xvl Report to the General Meeting, 



The Council have adopted the following schedule of Prizes for 

 Essays and Reports to be sent to the Secretary by the 1st of 

 March next, namely : — 



Piesiilts of Microscopic observation applied to the Vegetable Phy- 

 siology of Agriculture £50 



Agriculture of the Islands of Jersey, Guernsey, Alderney, and Sark 25 



Steam Cultivation 25 



Extent to which Tillage operations act as a Substitute for Manure 20 

 Modification of Four-course Rotation consequent upon modern 



improvements 20 



Varieties of Wheat, Barley, and Oats best adapted for high farming 20 

 Causes of the increasing difficulties of Turnip Cultivation, and the 



Remedies 20 



Comparative Cost of high condition of land produced by jxirchased 



Cattle Food, or by purchased Manure 20 



Any other Agricultural subject 10 



Lectures have been delivered before the members by Professor 

 Henfrey on Vegetable Physiology, and by Professor Simonds on 

 the Composition of the Blood, and the Diseases with which that 

 fluid is connected in the animal economy. 



Professor Voelcker, the Consulting Chemist of the Society, has 

 made to the members, at the weekly councils, various communica- 

 tions on points of practical interest connected with the adultera- 

 tion of guano, and the feeding properties of cotton-seed cake. 

 He has also recently presented to the Council, through the 

 Chemical Committee, a detailed statement of the works carried 

 on by him as the Chemist of the Society, in his Laboratory at 

 Cirencester ; and also a plan of the various arrangements he has 

 in contemplation, in order that he may be enabled to increase 

 the practical usefulness of his scientific labours. The Council 

 have made additions to the schedule of privileges enjoyed by 

 members of the Society who wish to avail themselves of Professor 

 Voelcker's professional aid. 



The Chester Meeting proved in every respect the most im- 

 portant one hitherto held by the Society ; the number of visitors 

 exceeded by many thousands the average amount of former years, 

 and the liveliest interest was exhibited throughout the district 

 in all the proceedings. The Mayor and Corporation, and the 

 Local Committee acting under their authority, spared no efforts 

 to render the meeting successful ; while their hospitality and the 

 -cordial reception given by them to the'members of the Society, 

 were on all sides gratefully acknowledged. The show of Cheshire 



