522 
On the Valuation of Unexhausted Manures. 
the reference, so as to enable the CommJttee to obtain the 
opinion of practical and scientific witnesses as to how far the 
knowledge we already possess of the fertilising properties of 
manures and feeding-stuffs, especially the latter, can be relied 
upon as a basis of valuation to be made under the compensation- 
clauses of the Agricultural Holdings Act ; and, in the event of 
those witnesses considering our present knowledge on these 
subjects insufficient, as to the expediency of making experiments 
with those objects in view." 
During the next four weeks the Chemical Committee ex- 
amined a number of witnesses, and, at the close of the evidence, 
reported as follows : — 
" The Committee have to report that they have fully con- 
sidered the evidence taken by them on the subjects connected 
with Mr. Randell's motion. 
" They find in the case of nearly all the witnesses examined 
a very decided opinion in favour of experiments to determine 
the manurial and feeding-value of cakes and other feeding-stuffs. 
"It~ seems to the Committee that the primary condition of 
any experiments to be conducted under the auspices of the 
Royal Agricultural Society should be that of their being 
thoroughly reliable, and of their results adding to the amount 
of knowledge previously existing on the subject-matter of the 
experiments. 
" While some of the witnesses appear to see no difficulty in 
carrying out practical experiments of the kind indicated by 
-Nlr. Randell, the strongest possible opinions were expressed by 
the scientific witnesses that, although some special information 
of local interest might be obtained from them, they would be, 
in the words of one of the witnesses, ' of no use whatever for 
establishing anything like a scientific basis or principle,N which 
is so much needed when a general question, such as that of 
manure-value, comes into play.' 
"But the difficulties and doubts as to the possibility of these 
experiments being carried out in a trustworthy manner are not 
confined to scientific witnesses. They are pointed out in the 
strongest manner by some of those most in favour of these 
so-called practical experiments, one of whom, indeed, suggests 
their being instituted at places like the Universities, Kew, .or 
Cirencester, adding that he does not know a single person in 
the three counties with which he is connected to whom he could 
entrust them. Another witness considers they ought to be 
under the direction of the Society's Chemist and the Chemical 
Committee ; while it was generally assumed that those who 
might be willing to undertake tlie experiments should be com- 
pensated for their troulile and expense. 
