339 
Mr. W. S. Ward read the following 
STATEMENT OF RECEIPTS AND EXPENDITURE 
Of the Geological and Polytechnic Society of the West Reding of Yorkshire, 
From January 7th, 1854, to November 8th, 1854. 
DR. £. s. d. 
By Balance in Treasurer's hands 8 14 1£ 
„ Balance in Mr. Battman's hands 8 8 6 
„ Subscriptions — 
From 9 Mems. at 13s. for 1852 5 17 0 
„ 38 „ 1853 25 4 0 
„ 35 ,. 1854 22 15 n 
„ Mr. Battman, on account 2 10 0 
„ Mr. Solly, for Copies of his Paper 15 0 
£74 13 7h 
LIABILITIES. £. s. d. 
Messrs. Baines, for Printing 37 13 8 
Philosophical, Hall for Half-year's 
Rent, due August 1st 10 0 0 
Salary of Assistant Secretary, one 
year, due August 8th 50 0 0 
Commission to Mr. Battman 4 8 6 
£102 2 2 
CR. £. s. d. 
To Collecting Subscriptions 3 6 3 
„ Postages and Stamps 0 9 9 
„ Rent of Museum Room, half-yr. 10 0 0 
„ Messrs. Baines, on Account .... 10 0 0 
„ Salary of Assistant Secretary, 
half-year, 1853 25 0 0 
„ Lithographing Plates 0 15 0 
„ Advertising Meetings 0 13 6 
„ Expenses of Meetings 1 6 10 
„ Sundries, Parcels, &c 0 16 5£ 
„ Palaeontographical Society .... 1 1 0 
„ Cash in Treasurer's hands 12 16 4 
., Cash in Mr. Battman's hands . . 8 8 6 
£74 13 lh 
ASSETS. £. s. d. 
Cash in hands of Treasurer 12 16 4 
Arrears to receive for Subscriptions. . 16 5 0 
Subscriptions for 1854 to receive 47 9 0 
Cash in Mr. Battman's hands 8 8 6 
£84 18 10 
After some discussion as to the desirableness of lowering 
the Annual Subscription, so as to induce a larger number of 
persons employed in mining operations, &c, to join the 
Society, and thus increase its efficiency, upon which much 
diversity of opinion was expressed, the Chairman called 
upon Mr. Durden to read the first Paper — 
ON THE APPLICATION OF PEAT AND ITS PRODUCTS, TO 
MANUFACTURING, AGRICULTURAL, AND SANITARY PUR- 
POSES. BY E. H. DURDEN, F.C.S., AIREDALE CHEMICAL 
WORKS, HUNSLET, LEEDS. 
The subject of this paper naturally divides itself into two 
parts : first, the useful applications of Peat ; secondly, the 
useful applications of the products obtained from Peat. 
PART I. 
THE USEFUL APPLICATIONS OF PEAT. — THE APPLICATION OF 
PEAT FOR FUEL. 
Hitherto, no satisfactory investigations have been made in 
this country, to determine the relative value of peat and 
A A 2 
