Domestic Notices : — Scotland. 197 



" It will be desirable that specimens of the diseased bark, and of both sexes 

 of the insect which occasions the evil, should accompany the reports, which 

 are to be lodged by the 20th of October, 1838. 



" Forest Planting. — For the best and approved essay on forest planting, 

 founded on personal observation and experience, or on known practical 

 results, a premium of 20 sovereigns, or a piece of plate of that value. 



*' The essay will be expected to include an account of the different soils, 

 exposures, and declinations best suited for growing the various kinds of forest 

 trees, with remarks on the climate of different districts of Scotland, correct 

 lists of the various genera, species, and varieties of trees best adapted for par- 

 ticular situations, and the proportional number of each species which should 

 be planted on a given space ; an account of the comparative value of the differ- 

 ent kinds of trees, showing the purposes for which the respective sorts are 

 more applicable in affording wood for plough-wrights, and for general country 

 purposes, for joists, deals, carpentry, or naval timber, &c., or useful bark ; the 

 influence of the different sorts of trees on the pastures below them, or in their 

 immediate vicinity ; notices of the insects and diseases which affect forest 

 trees, with suggestions for their prevention or cure ; together with remarks on 

 the comparative advantages of the promiscuous planting of different kinds of 

 trees, or of grouping masses of the same species together, both in an economical 

 and ornamental point of view. 

 • " Essays to be lodged on or before the 20th of October, 1839. 



" Insects injurious to Agricultural Plants. — Ten sovereigns are offered for 

 the best accounts of these. To be sent on or before the 20th of October, 1839. 



" Insects injurioiis to Forest Trees. — The same premium and conditions are 

 offered. 



" Extirpating Ferns from Pastures. — Fifteen sovereigns, or a piece of plate 

 of that value, will be given for the best and approved account, founded on 

 experience, of a cheap mode of eradicating ferns from pastures, and particularly 

 from hill pastures, where the plough cannot be employed. 



" The extent of ground subjected to the experiment must not be less than 

 20 acres ; the report must state what proportion of the surface was occupied 

 by the ferns, with the expense per acre incurred in their eradication, and must 

 be lodged with the secretary, accompanied by specimens of the ferns destroyed, 

 on or before the 20th of October, 1840. 



" There is evidence in favour of the belief that the object in view may be 

 accomplished by repeated irrigation of the ground ; also, that repeated cutting 

 of the ferns while young and succulent, thus preventing their bringing their 

 tops to perfection during the whole season, or two consecutive years, will de- 

 stroy them. It is desirable that the truth of these opinions should be estabUshed 

 or refuted, and any other successful mode of treatment pointed out. 



" Science of Agricidture. — Discretionary premiums will be awarded for the 

 best essays on, — The mode on which soil operates in producing or faci- 

 litating the germination and growth of vegetables. The best admixture of the 

 ordinary elements of soil for promoting the germination and growth of particu- 

 lar vegetables. The mode in which lime operates in rendering the soil better 

 adapted for the germination and growth of particular vegetables. The effect 

 of drainage in altering the constitution or qualities of the soil, and increasing 

 its fertility. The nature of the atmospheric influences on soil, in promoting 

 its fertility, including the modification of these influences, arising from heat 

 and cold, dryness and moisture. 



" It is expected that the authors of the above essays will not offer mere 

 speculative conjectures on the subjects treated of, and far less make a compi- 

 lation of the opinions of others. They must be able to state that they have 

 themselves studied and investigated the subject treated of. They must also 

 explain the nature and the mode of enquiry adopted by them, and detail the 

 experiments which they have instituted, from which their inferences have 

 been derived. The essays or memoirs to be lodged by the 20th of October in 

 any year. 



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