334 
Improvement of IVasto Lands. 
have had opportunities of baggin^j: at least stray birds from its 
front door — imagine not only that building converted into a first- 
class residence, but the adjoining lands metamorphosed into a 
suitable demesne. To effect this thoroughly much land had to be 
reclaimed at a cost which for purely agricultural purposes could 
not be remunerative. Besides, some of the lands in the neigh- 
bourhood of the Castle lands, on other parts of the estate, do not 
pay a fair percentage upon the cost of reclamation. In fact, the 
work has gone on where unquestionably it would never have been 
undertaken without the further object of contributing to the 
enjoyment of the proprietor and his tenants. 
It is well known, at all events in the neighbourhood, that Mr. 
Matheson has 'nken a very great interest in promoting the com- 
fort and happiness of all his tenantry, and of none moie so than 
the small holders. To enlarge and improve their occupations, 
the (lands had in some instances to be reclaimed at a large 
cost, and were then let on easy terms. As sheep - walks the 
lands so reclaimed would have paid better ; as it is, they con- 
tribute to the enjoyment of the owner and his tenants, and to 
the wealth of the nation. 
In taking a ramble along the boundary-line between the culti- 
vated and uncultivated lands on an autumnal day, the contrast 
on either hand is very striking ; for whilst a dry stone dyke 
separates heather tall enough to reach the knee from the beauti- 
fully green turnip-fields and the undulating yellow corn, the lands 
lower down, which were but recently in a state of comparative 
barrenness, are heavily stocked with sheep and cattle. 
28, Hunger ford Boad, Camden Boad, 
London, N. 
XXIII. — Annual Chemical Heport. Presented to the Council by 
Dr. Augustus Voelckee. 
At the request of the Chemical Committee I have carried out, 
during the past season, as in former years, a series of field- 
experiments, having special reference to the manuring agents 
best suited to promote the growth of clover-seeds, and to the 
most profitable application of such manures to permanent pasture. 
The same manuring agents as used in the three preceding 
years were again had recourse to in 1867, but applied in 
various parts of the country to land differing in character. 
I have now to report on the successful employment of potash 
in promoting the growth of clover, more especially as in many of 
my former field-trials, I'ecorded in the Society's Jouinal, the 
