1911-12.] BOTANICAL SOCIETY OF EDINBURGH 19 



During the Last twelve years it is estimated that the 

 agricultural produce of America has amounted to 

 £16,000,000,000. The area of land under cultivation has 

 not increased anything like so rapidly as the value of the 

 agricultural produce ; for example, ten years ago the farm 

 products were valued at £800,000,000, now they amount 

 to £1,800,000,000. The increase is attributed entirely to 

 the better and more up-to-date scientific methods generally 

 employed by the farmers, and the change has been brought 

 about by the Agricultural Department. 



Recently, on the recommendation of the Development 

 Commissioners, the Treasury has sanctioned the allocation 

 of funds to be administered by the Board of Agriculture 

 in initiating and organising schemes for systematic research 

 in agriculture. The sum to be expended when these 

 schemes are in full working order will be about £50,000 

 per annum. 



Grants will be made for research in various groups of 

 subjects, among which we note plant physiology, plant 

 pathology, and mycology, plant breeding, and fruit grow- 

 ing, including the practical treatment of plant diseases, 

 plant nutrition, and soil problems. A fund not exceeding 

 £3000 per annum will be available for assistance in 

 special investigations, for which provision is not other- 

 wise made. 



The Board thoroughly realises the importance of having 

 none but carefully trained men for work in connection 

 with the scheme. The Board therefore proposes to offer 

 for 1911, 1912, and 1913 scholarships of the value of 

 £150 tenable for three years. These scholarships will be 

 twelve in number, and will be awarded only to thoroughly 

 suitable candidates. Grants will also be made to Teaching 

 Institutions, Universities, Agricultural Colleges, etc., in 

 England and Wales. These will act as centres where 

 farmers may apply for scientific advice on important 

 technical questions, and further special investigations of 

 local interest can be carried out by these institutions. 



By means of those grants for research scholarships, local 

 advice, and investigations, it is hoped to provide an expert 

 staff with both scientific and practical qualifications, the 

 members of which will be engaged in solving problems of 



