508 
The Farm-Prize Competition, 1884. 
following specification, the adoption of which, I believe, would 
place dealings in creosoting liquors on a more satisfactory foot- 
ing, and remedy the complaints which have lately been made 
respecting the bad qualities of creosote. 
Specification to govern the quality of supplies of Creosoting 
Liquor. 
1. The liquor must be free from the admixture of any oil or 
other subtance not obtainable from the distillation of coal 
at temperatures between about 350° F. and 760° F. 
2. It must yield from 65-70 per cent, of products when dis- 
tilled from its boiling-point to 610° F. 
3. By repeated agitation with successive portions of a solu- 
tion of caustic soda of spec, gravity 1 • 125 (25° Twaddell) 
the distillate must yield not less than 10 per cent, of 
crude carbolic and cresylic acid (crude coal-tar acids). 
4. The creosoting liquor shall contain not less than 20 nor 
more than 30 per cent, of constituents that do not distil 
over at a temperature of 610° F. 
5. It should become completely fluid when raised to a tem- 
perature of about 95° F., and remain so on cooling down 
to a temperature of 85° F. 
6. The specific gravity of the liquor must not be less than 
1035, and not more than 1065, water being 1000 at a 
temperature of 60° F. 
XVIII. — The Farm Prize Competition of 1884. By John 
Coleman, York. 
Judges. 
EiCHARD Stratton, The Duffryn, Newport, Mon. 
George Street, Mauldeu, Amptliill, Beds. 
John Coleman, York. 
In connection with the Shrewsbury meeting, the offer of prizes 
for farm competition was restricted to the counties of Salop, 
Stafford, and Hereford. As was the case at York the previous 
year, the Local Committee differed in opinion as to the expe- 
diency or desirability of offering prizes, and it was only after 
considerable pressure had been exercised by influential county 
representatives that this valuable feature of the Society's annual 
programme was once more maintained. Bearing in mind the 
composition of the executive portion of a Local Committee, and 
the necessarily large proportion of town representatives, whose 
interests are mainly local, and who are naturally inclined to 
view the spending of money outside their own boundaries as 
