( xxxiii ) 
Kopal ^[ffn'ciiltural ^otitt^ of (0ng:lanti. 
GENERAL MEETING, 
12, Hanover Square, Satukdat, December 12, 1846. 
REPORT OF THE COUNCIL. 
Is commencing this Report, the Council have no hesitation in 
stating that not only have facts of important practical bearing 
been obtained through the agency of the Society, from the varied 
localities of the kingdom, and again made known through the 
pages of tlie Journal to its Members residing in every district 
throughout the country, but a spirit of inquiry on the best means 
of effecting agricultural improvements has been excited, both in 
indinduals who have extensive opportunities of carrying out their 
views, and in Local Associations already established for agricul- 
tural objects, through which the amount of experience has been 
increased, and a firmer foundation laid for more secure advance- 
ment. Experiment has been actively at work, both in testing 
the accuracy of reported facts and ascertaining for further appli- 
cation the conditions under which they have occurred, as well as 
in furnishing suggestions for new modes of practice, to be again 
submitted to the same strict practical investigation of condition 
and occurrence. 
For the purpose of obtaining new and important facts, the 
Council, in addition to the Prizes of the Society for Reports 
and Essays on various subjects, have been enabled, through the 
liberality of the Duke of Northumberland, the Marquis of Down- 
shire, and Major Curteis, M.P., to enlarge the offer of its pre- 
miums. For the attainment of the same end by distinct researci), 
d 2 
