ly Local Agricultural Societies. 
253 
Already the Bath and West of England Society had arranged 
for the carrying out, by several of their members simultaneously, 
of an experiment on wheat growing, but it was felt that to the 
smaller Agricultural Societies scattered over the country assist- 
ance, by some plan of co-operation, might possibly be given by 
the Royal Agricultural Society. 
With this view a Special Experiments Committee was ap- 
pointed, and held their first meeting at Hanover Square on 
July 1st, 1885, Mr. William Wells being elected Chairman. 
Mr. Wells submitted the draft of a scheme of procedure respect- 
ing agricultural experiments to be carried on in conjunction 
with any Local Agricultural Society ; and, on the motion of 
Earl Cathcart, it was resolved that, " in regard to agricultural 
experiments, the Committee is inclined to recommend co-opera- 
tion with Local Societies or individuals on the principle of free 
association." A further meeting was held on July 15th, 
several members of the Committe having in the meantime sent 
in suggestions as to the carrying out of the scheme. It was 
then decided to issue an invitation to the Councils of County 
Agricultural Societies for a conference of representatives of 
such societies to be held during the Smithfield week, " for the 
purpose of considering how far it is possible to establish a 
system of co-operation in carrying out investigations on subjects 
of practical utility to agriculture." 
The conference was accordingly held, the following Societies 
being represented : — Bath and West of England, Derbyshire, 
Durham, Essex, Lincolnshire, Norfolk, Northumberland, Ox- 
fordshire, Peterborough, Royal Manchester and Liverpool, 
Warwickshire, Wiltshire, and Yorkshire. 
The Committee finally, on March 3rd, 1886, submitted to 
the Council the following proposals for assisting the Local 
Agricultural Societies : — 
That the Koyal Agricultural Society should, on application from a Local 
Society, either suggest one or more experiments themselves, or endorse, after 
examination and approval, any experiment proposed by the Local Society, 
and should give assistance in the following manner : — 
1. By analysing, at the cost of the Eoyal Agricultural Society, the soil, 
manures, and feeding stuffs. 
2. By the advice generally of the Chemist of the Royal Agricultural Society, 
in conjunction with Sir J. B. Lawes and Dr. Gilbert. 
3. By an occasional inspection from time to time. 
4. By furnishing a report on the experiments, to be inserted, if thought 
well, in the ' Journal.' 
5. By having at Woburn, if thought advantageous to do so, similar experi- 
ments for comparison. 
6. By the distribution among the Local Society of schemes of the proposed 
experiments, and the results obtained. 
The Local Society to satisfy the Council of the Eoyal Agricultural Society 
of the efficiency of the Local Superintendence. 
