104< Domestic Notices : — Scotland. 



" Transmitted through such a channel, the Directors gave the suggestions 

 the fullest consideration ; but they are sorry they cannot recommend to the 

 Society to adopt the proposal contained in the paper. In point of expense, 

 it would far exceed the amount of funds at the disposal of the Society ; and it 

 is, besides, in a great degree, inconsistent with the principle upon which the 

 Society uniformly acts. The Directors are not prepared to say that, although 

 similar establishments, hitherto tried, have all proved failures, an experimental 

 farm could under no circumstances be productive of benefit; but it must, 

 under any circumstances, be conducted at a great expense, its objects being 

 in a great measure incompatible with attention to profitable return from its 

 operations ; and they are well convinced that such a farm, and for such pur- 

 poses as are contemplated in the " Suggestions," would, in a very short time, 

 exhaust the capital, instead of the portion of the annual income proposed by 

 the projector. Besides this fundamental objection, the plan is inconsistent 

 with the present system of the Society, which is, not to be itself the experi- 

 menter, but to encourage, stimulate, and in some cases to remunerate, those 

 who are about to make, or have made, experiments in the improvement of 

 agriculture. For conducting such experiments the most useful course will 

 generally be followed by those who must necessarily keep ultimate profit in 

 view; and the Directors are of opinion that the Society have wisely left it in 

 their hands, aiding them, as far as possible, by collecting and digesting inform- 

 ation as to the objects to be kept in view, and the most probable means of 

 attaining them, by offering premiums to those who, keeping these objects in 

 view, will conduct their experiments on the principles pointed out by the 

 Society, and, finally, by promulgating the results regularly through their Quar- 

 terly Transactions, for the use of the public generally. There is no doubt 

 that the application of scientific principles, and extremely accurate observation 

 of results, which might be commanded under the Society's auspices, are in- 

 portant objects, and have been attained in horticulture; but the Directors 

 conceive the objects of investigation in agricultural practice to be of so ex- 

 tended and diversified a character, that it cannot be so well carried on in one 

 spot, one climate, and nearly one soil, as by the Society's present practice, 

 which brings it at once to the doors of a great many acute examinators in every 

 part of the country, and causes the trial to be made simultaneously, under 

 every possible variety of situation and circumstance. Nor is the whole ad- 

 vantage of the Society's present system to be confined to these two points; 

 another and important result is the habit of mental exertion thus fostered 

 among the agricultural classes, and the practical experience which each suc- 

 cessive experiment supplies, opening up new trains of interesting speculation, 

 and giving confidence to push forward in hopes of farther discovery. The 

 Directors point with satisfaction to the Society's proceedings, as a proof that 

 there is no difficulty in getting correct reports of numerous and complicated 

 experiments from practical men, and no want of enterprise where there is a 

 reasonable prospect of success in any new inquir}', which, if deemed too hazard- 

 ous for the tenant's exertions, is generally taken up by some public-spirited 

 proprietor, who is willing to encounter the risk, in hopes of producing a result 

 which may be useful to the community at large." After some farther observ- 

 ations, the report concludes by adding, that, " if an experimental farm, on a 

 well-digested plan and moderate scale, should be thought an advantageous 

 adjunct for the investigation of certain phenomena, of which cases may per- 

 haps, be conceived, offering a too uncertain or too remote chance of advantage 

 for individual speculation, the means of carrying it on being procured and placed 

 at the disposal of the Society, they would do their utmost to make the scheme 

 conducive to the public advantage. (Scotsman, Jn\y 11. 1835.) 



As Useful Reading for Gardeners, we would strongly recommend two works, 

 one by Dr. Andrew Combe, of Edinburgh ; viz. the Princifles of Physiology 

 ajyplied to the Preservation of Health, which will show the immense importance 

 of breathing fresh air; and the other, by Mr. George Combe, also of Edinburgh, 

 is The Constitution of Man considered in relation to External Objects, which 



