Proceedings. XXii1 
perhaps I may be competent to expréss an opinion as to the justness of 
your general conclusions. The subject is so important, that I venture 
to suggest that you should extend your experiments, with a view to com- 
pare the different soils in this country from distinct geological formations ; 
possibly the information so gained might be viewed with distrust by the 
agriculturists in Victoria, and tardily brought to bear upon their practice, 
but my experience has shown that agriculturists readily accept anything 
simple, suited to their limited views of these matter; and whenaided by 
the really able and learned agriculturists in England, (where there are 
now many}) working on scientific principles, the less informed grasp at 
the empirical results, and thus great good is the consequence, though 
perhaps in an objectionable form. 
Whoever assists in imparting a knowledge of the resources of our beau- 
tiful and highly-favoured country—second to none on the face of the 
earth—will find in pleasing reflections, perhaps, his only reward—not 
small—not to be despised—a reward sufficient for him who can find de- 
light in the toil of discovery; and he will be laying the foundation for 
our future national greatness. 
am, 
With every sentiment of respect, 
Your most faithful servant, 
R. Broues Smyru, 
Mining Engineer. 
Mr. Wekey stated that he could not exactly agree with Mr. 
Smyth’s views that the colour contributes to the fertility of the soil, 
although he admitted that it is an important medium in promoting 
germination. He proceeded to say that every one who has made 
the common experiment of transmitting the solar rays through a 
prismatic spectrum, will have observed the variety of colours that 
by such means are thrown on a piece of white paper or other mate- 
rial. Among the colours thus distinguished, one observes the vio- 
let, indigo blue, yellow, red, &e. Of these, the blue, or chemical 
ray, called also the actinic ray, which is of much importance in ex- 
citing germination, and any medium, may it be the colour of the 
soil or of dark blue glass, &c., through which most of the blue rays 
can be transmitted and conveyed to the seed will materially contri- 
bute to prompt germination. Consequently, from seed sown in a 
black soil it is likely that a greater per centage will germinate than 
from light coloured soils. Mr. Wekey did not think that the colour 
of the soil would be of importance in forwarding the growth of the 
plant after it was above ground, when all action of the chemical ray 
ceases. He continued, stating that after the plant is above ground, 
the yellow or luminous ray conduces to develop the woody fibres, so 
as to prepare it ultimately for the action of the red or heating rays 
which ripen and develope the saccharine matter in the fruit. Mr. 
Wekey agreed with Mr. Hodgkinson so far that the disintegration 
of rocks forms the best soil for the vine, as it furnishes an additional 
supply of ingredients absorbed by the plant from the previously de- 
composed soil. Mr. Wekey attributed also some other importance 
to fragments of stones being mixed with the soil, viz., that of pre- 
