526 Abstract Report of Agricultural Discussions. 



experiments on a like scale, they could nevertheless obtain similar 

 results by means of combined exi^eriments. The money spent on 

 individual experiments would do more good by being concentrated on 

 such farms as Dr. Voelcker had spoken of. Perhaps two or three 

 established in different parts of the country might be sufficient in the 

 first instance, and they should report to head-quarters. In the absence 

 of that kind of experimental farming it was probable that Dr. Voelcker 

 might, as he himself proposed, get a great deal of information ; but 

 the experiments should be conducted strictly in accordance with his 

 suggestions ; they should be reported to him, with full liberty to do 

 what he liked with them, to publish or ex2)unge them, to form his 

 opinion respecting them, and to act accordingly. It was not desirable, 

 however, that a great number of persons should engage in the experi- 

 ments, but those who did so should go heartily into them, and take 

 every care that they were conducted proj^erly, for if conducted care- 

 lessly thoy would be worse than useless. 



Mr. Holland thoroughly agreed in the remarks made by Professor 

 Way, and, in proposing a vote of thanks to Dr. Voelcker, said he was 

 quite sm-e the meeting felt more than obliged to him for having not 

 only lectured to them, but, he hoped, laid the foundation of some 

 system such as had been proposed by Professor Way, through which 

 hond fide scientific and practical experiments might be carried on 

 thi'oughout the country, and rejiorted to him. He thought Dr. Voelcker 

 should draw up and send out forms specifying the manner in which 

 the experiments should be carried out in accordance with the dictates 

 of his experience, so that these, being conducted on different soils and 

 in different places, might enable him afterwards to draw up a compre- 

 hensive report for the country at large. 



Meeting of Weelihj Council, Wednesday, May SOih, Mr. H. S. 

 Thompson in the chair. Mr. Heebert read a paper on 



The Supply of Meat to Large Towns. 



Mr. Herbert said : The long-agitated question whether it is possible 

 to furnish the Metropolis with adequate supplies of meat for consump- 

 tion without the aid of a live-stock market, evidently requires a solu- 

 tion at the hands of practical men ; and it has been argued that there 

 would not be the slightest difficulty in providing for the wants of 

 nearly 3,000,000 of people by means of slaughter in the provinces ; 

 and, fui-ther, that many of the difficulties which sm-round the live- 

 meat question would be got rid of. There are so many interests 

 involved in the question before us, that I purpose entering into a few 

 details bearing upon a matter which affects the interests of the 

 consuming classes. In the first place, let us see whether it is possible, 

 at all periods of the year, to furnish the Metropolis with, say, 

 1,500,000 additional carcases of sheep, and 250,000 additional car- 

 cases of beasts, irrespective of lambs, calves, and pigs, in a wholesome 

 and saleable condition ? The numbers I have here quoted represent 



