The investigations in regard to Heterodera schachtii on potatoes were continued, and a paper on the results was read at the Scottish Agricultural Research Conference in July. Research work was carried out in regard to Helminthosporium avenae, and experiments were conducted in regard to the control of the disease by the use of various antiseptics. Strains of perennial ryegrass, including a distinct white-based strain, are being propagated.

North of Scotland College of Agriculture.

Soils and Drainage.-Investigation of the soils of the northeast of Scotland was continued with a view to distinguishing and classifying the various types and recording their distribution. In addition to studying the influence of the parent material of soils in determining soil types, the influence of the climatic and external conditions generally on soil formation has been under investigation. Conferences have been held with the workers of the Edinburgh and Glasgow centres and a joint programme of work has been entered upon with a view to finding a uniform basis of soil classification and soil surveying.

In the laboratory, attention has been directed mainly to the question of exchangeable bases of the soil. As part of an international undertaking, the comparative merits of certain methods of mechanical analysis have been investigated with the assistance of the staff of the Agricultural Chemistry Department of the College. The advisory staff have also assisted in an investigation of the methods for determining available phosphates in soils.

Work in connection with the drain gauges was continued during the year. Records have been kept of the rainfall and of the drainage through 40 inches of soil, and samples of the drainage water from the three drain gauges (1) unmanured, (2) manured, (3) manured and limed-have been analysed, mainly in order to determine the nature and amount of the substances removed from the soil in the drainage. The crop grown on the drainage area was cut, weighed, and analysed in order to find the amount of material it removed from the soil. Samples of rain-water were obtained from a large rain gauge placed beside the drain gauges. These were analysed each

month in order to determine the amount of chlorine and other substances brought to the soil by the rainfall.

During the year a considerable number of enquiries was received. In most cases advice was given by correspondence, but in addition numerous advisory visits were made. The subjects of enquiry included manurial treatment, soil poverty, soil acidity, oat failure, sugar beet failure, pining of young cattle, and suitable areas for experiments. In many cases the fields concerned were examined and analyses were made bearing on the chemical, physical, and mineralogical properties of the soils in question.

Entomology. During the year a large number of enquiries regarding bee diseases was dealt with. Particular attention was again devoted to Acarine disease, and leaflets dealing with this disease and describing methods of prevention and treatment have been prepared for circulation to bee-keepers. Investigations of the distribution of the mite Acarapis woodi throughout the world and research into the pathology of the disease have been continued. An experimental treatment for Nosema disease has been in operation during the season.

A number of insects and related pests was examined and reported on within the College area. These included several species of thrips not previously recorded in the area.

COUNTY ADVISORY COMMITTEES.

In accordance with the twelfth recommendation of the Departmental Committee on Agricultural Education and Research in Scotland, committees have now been set up in most parts of the country for the purpose of co-ordinating the educational work of the College Organiser with the agricultural instruction provided by Education Authorities in rural schools and continuation classes. Half the members of each committee are appointed by the Education Authority and half by the College Governors. It is hoped that the appointment of committees will be completed during the year 1927.

YOUNG FARMERS' CLUBS.

Further progress has been made with the establishment of Young Farmers' Clubs in the north of Scotland, where five new clubs were formed at Murkle in Caithness, North Tolsta and Bayble in Lewis, and Skene and Echt in Aberdeenshire. The chief difficulty in the formation of these clubs is the securing of suitable leaders and it is to this that the College Organisers are particularly directing their attention.

EDINBURGH AND EAST OF SCOTLAND COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE.

On the occurrence of a vacancy in the Chair of Agriculture at Edinburgh University, an agreement was made between the University Court and the College Governors whereby the posts of Professor of Agriculture and Principal of the College were amalgamated. Mr E. Shearer, M.A., B.Sc., Principal of the College, was appointed to the joint post.

ROYAL (DICK) VETERINARY COLLEGE.

The fitting and the equipment of the College buildings were practically completed during the year.

During the session 1925-26 the number of students who attended the classes preparing for the diploma of M.R.C.V.S. was 119. In addition, 23 students attended post-graduate courses, mainly that leading to the diploma in Veterinary State Medicine.

SCHOLARSHIPS.

POST-GRADUATE SCHOLARSHIPS IN AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE.

Of the nine students to whom scholarships were awarded in 1925, five completed their courses during the year under review, three relinquished their scholarships on obtaining appointments, and one was awarded a further scholarship available for the academic year 1926-27. Three new scholarships were awarded in 1926, of which two were tenable at the Rowett Research Institute and one at the West of Scotland Agricultural College.

The period for which financial provision was made for this scheme from the fund of £150,000 provided under Section 3 of the Corn Production Acts (Repeal) Act, 1921, has now expired, and no further scholarships will therefore be awarded under it.

During the six years in which the scheme has been in operation the Board have received 61 applications for scholarships, of which 12 were for renewal of existing scholarships, and have made 43 awards, representing 32 new scholarships and 11 renewals. In nine cases the scholarships were relinquished without having been taken up.

AGRICULTURAL SCHOLARSHIPS.

CORN PRODUCTION ACTS (REPEAL) ACT, 1921.

This scheme, instituted in 1922, was continued under the conditions described in previous Reports.

The total number of applications for scholarships in 1926 was 111, as compared with 115 in 1925. Twenty-nine scholarships were awarded, the number of applications and awards in the various classes being as follows:

The occupations of the parents or guardians of the successful candidates were as follows:-

The remaining 4 candidates were themselves bona fide agricultural workers whose parents were in financial circumstances comparable to those of agricultural workers.

During the year the reports received on the work and progress of the scholars were generally satisfactory. In only one case was it found necessary, in view of unsatisfactory reports on the scholar's progress, to discontinue the scholarship, a Class IV. award made in 1924 and tenable at Aberdeen University for the course for the degree of B.Sc. in Agriculture.

At the end of the year 48 scholars were in training under the scheme, the numbers attending the different courses being as follows:

University or College Diploma in Agriculture

College Diploma in Dairying

4

1

....

7

48

College Diploma in Dairying and Poultry-keeping
College Certificate in Horticulture

Special Course for Farmers

With the commitments incurred as a result of the awards reported above and of those made in the preceding four years, the sum of £15,000 set apart for the provision of scholarships from the fund of £150,000 under Section 3 of the Corn Production Acts (Repeal) Act, 1921, has been fully earmarked.

The Selection Committee appointed by the Board, and composed of representatives of the Board, the Scottish Education Department, and the Scottish Farm Servants' Union, have recommended the continuance of the scheme on substantially the same lines as during the past five years.

From the experience gained of the working of the scheme since its inception, the Board are satisfied that it has served a valuable purpose in providing opportunities for further education to candidates of a class who, as a general rule, are debarred through lack of private means from taking advantage of existing bursary schemes. Further, it has been found that the great majority of those who have held scholarships have, on the completion of their courses, returned to practical agricultural work; and there is every reason to believe that by the experience gained during these courses they have been able to render more efficient service than before. The Board are of opinion therefore that the continuance of the scholarship scheme would have a beneficial effect not only upon the scholars but upon the existing standard of agricultural practice. They also believe that a scheme which provides for the higher education of the children of agricultural workers would have the effect of mitigating to some extent the disadvantage under which a rural worker labours as compared

with an urban worker, and would thus help to retain on the land agricultural workers who might otherwise, for the sake of their children's future, migrate to the town.

The Board have accordingly submitted proposals to the Treasury for the continuation of the scheme.

AGRICULTURAL SCHOLARSHIPS FOR STUDENTS INTENDING то BECOME AGRICULTURAL ORGANISERS, LECTURERS, ETC. The two Scottish students to whom scholarships were awarded under this scheme in 1925 completed the first year of their courses of study at the Agricultural Economics Research Institute, Oxford. In accordance with the terms of the scheme, under which the scholars are sent overseas during the second year of tenure of their scholarships, these students received additional allowances to enable them to continue their studies in the United States and Canada, and were abroad at the end of the year.

Further scholarships were awarded under this scheme in 1926, including one to a Scottish student, which is tenable during the first year at the Agricultural Economics Research Institute, Oxford.

NATIONAL POULTRY COUNCIL.

A further grant amounting to £6. 7s. 8d. was made to the National Poultry Council towards the deficit incurred by the Council in conducting examinations for the National Diploma in Poultry Husbandry. An application by the Council for a grant for a similar purpose in 1926 was under consideration at the end of the year.

SCOTTISH COUNCIL FOR WOMEN'S TRADES.

A further grant of £50 was made during the year to the Scottish Council for Women's Trades in aid of its scheme for placing unemployed women on farms for training in agricultural occupations.

INTERCHANGE OF BRITISH AND FOREIGN AGRICULTURISTS. Reference is made to the Board's last Report. Under the arrangements made with the Danish Agricultural Commissioner in London for the exchange of agriculturists between Scotland and Denmark, four Danish students were placed on farms in Scotland during the year. No Scottish students have so far taken advantage of the scheme, although the Board have received several enquiries regarding it.

VII. AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH.

JOINT COMMITTEE OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ABERDEEN AND THE NORTH OF SCOTLAND COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE.

THE ROWETT RESEARCH INSTITUTE.

1. Development.

Experimental Stock Farm.-During the year progress has been made in establishing the Experimental Stock Farm. The