iv Report to the General Meeting, 



in reference to manuring matter continues to receive from Pro- 

 fessor Way the attention which its importance demands. The 

 torrefaction of soils, or burning of clays, for the purpose of 

 effecting a beneficial change in their mechanical condition and 

 physical properties, has been selected by the Chemical Com- 

 mittee as the new subject for investigation on the completion of 

 the analysis of marls ; and the Council hope that members 

 residing in districts where such process is adopted with success, 

 will take an early opportunity of sending to the Secretary speci- 

 mens of such fertilizing clays, in their natural as well as in their 

 burnt state, along with a statement of any facts within their 

 knowledge connected therewith. As Consulting- Chemist of the 

 Society, Professor Way has spontaneously offered to reduce his 

 charges to the lowest possible scale for making analyses of guano 

 for the members ; and as the Council consider a special analysis 

 of that manure to be the only safeguard against the attempts at 

 fraud so extensively practised by unprincipled dealers, they trust 

 that the members of the Society will avail themselves of so cheap, 

 simple, and effective a means of security. 



The Council have decided to renew the grant of 200Z. to 

 the Koyal Veterinary College, for the year, for the purpose of 

 aiding that institution in carrying out one of the original objects 

 of the Society, namely, " the improvement of the veterinary 

 art, as applied to cattle, sheep, and pigs :" such renewal being 

 made under the following conditions: — 1. That all members of 

 the Royal Agricultural Society of England shall have the privi- 

 lege of sending cattle, sheep, and pigs to the Royal Veterinary 

 College on the same terms as if they were subscribers to it ; and 

 2. That the Royal Veterinary College make a report at the end 

 of the year of their proceedings in connexion with this grant. 



During the past half-year the Council have made such altera- 

 tions in their bye-laws as will restrict the oniclal business more 

 completely to the monthly meetings, in order that the weekly 

 meetings may be given up entirely to short introductory lectures, 

 leading to subsequent discussion and the communication of per- 

 sonal experience among the members, on topics connected with 



