648 
The Progress of Chemical Industry. 
meantime, may not chemists do something to reduce the waste of 
fertilising agents that is now taking place among us 1 Agricultural 
colleges have been founded — agricultural chemistry is a recognised 
branch of science ; but with increase of knowledge has come increase 
of foreign competition, fostered by improved means of transport and 
communication, and it is at the present time a doubtful point 
whether many soils, even if rent free, can be cultivated in this 
country for cereals, except at a loss. 
While touching on agricultural chemistry, I cannot pass over in 
silence the experiments which have now been carried on continuously 
for a period of fifty years at Rothamsted, by Sir John Bennet Lawes, 
assisted during the whole half-century by Dr. Gilbert. The 
extremely liberal provision which, during his life-time, Sir John 
Lawes has made for the purpose of continuing and extending his 
experiments would alone entitle him to a full measure of public 
gratitude. When, however, we consider the nature and extent 
of the experiments already conducted, we must feel that no 
expression of public estimation can be too high. As to the results 
already obtained, and as to the nature of the experiments still being 
carried on, it would be out of place here to enlarge. Remarkable, 
however, as are the effects of different manures on the botanical 
character and growth of herbage, and on the strength and yield of 
cereals, the different results arising from the mere variation of the 
temperature, sunshine, and rainfall, in successive years, are more 
remarkable still. 
John Evans. 
THE VALUE OF EARTH-NUT CAKE AS 
A FEEDING MATERIAL. 
The prominent notice given to the food value of earth-nut cake in 
Dr. Voelcker’s report on the Woburn feeding experiments, in a 
previous number of the Journal, 1 has drawn attention to this little 
known oil-cake, and possibly a few additional facts, founded on a 
long experience in feeding farm stock with the cake, may be of 
interest. 
This food first came under my notice about thirty years ago, in 
the laboratory of the late Dr. Voelcker, at the Royal Agricultural 
College, Cirencester. Afterwards, on taking up my residence in 
South India, I found the cake on sale in the bazaars of most of the 
larger towns. It was in demand, however, more as a manure than 
as a food for stock ; indeed, much of the cake offered at that time 
was so largely mixed with castor seeds, and other similar oil seeds, 
that it could be applied to no other use. This admixture with other 
oil seeds was due to no fraudulent intention ; the object was simply 
1 Earth-nut Cake as a Feeding Material for Cattle. Journal, 3rd Series, 
Vol. III., Part IV., 1892, p. 727. ' 
