SELBORXE SOCIETY NOTICES 
159 
these experiments, viz., that bran resists the disintegrating influences of moisture 
and warmth for a much longer period than had been thought possible, for he 
had pulled up wheat plants nine months old and had found the seed-coat or 
bran still hanging to the root. Among other striking points in his remarks was 
the fact that the average yield of English wheat is from 30 to 32 bushels per 
acre, while in the great wheat-growing districts of the United States the average 
is no more than 13 to 14 bushels. Even virgin land in Manitoba yields less 
than the English average. 
A cordial vote of thanks to Mr. Humphries was passed on the proposition 
of Dr. Robertson, seconded by Dr. Willson. 
The party then returned to Weybridge for tea at Holstein Hall, and after- 
wards rambled along the river bank beyond Shepperton. 
Hearty thanks were given to Dr. Willson for his guidance, and for the varied 
interests with which his untiring energy had filled the excursion. 
Saturday, June 27. — A small party of members met Mr. A. B. Hornblower 
at Theydon Bois in glorious summer weather, and skirting the picturesque 
village green soon plunged into the heart of the Forest, crossing by unfrequented 
paths one of its most beautiful parts. Many interesting botanical specimens were 
found, which were named by one of the party. Open country was reached again 
by Copt Hall (once the resort of notorious freebooters), and thence, by pretty 
lanes and unconventional goose-greens, the route led to a farm kept by Cornisb 
folk, where tea was provided, and a botanical ramble made into the home fields, 
the view from which was very “eye-able ” (in the Cornish vernacular). Then a 
pleasant walk back past Warlies Park concluded a most enjoyable outing. 
Saturday, yune 27. The ramble which the Secretary of the Selborne Society 
conducts every year to Iver and Thorney Weir is always appreciated, and this 
year an extra excursion along the same route was arranged for the benefit of the 
Associates of the Belgravia and other Junior Branches, as well as the children 
of Selbornians generally. The meeting took place on Saturday, June 27, at 
West Drayton .Station, and the party afterwards walked along the lanes to the 
Ford at Iver. The young frogs in various stages of development, water snails 
and hedgerow plants, caused great interest on the part of the children. In one 
of the fields a snake was seized, but let go again, as the youthful captor was not 
sure whether it was a grass snake or an adder, and a large blindworm was seen. 
By the Water Spla.sh a fine toad proved such an attraction that it was difficult 
to get the party under way again. At Iver the various points of interest in 
the Church were seen, and the whole party mounted to the top of the tower, 
after which Mr. William Lavvrence demonstrated, to the delight of the children, 
the method of ringing a bell in the proper English style. He pulled the bell up 
and showed how it is rung with the mouth upwards, while the party stood round 
on the platform and beams of the belfry. On leaving the Church, the ramblers 
continued through fields and down the banks of the Colne to the Thorney Weir 
Fishery Club, where justice was done to a substantial tea, and finally the young 
Selbornians and their friends, after an enjoyable hour spent in a haytield, walked 
along the pretty paths by the railway embankment to West Drayton Station 
again. 
FORTHCOMING- EVENTS. 
Couxcii. AND Committee Meetings. 
Monday, August 17. — General Purposes Committee at 5.30 p.m. 
Tuesday, September 22. --Council Meeting at 5.50 p.m. 
EXCURSIONS. 
Saturday, August l. — No excursion on account of the August Bank Holiday - 
Saturday, August 8. — Rickmansworth and Chorley Wood. Train leaves 
Baker Street (Met. Ry.) at 2.20 p.m. Return fare to Rickmansworth, is. iid. 
Rickmansworth, Loudwater Park, Sarratt, tea at the White Horse Inn, Chorley 
Wood Common and Mill End. Walking distance between 4 and 5 miles. 
Guide, Mr. Geo. Watts. 
Saturday, August 15.— Wrotham and Ightham. Ightham Church, the 
Fissures and Rock-shelters. Train leaves St. Paul’s Station for Wrotham at 
1. 17 p.m. Special cheap return tickets, 3s. 2d. Members intending to join 
