G82 
In Memoriam : 
tant modifications of tliose already existing. Undoiabtedly the 
repeated trials of practically similar implements might be carried 
to excess, and the expense of procuring trial fields, and of mak- 
ing ami;hing like exhaustive examination of the implements 
presented, was a matter for serious consideration ; but I have 
never been quite able to agree to the practice of offering large 
sums in our prize sheets for live stock, much of which shows 
no improvement over the animals exhibited forty years ago, and 
of limiting the prizes offered for machinery, which may give 
such eflicient aid in the production of food for the nation. 
In every large society it is found necessary at times to look 
into questions of management and expenditure, and both in 
Lord Vernon's Committee of 1871 and Sir John Thorold's of last 
year, Mr. Randell bore a conspicuous part and made many most 
vahiable suggestions. On questions which arose as to cattle 
diseases and trade in animals, in conjunction with Mr. Booth 
and Mr. Jacob Wilson, he collected and prepai'ed most important 
information for the Society and the CTOvernment of the day ; 
but, although quite willing to discuss such general agi'icultural 
questions as the foregoing, he opposed any alteration of those 
clauses of the Charter which prevent discussion in the Council 
of political questions or matters pending in Parliament. Ex- 
perience had taught him that on a grave emergency like cattle 
plague the Council did exercise a discretionary power in dealing 
with such matters ; and that the happy harmony which for fifty 
years had existed amongst men of widely divergent political 
opinions at the Council might perhaps be seriously impaired 
were these restrictions removed. 
His high position as a farmer and a land agent made his 
opinion most valuable when questions arose as to the compensa- 
tion to be paid under the Agricultural Holdings Acts ; but he 
moved and carried, after some discussion, that tlie Council should 
not publish as authoritative any suggestions to valuers, although 
he quite approved of the issue in the Journal of the table pre- 
pared by Sir John Lawes and Dr. Gilbert on the manurial 
values of different kinds of food. I should make my recollections 
too lengthy if I were to go more into detail. Looking through the 
Proceedings of the Council for the last twenty-seven years, I find 
him taking part in every question of interest. 
When our late secretary came to us, and was anxious to 
obtain all the information that his acquisitive mind could 
digest, no one helped him more than Mr. Torr and ^Ir. Randell, 
and to the day of Jenkins's death he had no kinder friend 
and advisor than ~Sh\ Raiulell. 
Li the Journal for 181 !■ I find a letter from him to his laud- 
