388 
Proceedings of Societies. 
[Dec. 
Sir Robert Colquhoun informed the meeting, that Mr. Patullo, of Pinang, had 
just brought with him from that plaee, and presented to the Society’s Garden, a 
number of inangosteen trees, orange, dooreans , nam-num and variegated pine- 
apple plants. 
Mr. Abbot presented six boxes of Virginian tobacco, grown in the Society’s Gar- 
den, and made up after the fashion of Havannah Cigars, by Mr. Van Zandvk, of 
Chinsurah. The Secretary was requested to transmit four of these boxes to the 
Honorable the Court of Directors, with a letter, explanatory of their history. 
It was resolved, that Mr. Patrick be invited to make trial of the cotton saw gin 
at Gloucester works, for a month, and be requested to report the result of the trial 
to the Secretary. 
A list was submitted by the Secretary of eighty-five applicants for the American 
cotton and tobacco seeds, lately furnished by Government, shewing delivery and 
transmission to almost every part of this Presidency. 
Monday , the 1 3th September . 
Sir Edward Ryan in the Chair. 
Mr. W. Hickey, of Tirhoot, and Mr. Henley, were elected members. 
A letter was read from the Secretaries to the Royal Society, and to the Linnean 
Society of London, acknowledging receipt of the first vol. of the Society’s Trans- 
actions. 
A letter was read from Mr. W. H. Macnaghten, Deputy Secretary to Govern- 
ment, dated 7th Instant, acknowledging receipt of the Secretary’s letter of the 
26tli August, and stating that, under the circumstances therein mentioned, the 
Governor General in Council approved of the suggestions of the Society, respect- 
ing an experimental plantation to be conducted by the Society ; and authorised 
the acceptance of Mr. Myers’ offer of 500 biggahs of land at Akrah, at the rate 
of Rs. 3-8 per higgah, for three years, — the Society reserving the right of conti- 
nuing to occupy the ground from year to year thereafter, on the same terms ; and 
that Government had further sanctioned, for the same period, an annual disburse- 
ment of 10,000 Rupees for all charges of cultivation and superintendence, toge- 
ther with the sum of 4,500 Rupees for the erection of buildings, and the provision 
of stock suitable to each farm. It was resolved, that the Society be requested to 
reply to the letter of Mr. Macnaghten to the Society, and express their grateful 
acknowledgment of the liberality with which Government have complied with 
their suggestions — and to assure the Right Honorable the Governor General in 
Council of the earnest and anxious desire of the Society, by every means in their 
tQ .further the objects in view, and for which Government have assisted 
J\tb m in making experiments in the cultivation of cotton and other articles of 
raw produce. 
A letter was read from Mr. Sraoult, forwarding an account of the expense 
incurred by him, since last December, in forming a cotton and tobacco plantation 
at Akrah, of between 60 and 70 biggahs, (amounting to 566 rupees, including 
rent,) and which plantation he was willing to hand over to the Society, as it 
now stood, upon being reimbursed his outlay : also offering for the acceptance 
of the Society a machine for cleaning cotton, sent to him from the Isle of France, 
by Mr. Telfier: —a specimen of Mr. Smoult’s tobacco was submitted. It was 
resolved, that as the abovementioned plantation forms a portion of the ground 
which the Society wished to rentfrcTi Mr. Myers, Mr. Smoult’s offer be accepted, 
on the terms stated by him— the management of the plantation to be placed in 
the hands of the. Committee. 
Resolved, that Mr. C. F. Hunter he added to the Agricultural Committee. 
A letter was read from Mr. Biuope, of Cbuprah, presenting three varieties of 
pears, reared at the station, and varying from 26 § Sicca Weight to 12, and measur- 
ing, some of them, 10| inches in circumference. 
A letter was read from Mr. Blacqqiere, presenting a sample of nankeen cotton, 
and a piece of cloth made from it, of a beautiful texture, and great strength. A 
few years ago, Dr. Wallich suppiie 1 Mr. Blacquiere with a few plants, among 
which was one said to be the plant wh h produced the cotton from which Nankeen 
had its origin. The plant is the & syphtm religiosum of Roxburgh. In due 
time it produced pods in a considerable number, and cotton, in a fair quantity, w'ith 
reference to their size. At lengta from repeated sowings, the cotton accumu- 
age an experiment of manufacturing it. It 
*rees of fineness, out of which pieces ot 
'hich looked like dark nankeen. Four of 
and found to be durable and pleasant, and 
repeated waskifigs. 
mav/i a a. u it uu 
lated to a sufficient quantity to enco 
was spun into thread of different 
cloth, of different widths, were wo 
the pieces of cloth have been w i 
to retain the colour under constant i; 
