786 
Report to the General Meeting , 
22. In the Chemical Department the members of the Society 
have sent 675 samples to the Laboratory for analysis during the 
past seven months. This shows an increase of 128 samples over the 
number sent during the same period of last year ; but it should be 
mentioned that about one-half of this increase is due to samples sent 
by a member in connection with an extensive series of field and other 
experiments which he is conducting at his own expense. A larger 
number than usual of water analyses have been made this season, 
probably in consequence of the severe drought. 
23. The exceptionally dry season experienced this year told with 
considerable severity on the light sandy land of the Woburn Experi- 
mental Earm. The results of the trial plots have been much aflfected 
in consequence, more especially in the case of the Permanent Wheat 
plots, the influence of heavy top-dressings of nitrogenous salts 
being but little shown, on account of the absence of sufficient rain to 
wash them in. Similarly, the hay and root crops have greatly 
suffered. Experiments were continued at the Farm on the preven- 
tion of “ Potato Disease ” by the use of the Bouillie JBordelaise 
mixture, but there was an almost total absence of disease on all the 
plots this year, whether treated or untreated. The Farm has again 
been visited by agricultural students from Bedfordshire, Cambridge 
University, and elsewhere. During the forthcoming winter ex- 
periments will be conducted on the feeding of bullocks and of 
sheep ; the main object in the former case being to endeavour to 
show how straw may be best utilised in the absence of roots. 
24. The Norfolk Chamber of Agriculture, the Essex Agricultural 
Society, and the Royal Manchester, Liverpool, and North Lanca- 
shire Agricultural Society, qontinue to carry on the work of field 
experiments in association with the Royal Agricultural Society. 
The stations have been visited by the Consulting Chemist during 
the year. An especially interesting series is that now in progress 
on Lord Egerton of Tatton’s Home Park, on the improvement of 
pasture by manuring in different ways. 
25. During the past year 325 applications have been received by 
the Consulting Botanist from members of the Society, an increase 
over recent years. The grass seeds examined have been pure and 
clean. No samples of fescue were adulterated with rye-grass ; but 
the samples of rye-grass had more impurities than any others 
examined, some containing over 10 per cent, of Yorkshire fog. The 
tall fescues had a considerable quantity of ergot. The clovers were 
singularly free from dodder. Many inquiries have been received as 
to laying down land for pasture, the treatment of weeds, the diseases 
affecting cereals, root crops, and fruit and forest trees. 
26. During the autumn an inquiry has been proceeding into the 
nature and means of prevention of the disease known as “ anbury ” 
or “ finger- and-toe ” in turnips, and a report upon the results of the 
inquiry will shortly appear in the Society’s Journal. The informa- 
