Auckland Institute. . 471 
Perhaps Mr. Gillies, who had got some, would inform them as to his 
experience. 
Mr. Gillies said he was convinced that the ammonia was one of the most 
valuable manures for grass; it would increase the crop at least one-third, 
and was excellent as a destroyer of grubs, wire-worms, and slugs. He was 
sorry to see that the farmers pooh-poohed so much the idea of agricultural 
chemistry being of any benefit. He had conversed with many of them, and 
was sorry to hear their opinions on the subject. He observed that Dr. 
Hector had done something to create an interest in the subject, by adver- 
tising that any person who sent a bag of soil to Wellington would get an 
analysis free. It seemed to him (Mr. Gillies) that every farmer ought to 
send down a specimen of the soil of his farm and have it analyzed. He was 
surprised, however, to hear from Dr. Hector, when he was last in Auckland, 
that he had not got half a dozen specimens of soils from the whole province. 
The society might get specimens analyzed from every district in the pro- 
vince, and make out a map of soils, showing what their products might be. 
By this they would see that in one district wheat might advantageously be 
grown, in another clover, in another barley, and so on. Two years ago he 
thought of growing vines at Mount Eden, which he thought would be admi- 
rably adapted for their growth. He found, however, that they produced too 
much wood, and did not succeed. 
Dr. Fischer said that the soil upon which he had experimented, with 
reference to vines, was trachytie scoria, while Mount Eden was basaltic 
scoria. He (Dr. Fischer) had not yet succeeded very well with his vines. 
He believed that the Mount Eden soil would be too dry for the vines. 
Dr. Fischer remarked that to have a map applied to such a purpose as that 
spoken of by Mr. Gillies, they would require to have the particulars of the 
climates of the different districts also. 
Resolved, * That the Secretary be instructed to apply to Dr. Hector for 
forms respecting the analysis of soils.” 
Fiera Meetine. 7th September, 1868. 
F. Whitaker, President, and subsequently T. B. Gillies, in the chair. 
The Chairman read the following list of donations which had been made 
to the society since the last meeting :— 
Specimens of a Mactra, from the alluvium of Kauwaeranga Creek, 
Thames—Captain Hutton. Model of a river steamer, model of a line-of- 
battle ship, and leaf impressions from Waikato—T. Russell Esq. Four 
copper coins—John Kirby, Esq. Coal from Mount Rochfort, Nelson— 
H. Wrigg, Esq., C.E. Crystallized quartz, from the York and Devon 
claims—Mr. Cartwright. 
