MAGAZINE OF SCIENCE AND ART. 
245 
fixed upon, for we understand that the 
Government lias set aside 200 acres of the 
old Government Domain at Parramatta for 
the purpose, and propose to make a grant 
of it to the Society conditionally, on a 
sufficient sum of money being raised to 
erect the necessary Buildings, and to fence 
and stock the Farm. 
It must he acknowledged, we think, 
that these terms are sufficiently liberal, at 
all events for persons with proper feelings 
of independence and self-reliance. We 
have no sympathy with the constant appli¬ 
cations that are made to Government in 
every petty emergency. In this case, 
however, the Government grants only that 
which the public can easily spare. 
The experience that is likely to be gained 
in the operation of such a farm as is pro¬ 
posed will promote the cause of agriculture 
all over the colony, while the contribution 
made by the state is only 200 acres of 
land unfertile at present. 
In order fully to explain the proposed 
plans for the farm, and to raise the neces¬ 
sary funds, it has been determined that 
such members of the Horticultural Society 
and those enlightened colonists who can 
appreciate the advantages such an Institu¬ 
tion is calculated to afford, shall have an 
opportunity of dining together during the 
present month, in some public room in the 
city of Sydney. The Governor-General 
has, we understand, consented to preside 
on the occasion, and a very large list of 
stewards, comprising the names of gentle¬ 
men eminent for their exertions for the 
welfare of the colony, has been published. 
Under such patronage, and with such as¬ 
sistance, w r e may safely prognosticate a 
successful meeting. We only hope the 
stewards will provide a good dinner and 
good wines, and then, warmed with the 
cogent eloquence of the President and the 
conviviality of the hour, we have no fear 
but the necessary funds will be forth¬ 
coming. The Dinner is appointed to take 
place on the 27th instant. 
T HANS ACTIONS OF THE AUSTRALIAN 
HORTICULTURAL and AGRICULTURAL 
SOCIETY. 
SIXTEENTH MONTHLY MEETING. 
Held in the Hall of the Chamber of Com¬ 
merce, Sydney Exchange. 
Tuesday, May 4,1858. 
The Rev. George E. Turner, Vice-Pre¬ 
sident in the chair. 
Members of Council present :—Messrs. 
T. W. Shepherd, G. A. Bell, D. M‘Innes, 
J. Graham ; and about twenty members 
and their friends. 
MINUTES. 
Minutes of the last meeting read and 
confirmed. 
LETTERS. 
Letter read from Mr. P. L. C. Shepherd, 
excusing attendance. 
Letter read from Mr. Walter Hill, direc¬ 
tor of the Botanic Gardens, Moreton Bay, 
accompanied by a beautiful specimen of 
the cone of a new' Zamia, from the scrubs 
of that district, of an immense size, to¬ 
gether with seeds of a Phassolus, described 
by Mr. Hill as the produce of a few seeds 
obtained from Mr. G. Russell, of Sydney, 
which had been fonvarded to that gentle¬ 
man from the Fegee Islands, the pod 
having reached the length of two feet 
six inches in one month, and possessing 
a superior flavour to that of the French 
bean, if eaten in a young state; two 
specimens of cotton, together with its 
seed, accompanied the above, the seeds in 
either case being presented to the Society 
for distribution among its members, with 
the exception of the Zamia, which Mr. 
Hill requested to be forwarded to the 
Australian Museum after being exhibited 
to the members of this Society. 
It was resolved, on the motion of Mr. 
T. W. Shepherd, seconded by Mr. 
Moutrey— 
That a vote of thanks he presented to 
Mr. W. Hill, for his donation of seeds, 
and that the Secretary be requested to 
acknowledge the receipt of the same. 
Letter from the Hon. E. Wise, accom¬ 
panied by the following valuable w'orks, 
(published in America) : “ Sorgho and 
Imphee,” “ Cotton is King,” “ Plank 
Roads in the United States,” ‘"The 
Ptougb, the Loom, and the Anvil 
whereupon— 
It was resolved, on the motion of Mr. 
T. W. Shepherd, seconded by Mr. J. 
Dyer— 
That a vote of thanks be presented to 
Mr. Wise for his really valuable donation 
of books, and that the Secretary be re¬ 
quested to communicate with Mr. Wise, 
acknowledging the receipt of the same. 
PAPERS. 
Paper read from Sir. Lewis Markham, 
of Armidale, on Artesian wells. 
Resolved, that the paper now read be 
