95o Publications of the Geological Survey, [march, 



the diminution of the peasant class in that country. It appears that the total 

 number decreased from 457,000 in i860 to 347,000 in 1900, or by 24 per cent. 

 This has been partly due to emigration to America and partly to migration 

 to the towns, and at the present time, when there are large numbers of un- 

 employed in the towns, there is a great want of agricultural labourers in the 

 country. 



Protection of Plants in Straits Settlements. — An Ordinance of the Govern- 

 ment of the Straits Settlements, dated 15th Sept., 1908, entitled " The Destruc- 

 tive Pests Ordinance, 1908," provides for regulations to be made for preventing 

 the introduction or spread of any pest, and for prohibiting or regulating the 

 landing in the Colony of any plant or part thereof. 



Manufacture of Calcium Cyanamide in France. — The first factory for the 

 production of calcium cyanamide in France has been established at Notre-Dame- 

 de-Briancon, Savoy. A description of the method of manufacture, &c, is given 

 in the Journal d' Agriculture Pratique, 3rd Sept., 1908. 



OFFICIAL CIRCULARS AND NOTICES. 



The Board of Agriculture and Fisheries have, by the Agricultural Holdings 

 (Scotland) Rules of 1909, dated February 3rd, 1909, prescribed the form of an 

 award in an arbitration under the Agricultural 

 Agricultural Holdings Holdings (Scotland) Act, 1909, where compensation 

 (Scotland) Rules is claimed for tenants' improvements, together with 

 of 1909. other forms for proceedings in arbitrations under 



that Act. 



The Board of Agriculture and Fisheries have addressed a circular letter, 

 dated February 20th, 1909, to county councils and the councils of boroughs, 

 Reports from Local ur ^ an districts, and parishes in England and Wales, 

 . , ... . pointing out that the Board are required, under 



Authorities as to SectIon 5g of the SmaU Holdings and Allotments 

 Small Holdings and Act) I9o8> t0 p res ent to Parliament an Annual Report 

 Allotments. 0 f the proceedings of the several county, borough, 



district, and parish councils under the Act, and that it is the duty of every such 

 council, before such date in every year as the Board may fix, to send the 

 Board a report of their proceedings under the Act during the preceding year. 



Forms in which the reports should be made have been prepared, and the 

 local authorities in question are requested to supply the desired information 

 before March 20th next. -- - 



The following, Memoirs of the Geological Survey have been recently pub- 

 lished : — 



The Water Supply of Kent— This memoir deals 

 Publications Of the very fully with the springs and underground sources 

 Geological Survey. of water supply in the county of Kent. It con- 

 tains a general description of the geological 

 formations of the county, with special reference to their water-bearing 

 characters, and includes note^ on swallow-holes, intermittent streams, &c. 

 The main portion of the work comprises particulars of wells and borings 

 for water, and records of other borings, notably of those in the Kent Coal 

 district. Analyses of waters are also given, and there is an extensive biblio- 

 graphy of works relating to the water supply. In addition, the Memoir is 

 accompanied with a Rainfall Map of the County, with explanatory report and 

 statistics. 



Copies may be obtained from any agents for the sale of Ordnance Survey 

 Maps, or directly or through any bookseller from the Ordnance Survey Office, 

 Southampton, price 85. 6d. 



