180 Annual Report. 



upon to decide on the merits of this new system, it would stjem 

 that the chief obstacle to its success arises from the difficulty of 

 reversing a system which is hallowed by long existing custom. 

 Were a company organised in Great Britain or Ireland to estab- 

 lish on a large scale such works as M. Lefebure could only set 

 up on a smaller basis, most satisfactory and economical results 

 would probably be obtained, 



Brussels. 



XV. — Peofessok Voelcker's Annual Report. 



Investigations in Pkogress. 



The following subjects for investigation have already occupied 

 my attention in the past season, and are likely to engage a con- 

 siderable portion of my time in the coming spring and summer. 



1st. The composition of waters used for irrigation, and the 

 causes of the highly beneficial effects which characterise the 

 action of some natural waters, and the indifferent or injurious 

 effects of others. 



2ndly. An inquiry into the chemical conditions involved in 

 the growth of clover-seeds (artificial grasses). 



ordly. The changes which take place in grass and clover 

 during hay-making in the field, and storing in the stack. 



Although a good many analyses have been completed in the 

 past season, having special reference to the two last-named investi- 

 gations, the results obtained do not furnish a sufficiently strong 

 chain of analytical and practical evidence to warrant the publi- 

 cation at the present time of papers on such important subjects. 



Investigations Completed. 



1. An inquiry into the absorbing properties of soils of known 

 composition for soda, and the functions of salt in agriculture. 

 The results of this investigation are embodied in a paper pub- 

 lished in last number of the Society's Journal. 



2. Oji the Composition of Mangold Tops and Bulbs. A paper 

 on this subject is already in type, and will appear in the forth- 

 coming volume of the Journal. 



o. I have further nearly completed an investigation into the 

 si)lubility of phosphatic materials, with special reference to the 

 various forms in which bones are employed in agriculture, and 

 their econonomical uses. 



Field Experiments. 



At the request of the Chemical Committee, I have carried out 

 the following field-experiments : — 



