Ix. ABSTRACT OP PROCEEDINGS. 



Second Meeting, June 5 th, 1917. 



Mr. H. W. Potts, Chairman, in the Ohair. 

 paper read: 



Mr. A. E. Stephen read a very comprehensive paper 

 upon the various sources of potash available in Australia. 

 He discussed the use of the mineral silicates and alunites* 

 the possibility of potash deposits being found in the neigh- 

 bourhood of certain saline lakes in South Australia ; the 

 kelp industry at Southport, Tasmania, and the potash 

 obtainable as by-products in the sugar, wool-scouring and 



cement industries. 



exhibits : 

 Mr. E. Oheel, exhibited tubers of Solatium Commersoni 

 and S. maglia, both of which are said to be blight-immune 

 potatoes. 



Third Meeting, July 3rd, 1917. 



Mr. F. B. Guthrie in the Chair. 



Mr, S. T. D. Symons wrote that the matter of introducing 

 legislation to deal with the sheep-fly pest was receiving 

 consideration. 



Mr. G. Lightfoot, Acting Secretary of the Advisory 

 Council of Science and Industry, wrote that a Special Com- 

 mittee was investigating the production of potassium 

 sulphate from alunite. 



Mr. E. Break well and Mr. G. Wright were appointed 

 Hon, Sees, of the Section in succession to Dr. Greig-Smith, 

 to whom a hearty vote of thanks was accorded. 



Mr. F. B. Guthrie, Dr. Greig-Smith, Mr. Darnell 

 Smith, Mr. E. Oheel, and Mr. A. E. Stephen, were ap- 

 pointed members of the Committee. 



exhibits : 

 Mr. A. A. Hamilton exhibited the Sensitive Plant, 

 Mimosa pudica, and suggested utilising its leguminous 

 properties as a soil renovator. 



