96 PROCEEDINGS OE THE SCIENTIFIC ASSOCIATION. 
tical Abstract for the Colonial Possessions of Great Britain,” 
where full details will be found for the later years. I shall 
conclude this portion of my remarks by pointing out that 
while our population has doubled since 1338, our production 
has increased in a greater degree. Were it not indeed for 
the steady and rapid advance of the cultivation of the beet- 
root as a sugar-producer, our position would be a subject 
for congratulation. As the case stands, however, it seems 
that we must look chiefly, if not solely, to great improve* 
ments in the cultivation and especially the manufacture of 
sugar to enable us even to hold our own. 
An institution that deserves mention as a sign of our 
progress is the Agricultural Society. The continued exis- 
tence of so large and influential a body augurs well for the 
agriculture of the Colony ; and as Sugar-making includes 
not only Agriculture but Manufacture, we may hope that 
through the spirit infused into its members, attempts will 
be made to improve the production of Sugar to an extent 
which will enable us to compete with the Beet. The Agri- 
cultural Society deserves congratulation also on the success 
of its ploughing-matches and of its agricultural exhibitions. 
May we hope to see an Agricultural Society for the northern 
division of the Colony ? 
Before finishing a report which is intended in some degree 
to make both those improvements which have been made in 
the progress and application of Science, and those which it 
is desirable to make, I may be permitted to allude to some 
minor matters, in respect of which I feel that I shall be 
expressing the wishes of the Association in hoping that we 
shall be placed on a like footing with civilised countries. 
One of these is the inland book-post, the rate of which is 
prohibitive, and we are consecpiently unable to forward 
