470 Proceedings. 
1, “Description of Arid Island,” by Captain Hutton and T. Kirk. 
(Transactions, p. 108.) 
At the conclusion of the paper, which was read by the honorary secre- 
tary, Mr. Gillies, some discussion took place respecting what had been 
stated as to the subsidence of the island. Dr. Purchas, Mr. Gillies, Mr. 
Boardman, and Captain Hutton spoke on the subject. 
2. “On Agricultural Chemistry," by J. Lowe, C.E. 
ABSTRACT. 
The author commenced by observing that the fertility of a soil, as relates 
to the production of particular crops, may depend upon the presence or 
absence of very minute or almost imperceptible portions of inorganic sub- 
stances—alkalies for instance—and salts of metals. The necessity, for 
. example, of sulphate of lime to clover, silica to grapes, phosphorus to wheat, 
&c., was formerly quite disregarded, and it is only of late years that these 
matters have been more looked into ; and we see, with satisfaction, the result 
of the joint labour of the farmer and the chemist. Soils are made up of 
organic and inorganic constituents; he would confine himself to the latter, 
and class them as those which constitute the bulk of the soil, on the 
mechanical texture of which the growing crops depend, such as clay, sand, 
and lime ; also those involving the fitness of soil for particular crops, such 
as sulphate and phosphate of lime, soda, ammonia, magnesia, &c. The 
author described various mineral and chemical compounds suitable for the 
different kinds of soils and crops ; also the method for making and applying 
such. He described at some length the different kinds of clays and earths, 
and the properties peculiar to them, and recommended farmers to have their 
lands chemically tested or analyzed, so as to enable them, by applying the 
necessary compounds, to make the soil suitable for particular crops. 
Captain Hutton said that in anticipation of the paper, he had prepared a 
map showing where limestone existed in the province. It would be seen 
that it occurred all over the north, in small patches, but the only great mass 
was in that part from Raglan Harbour to Aotea, Kawhia, and Mokau. As 
to the value of liméstone as a manure, he should like to ask Mr. Wark what 
was done with the refuse lime from the gasworks, which was a most valu- 
able manure. 
Mr. Wark said that when the gasworks were first started, lime was used 
, to purify the gas; but it had been found expensive, and he (Mr. Wark) 
now used oxide of iron, which cost three farthings, while the lime had cost 
sixpenee. While the lime was being used, it was readily bought by the 
farmers at two shillings and sixpence per load. A good deal of ammonia 
"m oe ee but he had not heard of the result, 
