Report of Society's Meetings. 379 
dos was also taken for notification, on the ground that it was too late 
in the season to do anything this year. 
Third, Mr. Hargreaves' motion that the Society consider the advisa- 
bility of urging the Government to offer inducements for experiments 
in tobacco cultivation, was carefully considered. While deciding that 
they could make no recommendation in this matter, I was directed, in 
reporting, to give the following extratt from the minutes of the 
Committee : — 
" Professor Harrison was of opinion that some of the soils in the 
colony were well-fitted for tobacco, and that this if grown would be of 
good quality. The best Cuban Tobaccos were grown on a soil not 
particularly rich, and this accounted for their superior quality. The 
commoner kinds gave much heavier crops, and required a richer soil 
or manure, while the best quality gave a return of only about three 
hundred pounds per acre.'' 
Fourth, In the matter of the samples of rice received from Mr. Mit- 
chell in May last, they have to report that these, numbering twenty- 
one, were distributed in equal portions— seven kinds — to Messrs. 
Gillespie, Cochran, and Gilzean. As yet they have only the report of 
Mr. Gillespie which is here attached and the samples referred to laid 
upon the table, with a sample of Creole rice for comparison. In general 
the yield was very good, the highest being that named " Guhota" which 
gave a return of 408 pounds, against 165 pounds of the creole variety. 
Two gave less than the standard, but as these were marked as less 
suitable for marshy land they did not get a fair trial. As may be seen 
from the report the varieties were grown in one place and under the 
same conditions, and the superiority of two varieties is most pro- 
minently shown, when it is understood that the samples only weighed 
one pound each. Mr. Gillespie was asked to continue the experiment 
and will be glad to supply samples to any one willing to help in in- 
troducing the best and most suitable variety. 
The Committee have not been able to make any comparisons as to 
colour and flavour when cooked. 
Having concluded as far as matters referred to them by the Society 
are concerned, the Committee dire6t me to call attention to the very 
useful work now being carried on by Professor Harrison, especially in 
connection with seedling canes. His duties are very onerous, what with 
those connected with the Custom House and Law Courts, not to men- 
tion the Botanic Gardens which may be considered as extra work. 
