Prof. Challis's Observations relative to the New Planet. 33 



consequently remain longer in the soil for the purposes of 

 vegetation. 



Mr. Smith of Deanston, a man to whom practical agricul- 

 ture is deeply indebted, has suggested the application of all 

 manures whatsoever in a largely diluted Hquid state, and which 

 I am informed has been most successfully applied on the 

 western coast of Scotland. 



Now both of these plans will most assuredly tend to lessen 

 the loss at present sustained ; the one by diminishing the 

 solubility of the manures employed, and the other by ren- 

 dei'ing the drain age- water again available. 



But should the farmer object to take advantage of either 

 plan, it would appear expedient to avoid using as much as 

 possible the very soluble manures, and instead of giving his 

 land the usual good dose of manure that is expected to suffice 

 for two or three seasons, to divide the quantity, and to apply 

 it in as small a proportion and as frequently as the nature of 

 his crops will permit him to do. In such case his crops will 

 get more and his ditches less than by the present practice. 



X. Report of Proceedings in the Cambridge Observatory rela^ 

 tive to the New Planet. By Professor Challis*. 



St. Catharine's Hall Lodge, Dec. 12, 1846. 

 ^"^HE Syndicate appointed to visit the Observatory, concei- 

 -■- ving tiie subject at the present time to possess peculiar in- 

 terest, bej; leave to submit to the senate the following state- 

 ment of Prof Challis, describing the course of observations, 

 founded on the theoretical calculations of Mr. Adams of St. 

 John's College, and made at the Observatory, with a view to 

 the discovery of the new planet. 



H. Philpott, Vice-Chancellor. G. Peacock. 



John Graham. James Cartmell. 

 B. Chapman. Chas. W. Goodwin. 



W. Whewell. W. C. Mathison. 



Joshua King. G. G. Stokes. 



At a meeting of the Observatory Syndicate, held at the 

 Observatory on December 4, for the despatch of ordinary 

 business, a strong desire having been expressed by the Vice- 

 Chancellor and the members of the Syndicate generally, to 

 receive from me a special report of observatory proceedings 

 relating to the newly-discovered planet, drawn up in such a 

 manner, and in such detail, as would enable them to lay com- 

 plete information on the subject before the members of the 

 * Communicated i)y Professor Challis. 



Phil Mag, S.3. Vol. 30. No. 198. Jan. 184-7. D 



