The council of each county or county borough shall, as soon as practicable after the first day of January, the first day of April, the first day of July, and the first day of October in each year, make a return to the Minister of the results of the analysis of the samples submitted to the agricultural analyst for the county or the county borough during the preceding three months in such form as may be prescribed, and the agricultural analyst shall furnish to the council such information as may be necessary for the purpose.