140 Annual Retrospect. [Jan., 
learn that a continued series of experiments is about to be made, 
even if they are not now in progress, in the fiery collieries of the 
South Yorkshire district. 
The continuation of the production of gold from the quartz 
veins of the Welsh mountains is giving the promise of a return for 
the large expenditure which has been made. The settlement of the 
war in America has led to an advance in the price of tin, and the 
blockade of the Chilian ports has produced the same effect on copper, 
so that peace on one hand, and war on the other, are equally bene- 
fiting the British miner. 
Attention having been drawn to the value of the bituminous 
shales, sandstones, and clays, we find that these sources of “ mineral 
oil” are discovered in every quarter of the globe. The experiments 
on the use of petroleum as a fuel for steam boilers appears to have 
been thoroughly successful. Therefore we may expect that the 
large supplies of the material promised will be required to meet the 
new demand. ‘The most remarkable discovery of mineral treasure 
recently made, appears to be that of silver in the Nevada territory, 
where a new Potosi is actually developing its treasures. 
Agriculture has been seeking the aid of the sciences for its im- 
provement. It has been proved that sewage manure has a remark- 
able fertilizing effect upon some grass lands; judgment is, however, 
required in its application, but with that judgment we hope we shall 
not be much longer subject to the rebuke of annually pouring into 
the sea at Barking 100,000,000 tons of food-producing material. 
The want of calculation, of forethought, on the part of men has 
been strikingly shown by the ill-judged extension of the drainage 
of land. The rain falls on the land, and in a few hours it has been 
carried off by the rivers to the sea; consequently, when a short 
period of dry weather supervenes, the farmer finds his crops perish 
through the want of water. Irrigation, therefore, has all at orice 
become the question of the hour, and we find the Agricultural Society 
of England pressing the subject upon the farmer by the assistance 
of their chemist, Dr.. Voelcker. 
There is a continued earnest desire on the pait of our leading 
agriculturists to extend the benefits of professional agricultural edu- 
cation by the establishment of clubs, schools, and colleges devoted 
to practical agriculture. 
