Proceedings. xxiii 



perhaps I may be competent to express 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, M'ith a view to com- 

 pare the different soils in this country from distinct geological formations ; 

 possibljr the information so gained might be viewed with distrust by the 

 agriculturists in Victoria, and tardily brought to liear upon their practice, 

 but my experience has shown that agriculturists readily accept anything 

 simple, suited to their limited views of these matter; and whenaidedby 

 the really alile 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. 



I am, 

 With every sentiment of respect, 



Your most faithful servant, 



E. Brough Smyth, 



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 f)iece of white paper or other mate- 

 rial. Among the colours thus distinguished, one observes the vio- 

 let, indigo blue, yellow, red, &c. Of these, the blue, or chemical 

 ray, called also the actinic ray, which is of much importance in exr 

 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- 



