 

 rewarded. The groundwork of Chemistry, Botany, Zoology, 

 Geology, and Mechanics, and the study of Mathematics, are 

 included in the subjects for examination both of Cambridge and 

 Oxford. To candidates, who shall be recommended by any 

 member of the Royal Agricultural Society of England, and who 

 must be persons in some way dependent on the cultivation of the 

 land for their support, or intending to make agriculture their 

 profession, the Council offer the following prizes, viz. : — 1001 in 

 prizes amongst those who shall pass the Cambridge or Oxford 

 Senior or Junior Examinations ; 100/. to those at the Cambridge 

 and Oxford Examinations who, having passed the preliminary 

 Examination, shall have distinguished themselves in Mathe- 

 matics, Mechanics, Chemistry, Physics, Botany, Zoology, or 

 Geology. In addition to these prizes, the Committee are in 

 negotiation with the authorities at Cambridge, in order that 

 papers bearing upon special subjects connected with Agriculture 

 may be set at the next examination in December. Should these 

 negotiations be successful, a sum of 60/. will be offered for two 

 papers, one on Agricultural Chemistry, and one on Mechanics as 

 applied to Agriculture ; which papers will be prepared by gentle- 

 men appointed by the Royal Agricultural Society of England, 

 and reported upon by them. Candidates of any age may com- 

 pete for these special prizes. 



The objects which the Council hope to attain are to improve 

 sound general education, and to encourage proficiency in such 



