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the motion, expressed his opinion that they were specially fortunate in having Sir William Abney to preside over the Council. As Chairman during the International Congress on Technical Education in 1896, he (Sir Owen) thoroughly appreciated all that the present Chairman had brought forward on so difficult a subject.

The motion was put to the meeting by Sir JOHN WOLFE BARRY and carried unanimously.

The CHAIRMAN, having briefly acknowledged the compliment, the meeting terminated.

Miscellaneous.

AGRICULTURE IN THE EAST AFRICA

PROTECTORATE.

For agricultural purposes the East Africa Protectorate may be divided into two sections-the lowlands and highlands. By the former are meant the districts on the coast, along the Tana and Juba rivers, and around Lake Victoria; by the latter, the central plateaux situated in the provinces of Ukamba, Naivasha, Kenya, and Kisumu. The lowlands may be described as being everywhere a moderately rich tropical country, and in parts exceedingly rich. Cocoanuts are abundant, and copra is exported. The best trees are found in the Lamu Archipelago and the districts to the south of Mombasa. It is said that the coast from the Lamu Archipelago to Vanga offers as good a field for the cultivation of the cocoanut palm as Ceylon. India rubber is also already a considerable export, which it is hoped will greatly increase with time. The East African rubber is a creeper of the genus Landolphia, the best quality being L. Kirkii. It is found growing up trees in the Arabuko and Mueli forests, on the Tana river, near Witu, in Gosha, and generally wherever forest or sub-forest is met with. Gum copal is also found in many forests, and the timber has been well reported on. There is a large export of boritis or mangrove poles, known in the trade as Zanzibar rafters. Rice, maize, and various grains are, according to H.M. Commissioner at Mombasa, very abundant, and he is of opinion that there are two important branches of tropical agriculture which will flourish in the lowlands-particularly if they are undertaken by firms who are unable to prosecute them on a large scale-namely, tobacco and cotton. Tobacco is being grown at present near Gasi, to the south of Mombasa, and it is said that the results obtained are satisfactory. A leaf of superior quality is also reported to have been grown near Lamu by a German firm some years ago. With regard to cotton,

the data are more uncertain. An indigenous variety grows freely in Tanaland and Gosha, and the natives make a rough but quite serviceable stuff from it, while, about ten years ago, a German firm experimented with imported seeds near Lamu. It is not known what was the quality of the seeds which they used, but the reports on the cotton, which they sent to Liverpool, Naples, and Germany, have been preserved, and are most satisfactory. The samples were classified as "resembling lower quality Sea Island” and "between Tahiti and Sea Island," and priced at from 7d. to 9d. per pound. The experiments were abandoned, partly because Lamu fell subsequently to the British and not the German sphere, and partly on account of the difficulty of obtaining labour. Circumstances have now changed, and this latter difficulty exists no longer. It would appear that a large part of the provinces of Tanaland and Seyidie is eminently suited to the cultivation of cotton. Certain varieties are said to grow well on islands close to the mainland, and the Lamu Archipelago presents exactly the conditions required. The Tana should offer a suitable soil to those varieties which prefer river banks. The river is in many parts extremely tortuous, and forms a succession of promontories on either side, a quarter of a mile long and not much more than fifty yards across. These are often overflowed, and in any case irrigation would be easy. It is also reported that Indigofera arrecta is indigenous and abundant on the coast. This is said to be the richest of indigoyielding plants, and the only one which can compete commercially with artificial dyes at the present time. The fringe behind the coast produces two or more rain crops of maize during the year, but has little or no surface water. In the highlands the chief indigenous vegetable products which have a commercial value are rubber, fibre, and castor oil beans. The castor oil plant grows wild nearly everywhere, and the beans are easily improved by cultivation. Their value in the Protectorate is about £2 10s. per ton. Various kinds of fibre are abundant, and have been well reported upon both for length of staple and quality. A kind of coarse tobacco also grows wild. The success which has attended the cultivation of introduced plants is remarkable. Almost every sort of European vegetable and fruit can be grown in good quality and quantity. An export trade of potatoes to the Cape is beginning, and when once the transport has been properly organised, practically unlimited supplies can be sent. Coffee, from seed introduced from British Central Africa, is being grown in Kikuyu on two plantations, and the trees are in a most flourishing condition. A little cotton has also been grown near Nairobi, and the sample sent home has been valued at 6d. per pound. Sunflowers grow in profusion, and might, it is said, be made a paying industry, as the seed is said to realise over £11 per ton in Russia. An attempt is being made to start a silk industry in the Kenya Province, as it is found that Japanese mulberries thrive there. The enormous grazing-grounds afford pasturage to large herds of

native cattle and sheep, but at present the only European cattle are a few animals kept by private persons, and no attempts have been made to try grazing on a large scale.

QUEENSLAND.*

After a brief allusion to some of the main landmarks in the history of Queensland, the paper proceeds to give a general sketch of the physical features of the State, describing its mountain and river systems, and the three great natural regions into which it may be subdivided on physical and climatic grounds. These are (1) the eastern division, lying between the coast and the great dividing range, consisting of well-watered fertile lands, clothed in the northern part with vegetation of unsurpassed luxuriance; (2) the watershed of the Gulf of Carpentaria, wholly tropical, but mainly adapted rather for pastoral than agricultural purposes; and (3) the vast western district, embracing the famous downs country, unsurpassed for richness of soil and magnificence of climate, the only drawback being the uncertain and scanty rainfall, the want of which is, however, to some extent supplied by its artesian resources. The geological structure, in regard to which an entire difference is noticeable between the east and west of the State, is next comprehensively described, attention being paid to the influence of geological facts on the possibilities of artesian development. The mineral wealth-consisting primarily of gold, but including copper, silver, antimony, and tin ores; coal, opal, gems, bismuth, wolfram manganese, and lead-is described as practically inexhaustible, and an account is given of the most valuable deposits yet exploited. The main characters of the flora and fauna are next described, special attention being paid to the products of most economic importance. In describing the climate of Queensland, the author points ont the special advantages possessed by the southern districts and the curative properties of the dry and buoyant air of the western plains. The distribution of the rainfall is discussed, and details are given of the artesian water supply which supplements this in the interior districts. Possibilities of storage of river water for irrigation are also touched upon. Coming next to the industrial resources of Queensland, the author points out the unrivalled advantages given by its position with regard to the great commercial highways of the East, its fine natural harbours and its coast protected from the ocean by the Great Barrier Reef. The present population is but a fraction of that needed for its satisfactory development, and the immigration of Polynesians is a necessity for the cultivation of the tropical portion. At present the pastoral industry is more fully developed than either mining or agriculture, the sheep, cattle, and horses

• Abstract of a paper read by Mr. J. P. Thomson before the Geographical Section of the British Association at Southport.

numbering some scores of millions when not handicapped by droughts. The agricultural industry is at present limited to the eastern settled district, from Cookstown south, but with irrigation the rich western region might produce, immense quantities of grain. In addition to sugar, the coast region produce maize, tobacco, coffee, cotton, arrowroot, &c., and fruitgrowing might be taken up with profit. The great need is an enormously larger population to settle on the land and develop its vast resources.

THE MANUFACTURE OF PERFUMES IN

GRASSE.

The city of Grasse, the most important industrial place of the Riviera, is widely known on account of its perfume manufacture. At present 35 establishments making essences of flowers are in operation there. The average consumption of roses for that purpose is about 2,650,000 pounds, and that of orange flowers about 660,000 pounds per annum. The annual sale of these essences amounts to about £200,000. Vallauris has nine such factories. The most important product of this industry is oil of neroli, made from the flowers of the bitter orange. A kilogramme (2.2 pounds) of this oil is worth 12. From the peel of the bitter orange, oil of orange is made. The peel of the sweet orange is seldom used for making oil. The manufacture of essence of roses is also very extensive. The so-called oil of roses is manufactured from the Andropogon schonanthus. The flowers of the large flowered jasmine yield the oil of jasmine. One acre planted with jasmine is said to yield a yearly product worth £250, but requires a good deal of work. A pound of essence of violets is worth from nine to ten shillings. Oil of geranium is produced from the flowers of Pelargonium capitatum. The flowers of the tuberose, of the jonquil, and of a species of narcissus are manufactured into essences; also the leaves of the citronella plant, the root of the Iris florentina (violet root), the patchouli flowers, sandalwood, &c. Fortunately for many places in the Riviera, the consumption of these essences has not decreased in late years.

General Notes.

COACHBUILDING PRIZES.-The Company of Coach Makers and Coach-harness Makers of London offer the following prizes for competition among the British subjects engaged in the trades of coach making and coach-harness making and accessory trades, and members of drawing and technical classes in connection with such trades, resident in the United Kingdom of Great Britain or Ireland. Competition No. 1 (open to teachers of technical classes and previous prize winners in the Company's competitions) -For drawings of a sound strong jobmaster's "Char

a-banc," to seat twenty passengers inside, safe and easy access behind; scale 4 inches to the foot, on paper 6 feet by 4 feet 6 inches; 1st prize, the Company's silver medal and £5 5s.; 2nd prize, the Company's bronze medal and £2 25. Competition No. 2 (open to all, except teachers and previous prize winners in the Company's competitions)-For a drawing of a small light omnibus, to seat six persons inside, allowing 16 inches for each person (measuring the front of each seat); side and half-back elevations required; scale 4 inches to the foot; on paper 6 feet by 4 feet 6 inches; 1st prize £5 5s.; 2nd prize, £2 25.; 3rd prize, Is. Is. Competition No. 3 (open to all)-For side view, plan and section drawings to full working size (coloured) of all the metalwork, exclusive of wheels, axles and springs, of an ordinary double brougham; 1st prize, £3 35.; 2nd prize, LI IS. Competition No. 4 (confined to coach trimmers)-For the best made pair of spring cushions for a brougham, any size, but the depth not to exceed six inches, the springs not necessarily steel; all other points of merit being equal, preference will be given to the shallowest in depth; scale 3 inches to the foot; 1st prize, £5 5s.; 2nd prize, £2 2s. Competition No. 5 (open to all)-The Company offer a silver and bronze medal and the Master 10 10s., for a motor-car body to carry four people in the hind part and one or two on the driver's seat, suitable for a petrol engine; the wheels 2 feet 4 inches to 2 feet 10 inches over the tyres, spring centres 2 feet 6 inches, and axle centres not more than 8 feet; the hind part to be convertible from an open to a closed carriage; side view and half plan; scale 3 inches to the foot, in ink or coloured on one piece of paper 6 feet 4 feet 6 inches; the Automobile Club has been asked to appoint two judges, and the Court of the Company will appoint two others for this competition; Ist prize, the Company's silver medal and £6 6s.; 2nd prize, the Company's bronze medal and £4 4s. Competition No. 6 (open to those under 18 years of age who have never won a prize in the Company's competitions)--For drawings in ink of a T cart, side view; scale inches to the foot; on one piece of paper 18 inches by 12 inches; 1st prize, 42 2s.; 2nd prize, £I IS. The above prizes will be accompanied by the certificate of the Company. The prize winner in any of the competitions, if not already Free of the Company, may have the Honorary Freedom conferred upon him, should his drawing or his essay in the opinion of the judges deserve it. Students of technical classes who may desire to exhibit models of carriages or parts of carriages can do so, and if they have sufficient merit the judges may award medals or money prizes at discretion.

DÜSSELDORF EXHIBITION, 1904.-The Board of Education have received a communication from the Foreign Office intimating that an International Fine Art and Horticultural Exhibition is to be opened at Düsseldorf on 1st May, 1904. A hope is expressed that England will contribute largely to this exhibition.

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Geographical, University of London, Burlington gardens, W., 8 p.m. Lieut. Col. Manifold, "Recent Exploration and Economical Development in Central and Western China." Camera Club, Charing-cross-road, W.C., 8 p.m. Mr. Harding King, "A Journey in the Sahara." Medical, 11, Chandos-street, W., 8 p.m. London Institution, Finsbury-circus, E.C., 5 p.m. Mr. J. D. Rees, “Persia and the Persian Gulf.” TUESDAY, NOV. 24...Medical and Chirurgical, 20, Hanoversquare, W., 83 p.m.

Civil Engineers, 25, Great George-street, West-
minster, S.W., 8 p.m. Mr. Hugh Robert Mill,
"The Distribution of Mean and Extreme Annual
Rainfall over the British Isles."
Anthropological, 3, Hanover-square, W., 8] p.m.
Colonial Inst., Northumberland-avenue, W.C., 44
p.m. Hon. Sir Horace Tozer, "Queensland: its
Material Progress and Natural Resources," by Dr.
J. P. Thomson.

WEDNESDAY, Nov. 25...SOCIETY OF ARTS, John-street,
Adelphi, W.C., 8 p.m. Mr. George F. Parker,
"The Universal Exposition at St. Louis, U.S.A.,
ICO4."
United Service Institution, Whitehall, S.W., 31 p.m.
Fleet-Engineer G. Quick, "Some Remarks on
Screw Propulsion for War Ships."

Royal Society of Literature, 20, Hanover-square, W.,
8 p.m. Dr. Richard Garnett, "Date and Author-
ship of the Treatise on the Sublime attributed to
Longinus."

British Astronomical, Sion College, Victoriaembankment, E.C., 5 p.m.

THURSDAY, Nov. 26. Royal, Burlington-house, W., 4 p.m.
Antiquaries, Burlington-house, W., 8 p.m.

London Institution, Finsbury-circus, E.C., 6 p.m..
Sir William Ramsay, “Radium and the Periodic
Law in connection with recently discovered
Elements."

Electrical Engineers, 25, Great George street, S.W.,
8 p.m.

Camera Club, Charing-cross-road, W.C., 8 p.m.
Mr. E. R. Ashton, "Picturesque India."

FRIDAY, NOV. 27... Clinical, 20, Hanover-square, W., 8 p.m. Physical, Chemical Society's Rooms, Burlingtonhouse, W., 5 p.m.

SATURDAY, Nov. 28...North East Coast Institute of Engineers and Ship-builders (Graduate Section), Newcastle-on-Tyne, 71 p.m. Mr. O. E. Berriman, "Automobilism."

SOCIETY OF CHEMICAL INDUSTRY.-The Secretary is anxious to obtain Vols. 1 and 2 (1882–3) of the Journal of the Society of Chemical Industry to complete the set in the Library. He would be glad to hear from any member who could place these volumes at the Society's disposal.

Journal of the Society of Arts, Proceedings of the Society.

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CANTOR LECTURES.

On Monday evening, November 23rd inst., Mr. BENNETT H. BROUGH delivered the first lecture of his course on "The Mining of the Non-Metallic Minerals."

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EXPOSITION AT

ST. LOUIS, U.S.A., 1904.

BY GEORGE F. PARKER.

The next in the series of the great international exhibitions will open its gates in St. Louis, Missouri, on the first day of next May and close on the first day of December following.

This will be the third exhibition of the first rank held in the United States, each of which illustrated a sentiment. In 1876, at Philadelphia, was celebrated the Centennial of the

The lectures will be printed in the Journal Declaration of Independence; at Chicago, in during the Christmas recess.

JUVENILE LECTURES.

The usual short course of lectures adapted for a juvenile audience will be delivered on Wednesday afternoons, January 6th and 13th, at 5 o'clock, by ERIC STUART BRUCE, M.A., on "Navigation of the Air."

Each member is entitled to a ticket admitting two children and an adult.

A sufficient number of tickets to fill the room will be issued to members in the order in which applications are received.

Members who desire tickets for the course are requested to apply for them at once.

1893, was commemorated the four hundredth anniversary of the discovery of America by Columbus; while the third will recognise the centenary of the acquisition of the great territory known as Louisiana, out of which has been carved the State bearing the name, and the eleven additional States of Arkansas, Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming, and the Indian territory and Oklahoma. In round figures, the area is a million square miles, i.e., more extensive than the whole of the United States at the beginning of the 19th century. Its population has now passed fifteen millions, and the rate of increase goes on with almost unprecedented rapidity.

Looked at from the historical point of view this great territory was formerly shifted back and forth, a sort of pawn upon the chessboard of European politics, now belonging to Spain, now to France, and again disputes raging over its possession. Only a year or so before Napoleon sold it to the United States it had been in the possession of Spain, so that the people who then lived upon it had the distinction, without moving, of saluting three flags within two years. It was only natural that Napoleon, then engaged in deadly warfare with England, and soon to be involved with the whole of Europe, should dispose of a distant territory which he could neither use nor defend in case of attack. In this, perhaps, he showed a wise foresight, but he was not moved by any friendship to America or its institutions, but the fear of his enemies, and the desire to strengt. his hold at home, induced him to suggest its sale as a whole. He recognised that, even if he should be successful in his wars with Europe, he might easily be involved in a conflict with America over the right to use the Mississippi River, so that whether foresight, necessity, or destiny entered most into account, the transfer would, in any event, soon be made.

Its effect upon the history of mankind can scarcely be exaggerated. The late Professor Seeley in his " Expansion of England," when considering the elements which had entered into American growth after independence, said:-

"American happiness, then, is in no great degree the consequence of secession. But does she owe to secession her immense greatness? When we look back over the stages of her progress, we are able easily to discover that she has in several points been remarkably favoured by fortune. Imagine, for instance, that the original colonies, instead of lying in a compact group along the coast, had been scattered over the continent, and had been separated from one another by settlements belonging to other European States. Such a difference might have made the growth of the Union impossible. Imagine, again, that the French colony of Louisiana, instead of failing miserably, had advanced steadily in the hundred years between its foundation and the American Revolution. This colony embraced the valley of the Mississippi. Had it been successful, it might easily have grown into a great French State, held together through its whole length by its immense river. Or, again, suppose it had passed into the hands of England. It was Napoleon who, by selling Louisiana to the United States, made it possible for the Union to develop in the gigantic power we see."

We have, then, briefly to consider the importance of a universal exhibition bearing to the

world relations like that to be held in 1904. The fact may well be borne in mind, whenever attention is directed to the western hemisphere, that perhaps more buyers and sellers, more producers and consumers, more persons interested in commercial development will, in 1904, congregate at St. Louis from Mexico, Canada, Cuba, Porto Rico, and all Central and South American countries, than it would be possible for the seller or his representatives to see, even by the most extensive travel through those countries within the same period.

It is not always borne in mind that a remarkable increase of population has taken place recently within the territory west of the Mississippi, included in the Louisiana purchase. In 1880, the fourteen States and territories, made from the original Louisiana, had a population of only 8,154,139; in 1900, the returns of the twelfth census showed that it had grown to 14,572,189, an increase of nearly 79 per cent. within the twenty-year period. As this human increment was distributed over a million square miles, it is, perhaps, safe to assert that such a rapid increase of population over so large an area of the earth's surface, within an equal period, is unexampled in all history. While no such ratio as this would be expected in the older States to the eastward, a growth has been made in the adjacent States of the south and south-west, contributing to the Mississippi Valley, which, within the same time, has added still other millions to the producers and consumers of the world.

It may be useful to compare this ratio of increase with that of other parts of the United States, as well as with the most progressive and rapidly-growing countries of the world. The population of the United States showed an increase, during the period under review, of about 52 per cent.; Germany, which contained 45,194,172 persons in 1880, had, in 1900, 56,345,014, a ratio of about 24 per cent.; while the United Kingdom, which in 1881 numbered 35,281,482, had, in 1901, become 41,605,220, a growth of about 18 per cent. It is scarcely necessary to enter more fully into such comparisons, because no other of the prosperous, the great buying and selling peoples of the world, are growing with such rapidity as these three.

The returns of the property values indicate an increase of from 125 to 150 per cent., to which agriculture contribute its full share. Whole States and territories, which in 1880 had almost no population, and where only

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