470 Proceedings. 



1. " Description of Arid Island," by Captain Hutton and T. Kirk, 

 {Transactions, p. 108.) 



At tlie conclusion of tlie paper, wHch was read by tbe honorary secre- 

 tary, Mr. G-illies, some discussion took place respecting wbat liad been 

 stated as to the subsidence of the island. Dr. Purcbas, Mr. Grillies, Mr. 

 Boardman, and Captain Hutton spoke on the subject. 



2. " On Agricultural Chemistry," by J. Lowe, C.E. 



Ab STB ACT. 



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, siKca 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 Eaglan Harbour to Aotea, Kawhia, and Mokau. As 

 to the value of limestone 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 

 sixpence. While the lime was being used, it v/as readily bought by the 

 farmers at two shillings and sixpence per load. A good deal of ammonia 

 had been given to farmers gratuitously, but he had not heard of the result, 



