52 Report S.A.A. Advancement of Science. 



These and other similar subjects are of great importance for Agri- 

 culture and Viticulture, and can only be solved by the application of 

 Chemistry to these branches of Agriculture. Similar questions pre- 

 !i«ent themselves in connection with the cultivation and preparation 

 of tobacco, with the growth of sugar beetroot and other branches of 

 agriculture. It would take too long to discuss on this occasion all 

 the others. 



In conclusion, I take leave to point out once more that the 

 object of the South African Association for the Advancement of 

 Science is to promote the study of Science and its application to 

 practice. I have, therefore, appealed to all the members of our Asso- 

 ciation to use all their influence to induce the University Council to 

 introduce one Science subject into the list of compulsory subjects 

 at the Matriculation Examination. I have no doubt that the 

 University Council will meet, as far as this can be done, the request 

 of our Association. I also believe that our Association possesses- 

 sufficient influence to induce the Governments of the several States 

 of South Africa to combine with a view to the establishment of one 

 common Forest Academy for South Africa. In each of the States of 

 South Africa there should be established Agricultural Experimental 

 Stations, supplying a home for scientific research bearing on agri- 

 culture in all its branches. These institutions will assist South. 

 African Agriculture, Viticulture and Arboriculture in emerging out 

 of the present unsatisfactory condition of tentative dilettantism. 

 Money is being spent to build Museums and to pay officers of the 

 Museums, and much money has also been spent for Art Schools and 

 for maintaining the same, and ample grants are now coming forward 

 for the Agricultural School since it came under the present regime. 

 This is as it should be. Why should we hesitate any longer to estab- 

 lish these institutions — Forest Academy and Agricultural Stations - 

 and to engage the best men for working these institutions, which are 

 of such eminent economic importance for the development of the 

 agricultural resources of South Africa on a sound basis, a basis con- 

 sisting of a combination of theory and practice? There are many 

 other subjects bearing on the promotion of the interest in Science- 

 and its application to practice. We must not undertake too much 

 at once. Our Association will have achieved much if we succeed in 

 securing the co-operation of the University and of the Governments 

 of the States of South Africa for carrying into effect the proposals 

 which I have more fullv referred to in this address. 



