Report of Society's Meetings. 429 



those who have departed our shores to enjoy a well earned retirement 

 in the mother land, are to be found the names of Sir D. P. Chalmers, 

 and Dr. R. Grieve. The usual number of general meetings were held 

 during the year, and the following interesting papers were read : — "The 

 maintenance of roads and bridges" by Mr. T. N. King ; " A few popular 

 faSs about diffusion" by Mr. L. Jones ; " Open drainage and steam 

 Husbandry" by the Hon. E. C. Luard ; " Some effefts of the late Rain- 

 falls" by Mr. J. Gillespie ; " Some enemies of our cane fields" by Mr. 

 S. R. Cochran ; " Cost of sugar produftion" by the President ; 

 '' Changes on sugar estates since 1865" by Mr. F. C. Thorpe ; " What 

 the banana trade has done for Jamaica" by Dr. H. B. Ford ; " Diffusion 

 versus Crushing" by Mr, H. von Ziegesar, and *• Our Provision Supply" 

 by Mr. W. T. Binnie. Among other important matters discussed at the 

 meetings was a premium for improvements in the manufacture of 

 caramel, offered on the motion of the Hon. N. D. Davis, and answers to 

 questions on steam ploughing sent by the Society to England, Louisiana 

 and the Netherlands. A premium of §50 was awarded in January to 

 Messrs. Da Silva Bros, of the Pomeroon for establishing the kiln drying 

 of Indian corn. The jubilee of the Society was celebrated on the 27th 

 March with a historical exhibition and a conversazione, both of which 

 were well attended and thoroughly appreciated by members and their 

 friends. The horticultural show took place on the i6th of August, and 

 was very successful. This show can now be held annually as it is 

 established on a sound basis. The library has been increased by the 

 addition of aboi}> 600 volumes. A new gallery to afford increased 

 accommodation has been erefted, and for superintending the ere<5tion 

 of this gallery and other improvements to the buildings the thanks of 

 the Society are due to Mr. Conyers. The Museum has received im- 

 portant accessions by the return of the specimens mounted for Chicago. 

 As continual additions are made the want of room becomes more 

 apparent every year. With regard to Timehri I may say it continues to 

 maintain its high standard of excellence, and you are all aware its 

 Editor, Mr. Rodway, wields the pen of a ready and elegant writer. In 

 conclusion, I have to thank you nil for your courtesy towards me during 

 my term as President, and the Hon. Secretary, Hon. Treasurer and the 

 Assistant Secretary and Librarian, for the able and willing assistance 

 they have afforded me. It has been the privilege of the retiring Presi- 

 dent to submit for the approval of the members the name of the gentle- 

 man suggested as his successor, and I have much pleasure in proposing 



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