PRL RY Vol XXVIII. saansaixacaais MON THLY. The Journal OF THE AUGUST, 1921. PRINCIPAL CONTENTS. (For Complete List of Contents see page xv.) The Education of the Farm Worker. W. 2. Smith, MP. - Artificial Farmyard Manure. JH. B, Hutchinson, Ph.D., and E. H. Richards, B.Sc., FIC. - > ~ - The Claying of Fen Soils. Wilfrid S. Mansfield, B.A. - ‘ The ep of Chalk on the Cultivation of eet F Land, E. J. Russell, D.Sc., F.RS., and B. A. Keen, B.Se., FLIP. British Growers’ Scheme for Grading and Packing Ap me W. J. Lobjoit, O.B.E., and H. V. Taylor, A.R.C.S., rae Cost of Harvesting Potatoes - - - - Women in Rural Life. Grace E. Hadow - : Besom Making in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire, Helen FitzRandolph_ - cele war on the Control of Onin sari T. Whitehead, The parts vind Slug. Herbert W. Miles, N.D.A., F.E.S.- ‘i Small Holdings Section at the Bath and West Show - - Eradicating Gall Mite (Big Bud) from Black Currant Stocks. . Goude, N.D.Hort. Pa Notes on Feedin g Stuffs for August. Bf. Halnan, MA, Dip. Agric. (Cantab.) . : Agriculture Abroad - - : = - j A LONDON: PRINTED UNDER THE AUTHORITY OF HIS MAJBSTY’S STATIONERY OFFICE, AND PUBLISHED BY THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES. (To be obtained from the Ministry’s Offices, 10, Whitehall Place London, 8.W.1.) No. 5. Ministry of Agriculture PAGE 391 398 412 419 423 431 436 439 443 451 456 460 463 466 EDITORIAL AND MONTHLY. AGENTS Soe e SONS Lak, PUBLISHING OFFICES : C. VERN 10, WHITEHALL PLACE, [PRICE SIXPENCE. | $8, Bolborn Viaduct, EC. 1; LONDON, 8.W. 1. Post free. 66/62, South Castle Street, Liverpool. ’ RAK lf THE J OURNAL OF THE MINISTRY ¢ OF AaRicU LTURE. > 9, middle 17 in. It will be noticed that the apples are classified into three groups: Special Dessert, Dessert and Cooking. ‘To be 426 GRADING AND PackInG APPLES. [ AuG., marketed under the heading Special Dessert, the apples must be perfect fruits, of uniform colour and size, the minimum diameter of which shall be 2} in. They are to be packed in peach boxes, and the number of apples is to be stated on the label. Many people wili need convincing that perfect apples packed in shallow boxes will need any guarantee or label to sell them; from the method of packing the quality of the apples is apparent to the buyer, and no deception can be practised. Experience shows that growers now packing ‘““ Specials ’’ in peach boxes have been quite satisfied with the results; and little complaint as to this class of fruit has been raised by the wholesaler or retailer. The action of the Federation of British Growers does, however, follow the practice which has been adopted in South Africa for oranges, where the First Grade is described in the Fruit Export Act as ‘‘ Extra Specials.’’ In this connection it is interesting to note that the Inspection and Sales Act of Canada, 1915, described the best grade as ‘* Fancy Quality,’’ but in the Amending Aet of 1918 this quality was omitted, the inference being that no regulations were necessary for ‘‘ Fancy Quality ”’ fruit. Reviewing the grades for dessert apples other than “* Specials,’’ it will be noticed that the apples have been graded according to size; the distinction between the grades or sizes is to be made apparent by the use of different coloured paper. ‘This has distinct advantages, one being that theoretically the grades all start equal, and thus controversy as to whether a dessert apple of 24 to 8 in. is superior or inferior to those of larger or smaller size cannot arise; secondly, traders have been accustomed to the use of coloured paper for differentiating the various grades of tomatoes—pink and white is used for the more expensive samples, pink for the medium price, and blue for the cheaper samples. This nomenclature for grades of apples appears to be unique. Most countries adopt a numerical system for classifying grades, such as 1, 2 and 3, though in some countries the word ‘‘ Domestic’’ occurs. The scale of sizes 2—24 in., 213 in., and 8 in. and over would appear to apply well so far as British-grown dessert apples are concerned. It is probable that the middle size of fruit (2}—3 in.), being the normal size, will soon establish for itself.the premier place on the markets in preferenee to the larger and smaller sizes; so that, like tomatoes, the grades of apples ‘“‘ Pink and 1921. | GRADING AND PacKING APPLES. 427 Whites,’’ ‘‘ Pinks,’’ and ‘‘ Blues’’ will in virtue of their respective merits adjust their positions in commerce. ‘The scale of sizes must be subject to alteration, and possibly the standards of quality may be subject to modification ; the selected packages now chosen may give place to newer and more adaptable ones; but the colours, once selected should, like the laws of the Medes and Persians, remain wnalterable. One can imagine that the Federation of British Growers and the Committee appointed to help them when discussing the matter, found very considerable difficulties in arriving at an agreement for standard packages. The British Standard Box would no doubt be recognised by most as the best package for dessert apples, but bonnets, in spite of their many disadvantages, by being non-returnable and of light weight, would be favoured by many; while the popular half-bushel sieve has served the British fruit grower too well in the past to be discarded lightly. Recognising these claims the Grading and Packing Committee of the Federation of British Growers acted wisely in deciding to include for the present all three packages. The measurement of the box and the half- bushel are stated so that standards for packages have at last been laid down. For cooking apples a similar method of grading and classi- fication is provided; but the scheme has not recognised cooking apples of a size less than 2} in. in diameter, a decision with which all growers may not agree. It should be realised that the label, to be of value, must be reserved to distinguish superior classes of apples. and most people would admit that generally the public does not regard a small apple for cooking purposes as ideal. The grades, the sizes, and the selected colours of papers will probably meet with general approval. Four different types af packages are to be recognised, the half-barrel, the barrel, the bushel sieve, and the British standard box. Experience wil! soon decide the most suitable of these packages for each variety of apples. For most varieties and samples of cooking apples the box may be too costly to use, but it is no doubt included in order to provide a package for special cookers such as Newton Wonder, Gascoyne Scarlet, Blenheim Orange and Peasgood* Nonsuch. Again, the respective sizes of these packages have been stated. The Ministry has been asked to bring to the notice of manu- facturers the necessity for making only such packages as are of the prescribed measurements. 428 GRADING AND PacKkING APPLES. | Aue., Quality.—It is very difficult indeed to define and describe on paper what is meant by quality, and little criticism on the standard adopted can be made as the Committee has adopted a perfectly safe course in fixing a high and uniform standard for all apples. The scheme. reads: ‘‘ Colour even through package; sound, without blemishes affecting keeping or quality; skin blemishes not to exceed 10 per cent. of the apples; evenly sized.’’ In Canada, where a different standard of quality is fixed for each separate grade of apples, 1, 2, Domestic, and 3, not less than 90 per cent. of the fruit must be free from scab, bruise, wormholes and other defects in order to reach the standard of Grade 1; not less than 85 per cent. for Grade 2 and 80 per cent. for the Domestic Grade; and for Grade 3 the fruit must include no culls. After decid- ing to differentiate grades merely by sizes, each of which would be distinguished by a special coloured paper, and not by the usual classification of superiority, it was logical that the standard of quality should be the same for all grades. The Committee and the Federation of British Growers have, there- fore, in establishing grades and quality, departed, and departed widely, from the usual custom; but by adopting a very high standard of quality greater limitations on the extended use of the label have been imposed, and it may be necessary for most growers to adopt better hygienic measures for controlling pests and diseases before they will be able to produce apples in any quantity 90 per cent. free from blemishes and skin spot. The value of the scheme in stimulat- ing action in this direction will not be small. Again, the higher the standard of quality of fruit sold in labelled packages the greater appreciation will be given by buyers to such packages, which will raise the potential value of the label. Packing.—All existing legislation on this subject in exporting countries requires that the apples shall be ‘‘ properly packed.’’ It is very difficult to define the expression further, though Canada states that ‘‘ properly packed ’’ means that the package should be well and properly filled. The Committee and the Federation of British Growers have expressed their intention clearly by stating that every package must be well lined, presumably with paper, to protect the sides of the package from bruising the apples, and so arranged that coloured paper shows on the top. It is further recognised that the sides of wicker packages, being rougher, tend to bruise apples more readily, and packing with stiff paper is insisted 1921. ] GRADING AND Packinc APPLES. 429 on in this instance—a wise ruling. Im all cases the apples are to be tightly packed in layers. To those experienced in pack- ing this rule appears unnecessary, for they recognise that apples cannot be packed otherwise than in layers, and that tight packing is essential if the pack is to remain firm during the journey. Large numbers of fruit growers are, however, not familiar with packing, so that the ruling is sensible and necessary. For boxes the Committee and the Federation of - British Growers have accepted the diagonal pack which is admittedly the best pack for market fruit, and one that remains firm under rough handling; but it will be a surprise to many to read that every apple must be separately wrapped. It is recognised that wrapped apples are easier to pack than unwrapped ones, that the fruit is prevented from slipping about and so travels and keeps better because of its added protective covering. The public too is familiar with and expects to buy oranges, and even some imported apples, wrapped in tissue paper. Both in the standard of quality fixed, however, and also in this regulation as to wrapping, the Federation has boldly set itself to reach a high ideal by one jump. The Ministry could not withhold its approval, but it may be questioned whether to start with the realisation of the ideal is not something of a counsel of perfection, and whether as a practical policy it would not have been better to have made a beginning with provisions a little less rigorous and then, as growers became familiarised with the scheme, to have tightened it up. The high level to which costs have mounted creates a difficulty for all growers, and amounts to a veritable scare to many; even the cost of tissue paper wrappers may be the straw that weights the scales of judgment against the adoption of the scheme. The more up-to-date growers will, however, probably consider that the greater efficiency outweighs a slight extra cost. It must never be forgotten that the scheme under review is primarily concerned with the home market. Regulations which may be absolutely necessary for an export trade can here be safely and wisely dispensed with. One does not, in saying this, lose sight of the nascent export trade in English apples which before the War was attaining quite respectable dimensions, and which it is of immense importance to encour- age to the utmost. In the question of packages, as a contrast, the Federation scheme wisely deals with the well-known susceptibilities of the grower with almost maternal tenderness, and has lent the #gis of its protection to prolong the life of 430 GRADING AND PackInGc APPLES. | Aue., several forms of package hoary with antiquity—forms which the ardent reformer, hasty for the attainment of the ideal, might have rejected. Net Weight or Count.—The scheme to succeed has to meet the grievance of the retailer as to the honesty of the fruit, and especially so as regards the count or weight of apples in the package. For ‘‘ Special Dessert ’’ the number is more important than weight, and the count must be stated. For boxes of dessert or culinary apples either the count or net weight (or minimum net weight) gives the needed informa- tion, and according to the scheme the grower may decide which to declare. For half-bushels, bushels, barrels, half- barrels, and bonnets, &c., net weight, or rather the minimum net weight has to be declared. Few will take offence or object to this, for it is now generally realised that the buyer of fruit is entitled to know the weight that he is purchasing. In conclusion, it should be stated that this voluntary scheme drawn up by the Federation of British Growers and approved of by the Committee representative of the horticultural industry, has adopted novel methods of classification of grad- ing, and established a peculiarly high and fixed standard of quality for all grades of apples. The scheme is to be launched by the Federation of British Growers, and experience in work- ing the scheme will indicate where modifications can be made. It has received the general support of the Ministry, and is earnestly commended to British fruit growers as the first step in the direction which the packing and marketing of all classes and kinds of vegetable produce, as well as fruit, must take (1) if the legitimate demands of a discriminating public are not to be met by imported produce only ; (2) if the reasonable require- ment of the retail distributor, that he shall be able to buy on something akin to the same basis on which he musi sell, is to be met, and (8) finally, if British growers are not to be relegated . into the wilderness of economic failure by the men who will organise upon business lines and adopt the new methods. This scheme is purely voluntary, and will in no way interfere with, though it may exercise an influence upon, the marketing of produce of lower grades than those stated in the scheme. 1921.] Cost or Harvestina Poraross. 43} COST OF HARVESTING POTATOES. OFFICIAL Statistics for 1920 show that the acreage of potatoes in England and Wales was 544,615 with an estimated yield of 3,151,000 tons. Considering the importance of this crop it is a surprising fact that no figures have previously been published dealing with the cost of harvesting potatoes. This report gives an account of an attempt which has been made to obtain informa- tion on this subject. Methods of Lifting.—Lifting is generally done by using the fork, the plough, or the potato digger. During the past year a few American potato lifters have been used. Lifting by the Fork is undoubtedly the oldest method. In this way the work is well done, and practically all the potatoes are removed from the soil without bruising. The work is both slow and laborious, however, and hence where large acreages had to be lifted, the Plough soon displaced the fork and generally gave satisfaction. The wastage with the plough is undoubtedly more than when the fork is used, but it is generally believed that the crop is harvested with a considerable saving of labour and expense. This practice is still followed for lifting potatoes grown in the heavier classes of soil, and even for first early varieties grown in light soils. In more modern times engineers turned their attention to machinery for agricultural purposes, and produced a mechanical Potato Digger which lfts the crop much quicker than had hitherto been possible with either the fork or the plough. In the early days, when the digger was in its experimental stage, it bruised the tubers considerably, and even with the present-day machines a certain amount of damage is done. Some bruising seems inevitable, as considerable force has to be exerted in throwing both tubers and earth well up into the air. Further wastage from loss of tubers occurs since the earth on falling to the ground covers many of the tubers, and it is probable that a considerable number remain buried in the soil and are not turned up by the harrows. In spite of these drawbacks, the digger has gained favour, and is now largely used in the extensive potato areas. Scope of Enquiry.—The Ministry was anxious to obtain, if possible, figures showing the comparative and approximate costs of harvesting potato crops by the three methods, and accordingly 432 Cost or -Harvestine Poraross. ( AUG. invited farmers to fill up a Questionnaire giving particulars of — the soil, crop, acreage, method of lifting, and the man and horse power employed. Inspectors of the Horticultural Division co-operated with farmers in obtaining these figures. As a result the Ministry received reports of the cost of harvesting 708 acres of potatoes on 50 separate holdings; the information in 15 cases relating to 104 acres was not of sufficient value for the purpose, and was disregarded. Bearing in mind the fact that a small holder might not be in the position to use the same method of lifting as that employed by a large potato farmer, an attempt was made, (1) to find out what constituted a “‘ working unit ’’ for each system, e.g., the number of horses and amount of labour to keep one plough or one digger at work; (2) to determine the cost of keeping one of these units at work for one day; and (3) to ascertain the quantity of potatoes lifted by each unit per day. It was expected that the cost of lifting the potatoes would vary with the different classes of soil, seeing that both the size of the crop and ease of working the soil would be largely influenced by its texture. The figures for each class of soil were tabulated under three headings, Heavy Soils, Mediwm Soils, and Light Soils. From these figures it was seen that a working unit could raise in a day a larger quantity of potatoes on medium soils than on heavy soils, whilst on light sands the tonnage raised per day was slightly less than on medium loams. The latter is probably due to the fact that the medium soils yield heavier crops than do sands. Lifting by the Fork.—From the information received, it was impossible to draw any conclusions as to what constituted a “‘ working unit ’’ in the case of the fork. For instance, one farmer employed 7 labourers with forks to 8 women gatherers; another farmer, 2 labourers with forks to 2 boys; and a third 12 labourers with forks to 12 gatherers. Neither did the figures obtained give any definite information of the acreage lifted per day by one man with fork. Lifting by the Plough.—Similarly, the figures obtained where the plough was used were on the whole so unsatisfactory that no safe conclusions could be drawn. In one case, however, the return received showed that the farmer had been to some pains to prepare a clear and accurate statement, and the results are interesting as showing that with a good crop and efficient organisation the cost of harvesting can be kept low. 1921. | Cost oF Harvestinc Porarors. 433 Ploughing ... 1 man, 2 horses. Harrowing eee Manse xiii on Tons Carting ... mee TOD. 2.) 4 Pickers ... ... 10 women behind the plough and 2 women clearing behind the harrows. At Clamp a» 2 men, The soil was of the medium loam type and the crop lifted was approximately 10 tons per acre. This unit was able to clear 2 acres (i.e., 20 tons) per day. The actual cost per day of keeping the unit at work was as follows :— a ee 1 man with 2 horses for Plough 110 O 2 men with 2 horses for Carts _... pas ne i. oo yee! D 1 man with 2 horses for Harrows... 1 3 12 women (pickers) at 8d. per hour 4 0 2 men at Clamp at 8s. 1d. per day we oA seite ALOE 2 From these figures it will be seen that the cost of harvesting the crop was only 9s. per ton. It should be borne in mind, how- ever, that the figures relate to a particular case, in which the working costs are probably less than the average and the weight of the crop considerably above the average. The charge for horse labour alone is considerably lower than that obtained (13s. 6d. per day) by taking the average of all the returns. Lifting by the Digger.—1. The Composition of a ** Working Unit.’’—From the returns received it appears that an average ‘““ working unit ’’ required to keep a potato digger at work, and to pit the potatoes as lifted, is 1 digger, 1 pair of harrows, 3 carts, 6 horses, 1 foreman, 4 horsemen, and 21 labourers and gatherers. As might be expected the number of labourers and gatherers required is greater in the case of the lighter and medium classes of land and less for the heavier classes of land. 2. Results.—On the lighter classes of land, such as the sands and the light loams, about 2.8 acres could be cleared by one unit in a day, whilst on the heavy loams and the clays, where the digger meets greater resistance from the soil, and transport problems are more difficult, the acreage cleared by the same unit was no more than a little over 1.8 acres, or 1 acre a day less than on light soils. When it is remembered that the larger crops of potatoes are also produced on the medium classes of land such as light loams, the full importance of this will be appre- ciated. From the lighter soils a ‘‘ working unit’’ on the D 434 Cost or Harvestine Poraross. | Aves, average raised and pitted 25 tons 12 cwt. per day—though in one instance the figures were as high as 36 tons 18 ewt., probably the result of superior organisation on the farm. The highest quantity lifted and pitted from the heavy soils by a ‘‘ working unit ’’ was 15 tons, whilst the average was as low as 18 tons 17 cwt. The weight of the crop per acre is also not without influence on the quantity lifted per day, as will be seen from the following Table, which relates entirely to crops produced from the various classes of light and medium soils. Tonnage lifted per day Crop per acre. by unit. Tons. Cwt. Tons. Cwt. Holding No. 1 DLS ee ane a0 13 ee BO a eae 30 — - ee) POS es 7 beueee' (8) 3 » 4 Do ae He Rae 270 — i bee) US A Eee 18 8 ,) me Bip oa cee 120 — di 3 De heaters 7 = 3. Costs.—The figures have been deliberately presented so far without any reference to cost. In these changing times, any prices mentioned only remain of value for a limited period, — and often are out of date before being published. So far as labour for potato raising is concerned, the wages have been fixed by the Wages Boards for the respective districts, end naturally vary for each district and for each class of labour. All horse labour is charged on the assumption that the grower had to hire the necessary horses at the current rate of the dis- trict, which on the average appears to be 183s. 6d. per day. The average wage for a foreman is 12s. 6d. per day; for skilled labourers, such as horsemen, &c., 9s. 9d. per day, for labourers 9s. per day, and for women 5s. per day. The daily cost of maintaining a ‘‘ working unit ’’ with a digger on harvesting potatoes, as determined from the returns sent in, and at the prices stated, would therefore appear to be £12 18s. 6d. This means that the average cost of harvesting a ton of potatoes grown on the lighter and heavier classes of soil would appear to be 9s. 11d. and 18s. 4d. respectively. The figures bring out in a striking manner the financial disadvantage of the grower of potatoes on heavy solis: (1) His cost of preparatory cultivation is greater and the com- parative cost of raising his crop is higher, than that of his fellow farmers on the light loams; and (2) the crop from the heavy lands will be appreciably smaller than from the hight loams. 1921.) Cost or Harvestina Porarors. 435 These factors operate in the same direction so far as the potato farmer on heavy soils is concerned. In each case, the cost of the disposal of the crop, either by clamping, or bagging and conveying to the nearest railway station, or dispatch to the nearest railway station for conveyance in bulk (7.e., unbagged), was taken into consideration in obtain- ing the cost of harvesting the crop. Value of Spraying.—The Questionnaire asked growers to state whether the crop had been sprayed or not. In 13 cases the crops were reported to have been sprayed, whereas in 27 cases no spray had been used. The average crop on the sprayed «rea was approximately 10 tons per acre; while that on the unsprayed area was a little over 8 tons per acre. The heaviest crop on a sprayed area was 15 tons per acre in Bedfordshire. The area was slightly over 18 acres, the varieties being Great Scott, Ally, Lochar. The next heaviest sprayed crop was 14 tons per acre over an area of 22 acres in Surrey. ‘The varieties were Arran Chief, Ally and Majestic, the first variety occupying two-thirds of the area. The heaviest unsprayed crop was 12 tons per acre over an area of 17 acres in Surrey, the varieties grown being Arran Chief and Ally in about equal proportions. It is recognised that growers who spray their potatoes may also give more attention to cultivation than do other growers, but this fact does not lessen the value of spraying as a means of securing a larger tonnage per acre. 436 WoMEN IN Rurar Lire. , AUG., WOMEN? TN@ ntGsRiAgc © JR ie Grace kK. Hanow. Amone the many unexpected results of the War has been a dawning realisation of the part which must be played by women in rural lfe if our country-side is not to become depopulated. The Land Army did splendid service in helping to keep farms cultivated when otherwise they must have lapsed. Women ploughed, thatched, drove horses and tractors, and, as women have always done, weeded and_hoed. Undoubtedly the result was to make many women realise ways in which they may become agricultural workers in peace as well as in war; to stimulate their desire for an open-air life; and to give farmers confidence in women, especially for dairy work and market gardening. A certain number of women have taken, and will continue to take up these occupations as a direct consequence of the call to service on the land. The influence of the Land Army, however, was far wider, and in a sense far more important than this. It taught country women of all classes to take an intelligent interest not only in agriculture and horticulture, poultry keeping and pig keeping, but in rural life generally. ‘The extraordinary growth of the Women’s Institute movement is perhaps the most conspicuous and striking evidence of the new life stirring in the country- side, but it is only an evidence of something still more wide spread. During the War educated women lived in cottage homes and worked side by side with agricultural labourers. Town dwellers came from crowded alleys to make hay and _ stook wheat; country girls who had never left home before, went away to work in huge munition factories. In the great kaleidoscope of war we were shaken together—we are still being shaken—and in forming new patterns we gained new adaptability. Two forces in this freshly-shaping world are at present in danger of pulling opposite ways. ‘The improved statas of the woman labourer, the intelligent interest which has been developed in food production and in house-craft, pull ene way; the increased consciousness of the dullness of. country life pulls the other. No sane being wants to see all farms ‘“ womaned ’’ instead of ‘‘ manned,’’ or even the majority of country-women become agricultural labourers. Quite apart from their actual work in dairy or poultry-yard or garden, 1921. ] Women tn Rorau LIre. 437 however, women have a vital part to play in rural development. The elimination of this tug-of-war is important. The War ‘ encouraged us to use our reason. No person who does so is going to submit to the conditions which have hitherto pre- vailed in many villages. A picturesque cottage with no water laid on may give pleasure to the tourist, but it has disadvantages from the housewife’s point of view. A _ life of—largely unnecessarily—hard work, enlightened only by an annual village concert, is not one which ought to hold men or women. ‘The natural shrewdness of the peasant is beginning to ask why it should. In one village it was said that twenty- eight men returned from the Army to work on the land as they had done before. At the end of a month, twenty of them expressed their intention of leaving and going into the town because neither they nor their wives could stand the monotony of country life. The same plaint rises from all sides. If our rural problem is to be solved, there is one way and one way only in which to meet it, and that is to allow country- men and women to develop rural life on lines hitherto little explored. Probably there has never been so good an oppor- tunity for farmers to get intelligent workers, because there has never been so wide-spread a desire for education and for the stimulus of recreation. Most of us have met the Rev. Abraham Plymly, who through living long in the country ‘“ had become as it were a kind of holy vegetable.’’ Let him be contrasted with the group of ploughboys of 15 and 16 who recently came to ask for help because they were forgetting what they had learned at school, or the class of elderly working women in a tiny village who asked for—and attended —a six weeks’ course on Medieval History. Not long ago the writer asked the members of a Women’s Institute on what subject they wished to have a speaker at their next meeting. The answer came prompt and unmistakable, ‘‘ The connection between Wages and Prices, please.’’ Most interesting and most hopeful of all, these women are beginning to want information on which to form their own opinions. They want people to give them facts, and then to discuss them themselves. The intelligence developing on these lines is making itself felt, as it inevitably must, in other directions also. The matter of rural industries is by no means a simple one, but without going into vexed questions of competition, local trade, and home industries generally, it may fairly be said that a large and rapidly increasing number of village women are learning 438 Women In Rurat Lire. LUG, to make certain articles for home use and for sale to a small extent, and in doing so are at once adding a great and growing interest to village life and learning the elements of co-opera- tion. The ‘‘ Members’ Stall ’’ which is a feature of many a Women’s Institute Meeting has often a tiny turnover reckoned in money, but the stimulus that it gives to craftsmanship and to interest in learning new methods reacts on the whole village. In certain market towns village women have now their own market stall, to which they bring such odds and ends of produce as they may have each week. It would not be enough to supply a shop. It is uncertain in amount and irregular in character. One such stall, however, had a turnover of £800 last year. Not only does this give the women an interest in production, on however small a scale, but it teaches them to co-operate in buying seed or chicken food or what not, and in marketing. It also leads women and men to a greatly increased interest in county council lectures on food production and preservation. Country life is far from dull in itself; it becomes dull when it is allowed to become lonely and monotonous. '‘I'ie Post- master-General spoke a short time ago of his dream of having the telephone in every village. At the moment opinion might differ as to the added gaiety and content likely to result from the installation of a telephone in every home, but the principle is sound. Many facilities for social and educational life, many appliances for lessening labour, which we consider essentially urban, are to be found in the far more scattered and remote villages of Canada and the United States. When English country-women really face the problem, not how to endure but how to enjoy country life, a larger number of agricultural diff- culties will be diminished, if not removed, than farmers possibly realise, for in the long run the women have considerable control over the situation in their power to make home life comfortable or uncomfortable, and in their influence on husband and children. In many districts before the War, work on the land, the true aristocrat of industry, had fallen into disrepute. It was considered a rise in the social scale to wear the black coat and pasty face of a sedentary worker, and agriculture was in danger of becoming like one of those stately old homes which the tide of fashion has left slowly decaying in what is now a back street. The War has done much to bring back a more sane and healthy point of view, but it depends largely on country-women if that standpoint is to be maintained. 1921. | BrESOM-MAKING. 439 BESOM-MAKING IN DERBYSHIRE AND NOTTINGHAMSHIRE. Heien FirzRanpoupu, Institute for Research in Agricultural Economics, Oxford. SMALL rural industries are often hereditary in their nature. Providing little more than a bare subsistence in return for long hours and exacting work, they do not attract youth from elsewhere. Boys learn from their fathers because they are surrounded by the tools and the jargon of the trade from their infancy upwards, and because the father presses the boy into it as soon as possible: even a child’s help in handing tools, preparing material and other small matters will lighten a man’s work. The trade connections, both for the supply of raw materials and the distribution of goods to the customer, make an easy niche into which the boy can slip, and unless he feels active dislike of the work and has an enterprising nature into the bargain, he is likely to settle down to his father’s trade. Many young people continue a hereditary industry for negative reasons of this sort, but there are some who carry it on in a positive ‘Way. Love of the work and aptitude for it are bred in the bone, and pride of family and craft mingle to give working life an interest and a meaning that can only be obtained for most people through the pur- suits of their leisure time. An eight-hour day is only neces- sary for the man whose work is uncongenial, and who must have leisure in which to follow out that part of his life in which he can truly live. Men who work from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. are not entirely legendary, but are always to be found among those whose work satisfies every side of their nature. Men carrying on hereditary crafts may possibly be included among these. Forest products provide much material for small rural in- dustries, and writers on social conditions have often noted the variety of occupation and comparative prosperity of even the poorest villagers who live within reach of woods. A modern example of a small but flourishing industry that depends on woods or forests on the one hand and heather moors on the other is that of besom-making. Materials.— Many besom-makers are found around Chester- field and at isolated places on or near moors—Dore, Darley Dale and Bamford in Derbyshire, and near Mansfield and Ollerton. 440 BESOM-MAKING. | AUG., A besom-maker usually goes with his horse and cart and cuts the heather under the direction of the gamekeeper, to whom it 1s an advantage to have the heather kept down by this means. If it were not cut, it would have to be burned—a more laborious and less satisfactory method for the keeper. On some estates a nominal sum is paid for the privilege of cutting, on others a tip to the keeper is in vogue, while on a few there is no money transaction. The heather must usually be cut before Lady Day, but as there appears to be little deterioration in it when stacked if it is cut in dry weather, this is not a disadvantage to the besom-maker. The other most important material used is wood for the stakes (or handles). If the besom-maker lives in a wooded district, as well as near the moors, so much to his advantage, and it is usual for the two supplies to occur together, as exten- sive moors are part of large estates on which there are almost invariably some plantations and therefore underwood for sale. Another material for making besoms is birch twigs. These can usually be obtained near the stakes, from the underwood cut on the estates. In Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire, however, a far more important outlet is to be found for heather besoms. These are ased in the steel works of Shef- field and in malt kilns, whereas birch besoms are mainly used for lawns and gardens. Old-fashioned besom-makers used split ash for binding the heather or birch, and one or two men who make besoms as a part-time occupation have never troubled to learn modern methods and still use it. It is very laborious; only half-a-dozen strands can be cut off each stick and then the centre is used as a thatch pin. Cane is used for this purpose by all whole- time besom-makers: one man said that he was able, in one hour with cane, to supply his son with all that he would require for a day’s work; with split ash it would have taken four hours. Impiements.—Besom-making is almost entirely a hand- industry. With the exception of a tool known as a “ needle,”’ - for threading the cane through the brush, the only implement used is a very simple iron press or vice worked with the foot which presses the heather into place while the cane is being wound around it. It is a comparatively modern invention and was unknown to the fathers of present besom-makers. One man was heard of who had begun to use it only last year, but he was one of the part-time workers of the forest district of Nottinghamshire. These men usually make besoms of 1921. | BESOM-MAKING. 441 birch because they are out of reach of the moors; they make them for a few old regular customers and only keep on the trade because it has come to them from the previous genera- tion and they have got the habit of it, while for their main liveli- hood they rely on something else. The only man to use split ash was one of the part-time workers. The old method of pressing the brush into shape was done by gripping the ash or cane in an instrument known as a “‘stool’’ or ‘““ saddle,’’ which stood on the floor, and pulling. The strain then came on the binding and often broke it before it was put in place. With the iron foot-press the strain comes on the heather where every ounce of it is an advantage. ‘The press is so simple that after a brief description of it any village blacksmith can make it. Quantities.—The time it takes to cut and fetch heather, and the quantity in a load, differ. From Mansfield it was said to take three days to cut and bring in a load. Six armfuls of heather was called a bundle and there were forty bundles in a load; one. bundle made a dozen besoms and one old man and his son used five bundles in a day. From Chesterfield one load of heather took only one day to cut and fetch. There were 160 bundles of heather in a load, but each bundle only made seven besoms at the outside, and sometimes only five or six. Distance from the workshop to the moor would make the difference in the time it took to cut and bring in, but there must also have been a difference in the size of the bundles. Prices.—The usual price for the completed besoms seems to be 6s. 6d. or 7s. a dozen. It is difficult to estimate the cost of heather; one man considered that carting it cost him &s. to 10s. a load, but when the price of a carter with his horse and cart is usually reckoned in the same neighbourhood to be about £1 a day this would seem to be under-estimated unless there is some special arrangement. Besom-makers who em- ploy more than one or two men find it convenient to keep a horse and cart of their own, and for those who are part-time besom-makers the occupation into which it best fits is found to be carting. Beson stakes cost 4s. to 5s. a hundred, where before the War they were 1s. 6d. a hundred. In some districts, especially near Chesterfield where there are several besom-makers and few trees, they may have to be sent from some distance. When this occurs the price may be doubled by railway carriage, and stakes will cost, perhaps, 8s. a hundred. 442, BESOM-MAKING. [ Auc., Cane sometimes costs 10s. a ewt. and freight another os. a cwt. A man who does not own a horse and cart has ani other expense. ‘lo send besoms to the station ready to be shipped away may cost 2s. 6d. a load; before the War the railway collected them free. Markets.—Sheffield seems to provide an unlimited market for besoms. They are used to sweep up steel-shavings in many works, and as some of the floors are hot and burn away the besoms quickly, they are required in large quantities. One man who has a larger establishment for making besoms than most others, sends fifty dozen a week to Sheffield. Others supply railway companies, coal mines, and malt kilns at Derby, Newark and many other places. For malt kilns, besoms made of ling rather than heather are preferred; for lawns they are always made of birch. | Some years ago when many battleships were being built and large quantities of steel plates were being made in Shef- field, another use for birch twigs was discovered. Red-hot steel plates develop a kind of flake or shale when they first come in contact with the air; the burning of birch twigs strewn lightly on them removes the flake. One besom-maker who supphes the steel trade in Sheffield used to send -bundles of birch twigs to be used for this purpose. Other twigs can be used but birch are the best. This trade is now at a standstill. Besoms and Baskets.—One or two besom-makers combine with their business that of making a sort of rough oak basket known as a skipp or skepp. The oak is soaked in hot water and then split into wide thin strips: these are then woven round a framework of strong osier or thin hazel. The basket when finished is not tight enough for coal but is used for coke, and in some of the Sheffield works it feeds furnaces where basket as well as coke must be consigned to the flames. It is particularly useful for such a purpose because all the material of which it is made will burn. The oak is usually of that quality which, in the winter of 1920-21, was sold for 3s. 6d. a foot. This is not the best quality, but any size will do for the besom-maker as long as it is “‘ kind.’’ It must be straight and without knots. About sixteen dozen of these baskets go to Sheffield each week and the price is 80s. a dozen. One man can make ten baskets in a day (from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.), but if his oak is split and all materials ready he can make sixteen to eighteen baskets a day. al i ee te oh ee 1921. | Tun Contrrou or ONION SMUT. 443 EXPERIMENTS ON THE CONTROL OF ONION SMUT. T. WurreneaD, A.R.C.S8c., University College of North Wales, Bangor. THE attention of growers in this country was first drawn to the new and serious disease of Onions and Leeks, called Smut, by A. D. Cotton in this Journal in 1919.* ‘The disease which is due to the fungus Urocystis cepule, and fortunately appears to be localised in a few centres; and there is no evidence that it is spreading rapidly, if at all. It should be remembered, however, that Onion Smut is a seedling disease, and is very easily overlooked at that stage in the growth of the plant when it is most destructive, i.e., when it is in the two-leaf condition. Itis possible, therefore, that the disease is more widely distributed than is at present suspected. , The serious result that would follow any increased distribution of the disease is evident from the fact that in Northumberland, where thé most severe attacks have been experienced, a loss of 90 per cent. of the crop may be expected if the growing season is unfavourable. As early as 1884, Worthington G. Smith! expressed the fear that Onion Smut was already present in this country. He was led to this conclusion by the many complaints that onions were falling into a black, dusty mass after harvesting. It is not possible to say whether the disease did exist at that time in this country, but the fear expressed, at any rate upon the evidence given, was unfounded, for it is now known that Onion Smut does not produce the symptoms described. There can be little donbt, however, that the disease existed in this country many vears before it was first identified, in 1914, by W. B. Mercer, then Adviser in Agricultural Botany at Armstrong College, Neweastle- on-T'yne. The Northumberland Outbreak.— The early history of the two infected centres in Northumberland has been investigated by the writer. The disease was apparently first noticed in or about the year 1900. In one case it appeared the first season after purchasing seed from the south of England. Before this seed had always been purchased from a small grower in Edinburgh, and in view of the discovery in 1912 that smut was present in the neighbourhood of that city, it is an interesting conjecture * A. D. Cotton, Onion Smut:—A disease new to Britain, this Journal, Vol. xxvi., No. 2, 1919. t Worthington G, Smith, Diseases of Field and Garden Crops, 1884. 444 Tue Conrrot or Onton Smut. [ AUG., whether the disease at Crookham-on-Tweed was introduced by the use of contaminated Scottish seed. At one centre (Wylam) the grower is of the opinion that the Smut followed the purchase of an unusually large quantity of seed consequent upon the decision to increase the acreage under onions; but he is unable to recollect the locality from which the seed was purchased. It appears to be definitely established that Onion Smut can be carried by means of contaminated seed.* So far as the writer is aware the total acreage infected in Northumberland is as follows :—Crookham-on-Tweed, 1 acre; Wylam-on-Tyne, 7 acres, and one 8-acre field on the eastern boundary of the village; Horsley, one 3-acre field and three separate plots of + acre each. A further small plot at Whitley Bay is possibly infected since it is known that seedling onions grown in infected soil have been planted there. All the plots except the first and last are cultivated by the same grower, and in all probability the disease has been carried from one field to another on the boots or implements of the workmen. Examination of neighbouring gardens failed to reveal any signs of Smut. The system of cultivation on all the infected plots follows the usual lines except that most of the crop is left unthinned. The only manure used is either farmyard or stable manure, and the seed is drilled in rows about 12 in. apart. At Wylam, the main sowing is done in August, the crop being sold the following spring as “ scallions ’’ for the table. The practice at Crook- ham, however, is to sow in spring, usually for sale as transplants. The actual date of sowing has little effect upon the intensity of attack, this being very largely determined by the kind of growing weather experienced. Autumn-sown crops usually suffer much more severely than do spring-sown, and a dry growing season undoubtedly results in a greater loss from smut than is to be expected if the season is warm and moderately damp. Experiments on Controlling the Disease.—The first attempt to control the disease was made by W. B. Mercer, in 1915, at Wylam, on a plot of land which had carried gooseberry bushes for 16 years and had never been under onions within the memory of the grower.t *“ G. H. Chapman, Mass; Sta. Rpt., 1909, pt. 1, pp. 164-167. + The question as to how this plot became infected can now be merely a subject for speculation. Since the plot is centrally placed in a garden which is badly infected, there is little doubt that both wind-borne spores and spores carried on the boots and implements of the gardeners have contributed to the dissemination of the disease. The possibility, however, of surface drainage water playing its part in distributing the spores should not be overlooked, 1921. | THe Conrron oF Onion SMUT. 445 After being harrowed flat the land was treated as follows :— Plot A (64 sq. yd.) received a mixture of 12 lb. of sulphur and 24 Ib. of builder’s lime; the latter, however, when received, appeared to be completely slaked. Immediately after application the mixture was harrowed in. Plot B (28 sq. yd.) received 10 lb. of calcium cyanamide worked in as in Plot A. Plot C (18 sq. yd.) was treated with a solution of formaldehyde (1 lb. of commercial formalin dissolved in 3 gal. of water). The solution was applied by means of a watering can. In all three cases the seed was sown a fortnight after the land had been treated. The main crop of onions on an adjoining plot acted as a control. A considerable amount of disease appeared on all the plots. None of the treatments seemed to have effected any diminution in the intensity of attack. The one interesting fact brought out was the value of thorough surface cultivation. A strip of land, including about four rows along the edge of all the plots, was left unhoed and it was noticed that this strip suffered far more from Smut than did the remainder. This fact has been re- peatedly observed in subsequent experiments. Unfortunately, the trials had to be abandoned, and were only resumed when Mr. Mercer and the writer returned from war service in 1919.* A further set of trials was devised in 1919. These trials were based upon three suppositions :— (1) That a trial of varieties might reveal differences in susceptibility to attack, which might be turned to account. In the United States, for instance, it has been stated that tender white varieties are more susceptible than are yellow ones.t (2) That some means must be discovered of increasing the rate of germination of the seed, since once the seedling is above ground it is not susceptible to attack.t It was found in the course of laboratory experiments that a weak solution of sulphuric acid greatly increased the energy of germination of onion seed, possibly by hydrolysing the starchy endosperm or by rendering the seed-coat more permeable to watery salts. (3) That the failure of the formalin treatment in 1915 might be due to the volatile nature of that compound. An attempt was therefore made to increase the length of time during which the gas would act by applying solid paraform instead of liquid formalin. * The first 1919 trial was devised conjointly, but as Mr. Mercer left the locality shortly after the seed was drilled, the responsibility for observations and conclusions rests with the present writer. +B. D. Halstead, New Jersey Sta. Rpt., 1898. tT. Whitehead, On the Life Historu and Morphology of Urocystis cepule, Trans. Brit. Myc. Soe., Vol. vii, pt. I, 1921, pp. 65-70. 446 Tne Controu of Onton Smut. [ Ave., Seed Treatments, 1919.—The following treatments were carried out. The very susceptible variety ‘‘ White Lisbon ”’ was used throughout, and the seed was drilled on May Ist. Plot 1 (Rows 1 to 4). Soot and salt applied to land on May Ist, and thoroughly worked in. Plot 2 (Rows 5 to 8). Untreated control. Plot 3 (Rows 9 to 12). Row 9. Soil untreated, seed soaked for two days in 0-1 per cent. sulphuric acid, washed and dried. Row 10. As in row 9 but 0°5 per cent. acid used. Row 11. As in row 9 but 1 per cent. acid used. Row 12. As in row 9 but 2°5 per cent. acid used. Plot 4 (Rows 13 to 20). Row 13. Seed treated with 0-5 per cent. acid as in row 9 and afterwards shaken up with 0:07 grammes of paraform, just before sowing. Row 14. 0°5 per cent, acid treatment and 0°28 grms. of paraform. Row 15. 0:5 per cent. acid treatment and 0:56 grms. of paraform. Row 16. 0:5 per cent. acid treatment and 1:4 grms. of paraform. Row 17. Noacid treatment but treated with 1:4 grms of paraform. Row 18. Noacid treatment but treated with 0°56 grms. of paraform. Row 19. Noacid treatment but treated with 0°28 grms. of paraform. Row 20. No acid treatment but treated with 0-07 grms., of paraform. The seed for Plot 4, @.e., rows 13 to 20 inclusive was, in each case, shaken up with the proper quantity of paraform immediately before sowing. It was found, however, that the seed hopper became dusted inside with paraform, so that the last four rows probably received a heavier dressing than was intended. Nore.—A sinall plot (8 sq. yd.) along the edge of Plots 1 to 3 in- clusive had about 3lb. of paraform worked in on Feb. 21st. This plot preduced but a scanty crop and many of the plants were diseased. In addition to the White Lisbon seed used throughout Plots 1 to 4, seven other varieties were tested. Taking a full crop as 33 plants. a count gave the percentage of healthy plants in one foot of each row as follows :— Row (1) 54:5; row (2) 21:2; row (3)60°6; row (4) 12:1; row (5) 9; row (6) 12:1; row -(7) 6; . row (8) 15:1; row (9) 3; row €0)-3> row (11) 6; row (12) 0; row (13) 3; row (14) 3; row (15) 0; row (16) 3; row (17) 12°1; row (18) 6; row (19) 6; row (20) 1271. All the varieties tested proved to be susceptible; the best one (Red Garganus) giving only 36 per cent. of healthy plants. Soil Treatments, 1919.—In the autumn nine plots, each one yard wide, and extending across the whole trial ground, were treated as follows :— Plot (1) 41b. of paraform worked into the land on Aug. 25th, Plot (2) 21b. of bleaching powder applied as in plot (1). Plot (3) 21b of soot worked in on Sept. Ist. 1921. | THE CONTROL OF ONION SMuT. 447 Plot (4) 2 1b. of salt worked in on Sept. 1st. Plot (5) 2lb. each of soot and salt worked in on Sept. Ist. Plot (6) Untreated control. Plot (7) 2 1b. of lime worked in on Sept. 1st. Plot (8) 11b. of Nitrate of Soda worked in on Sept. 1st, followed by a similar top-dressing after sowing (Sept. 3rd). Plot (9) Top 3 in. of soil removed, burned and replaced. Across these plots, seed, treated as under, was drilled on Sept. 2nd in rows 12 in. apart by means of a Planet Junior single row drill :— Series (1) 8 rows drilled with 2 oz. of seed mixed with 14 Ib. sand. Series (2) 4 rows untreated seed as control. Series (3) 4 rows (2 oz.) seed soaked in water two days and dried. Series (4) 2 rows (1 oz.) seed soaked in 0°5 per cent. sulphuric acid for two days and dried, Series (5) 2 rows seed soaked in 0°5 per cent. acid, dried and dusted with 0:07 grms. paraform just before sowing. Series (6) 4 rows seed soaked in 1 percent. acid for two days and dried. Series (7) 4 rows treated as in (6) but using 5 per cent. acid. Series (8) 2 rows treated as in (6) but using 10 per cent. acid. Series (9) 2 rows treated as in (6) but using 10 per cent. acid for 1 hour. Series (10) 4 rows seed shaken up with 0°14 grms. of paraform. Series (11) as in (10) but using 0°28 grms. of paraform. Series (12) as in (10) but using 0°56 grms. of paraform. This trial gave 108 different combinations of seed and soil treat- ments ; the part where Series (2) crossed Plot (6) acting as control. Counts were made of the number of healthy plants in the middle foot of each row of seed along the untreated plot; this gave the effect of seed treatment. Another count was made of the number of healthy plants in the middle foot of each plot along the un- treated seed rows; this gave the effect of soil treatment. Effect of Seed Treatment. Effect of Soil Treatment. Series (1) average — 13 Plot (1) average — 9°5 Series (2) average — 10 (control) Plot (2) average — 14°75 Series (3) average — 25°25 Plot (3) average — 14°5 Series (4) average — 12.5 Plot (4) average — 15°25 Series (5) average — 18°5 Plot (5) average — 11 Series (6) average — 12 Plot (6) average — 10 (control) Series (7) average — 14°5 Plot (7) average — 22°5 Series (8) average — 4°5 Plot (8) average — 1°5 Series (9) average — 26 Plot (9) average — 3 Series (10) average — 16°5 Series (11) average — 21 Series (12) average — 14°25 448 THE ControL oF Onton Smut. [ AuG., The best seed treatments, therefore, were :—soaking in water for two days; soaking in 10 per cent. sulphuric acid for one hour ; and dusting with 0.28 grammes of paraform. The best sou treatments were :—lime, salt, bleaching powder and soot. The sowings were made so late (Sept. 2nd) that it is certain that these figures include plants killed out by the ccld weather as well as those killed by Smut, but that they roughly represent the mortality due to Smut is shown by the fact that adjoining plots which were sown earlier had 90 per cent. of the crop diseased. Probability of Death Resulting from Infection.—i'o test whether infected plants are able to ‘‘ grow out ’’ of the disease, 45 plants affected with Smut were marked and kept under observation. The fact that 42 of these plants succumbed shows that the chances of an infected plant surviving are somewhat remote. Soil Treatment, 1920.—On May, 6th, 1920, a trial, was laid down similar to the autumn trial of 1919, with the addition of a plot treated with 2 lb. of carbon bi-sulphide worked into the land a fortnight before sowing. In each case an area of 7 yd. by 1 yd. constituted a plot. Counts were only made along the untreated seeds rows with a view of determining the effect of the soil treatments. Taking 100 as representing a full crop for one yard :— Plot (1) 4lb. of paraform worked into the land a fortnight before sowing gave 60 healthy plants. Plot (2) 2lb. of bleaching powder applied as in plot (1) gave 0 healthy plants. Plot (3) 2 1b. of salt applied as in plot (1) gave 10 healthy plants. Plot (4) 2lb. of soot applied as in plot (1) gave 30 healthy plants. Plot (5) 21b. each of soot and salt applied as in plot (1) gave 2 healthy plants. Plot (6) Untreated Soil gave 15 healthy plants (control). Plot (7) 2 1b. of lime applied as in plot (1) gave 15 healthy plants. Plot (8) 1 1b. of nitrate of soda worked into the land a few days before sowing, followed by a similiar application a few days after sowing, gave 10 healthy plants. Plot (9) Top 3in. of soil removed, burned aud replaced, gave 70 healthy plants. Plot (10) 2lb. of carbon bi-sulphide apphed as in plot (1) gave 50 healthy plants. From these results it would appear that the best soil treat- ment was burning; the next best was paraform; and the third best carbon bi-sulphide. 1921.) THe Controu oF ONION SMuT. 449 In addition to the above trial, 21 varieties of onions and 11 varieties of leeks were tested. All varieties which have been tried, both of onions and !eeks, have proved to be susceptible, though the latter were much less so than the former. It is a curious fact that at Wylam-on-Tyne leeks have always proved to be only slightly susceptible to smut, whereas at Crookham-on-Tweed the contrary is asserted to be the case. Until the above trials were laid down it seemed likely that this marked resistance of leeks to smut at Wylam was con- nected with the fact that at this centre, leeks have been grown for seed (known as Wylam seed) for many years; in this way a resistant variety might have been produced by unconscious selection. The result of the trials, however, appears to have negatived this view, and renders it extremely difficult to account for the difference in susceptibility of leeks at the two centres. ‘“ White Lisbon ’’ Onion (the variety used throughout these experiments), though extremely susceptible, is so rapid a grower, that, given good growing weather, it probablv suffers less than any other variety. In bad seasons, however, the entire crop may be lost, e.g., in one case the normal expectation was a crop of ten thousand bunches of five plants each—the actual crop pulled was 200 plants. Formaldehyde Experiment.—On 31st July, 1920, a trial was laid down by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries at Wylam, under the charge of the District Inspector. The object was to test the value of the formaldehyde treatment which has proved of considerable efficacy in the United States. A quarter of an acre of affected land was sown with White Lisbon seed by means of a Planet Junior drill, and a solution of formaldehyde (one pint to sixteen gallons of water) was applied immediately after to the open drill by means of an ordinary watering can with a fine rose. Three and a quarter pints of the solution were used, costing 17s. 10d. The drills were covered, but wet weather setting in prevented rolling. Another portion of the plot (50 sq. yd.) was sown in the same way, but without formaldehyde treatment. The ground was inspected 6 weeks later. On the untreated portion 95 per cent. of the plants were affected with smut, very few showing signs of being able to recover. On the treated portion careful countings showed that 20 per cent. of the plants were infected, or had been infected. Some were apparently dying, but others appeared to be recovering. The treated portion E A450 THE ConTROoL oF Onton Smut. (AUG., as a whole looked much healthier and greener, and was altogether more vigorous. The garden was again visited by the Inspector on Nov. L4th, when no disease was present either on the treated or untreated portions. The estimated crop on the treated area was 10,000 bunches, a fair average for such a crop being 12,000 bunches. On the control portion not more than a quarter of a crop existed. It is believed that if wet weather had not followed immediately after sowing, the formaldehyde treatment would have been even more effective. The experiments are being continued by the Ministry. Summary.—F rom the above experiments it is clear that the most effective treatment against Onion Smut is undoubtedly the application of formaldehyde to the open drill, the spores of the fungus present in the soil being prevented from infecting the germinating seed, either because they are killed or are tem- porarily paralysed. That the latter may be the more likely reason is indicated by the failure of the 1915 trial, when appli- cation of a much stronger solution a fortnight before sowing proved ineffective. In the United States the application is made by means of a receptacle attached between the handles of the drill. The solution is fed into the drill from an open pipe which is sufficiently long to prevent splashing of the hquid. Further search for resistant varieties will probably be repaid. The writer desires to express his thanks to Mr. John Mordue, of Wylam-on-Tyne for placing land and labour at his «disposal, and to Mr. Fred Dawson for the care he has taken in earrying out the trials. 1921. | THe GREY FIELD SLUG. 45] WE? GREY: FIELD«SEUG. (Agrioiimax agrestis, JLiinn.) Herw@@ir W. Mires, Bagi: THE Grey Field Slug is common in Europe, and is a well- known pest of gardens and cultivated land in the British Isles, where it was first recorded in the 17th century. Its habits are such that world-wide distribution has been effected, and it is established in most countries, having gained admittance with agricultural produce and with bales and packages in which shelter in damp straw, moss or sacking was obtainable. Feeding Habits.—Sluys feed chiefly in the evenings, during the mght, and in the early morning. They commence at about 9.30 p.m. (G.M.T.), and on misty mornings will feed as late as 9a.m. They feed omnivorously on growing plants, decaying vegetation and organic matter, and at times on aphids, small earthworms and weakly soil grubs. Feeding takes place both in the soil and on the surface, and at times on the vegetation above the soil. Messrs. Lovett and Black,* of the Agricultural College, Corvallis, Oregon, U.S.A., sum up the feeding activities of slugs as follows:— “The attack is most frequent on plants. It is during the early growth that serious injury occurs. Young plants just pushing through the eround are consumed entirely; the foliage of plants in cold-frames and of newly transplanted cabbage, lettuce and tomatoes is devoured or great ragged holes eaten through it. They destroy sprouting corn or tunnel into the base of the older corn, killing or devitalizing it. Field peas, young clover, hops and similar crops adjacent to uncleared areas are often wiped out entirely for a distance of several yards from the border of the field. They eat the leaves, buds, blossoms and fruit of strawberries ; injure the blossoms of many ornamentals ; disgust one constantly by their repulsive presence; and everywhere leave behind their disagreeable trail of slime.” The attack is perhaps most important among seedlings, particularly when they destroy the seed leaves and growing points. Vegetation and crops everywhere suffer from the depredations of slugs, winter corn being very susceptible to their attacks. When feeding on corn, evidence of their attack may be found in the fact that the leaves of numbers of plants have been eaten away, the thready vascular strands remaining behind and giving the whole plant A ragged effect. The vear 9 Station Suliotn 170, ‘The Grey aan Tage #3 E 2 452 THe Grey Freip S1vc. r AuG., 1920 was particularly favourable to slugs, and therefore during the past winter many fields cf cereals suffered from their attack. The damage to plants was distinctly noticeable in the Bristol district, and examination showed large numbers of slugs in the soil, beneath clods. under stones, root residues and the like. In moist, showery weather, when vegetation is very damp, slugs crawl about on their food plants and feed quite openly, but in the dry weather they feed low down amongst the leaves ‘near the ground, and in very densely foliaged plants, like cabbage, they get inside the ‘‘ heart ’’ and feed where it is more moist, and therefore more suited to their requirements, In particularly bad attacks, slugs may tunnel into plants below the surface of the ground; root crops and tubers suffer most in this connection. Instances have been cited where damage to gooseberries and currants has been quite serious; this happens occasionally after continued heavy rains. Though most plants are attacked by slugs, certain weeds seem to be consistently selected as their food plants. These include charlock, cresses, garlic mustard, docks and nettles. Description and Tsife History.—The adult grey field slug varies in colour from pale-grey, through dark-grey to brown, and occasionally yellow. When extended it measures up to 2 in. in length; the most common length, however, is 1} in. The tail end tapers off, while the head is blunt and bears two pairs of retractile tentacles. Below, and behind, these tentacles is the mouth, which has a fleshy lip above and a rasping organ, the radula, below. This organ is furnished with a mass of blunt teeth, by means of which the plant tissue is rasped or scraped away, the vascular strands being left. A short distance behind the head is an irregularly oval mass, the mantle, associated with the small rudimentary shell. The mantle, in which is located the respiratory orifice, is generally darker in colour than the body, above which it is slightly, but distinctly raised. From the mantle to the tail the body has reticulate markings which are less distinct towards the sides. The body is rounded above, but below it has a flattened surface, the sole or foot, which is readily distinguished as it is lighter in colour than the body. The sides of the sole are provided with tubercles, the whole structure being distinct from the body which lies above it. A viscous mucus is secreted from slime glands located in the skin. According *-«¢ Land and Fresh Water Molluscs of the British Isles.” 1921. ] THE Grey Freip Suva. 458 ‘becoming milky white on irritation, due to innumerable particles of carbonate of lime.’’ Slugs, like snails and allied forms, are hermaphrodite. The Sex organs are located on the right side, just behind the head: when mating these are extruded and become swollen, distended and globular, the colour being whitish with a tinge of blue. Mating takes place early in the morning, between 4 a.m. and 6 a.m., especially on wet or misty mornings, when the ground is very wet. After mating the slugs retreat and hide in tunnels and crevices in the soil. Egg-laying commences about a fortnight or three weeks after mating, the adult becoming quiescent shortly before the ova A.—Adult slug extended. B.—Slug contracted, c.—Cluster of Eggs, D.—Egg enlarged. E.—Adult slug extended, with sex organs (a) extruded. are deposited. The eggs, which are elliptical and practically transparent, are laid separately, but in clusters of as many as 60, under moss, vegetation and decaying roots. Lovett and Black quote an interesting observation in connection with the ege-laying habits of slugs: ‘‘ Stock turnips, which had become pithy and split open, were found with great masses of eges in the fibrous and slightly moist interior.”’ On hatching, the young slug is whitish in colour. This gradually gives place to pale-grey, which in turn becomes mottled-grey and brownish as development proceeds. ‘The slug attains maturity in from three to four months and may live for two years or longer. 454 THe Grey Fisip Siue. [ Aua., Control.—(a) Effect of Climate.—Dry weather appears to be antagonistic to slugs to a small extent only, merely driving them to moist situations lower down in the soil or into the depths of dense vegetation. Heavy rains, as such, apparently do not affect them, except that drowning may take place in pools and ruts in roadways, paths and buildings. During cold weather they may go a little deeper in the soil or hide under any available shelter, and become dormant. (b) Natural Enemies.—It is probable that the slug has few natural enemies. Insects and fungi are onlv verv seldom found preying on them, and though in 1920 observations in Shrop- shire revealed a number of dead slugs infested with maggots, it is improbable that these were the cause of death. Birds such as the thrush, blackbird, jackdaw and rook have been observed eating slugs, and Collinge* states that slugs and snails form 6.5 per cent. of the animal food of starlings: Poultry destroy numbers of slugs, ducks and geese being particularly partial to them. (c) Combative and Preventive Measures.—As slugs readily take advantage of all kinds of refuse for shelter in the daytime, it would seem advisable to plough-in crop residues immediately after the removal of the crop, and organic manures as soon as apphed. Hedge-brushings and ditch-side vegetation should be destroyed: it should never be allowed to remain in heaps about fields and roadsides. This is specially important during the periods when no crops are available on arable land. All vegetation on waste ground, hedge-, ditch- and pond-sides should be periodically burned. Cleanliness and tidiness in stack-yards, around root clamps, and in gardens should always be maintained, since all material lving about harbours slugs to a remarkable extent. Trapping. by means of sacks or pieces of board and bark. is effective in gardens and around cold frames. Where slugs are very numerous it might be advisable to apply Bordeaux mixture either as a spray or in the powdered form. This has given good results in America on lettuce, and in the tests carried out by Messrs. Lovett and Black, ‘* Plants sprayed with Bordeaux Mixture 2-2-50 and 4-4-50, respectively, showed very little indication of slug injurv for a month after the time of treatment.’’ These workers also tested various stomach poisons and contact irritants, but no very satisfactory or practicable application was forthcoming. Copper sulphate was © “The Starling.” Jour. Min. of Agric., March, 1921. 1S 4 He Grey Frenp SuuaG. 455 found to be comparatively effective, but owing to its injuring the foliage it was deemed impracticable. The most satisfactory poison bait consisted of chopped lettuce and calcium arsenate (16:1); this gave good results, a high percentage of slugs being destroyed. In England, lime, soot and salt have been advocated as dressings against attacks by slugs. Applications of a mixture of equal parts of these constituents between the rows of cabbages and similar crops have been found to give some relief. In view of the fact that slugs have the power of exuding considerable quantities of slime on coming into contact with an irritant, and can successively overcome several irritant dressings in this manner, it is necessary to apply three or four light dressings at short intervals. The best results have fol- lowed the repetition of the dressings at hourly intervals in the late evening; where this is impossible, however, applications morning and evening should be effective. Perhaps the greatest factor in slug control is cleanliness; clean farming would undoubtedly tend to keep this widely distributed and exceed- ingly troublesome pest in check. / i A56 SmaLL Houpincs, Bato anp West Snow. [ AuG., SMALL HOLDINGS SECTION AT THE BATH AND WEST SHOW. THe Bath and West and Southern Counties Society was the first of the big agricultural societies to act upon the suggestion of the Ministry of Agriculture that they should include in their programme special sections for the small cultivator. This they did recently in connection with their Bristol Meeting in June by devoting a section to the interests of the small man on the land. A Sub-Committee was appointed to deal with the Small Holdings Section and the result was the institution of com- petitions for the best managed small holdings and allotments, an exhibition of matters of special interest to the small cultivator, and an educational programme of instruction. The competitions were judged by-Mr. A. R. White, Chairman of the Wiltshire Acriculture Committee and a member of the Bath and West Council. The classes and awards were as follows :— Class 1..—Small holding of over 15 acres and under 50 acres in Gloucester- shire or Somerset (open class). Prizes, £15; £7; £3. (2 entries)— 1. H. Symes, Orchard Farm, Pilning, Bristol ; 24 acres. 2. B. Stephens, Court Farm, Watchett, Somerset ; 48 acres. Class 2.—Small holding of over 1 acre and not more than 15 acres in Gloucestershire or Somerset (open class). Prizes, £10; £5; £2. (1 entry)— 2. P. Y. Smith, The Laurels, Parson Street, Bedminster, Bristol; 103 acres, ‘Class 3.—Small holding of over 15 acres and under 50 acres in Gloucester- shire (open to ex-service men only). Prizes, £15; £7; £3. (3 entries)— . H. Symes, Orchard Farm, Pilning, Bristol; 24 acres. . A. J. Newman, Court Farm, Winterbourne; 47 acres. . D. Pearce, Whychwell Farm, Wapley, Chipping Sodbury ; 31 acres, cy dns) ‘Class 4.—Small holding over 1 and not more than 15 acres in Gloucester- shire (open to ex-service men only), Prizes, £10; £5; £2. (7 entries )— 1. A. J. Kinchin, Mickleton, near Chipping Campden ; 4 acres, ° 2. S. J. Righton, Mickleton, near Chipping Campden ; 4 acres. 3. E. Chadband, Mickleton, near Chipping Campden ; 5 acres. Class 5. Small holding over 15 and under 50 acres in Somerset (open to ex-Service men only). Prizes, £15; £7; £3. (10 entries)— 121 SmatL Hoxupincs, Barn anp Wrst SuHow. 457 1, R. H. Shire, The Downs, Donyatt, near Ilminster ; 50 acres. 2. R. S. Bond, Dimer, Castle Cary ; 27 acres. 3. R. W. Fowler, The Crossways, Crock Street, Ilminster ; 50 acres. E. H.T. Vincent, Thrupe Farm, Masbury, Wells; 50 acres, Class 6.—Small holding over 1 and not more than 15 acres in Somerset (open to ex-service men only). Prizes, £10; £5; £2. (1 entry )— 1. T. Gillingham, Court Farm, Seavington, Ilminster ; 8 acres. The prize fund was made up by contributions from the Presi- dent, the Bristol Local Committee, Members of the Small Hold- ings Committee of Gloucestershire and Somerset and the Bath and West Society. The Championship Shield awarded to the best managed allotment estate was the gift of Mr. Savory, a member of the Bristol Town Council. The entries in the open classes were somewhat disappointing in number. If similar competitions are instituted elsewhere, the pioneer experience of the Bath and West Society would suggest that the most effective method of securing entries is by personal canvas among likely competitors. This should, of course, be combined with advertisements in the local press, so as to give a fair opportunity of entry to all. In the classes confined to ex-service men the entries were more numerous and some keen competition resulted, especially in the smaller holdings in Gloucestershire and the larger hold- ings in Somerset. In Gloucestershire the prizes went to market garden holdings at Mickleton; in Somerset the chief awards were made to small farms near Ilminster. The Allotments Competition was arranged with the co-operation of the Agricultural Organisation Society in conjunction with the Bristol Federation of Allotment Societies. It should perhaps be explained that there are some 21 allotment societies in the Federation. They include a membership of about 11,000 and an area of 779 acres. Two classes were provided for individual allotments, one of not less than 10 rods, and the other of an area from 10 to 20 rods. There were 825 entries for these, and the intention is to award a first prize among the entries from each allotment estate and then to judge the prize winners for a champion prize in each case. The individual allotments are being inspected twice and the final award will be made at the end of July or the beginning of August. ) 458 SmMaLL Houpinas, Bara anp West SHow. (Are, There was also a class for the best managed allotment es ate. For this there were 11 entries. The Challenge Shield w.s awarded to Fishponds Allotments Limited, with the Bedminster and Bristlington Societies a good second and third. The judg- ing was undertaken by Mr. Hollingworth and Mr. Turner, the Horticultural Organisers for the counties of Gloucestershire a:d Somerset respectively. The Exhibition was housed in a special pavilion provided by the Society. It included models and photographs of small ho'd- ings homesteads shown by the Ministry and the Somerset County Council. The Essex County Council also lent a small but very attractive model of a thatched cottage, which was in sections, to facilitate examination. The Ministry’s leaflets and guides of particular interest to small holders were also available for dis- tribution. An attempt was made to secure a joint exhibit from the Edueation Committees of the Gloucestershire and Somerset County Councils which would show the small holder what the local authorities were able to do for him in the way of agricultural education and adviee, but on account of the expense the Somerset Council did not see their way to co-operate. The Gloucestershire County Council supplied an exhibit and arranged for their horti- cultural and poultry lecturers to be available during the whole time of the Show to answer enquiries and give information. This exhibit was of particular value and the lecturers were con- stantly surrounded by an eager party of inquirers. An exhibit illustrative of co-operative methods of marketing was supplied by the Street and District Ege Collecting Sovtety. members of the Committee of which were present to expl-in the Societv’s procedure. A demonstration of the day-old chick trade. an exhibit of hand implements for the small holding and the allotment, and an exhibit of bee-keeping appliances, :dded considerably to the interest of the Section. : In the case of every exhibit there was someone present to answer inquiries, and this proved a very satisfactory feature of the work of the Section. The Allotments side was aided by a poster prepared by Mr. Randall, local Allotments Organiser of the Agricultural Organisa- tion Society, setting out the work of the Federation and the prizes offered for competition among its members, and by a large pictorial diagram, specially prepared by Messrs. Sutton & Sons, showing the cropping of the Ministry's model allotment as desevibed in Leaflet No. 315. It was originally intended to have an actual model allotment planted wp on the Show ground, and 1921. | SmaLL Houpinas, Bara ann West SHOW. 159: this Messrs. Sutton had kindly offered to undertake, but as on careful consideration questions of site and danger from late frosts were thought to render the proposal too risky, the diagram referred to was substituted. In connection with the Section, a demonstration of the method of producing clean milk (i.e., free from bacteria) was undertaken by Reading University. A special building was provided near the Small Holdings Pavilion and demonstrations were given twice daily during the Show. ‘This was the first time that this demon- stration had been held in a show yard, and when the usu minor difficulties had been overcome it proved a centre of con- siderable attraction to large numbers of people. It is probable, however, that such a demonstration would be more appropriately situated near the cattle lines, so that the cows for demonstration purposes might be more readily available and the herdsm n themselves might be interested. The programme of the Section was completed by a series of ‘short talks “’ on such subjects of interest to small holders as ‘‘ The Small Holder’s Live Stock ’’ and ‘‘ The Small Holder’s Bees.’’ Altogether, the Small Holders’ Section has undoubtedly been a great success from all points of view. The interest taken in it both by press and public was very great, and much useful work. was accomplished and helpful information given. 460 ERADICATING GALL Mitrg (Bie Bup). | AuG., ERADICATING GALL MITE (BIG BUD) FROM: BLACK* CURRANT “STOCKS: H. Goupse, N.D-Hort,, Horticultural Adviser to the Norfolk County Council. THE question of raising clean stocks of black currant bushes has been a problem in horticultural circles for a generation. The failure to do so is undoubtedly the cause of the annual propagation of the disease and its distribution to all districts where black currants are cultivated. The assurance that bushes for planting are free from “‘ big bud’’ is of little practical value; the important point is whether they are free from ‘mite.’’ None of the stocks that I have examined during the past seventeen years have been entirely free from ‘‘ mite.’’ The infestation was seldom so severe as to cause ‘‘ big bud ”’ in one- or two-year old bushes, but “‘big bud ’’ would develop as soon as the bushes were subjected to the strain of faulty cultivation, adverse weather, or fruit bearing. ‘The plantation then becomes unprofitable and is usually grubbed up. Where a clean start can be made and the plantation estab- lished as far as possible away from all source of infection, the stock would remain free from ‘‘ mite.’’ Where it is not possible to secure this condition, clean planted bushes have remained free from ‘‘ big bud ’’ for seven years, even though planted side by side with infected bushes, and have at least six or seven years of profitable life before them, proving the value of an absolutely clean start. At the present time it is the exception to see profitable plantations twelve years old. Most cultivators have adopted the method of close planting and erubbing up the bushes as soon as they develop ‘* mite ’’ or reversion.’’ In this way the establishing cost is a frequently recurring charge on the cultivation of the crop, and what should be the heaviest fruiting years—the fifth, sixth and seventh—in the life of a plantation are lost. The unfruitful condition known as “‘ reversion ’’ is preva- lent in most plantations. Many observant cultivators associate this disease with an attack of ‘‘ mite.’’ True “ reversion has been observed in seedlings, proving that ‘‘ mite ’’ is not the sole cause. The toxic effect of the parasite on the sap is a probable contributory factor. The black currant is. like the asparagus plant, very much influenced by checks to growth, and any serious check, or, more particularly, combination of “6 99 ee + Ht ) ‘SHUIYINO YJOS WOLF OUNL UL popood SJULTY JUBLIND Youlq_ Jo Worpeaysn[[[—sZ “Oly 7s . 1921. | Erapicatinc Gaui Mire (Bia Burp). 461 ce checks, to the normal growth of the plantation will start “* re- version ’’ in a wholesale manner. The causal agent, if there is one, may be able to develop while the bush is under the stress of adverse conditions. It is hardly necessary to go into the details of the history of the “ mite ’’; the only knowledge in this respect that culti- vators appear to be interested in is how to get rid of the trouble. To raise clean bushes a start must be made during April and May, when green shoots should be taken from the bushes and rooted in a cold frame. ‘This is the only period in the year when shoots carry no ‘‘ mites’ in the buds. The embryo buds are undeveloped, and offer no harbour for them. SF Fig. 1.—Drawing of a Soft Cutting. Method of Propagation and Dipping.—Soft cuttings about three inches long should be taken during April and May, and soaked in a bath of insecticide, viz.:— Nicotine 98 per cent. ... ee oh a Soft Soap ae ee San in & AOR. Soft Water... ats oe na tepet ce This dipping kills any external ‘‘ mites’ the shoots may carry. After an hour’s soaking the cuttings should be taken out. rinsed in clean water, and dibbled firmly six inches apart in a cold frame. The frame should be closed, shaded from the sun, and the cuttings treated as soft cuttings until rooted, which will A62 ErapicaTinc Gauut Mire (Bie Bup). | AuG., be in about a month. Gradual hardening should follow and the frame should eventually be lifted off to ripen the wood fully. The cuttings strike freely in small pots, from which they can be planted out when rooted to grow. In the autumn the plants from the frames can be planted in a nursery, cutting back slightly to induce the basale buds to break strongly. By this method clean-stcck. bushes are provided for furnishing cuttings for the usual method of pro- pagation, or they can be used for planting in fields direct from the frames. Major Evans Lombe tested these young plants at Marlingford under field conditions with good yearling plants raised from ripe wood. The plants from soft cuttings started growing earlier, and are now the larger plants. The photo- craph (Fig. 2) illustrates plants raised by Major Evans Lombe. The root system developed by the soft cuttings is a notable feature of this method. Large numbers of cuttings can be taken ‘from established bushes without detriment to the crop. The side shoots should be taken, leaving the terminals fer producing the following season’s fruiting wood. Although April and May are the best months for striking qnantities of cuttings, the soft growing points of the shoots will strike through the growing season, but it !s not advisable after August. If the wood has begun to harden there is a danger of the buds containing “‘ mites,’’ which have a preference for the terminal bud, and during June and July are found in large numbers on infected bushes at the apical ends of the shoots, and between the leaf stalk bases and developing buds. Propagating from soft cuttings offers a means of rapidly in- creasing varieties of which stocks are low, and offers possibilities of raising clean stock in plants subject to perennial diseases. Red and white currant bushes are not uncommonly tainted with the same gall mite that infects black currants, and this should not be overlooked as a possible source of re-infection to clean stock. 1921.] NovTEeEs ON FEEDING STUFFS FOR AUGUST. 463 NOTES ON FEEDING STUFFS FOR “AUGUST. E. T. Hatnan, M.A., Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries. Condemned Condensed Milk.—Numerous correspondents have written as to the feeding value and best method of feeding condemned condensed milk. large quantities of which appear to be available. In using any food of this nature for stock, it is advisable to start cautiously at first in order to avoid the possi- bility of poisoning the stock. Several breeders of repute have used this condemned condensed milk for their stock, and it is apparently most suitable for pigs. Pigs of all ages have been fed successfully, and a feeding trial at Moulton Farm, carnied out by Mr. W. A. Stewart, Agricultural Organiser for Northampe- tonshire, demonstrated its value for pigs of all ages. This milk used in the right proportions proved of particular value for weanling pigs. Method of Use.—The tins are spiked both ends and dropped into warm water to dissolve out the contents, after which the tins are raked out and the liquid mixed with the other food. Fhe quantities fed should be at the rate of } tin per weanling pig. gradually increasing in amount until the adult pig receives ! tin. These are the maximum quantities recommended. At present prices, the writer is of opinion that condemned con- densed milk should be restricted to weanlings and young growing pigs. | Feeding Value of Condemned Condensed Milk.—The feeding value of condensed milk varies considerably with the brand of milk sold. Assuming that the milk is practically all digestible, and that the animal obtains full value from the digestible nutrients, sweetened full-cream condensed milk has a starch equivalent of 86, sweetened skim condensed milk has a starch equivalent of 70, and unsweetened condensed milk has a starch equivalent of 57. Compared with the market price of other feeding stuffs, the actual food value of the three grades of milk given above works out roughly at 1d. per tin for the unsweetened ‘condensed milk, 14d. per tin for the sweetened skim condensed milk, and 13d. per tin for the sweetened full-cream condensed milk. The actual purchaser must assess for himself the extra money he is prepared to give for any special dietetic value this food may possess for young growing pigs. A tin of condensed 464 Notrs on FEEDING Sturrs For AvGust. [ AUG., Price a a a I 2d Price | Manurial Food | Starch) per mee NAME, Price, | pet | “por’ |Value per/Bquiv,| Uni] Bert Poe * |100 tb.|Equiv.} Basiv. 8 lb 25 Gb £5 £ oS Ss. d. Barley, English Feeding} 46/-| 400 | 12 18 | 1 6] 1112/71 | 3/3 1°74 5 « Canadian, 0) =|, 47/-| 4007) 13 235 iol dL. 1 7en) pd eal 1°78 Oats, English » -| 46/-| 336/15 7] 1 9/1318] 595] 4/8 | 2:50 , Foreign » -| 38/-| 820] 11 11] 1 9] 10 2 |-595|3/5 | 1:83 Maize, Argentine -| 47/-/ 480") 10 19 | 1 5] 9 14] 81 | 2/5 1°29 Beans, English spring -) 95/-| 532 | 20 0/ 3 11] 1619 | 66 | 5/2 oT i, 4 winter '-| 55/6632 )-11 14 | "3.1 | (8 18° 66. lum) nse » Rangoon - s} Of) MCS On Bid! 4 195)66s ine 0°80 Peas, English blue =| o9/-| 504" 13: 2) 2138) 10 9 |-69) 4) 3/- 1°61 aj 4 dun -| - 80/-/"504 | 17 16|) 2 13°] 15. (3 69.771 475 2°37 if maple -| 93/-| 504 | 2013 | 213/18 0O| 69 | 5/3 2°81 Buckwheat - - -| 86/-| 392 | 24 I1 I 9 | 23° 24) 53). 4)8/9 4°69 Rye, English - =| 'B9/-) 480") T3 Tory 8 1 82 ee 3/5 1°83 Millers’ :offtals——Bran,-<|) =.) eit) Sh) 2 1OU 4 1a 5) Od 1°12 ‘* BS Coarse middimigs|) —- 74) —=" | 11s 454-92) VO | 6 ores e279 1°47 Barley meal - - sls etre ea De Galo. OO aly aso 2°01 Maize. jaye tp ee eh he LOE eon Oia el Ok Oe. 1°25 Fish fon eo . ap ey ee 1 9 Or 27 2ST Sma yeild 2°32 Linseed - : a] Sa eel TOS 2 ALGe tS) la wT Sal eay 2 170 ‘ Cake, English -| — | — | 1515 | 312/12 3] 74 | 3/3 1°74 Cottonseed ,, ». |. | —.| 10-0) 38 6] 6 16 | adic seiner x 5, decorti- : earthed) 9) 415). NS 1) OPS "R63 7 ae aes 2 1°16 35 Meal, decorti- cated). — | — 1/1110! 5 6| 6 4/71 | 1/9 0°94 Coconut cake - of) tar me TO 6 ES OR Z7166 G90 i On £0798 Groundnutcake - Sh a te NO, SOR Si Oe tele || eomeanl e273 1°20 Palm kernel cake - {| —; — 8 OTe Le Cuno donnie 9 0°94 Brewers’ grains,dried,ale) — | — OL ONY 2 RAG CA AS Cl AD) de Die 1:07 » wet ,{ — | — 0 181° 0.12 16.0. Ga) To-N0/5 0°22 Distillers ,, dried -; — | — Dea ZalOrn Or POM bd eiledses 1:20 Malt culms - - - -— | — 7. &) Biba” SHLD | 43) 1/16 1450:98 Potatoes* - . af el ey ZEN 0 Sa 2) va 1S) eo 29 Swedes * - - =| — — | 1 2 | On 45 Dae tN 2/5 1°29 Mangolds*® =) a ah Se O11 Oe ie) Olen orn eZ Vetch Oat andSilage*; — | — | 2 9| 015; 114] 14 | 2/5 1:29 * Farm value. NotTe.—tThe prices quoted above represent the average prices at which actual wholesale transactions have taken place in London, unless otherwise stated, and refer to the price ex mill or store. The prices were current at the end of June and are, as a rule, considerably lower than the prices at local country markets, the difference being due to carriage and dealers’ commission. Buyers can, however, easily compare the relative prices of the feeding stuffs on offer at their local market by the method of calculation used in these notes. Thus, suppose palm kernel cake is offered locally at £10 per ton. Its manurial value is £2 1s. per ton. The food value per ton is therefore £7 19s, per ton. Dividing this figure by 75, the starch equivalent of palm kernel cake as given in the table, the cost per unit of starch equivalent is 2s.1d. Dividing this again by 22°4, the number of pounds of starch equivalent in ] unit, the cost per Ib. of starch equivalent is 1‘l1ld. A similar calculation will show the relative cust per lb. of starch equivalent of other feeding stuffs on the same local market. From the results of such calculations a buyer can determine which feeding stuff gives him the best value at the prices quoted on his own market. milk weighs approximately 14 oz., and 2,560 tins contain roughly a ton of condensed milk, and from these data the purchaser can 1921 | Norges oN FEEDING Strurrs For AvuGUST. 465 assess the actual cost to him of the milk at present market prices. Maize meal, rice meal, pollards and bran would form suitable foods to feed in conjunction with this material. Bully Beef and Egg Yolk.—'I'wo other waste materials are at present in use for pigs, 7.e., condemned bully beef and iiquid and dried egg yolk. Users of both these materials have fed them successfully to pigs, the chief point to remember heing that these substances are highly nitrogenous foods and should therefore not bulk largely in the ration. Liquid egg yolk also contains much water and occasionally a fair percentage of boric acid. Value of Fodder Crops for Dry Seasons.—The dry weather experienced lately has emphasised the value to the dairy farmer in particular, and to stock breeders in general, of planting a breadth of vetches and oats, cabbage, or maize as a supplemen- tary succulent feed in periods of drought. The vetches and oats and cabbage will be available in the earlier summer months, the maize during August. This practice is fairly common in certain districts, and the farmers who have adopted it for this season have been relieved of the anxiety as to feed for their stock. 466 AGRICULTURE ABROAD. [pAwel: AGRICULTURE ABROAD. POSITION AND PROSPECTS OF ITALIAN AGRICUL- TURE—AGRICULTURAL BOOK-KEEPING IN DENMARK—AGRICULTURAL CO-OPERATION IN SAXONY—IMPORTATION 7) OF SE DS) san To: SWEDEN—PRUSSIAN PROGRAMME OF AGRI- CULTURE. ACCORDING to a report issued by the Commercial Counsellor and the Commercial Secretary to H.M. Embassy at Rome.* Italian agriculture, by reason of the in- crease in the population, has almost reached its territorial limits, and any in- crease in the cultivable area will depend upon the reclamation of land by drainage. Already the agricultural and forestal productive areas repre- sent 91.1 per cent. of the geographical area of the country. According to the report, the War temporarily arrested the development of agriculture,t but a significant recovery in the yield of some of the products for export took place in 1920. Being at the outset of the War less well equipped than other countries to bear the strain, Italy suffered in a special degree from exhaustion, disorganisation and impoverishment. Before the War her economic position was sound. Agriculture was, and still is, her greatest industry: it gave occupation to more than one-third of the population: agricultural products formed the biggest item in her exports. At the present moment the cost of imported agricultural produce is the heaviest item in national expenditure. Owing to the great density of the population (832 per square mile), wheat has been cultivated on land which is more adapted for woods and pastures, and the wheat cultivated area has reached 16 per cent. of the territorial surface. A pam- phlet published recently by the Italian Ministry of Agriculture states that, during the twelve years 1909-1920, the wheat crop has varied from a maximum of 27 million quarters in 1913 to a minimum of 17 million quarters in 1917, with an average of 21 million. It has been deduced that Italy is not particu- Position and Prospects of Agriculture in Italy. * General Report on the Commercial, Industrial and Economic Situation of Italy in December, 1920, obtainable for H.M. Stationery Office, Kingsway, W.C.2. Price 1s. net. + Italy differs greatly in this respect from some of the other combatant countries, in which phenomenal development in agriculture took place and greater quantities of foodstuffs than ever before were raised. The success attending the war efforts of Great Britain are well known, while this Journal for May told briefly what had been done in Canada. ; 4 ; : 5 1921; | AGRICULTURE ABROAD. 467 larly adapted for the cultivation of wheat, especially on account of the heat and drought to which much of the land is subject. Better methods of cultivation, and, in particular, the growth of leguminous plants, which serve both to feed cattle and im- prove the land, would go far, it is believed, to overcome climatic disadvantages and raise the average of production. According to the most recent official estimate for the year 1920-1921, the total national requirements of wheat, includ- ing seed (of which 3 million quarters are required), are 30 million quarters. This will be provided as follows:—Home- srown wheat, 173 million quarters; Foreign wheat, 124 million quarters. Among the other crops mentioned in the report, maize, with a yield in 1920 of 10 million quarters, still occupies an area of about one-third of that of wheat, although it is diminishing. Tobacco, which is a State monopoly, resulted in a yield of 946,000 ewt. in 1920. Beetroot, a recent introduction, is now cultivated on a large scale, the yield in 1920 being 29 million cwt., and allows for the production of sugar by national factories in quantities almost sufficient for the requirements of the country. The yield of oats was 24 million quarters; barley, 700,000 quarters; rye, over 500,000 quarters: and potatoes, 1,400,000 tons. The export of dried vegetables, which in pre- war days reached nearly 600,000 cwt. a year, fell to 427,000 cwt. in 1919. The total yield of pulse plants, which are now cultivated in several districts, is about 14 million ewt. The crowth of forage has been increased and now attains a produc- tion of over 450,000 cwt. Italy’s stock of animals has increased since 1908. Horses and asses each number about a million; mules, half-a-million; cattle, 64 million; swine, 21 million; sheep, 113 million; and goats, 3 million. Among the projects for developing the commercial relations between Italy and the United Kingdom is one for the estab- lishment of a rapid overland service for the carriage of perish- able goods, especially fruit and vegetables, similar to that which existed before the war between Italy and the Central Empires. Agriculturists contend that the future of Italy les in agriculture. Her natural resources and advantages are still what they were, and though weakened by her war efforts, as well as by labour troubles after the War, it is confidently believed that there is no reason why she should not regain her former position. The very important hydro-electric plants F 2 468 AGRICULTURE ABROAD. ' AUG., which are being constructed in various parts of the country are expected to give a great impetus to agriculture by assuring a greater measure of security as regards irrigation. Assurance of progress is also given by the increased national production of chemical fertilisers and agricultural machinery, and the establishment of new schools and travelling boards for the education of farmers in modern methods of cultivation. Per- haps the most successful branch of the co-operative movement, which is extending rapidly and receives the active support of the Italian Government, is agricultural co-operation in the form of collective farms, established principally in the North and in Sicily; these have been found in most cases to result in an increase of production and of the number of persons who can live on the land. * * * * * * At the suggestion of the Royal Danish Agricultural Society, supported by the principal agricultural societies and the Department of Statistics, Professor O. H. Larsen, of the Royal Danish Veterinary and Agricultural School; has established a Central Office of Agricultural Book- keeping, of which he is head, and an article by him on the subject appears in the Monthly Bulletin (March, 1920) of Agricultural Intelligence issued by the International Institute of Agriculture at Rome. One of the objects of the Central Office is the elaboration of the account books kept by local societies, with whom it is collaborating with a view to ensuring that only the most suit- able books shall be kept. In order to obtain uniformity and reliability the local accountants meet periodically at the Cen- tral Office to discuss the systems on which the books are kept. Another object of the Central Office is to ascertain the amount of capital invested and how it is allotted among the various agricultural enterprises. It also seeks to compile a comprehensive budget of gross profits, working expenses, net profits and interest on capital, and to show the cost of produc- tion, general working expenses (including those of horses and implements), household expenses, and the revenue yielded. The Central Office was opened in the spring of 1916. During the first two years the work was of a preparatory nature, but by the vear 1919-1920 collaboration with 29 societies had been effected, and it was believed that the number of account books requiring elaboration would be 350. The Office is under the Agricultural Book-keeping in Denmark. 1921. ] AGRICULTURE ABROAD. 469 supervision of seven members representing the societies and institutions which took part in its foundation, and the staff also includes a consulting accountant, a permanent assistant and temporary officers. For the first two years the Office was maintained by the Royal Danish Agricultural Society, but afterwards it received a State subsidy, and contributions from the local societies. Some of these receive, in addition to free supplies of account books, a bonus for books containing data useful to the Central Office: others which correspond direct with the Office and receive book-keeping assistance from it, pay contributions in proportion to their size and to the extent of the book-keeping assistance received. The origin of local societies for agricultural book-keeping dates from the beginning of the twentieth century, and was due partly to the control societies that have existed since 1895, and partly to farm competitions. In 1918 there were 670 con- trol societies, whose chief object was the fostering of the dairy industry. They kept accounts of milk production and of the content of butter-fat as well as of the fodder consumed by each dairy cow placed under their control: they were thus in a position to indicate the most profitable animals. Some- times their book-keeping extended to the feeding and growth of horses. These were the first steps towards a complete svstem of farm book-keeping. From 1902 till 1908 prize competitions were held in the island of Samso for the best- kept books covering various crops. In following vears similar competitions were held in other parts of Denmark, and as interest in agricultural accounts grew, more branches of the farm were brought under book-keeping control. The system of book-keeping used by most local societies and circuits is that issued in 1913 by the Royal Danish Agricultural Society. A typical circuit does its work thus: the society engages an accountant, who helps members to establish the system, guides them in making the daily entries, makes up the work book and the monthly cash and fodder accounts, draws up the vearly balance sheet and makes a detailed analy- sis of all accounts. The fees which the society charges its members vary from about 6d. to 1s. 14d. per 24 acres of the farm. Usually a circuit covers a small area, so that one accountant is able to visit each farm in his circuit as often as required, with the exception of the busiest time, when some assistance is needed. There are, however, circuits having more than 1,000 members. Since 1915 the societies can apply 470 AGRICULTURE ABROAD. [ Aue., for a State subsidy amounting to one-half the salary, office and travelling expenses of the accountant, provided that the Government standard of book-keeping is adopted and the balance sheets are published. The number of State-subsidised circuits for the financial year 1918-1919 was about 30 and in- cluded 1,094 farms with a total of over 108,000 acres; in 1919 the figures were much higher. AccorDING to an account, based on press reports, received from H.M. Consul at Leipzig through the Foreign Office, the Union of Co-operative Societies in Saxony, which 30 Agricultural ae . . years ago comprised 24 societies, now Co-operation in : oe includes 588 societies, having a member- Saxony. ship of over 50,000 (that is, almost 75 per cent. of the independent farmers of Saxony) and a turnover of over 2,000 million marks. The total capital of the associations amounts to nearly 300 million marks. The Union includes no fewer than 405 mutual loan societies having a turnover in 1919 of 628 million marks. In the same year the turnover of the trading co-operative societies amounted to 854 million marks. The quantity of milk delivered by the dairy co-operative societies in 1914 was 55 million litres (over 12 million gallons), but owing to the War the amount has decreased by more than one-half. The pasture societies, which are peculiar to Saxony, are considered to be of great importance at the present time in the rearing of young cattle. Their total expanse of pasture land is 653 hectares (about 1,614 acres) and 266 animals were reared in 2919. : The supply of raw materials obtained by the Union in 1919 was nearly three million ewt., which is only half its pre-war level. There are approximately 420 storehouses, having a storage capacity of 50,000 tons, at the disposal of the associations. An extension of the financial business of the societies, in the form of village banks, is foreshadowed. * * * * * * A SwepisH Royal Proclamation, dated 18th March, 1921, pro- hibits, under severe penalties, as from 21st March, 1921, the import into Sweden of the following :— Sabre Seeds of Timothy grass; Red clover and pe Been anne classes not particularly named; Hybrid- and white-clover ; Cocksfoot ; Rye-grass ; Carrot, Swedish turnip: beetroot and rape; kitchen garden produce; and all seeds 1921. ] Report For 1919 on PLANT PEsts. AT1 exclusive of flower seeds, canary seed, pine and fir seed, hemp seed, flax seed, lupine, rape seed and seeds of all other oil plants. As originally published, the Proclamation included flower seeds. A later Decree, however, rectified this and exempted them as from 4th April, 1921, from the import prohibition. Flower seeds may therefore be imported into Sweden. * * os * * * In introducing his new programme to the Prussian Landtag, Herr Warmbold, the Minister of Agriculture, stated that as agri- cultural production is at the present time only about 60 or 70 per cent. of that of pre- war days, certain measures are proposed with a view to increasing production up to the pre-war standard. These included a larger number of land settlements, which would, it is hoped, by increasing the number of small owners, attract people from the towns to the land and keep them there. The agricultural population was decreasing rapidly even before the War: in 1914 it was only about 28 per cent. of the whole Prussian population. It was hoped to create 4,000 new settlements in 1921. It is proposed that increased pro- ‘duction of the soil already cultivated shall be encouraged by more State credits to farmers for purchasing fertilisers, while moors and waste land, particularly around the coasts, will be prepared for cultivation. The production of nitrates, which has lately been increased greatly, will have to be devoted entirely to the needs of agriculture. The working capital of farmers should in urgent cases be assisted by State credits. The number of schools of agriculture would have to be increased and the curriculum improved; and there was need of greater security for agriculturists and peasants against looting, theft and other risks. The present system of arbitration between employer and labourer also needed revising. Prussian Pro- gramme of Agriculture. A Report on the occurrence of insect and fungus pests on plants in England and Wales for the year 1919 was recently issued by the Ministry. This publication Report for 1919 was delayed through unavoidable cir- on Plant Pests. eyes cumstances, but its chief value—to preserve in permanent: record a detailed survey of the situation in regard to plant pests year by year—is achieved. In the vear in question Frit Fly caused heavy losses. though these were perhaps not quite so serious as the wet character of the spring and the consequent delay in the sowing of oats wou!4 have suggested. The North Midland Counties seem to have 472 Report For 1919 on Puant Pzsts. [ Aue., suffered most and the Southern Counties least, probably because in the south the oats grew away very rapidly during the ‘atter half of May. ‘The attacks of Frit Fly in winter wheat occurred in crops sown on ploughed-up grass, especially on rye-grass leys. Other insect attacks on cereals are noted, the drought in May and June combined with late sowing of Spring crops being held responsible for some of them. In the case of roots, it is noted that during the drought in early summer widespread damage was done by Flea Bettles; mangolds suffered especially, the difficulty being much increased by the slow and irregular germi- nation which occurred during the drought. With regard to fruit, the most notable occurrence of the year 1919 was the outbreak of the Lackey Moth, which occurred in the Sittingbourne area of Kent, and to a lesser, though nevertheless serious, extent in other Southern and Midland Counties. In the Sittingbourne area well over 1,000 acres of fruit were involved. In the worst cases, hundreds of men and women were employed to fight the attack, with the result that perhaps half of the crop may have been saved. The cost of the necessary labour to the growers, however, added a heavy outlay to other charges, and coupled with the loss of half the crop, made the business far from profitable for that season to the particular growers concerned. One grower is said to have spent £1,000 on labour in dealing with this pest alone. Winter Moths were rather less destructive than usual in the chief fruit-growing areas, except perhaps in South Devonshire. The Ermine Moth, a web-making species, like the Lackey Moth, was abnormally harmful and called for special attention in many districts. The Capsids did considerable damage to apples, notably from Wisbech northwards into J.in- colnshire. Some divergence of opinion as to the results of lime- washing for this pest is reported, but nicotine in all cases appears to have been reasonably effective. The situation with regard to attacks of fungi, bacteria, ete., in the year 1919 is also dealt with. Broadly speaking, little in- formation has been available with regard to the distribution of these pests and the losses they bring about in this country. Comparing the Report for 1919 with those for 1917 and 1918. it is at once clear that much progress has been made. The list of authenticated fungus diseases noted in the Report numbers 255, not including fungi in which the attacks are trivial or occur only under special conditions. With regard to fungus diseases in cereals, excellent results were ob- tained against Bunt and Smut by proper pickling. Reports show 1921. | CULTIVATION OF LAVENDER. 473 that through neglect of this precaution many thousands of bushels of wheat, barley and oats were lost. Important facts with regard to the outbreak of Black Rust on wheat in South West Wales were discovered, notably in connection with the presence of the alternate host, Barberry, in the area. For fuller and more detailed information on insect and fungus attacks on plants in 1919, reference must be made to the Report itself, which gives, incidentally, some valuable information as to the best known means of controlling the attacks. This ‘s the aspect of the matter which is of most importance to the grower, and the Ministry will always be glad to advise those in need of remedies for plant pests. The Report can be obtained on application to the Ministry, price 1s. 6d. net, post free. * * * * * * Hisrory has it that lavender was introduced into England in the year 1568, and that for a long time thereafter the home crop Cultivation supplied the bulk of the lavender oil used ete edie deg.) TD this country. In comparatively secent times, however, the industry of lavender- growing was sorely hit by a disease of the plant, and this had the effect of very much reducing the area under the crop and increasing the importation of lavender from France and other countries. The quality of the imported produce, however, was not so good as that grown at home and commanded a lower price on our markets. The cultivation of the plant in this country is centred more or tess round London, and the Mitcham produce is world-famous for the quality and fragrance of its oil. The plant flourishes best on a warm, well-drained medium loam with a slope to the south or south-west. A loam that is too rich is detrimental to the oil vield, as excessive nourishment tends to the growth of leaf. Protection against summer gales by a copse or wood on the south-west is also of considerable value, as these gales may do great damage to the crop by causing the tall spikes to break away at their junction with the stem. As to cultivation, in the autumn the land should first be care- fully cleaned of weeds, which should be burnt. The ashes should be distributed over the ground, together with some ordinary wood ashes if obtainable. The soil should then ba prepared by ‘‘ trenching in’’ a quantity of short straw and stable refuse, but not much rich dung, and should lie fallow until the following spring, when any weeds remaining should be dealt with as before and the whole ploughed over. Towards late 9? A7T4 CULTIVATION OF LAVENDER. [ AUG., spring the young plants should be “‘ dibbled in’’ in rows running from north to south, 4 feet apart and 6 feet between the rows. These wide spaces are not more than is necessary to allow the plant full growth for flower-bearing, room for cutting ' flowers and for keeping the ground free from weeds. The crop is propagated from ‘‘ cuttings ’’ broken off with a root or heel, and planted in March, April or September. The ‘““ cuttings ’’ should be of young growth, and should first of all be planted 3 or 4 inches apart in a shady spot and kept watered. In the following spring they can be transplanted to their proper positions in the field. Weeds should be destroyed regularly, but the hoeing should be not more than one inch deep as the roots of the plant spread near the surface of the ground. Young plants should as far as possible be kept from flowering during the first vear by clipping, so that the strength of the plant is thrown into the lateral shoots to make it bushy and compact. A full picking is usually obtained from the second to the fifth vears, after which the old plants should be cleared off and burnt and the ashes spread over the ground. The land should then be ploughed, manured, cross-ploughed, and left fallow until the following spring, when re-stocking can commence. The harvest is more or less dependent upon the season, but as a rule it begins in the first week of August, though if the weather is wet it is best to delay the cutting of the flowers until later. The best oil is obtained after a hot, dry season. The flowers should be fully open when cut, and if required for distillation they should be spread out on the shelves or on the floors of dry sheds until partially dry, when they are readv for dispatch to the distillers. If required for sale in bunches for market, they can be bunched and sent straight away after cutting; this is also done sometimes when the produce is to be distilled. It is estimated that about 1,200 lb. of partially dried flowers, yielding 25 lb. of oil, is obtained from an acre of good land under favourable conditions. Much, of course, depends on the energy and careful superintendence of the grower, and also on the care taken by the distiller in the process of distillation. Last year distillers paid £40 to £100 per ton for flowers, according to quality. For bunched lavender the prices on Covent Garden market have been remunerative for the last three years, but the demand is said to vary .considerably, so that the business is somewhat precarious. Last year prices varied from 18s. to 24s. per dozen bunches of 200 flower stems each, and from 6s. to 93 1921. | Sueep Scasp: Irs Cure AND PREVENTION. 4T5 12s. per dozen bunches of 50 stems each, according to quality, though higher prices were sometimes obtained for exceptionally fine produce. * * * oe * * Far greater attention is given to fruit bottling as compared with the bottling of vegetables. In certain cases, however, Simple Method especially where green Bene ire a : for the purpose, or green vegetables are of Bottling : Hy DRAG RT SARE cose Vegetables. not plentiful during winter, vegeta les may usefully be preserved. The following notes on a simple method of bottling vegetables may be of interest in this connection :— 1. Choose young fresh vegetables. Grade for size and colour. Wash and prepare as for cooking, i.e., scrape carrots and celery. peel turnips, etc. Keep white vegetables under water as much as possible to preserve the colour. 2. Plunge the prepared vegetables into a saucepan of fast boiling salted water (one teaspoonful of salt to one quart of water). Bring water again quickly to the boil, and allow the vegetables to remain from one to five minutes accord- ing to the nature of the vegetable, e.g., peas and delicate vegetables one minute, vegetables of hard texture three to five minutes. Remove the vegetables and place them into a large basin of cold water to check the cooking and to make them firm. Leave them in this until cold (five to ten minutes). 3. Pack the vegetables as tightly as possible into vacuum bottles. Place one teaspoonful of salt on the top of each bottle. 4. Fill the bottles to overflowing with cold water. Place on the rubber ring, glass cap and screw band or clip. Screw up and then release slightly to allow air to escape during sterilisa- tion. Place the bottles in a saucepan with a false bottom. Cover the bottles with cold water. Bring to boiling point in half-an-hour. Boil gently for two hours. 5. Lift out one bottle at a time and screw it down tightly before removing the next. When cold, remove screws or clips. and test lids to see if they are firm. * * * * * * THE most effective remedy for Sheep-Scab is dipping, provided that the dip used is one that has been approved by the Ministry Sheep Scab: of Agriculture, and care is taken to see that 7s Cure" and the dipping is thoroughly carried out in ac- Pitvsntlon: cordance with the instructions on the label. The Ministry of Agriculture makes a special appeal to sheep-owners for their co-operation to see that 476 SHEEP ScaB: Ivs CurgE AND PREVENTION. [ AuG., dipping is properly carried out; otherwise Scab can never be eradicated. When dipping to comply with Orders of the Ministry of Agri- culture or Regulations of the Local Authority, it is of the utmost importance to remember that :— (1) the dip used must be one that has been approved by the Ministry of Agriculture. There are a large number of effective dips for scab, non-poisonous as well as poisonous, which have been so approved and the responsibility in selecting an approved dip rests with sheep-owners, (2) the dipping bath must be mixed in the proportions specified as approved by the Ministry. It is inadvisable to make up a dipping bath by mixing two or more dips together, as this may result in neutralising the effect of both dips for scab, and may in some cases be injurious to the sheep, (3) the directions and precautions indicated by the manufacturer on the label must be strictly observed, (4) the sheep must be kept immersed in the bath for the period mentioned on the label. Special attention should be paid to the heads, necks and tails, (5) during the dipping operations proportionate quantities of dip and water must be added to keep the bath up to proper strength, (6) after each lot of sheep have been dipped and before the bath is re- mixed the dipping bath should be carefully cleaned out, the residue being disposed of in such a manner that it cannot injure animals or pollute streams. A satisfactory method is to run the residue from the bath into a trench or pit, the sides and bottom of which have been plentifully sprinkled with lime, so that the liquid from the bath runs through the lime before passing into the soil. This ts specially important when poisonous dips are used in order to avoid risk of injury to sheep through accumulation of poisonous matter. Under no circumstances, however, should the lime be added to the liquid while it is still in the bath. (7) If Arsenical Dips are used, the second dipping should be at half the strength of the first dipping, when two dippings are required, with an interval of not more than 14 days between them. Persons using poisonous dips must take the precautions neces- sary for the avoidance of accidents or injury to sheep through the use of such dips, and the Ministry will not entertain any claim for compensation for injury or loss due to their use. The choice of an approved dip rests entirely with the user. The responsibility for the class of ingredients is a matter for the manufacturer of the dip. The approval of the Ministry only means that the ingredients of a dip are effective for Scab in the . proportions approved. WARNING.—AII persons having or having had under their charge a sheep affected with, or suspected of, Sheep-Scab, are required by Law to give notice to the Police with all practicable speed. Persons failing to do so are liable to heavy fines, and in certain circumstances to imprisonment. x * “ * * * 1921. | IMPERIAL Fruit EXHIBITION. ATT Tis Exhibition will be held at the Crystal Palace from 28th October to 5th November. The competitive classes are arranged Imperial Fruit in on papi LO ig - Exhibition. . Amateut Section ; organised by the Royal Horticultural Society. 2. Cider-Fruit Section; organised by the National Fruit and Cider Institute, and the National Association of Cider Makers. 3. Kent Commercial Section ; organised by the Executive Com- mittee of the Kent Commercial Fruit Show. 4. Eastern Counties Commercial Section; organised by the Executive Committee of the Eastern Counties Commercial Fruit Show. 5. West Midlands Commercial Section; organised by the Executive Committee of the West Midlands Commercial Fruit Show. 6. Overseas Section; organised by the Canadian Fruit ‘Trade Commissioner in England. 7. United Kingdom Section. 8. British Empire Section. The classes in Section 7 are open. without additional entrance fees, to all commercial growers of apples in the United Kingdom who have exhibited in either of Sections 4, 5 and 6. Those in Section 8 are open to all commercial growers of apples, or Asso- ciations of such growers, in the British Empire, and it is antici- pated that the competition between home grown and imported fruit will be exceptionally keen. It is hoped to arrange for non-competitive exhibits of an attractive and instructive nature. The exhibition is organised and financed by the Daily Mail, and the technical details have been settled by an Advisory Com- mittee convened by the Ministry of Agriculture. Further information can be obtained from the Organising Secretary. Imperial Fruit Exhibition, 180, Fleet Street, F.C. Rabies.— Middlesex (Acton District ).—All restrictions imposed in con- ; nection with the outbreak at Acton on the 8th December last were withdrawn as from the 30th June. Berkshire District—There have been no developments in this area, and providing no further outbreaks occur in the district, it is hoped to withdraw all restrictions from this district about the end of September next. t . t - > Wiltshire District—A considerable modification of the restrictions has been made as from the 1st July by the exclusion of the portions of Dorset and Somerset which were subject to muzzling restrictions, and by the exclusion of portions of the Counties of Wiltshire and Southampton. As a result of this 478 LEAFLETS ISSUED BY THE MINISTRY. | AUG., modification the restrictions now apply to two districts; one lying wholly in the Counties of Southampton and Wiltshire, which includes inner controlled areas subject to special restrictions surrounding Salisbury and Southampton, and the other a small area in Wiltshire and Berkshire immediately to the south of Swindon. One case of Rabies has been confirmed since those referred to in the July issue of the Journal, namely, on 5th July, at Southampton, in a dog which died on 4th June. Foot-and-Mouth Disease,—Orders have been issued by the Ministry withdrawing all restrictions as from 4th July, on the movement and marketing of animals which were imposed in connection with the recent outbreaks of Foot-and-Mouth Disease in the North Midlands and in Yorkshire. No outbreak of the disease has occurred in any part of Great Britain since 7th June last. Ireland,— An order has also been issued withdrawing all special restrictions as from 6th July on the importation of Irish animals, which were imposed on account of outbreaks of Foot-and-Mouth Disease in Ireland. From this date, therefore, the trade in Irish animals was resumed subject to the normal con- dition of 10 hours’ detention in the landing place. Intending importers should, however, ascertain beforehand whether the Local Authority of their district have regulations in force prohibiting or restricting the movement of animals into their district. Liming.—With reference to the article on ‘ Liming” which appeared in the July issue of this Journal, p. 341, Mr. J. J. Griffith, B.Sc., wishes to point out two errors which inadvertently occurred :— P. 344, last paragraph. 1°25 per cent. of calcium carbonate should read ‘‘(°125 per cent. of calcium carbonate.” P. 348 footnote, 1 per cent. lime requirement, &c., should read “0-1 per cent. lime requirement,” &c. Leaflets issued by the Ministry.—Since the date of the list given on page 384 of the July issue of this Journal three new leaflets have been issued and circulated :— No. 374.— Hints on Egg Production. 375.—Hints on the Production of Table Poultry. ,, 0376.—Hints on Rabbit Keeping. The following leaflets have been revised and brought up to date :— No. 27.—Remission of Tithe Rent-charge. 146.—The Value of Records of the Milk Yield of Cows. ,, 194.—Coltsfoot. The following leaflets have been re-written :— No. 2.—Wingless Weevils. ,, 24.—The Gout Fly. , 245.—Crown Gall. The following leaflets have been withdrawn from circulation :— No. 64.—White Root Rot. 209.—Gooseberry “ Cluster-Cup” Disease. 225.—The Septoria Disease of Tomatoes. ,, 272,—Supply of Store Cattle and Slaughter of Young Calves. 310.—Poultry on Allotments and Small Garden Plots. F. Pp. 11.—Hints on Purchasing and Using ‘Seed Potatoes.” 60.—Dung Heaps and the Preservation of Farmyard Manure. oD] 99 | 1974-1 ADDITIONS TO THE LIPRARY. 479 ADDITIONS TO THE LIBRARY. Agriculture, General and Miscellaneous. Curtler, W. H. R.—The Enclosure and Redistribution of our Land. (334 pp.) Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1920, 16s. net. ([333.1.] Andrew, R. C.—A Farmer’s Handbook: A Manual for Students and Beginners. (126 pp.) London: @. Bell & Sons, Ltd., 1920, 6s. net. [63(022) ; 63.17(02). ] Pawson, H. C.—The Study of Agriculture : Hints for Students. (111 pp.) London : Vinton & Co., 1921, 5s. [87(02).] Doyle, K. D.—Agriculture and Irrigation in Continental and Tropical Climates. (268 pp.) London: Constable, 1921, 19s. [63(024); 63.13.] Malden, W. J.—Physical Culture in Farm Work. (92 pp.) London: Wyman, 1921, 5s. (331; 371.] Martin, J. N.—Botany with Agricultural Applications. [2nd Edition Revised.] (604 pp.) New York: J. Wiley & Sons; London : Chapman & Hall, 1920, 21s. net. [58(02).] Harshberger, J. W.—Pastoral and Agricultural Botany: Injurious and Useful Plants. (294 pp.) Philadelphia: P. Blakiston’s, Son & Co., n.d. [58.(02); 63.255; 63.3(02). ] Emerson, F. V.—Agricultural Geology. (319 pp.) New York: J. Wiley & Sons; London: Chapman & Hall, 1920, 16s. 6d. net. [55.] Geological Survey, Memoirs of the—Water Supply of Norfolk from Underground Sources, by W. Whitaker. (185 pp.) London: H.M. Stationery Office, 1921, 10s. [628.7 ] Collins, S. H.—Chemical Fertilizers and Parasiticides. (273 pp.) London : Bailliére, Tindall & Cox, 1920, 10s. 6d. [63.16(02); 63.295.] Taylor, H.—Farm and Estate Book-Keeping. (3rd Edn.) (285 pp.) London : Simpkin, Marshall & Co., Ltd., 1920, 6s. 6d. net. [657.) Field Crops, University of Leeds and Yorkshire Council for Agricultural Education.— No. 116 :—Report on a Test of Varieties of Wheat, 1920, at Manor Farm, Garforth. (15 pp.) Leeds, 1920. [68.3811(04).] East Malling Research Station.—3rd Report on a Trial of New Varieties of Hops, by E. S. Salmon. (19 pp.) E. Malling, Kent, 1920. (63.3451. ] U.S. Department of Agriculture.—Farmers’ Bull. 1162 :—Proso or Hog Millet. (15 pp.) Washington, 1920. [63.319.] U.S. Department of Agriculture.—Farmers’ Bull. 1151 :—Alsike Clover. (25 pp.) Washington, 1920. [63.33(b).] South Australia, Department of Agriculture.—Bull. 146 :—The Use and Making of Ensilage. (30 pp.) Adelaide, 1920. [63.1985.] Horticulture. Cecil, The Hon. Mrs. Evelyn.—A History of Gardening in England. (8rd Edition.) (393 pp.) London: John Murray, 1910, 18s. net. [63.5 (42).] University College of N. Wales, Bangor: Department of Agriculture.— Varieties of Potatoes immune to Wart Disease. (11 pp.) Bangor, 1920. [63.512-194. ] New York Agricultural Experiment Station.—Bull. 474 :—Experiments on Spacing Potato Plants. (32 pp.) Geneva,’ 1920. [63.512(04).] Plant Diseases. Smith, F.—Bacterial Diseases of Plants. (688 pp.) Philadelphia and London : W. B. Saunders Co., 1920, 50s. [63.23.] Royal Soiiety.—Reports of the Grain Pests (War) Committee. No. 10 :— Final Report to the Council of the Royal Society and the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries on the Work of the Committee. (16 pp.) London : Harrison & Sons, 1921, 1s. 6d. [63.27-31.] University of Leeds and Yorkshire Council for Agricultural Education.— No. 118 :—Common Scab of Potatoes. [Actinomyces scabies (Thazter) Giissow.] (22 pp.) Leeds, 1921, 6d. [63.24-33.] U.S. Department of Agriculture —Bull. 872 :—Insect Control in Flour Mills. (40 pp.) Washington, 1920. [63.27-31; 664.6.) 480 ADDITIONS TO THE LIBRARY. | Aue., 1921. Plant Diseases—co xt. Missouri Agricultural Experiment Station.—Research Bull. 37 :—Varietal Resistance and Susceptibility of Oats to Powdery Mildew, Crown Rust and Smuts. (41 pp.) Columbia, 1920. [63.24-31.] U.S. Department of Agriculture.—Bull. 915 :—Toxicity of Barium Car- bonate to Rats. (11 pp.) Washington, 1920. [63.269.] Live Stock. Wilson, James.—The Breeding and Feeding of Farm Stock. (152 pp.) London : Methuen & Co., 1921, 6s. net. [63.603; 63.604. ] Cameron, J.—Shorthorns in Central and Southern Scotland. (835 pp.) London: W. Blackwood & Sons, 1921, 12s. 6d. net. [63.62.] U.S. Department of Agriculture.—Bull. 905 :—Principles of Live Stock Breeding. (67 pp.) Washington, 1920. [575.4; 63.603.] Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries—Census of Pedigree Live Stock. (24 pp.) London: H.M. Stationery Office, 1921, 1s. [63.6 : 31.] South Australia, Department of Agriculture.—Bull. 1382 :—Notes on the General Management of Draught Horses on the Average Farm. (16 pp.) Adelaide, 1920. [63.61(04).] U.S. Department of Agriculture.—Farmers’ Bull. 1186 :—Pork on the Farm: Killing, Curing, and Canning. (44 pp.) Washington, 1921. (664.91; 63.752. ] Veterinary Science. Hammond, J., and Holnan, E, T.—A Course of Practical Physiology for Agricultural Students. (106 pp.) Cambridge: University Press, 1920. 4s. 6d. net. [612; 619(02).] Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station.—Division of Bacteriology.— Technical Bull. 32:—Transmission of Bacterium Abortus (Bang) to New Born Calves through the Ingestion of Milk. (22 pp.) EH. Lansing, 1916. [619.2(a).] U.S. Department of Agriculture.—Farmers’ Bull. 1150 :—Parasites and Parasitic Diseases of Sheep. (52 pp.) Washington, 1920. [59.169.] Dairying and Food, General. Saker, Dora G.—Practical Dairying. (123 pp.) London: Methuen & Co., 1921, 6s. net. [63.70(02).] Clayton, W.—Margarine. (187 pp.) London: Longmans, Green & Co., 1920, 14s. [63.729; 664.3. ] Walker-Tisdale, C. W.—Milk Testing. (87 pp.) London: J. North, ‘* Dairy World ’’ Office, 1920, 3s. 6d. net. [543.2.] University of Leeds and Yorkshire Council for Agricultural Education.— No. 119 :—Factors influencing the Cost of Production of Milk. (46 pp.) Leeds, 1921, 6d. [63.714.] National Physical Laboratory, Metrology Department.—Tests on ~Volu- metric Glassware used in Dairy Chemistry. (14 pp. + 5 illus.) April, 1921. Single copies free of charge on application to The Director. Metrology (Glass Testing) Dept., The National Physical Laboratcry, Tedd*ngton, Middlesex. Additional copies 6d. each, plus postage. Birds, Poultry and Bees. Powell-Owen, W.—Poultry Keeping on Small Lines. (144 pp.) London : Newnes, 1920, 2s. [63.651(02). | U.S. Department of Agriculture.—Farmers’ Bull. 1115 :—Selection and Preparation of Fowls for Exhibition. (10 pp.) Washington, 1920. [63.651 (04). ] U.S. Department of Agriculture—Farmers’ Bull. 1106 :—Incubation of Hens’ Eggs. (8 pp.) Washington, 1920. [63.651(04).] Engineering. Phillips, R. R.—The Book of Bungalows. (160 pp.) London : ‘‘ Country Life *’ Offices, 1920, 8s. 6d. [69(02).] U.S. Department of Agriculture.—Bull. 852:—The Flow of Water in Concrete Pipe. (100 pp.) Washington, 1920. [63.13.] U.S. Department of Agriculture——Bull. 910 :—Experience of Eastern Farmers with Motor Trucks. (85 pp.) Washington, 1920. [888; 63.17.] Printed undcr the authority of HIs MAJESTY’s STATIONERY OFFICF, By Metchim & Son, Princes Street, Westminster, S.W.1. THE JOURNAL OF THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE.—Advertisements. xv The FARMERS’ ? WARDEN — FOR INSURANCE oF HORSES and CATTLE. STALLIONS, BROOD MARES, FOALS. | EMPLOYERS’ LIABILITY. FIRE. DRIVERS’ ACCIDENTS. MOTOR CARS, FARM TRACTORS, | and GENERAL INDEMNITIES. For Best Rates and Terms apply— WARDEN INSURANCE COMPANY, LTD. ESTABLISHED 1875. Honoured with the Patronage of H.M. THE KING. Chief Office—21, IRONMONGER LANE, LONDON, E.C. 2. MANAGER AND SECRETARY: R. R. WILSON. 69 ‘(o 50% Fertilizers | FOR ALIA CROPS. oe ree > SPECIAL PRICES FOR TRUCK LOADS. Cook’s Pure Bone Weal (High Test). FINEST QUALITY ON THE MARKET. Guaranteed Analysis. Further particulars of EDWARD COOK & CO., LD., Bow, London, E.3. xvii THE JOURNAL OF THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE.—Advertisements. BREEDERS’ ANNOUNCEMENTS. CATTLE, . ABERDEEN—ANGUS. MACAINSH, JOHN, Congash, Grantown-on-Spey, N.B. —Pure-bred Aberdeen-Angus Cattle.—Particulars on application. DEVONS. STANTON, HARWICH.—REGISTERED HERD RED DEVON DAIRY CATTLE. Devons are the best English Dairy Cattle under all conditions and in any climate. FRIESIANS. GILSTON PARK HERD OF PEDIGREE BRITISH FRIESIANS, property of A.S. BOWLBY, Esq. Bulls and Bull Calves generally for sale, by imported and other leading sires.—Apply Captain S. E. BUCKLEY, M.C., Gilston Park Istate Office, Harlow, Essex. ROUGH HERD OF BRITISH FRIESIANS is the herd for production, colour, size, milk and butter-fat. The herd to buy your next bull calf sired by Routh Victory. third prize Dairy Show, 1920, weighing 133 cwt. at 20 months old, whose dam gave 2,268 gullons, butter-fat 466 ; the only cow in the kingdom to produce 1,200 lb. of butter in 365 days. Inspection invited.— P. FoRD, Molescroft, Beverley. 7 JERSEYS. JEROME, MRS., BILTON HALL, TOCKWITH, YORKS. Pedigree Jerseys. Heifers und young Bulls for Sale. SHORTHORNS. WELBECK HERD OF PEDIGREE SHORTHORNS, the property of the Duke of PORTLAND, K.G. Young Bulls and Heifers for sale, from the best strains.—Apply, ALEX. GALBRAITH, Norton, Cuckney, Mansfield. DAIRY SHORTHORNS. CHIVERS & SONS, LTD., HISTON, CAMBS.—R2.A.S.E. Show, Derby, 1921, 100 guineas Challenge Cup for best Group ; Champicn Cow, Reserve Champion Bull, three first prizes and two thirds—Winners all home bred—Fashionable Bates Families—Milk Records checked by Ministry of Agriculture’s Recorders—Bulls and Bull Caives for sale. HOBBS R. W., & SONS, Kelmscott, Lechlade.—500 Dairy Shorthorns ; milk records kept; many firsts Royal and London Dairy Shows. Pedigree Bulls and Bull Calves. 4-cross Bull Catves at moderate prices, suitable for non-pedigree dairy herds. PLAYFORD HERD OF PEDIGREE DAIRY SHORTHORNS. Deep-Milking Strains of robust constitution. Bulls in service: Thornby Don (133918). Hermit IL (120697). Milk records kept, inspected by Dairy Shorthorn Association and Ministry of Agriculture Recorder. Young Bulls and Bull Calves for sale. Also Breeder of Pedigree Suffolk Sheep and Large Black Pigs.—S. R. SHERWOOD, Playford, Ipswich. LINCOLN RED SHORTHORNS. THE STAPLEFORD PARK HERD. A few young Bulls from Royal Prize Winners always for sale from carefully tested milking strains only. Apply C. &. Harvey, Wymondham, Oakham. ——— oe THE YORKSHIRE! INSURANCE COMPANY Limited. FARMERS’ INTERESTS SPECIALLY STUDIED. Have you increased your FIRE INSURANCE |} on New Crops to meet present day values?} If not, consult the ‘ Yorkshire.” r, BEL pas i = a as fis TO make farming pay really well. We have trained hundreds to succeed. Why not you? WE have courses of instruction in every branch of Mixed, Stock, Arable and Dairy Farming, Veterinary Science, Farm Accounts, &c. ALSO a special course in Land Agency for those going in for the raanagement of landed estates. THE College has been established 18 years. Send postcard for a free prospectus to The Agricultural Correspondence College (Sec. N), Ripon. Ms FA rRIVMIN G Chief Offices: York: ST. HELEN’S SQUARE. London: BANK BUILDINGS, PRINCES ST., E.C.2. Branches and Agencies throughout the Kingdom. XIX Advertisements. iH. ICULTUI] ) y THE JOURNAL OF THE MINISTRY OF AGE ‘E8vS F 7809S ALIO ieee % QuoydsjoL TOM ‘puviysg ‘490119 HIO¥ION ‘8/4 “OD 7% NITAQNV) 'S ‘if ‘SOITRULOISSOOTLOL) E[OS OY} OF Ayddv saepnorjard toying 104 ‘INOY UY SOT g Je SUT a[qvasuryo1aqul—sye d paepuris So. + Suimeap—adsylney pros un oj.ied [JIM asuadxa Ie UONIppe [[eurs qt M *pd}se} SUIT] pu Pott] UTE} Sutunpua pure ajqepue adaqy *3¥ 495 0} {svo AIOA ‘S40}OEA AVYIO UT Ue Se d aaa >} — UOTIONASUO ss [AUIS ‘OyouBeRU UO sun. Sol Ajisv 9 SMRIS *10JDV1] VI Jo yavd Auv 10 a490 ds ‘Aatjnd gus uu yo Woy ‘YOM IJaq JO SASSE[D [][e 10J S }UdUI yainbat paads a[QeVLIBA Ss} 9°. *ASADAOI DUO PUB PIVMIOF ‘lamod jo MOY {pe ays puv afl] 6 sUO] oO 31 2 yeys YUuvIO AAY: ay Yam oO " dW UStsap ur 9jdwisg ‘sapuyAod anoy st 1ojOW UID My ‘Sastoy jo wes} poos ¥ JO WYSIOM 9yy NOGE—"sq| oof ff 101908 1 jo 143 MIM "ULSD A 9} 93" dado Ajjnjssaoons puv Ajajes ue i js "“TFAAIUMGA NOLLoIa uupy ayz 40f Juvdjg s4amog asodindg-//¥ 78220049 S,Pj4Of 94? 8! NIDTF 242 fhym suosnad awog ‘4uBIq deMog Uldey esodang-I[V 31S9}BeAayD S,pIdOM 24} JI9S3! poAoad svH ‘aBveA UIXIS SII UL MON TOOut “roo a yeemnamenmmmnigge 9 caeeemeenggemen es 6 eee ee — 2 ces rT i “GALSAL AWIL “G31u¥L WHV ‘a “EX Of ‘dHALNVYVNYN AAAAITAG ALVIGAWIAT ‘ysno[d Aue doj v[qgezInSg xx THE JOURNAL OF THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE.—Advertisements. - CATTLE—continued. KERRY AND DEXTERS. BRAISHFIELD MANOR HERD of Dexter Castle. Prizes won in 1915 include Championship R.A.S.E., Nottingham, first London Dairy Show.—Apply, Mr. W. A. OWEN, Elm Grove, Braishfield, Romsey. PALMER, R. E. Pure Pedigree Kerry Cattle, Oaklands Park, Newdigate, Surrey. ‘HEREFORDS. WHITE, W. J. S., ZEALS, WILTS.—Old-established Herd of Milking Herefords, Bulls and Calves, for Sale. SOUTH DEVON. GREENSLADE, W.R. J.,3, HAMMET STREET, TAUNTON, AND WELLINGTON, SOMERSET.—Sales of Devon Cattle, Dorset Horn Sheep, «&c. SHEEP. OXFORD DOWN. AKERS & CO., BLACK BOURTON, OXON.—Registered Oxford Downs, Rans and Ewe Lambs on Sale; inspection invited. LINCOLN LONGWOOL. HOYLES, GEO., SKIDBY MANOR, near HULL.—Pure Lincoln Longwool Sheep ; trve type, sound conditions, lustrous long wool, give satisfaction at home und abroad. PiG.s. BERKSHIRE. BRAISHFIELD MANOR HERD OF BERKSHIRE PIGS. Boars in use: Little John, Champion R.A.S.E., 1915, ete. ; also Hugo, whose stock sold so well at Mr. Hiscock’s Sale. Young stock of the best blood always for Sale.—Apply Mr. W. A. OWEN, Elm Grove, Braishfield, Romsey. MANUDEN HERD OF BERKSHIRES. Gilts 11 months by Steadfast (brother to Carry On, Royal Champion, 1919), in pig to Hammond Haymaker, Ist., Oxford, 1920. 20 gns , carriage paid.—GEb, Manuden House, Essex. LARGE WHITE. CHIVERS & SONS, LTD., HIsToN, CAMBS.—Over 1,000 pigs bred annually. - Breeding Stock live out in Large Grass Orchards. Stock Boars include Histon Thor, Champion Peterborough and Suffolk 1920, Histon Lion Heart, Champion Royal Norfolk 1919, Dalmeny Macbeth, Ist Highland and Edinburgh 1920, and own brother to 720-guinea Sow. Young Stock always for Sale. COLSTON & BORROWFIELD HERDS OF LARGE WHITE PIGS, the property of R. Millington Knowles, Esq., The Hall, Colston Bassett, Notts —Numbers and quality equal to pre-war standard.—Particulars from AGEN'l, Estate Office, Colston Bassett, Notts. DENNY, E. H. M., STAPLEFIELD PLACE, STAPLEFIEI.D, SUSSEX.—Large White Yorkshire Pedigree Pigs. Station: Haywards Heath. Telegrams: Handcross. GREENALL, SIR GILBERT, BART., C.V.0O., WALTON HALL, WARRINGTON. The Walton and Worsley Herd of Pedigree Large White Pigs. Selections of all ages for sale at moderate prices. Apply to the Manager, The Office, Bridge House, Higher- Walton, Warrington. Station: Warrington. Trains met by appointment. THE WARREN HERD OF PEDIGREE LARGE WHITE PIGS, the property of H. T. Williams, Esq.—Young Stock of the best strains for Sale, including a fine selection of in-pig Gilts—Apply to RAYMOND KEER, Warren Home Farm, Broughton, Ohester. MIDDLE WHITE. C dIVERS, JOHN, HISTON, CAMBS.—Pedigree Middle White Pigs, Breeding stock live out in Grass Orchards. Wins 1920 includec Champion Boar, Champion Sow, and Cup for Best Middle White Pig, won outright (second year in succession) R.A.S.E Show, Darlington. Young Stock for Sale. | EDGE, S. F., GALLOPS HOMESTEAD, DITCHLING, SUSSEX.—Albany Herd of Pedigree Middle Whites. Bred on open air system Wonderful doers and breeders. Will thrive anywhere. JEROME, MRs., BILTON HALL, YORK.—Pedigree Middle White Pigs, prize-winners. Boars and Gilts for Sale. The Rennet on which cheese-makers depend. Chr. Hansen’s Laboratory, Ltd, TAF bree THOMAS’s STREET, LONDON, S.E.1. THE JOURNAL OF THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE.—Advertisements. xxi Lor Bey ONLY LAE. BEST. The BUXTON LIME FIRMS Go., Ltd, ROYAL EXCHANGE, BUXTON. Telegrams—BUXTON LIME, BUXTON. ’Phone--312 BUXTON. THE PUREST LIME KNOWN. .IN COMMERCE AND THE LARGEST OUTPUT OF LIME AND LIMESTONE LN oF Ec WORED. LIME BURNT IN SPECIAL KILNS FOR DPRCLAt TRADES. Agriculturists, Florists -and Fruit Growers catered for specially. AGENTS THROUGHOUT GREAT BRITAIN. Lime in any Form, in any Quantity to suit Users. xxii THE JOURNAL OF THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE.—Advertisements. PIG S—continued. MIDDLE WHITE —continued. STAPLEFORD HERD OF MIDDLE WHITE PIGS. A few choice gilts and boars Sired by Royal Winners always for sale at reasonable prices. C, S. HARVEY, Wymondham, Oakham. WEELEY HERD oF MIDDLE WHITES, bred on the open-air system, exclusively from Champion strains. Two 1919 Royal Show winners, and the sire and dam of a 1919 Cattle Show winner were bred in this herd. Apply to OSCAR GRAY, ’ Tendring Farms, Limited, Weeley, S.O., Essex, SKIPWITH, Captain O., LOVERSAL HALL, DONCASTER.—Loversal herd of Pedigree Middle Whites. Bred on open air system. Moderate Prices. LARGE BLACK. PICKWELL HERD, Pedigree Large Blacks. Young stock from best strains at reasonable prices.—-CAPTAIN CLAUDE W. HEMP, Stainbridge Farm, Bolney, Sussex. NEWHOUSE HERD of Pedigree Large Black Pigs. Boars and Gilts from best strains——ROBERT FORTUNE, Newhouse, Cranleigh, Surrey. DUNSTALL HERD of Pedigree Large Blacks, bred from prize strains under natural conditions. Prolific, hardy, grand doers and of choice type. Young Boars and Gilts. Prices Moderate.—LIONEL E. HORNE. Moreton-in-Marsh, Glos. EDGE, S. F., GALLOPS HOMESTEAD, DITCHLING, SUSSEX.—Pedigree Large Blacks, marvellous open air strain. LINCOLNSHIRE CURLY-COATED. CHARNWOOD HERD.—A grand lot of young Boars ready for service, all descended from Royal winners. Inspection invited.— G. SIMPSON, Charnwood, Lowdham, Notts. ‘ GLOUCESTER OLD SPOT. THE FAIRFIELD HERD OF GLOUCESTER OLD SPOT PIGS for Sale. 160 to choose from, including winners at Hereford and Worcester Show. Gilts, Boars and Sows with litters ; also, owing to change of blood, several Boars by Berkeley Foreman.— J. B. DOWDING, Fairfield, Leominster. POUETRY, MAJOR, ARTHUR C.—Breeder and Exhibitor thirty years. Champion Duck and Silver Grey Dorkings, “England’s best fowl.” Prizes at all Shows, and exported all over the world. Prices moderate. Eggs, ls. each, ARTHUR O. MAJOR, Ditton, Langley, Bucks, White Leghorns, White Wyandottes, Light Sussex. Stock bred from Laying Competition Winners. Eggs, Day-old Chicks and Stock birds for sale. Illustrated List free— JOHN CHIVERS, Estate Office, Histon, Cambridge. AUCTIONEERS, LIVE, STOCK, Ete) AGENTS: WATERS & RAWLENCH, SALISBURY. MISCELLANEOUS ADVERTISEMENTS—(Cheap Prepaid). For Cleft Chestnut Unclimable Fencing, apply to THE SrANLEY UNDERWOOD COMPANY, LIMITED, Shottermill, Haslemere, Surrey. 64 Page Book about Herbs and How to Use Them, 24d.—TRIMNELL, THE HERBALIST, RICHMOND ROAD, CARDIFF. Rippins Easy to Keep Account Books for Farmers. Herd Books for Cows and Pigs. Stud Books for Mares. Gripall Cash Book dissects income and costs Of the farm from all sources. Furro Crop Account Book. Service Certificate Books for Stallions, Boars, Bulls. Milk Record Books and bads. Poultry Account Books, Egg Laying Record Jards. Specimen rulings free—RIPPIN & BAKER, The Newarkes, Leicester. All applications for Advertisements in “The Journal of the Ministry of Agriculture” should be addressed to C. VERNON & SONS, LTD., 38, Holborn Viaduct, London, H.C. 1. 400 C.P. VAPOR LAMPS THAT CAN BE TURNED DOWN TO ANY DESIRED SMALLER C. P. Safety and satisfaction guaranteed. They burn 95°/, Air and 5°/, Petrol Vapor. They are clean and economical. They cost $d. per hour to run, and at one filling will run a week. The principle in both lamps shown is that applied to a lamp supplied to the U.S.A. Government. Large stocks of both types are on our premises, and we can supply by return. The cost is 60s. each packed and delivered. The Mantles are durable, and the Lantern is storm proof. Everybody who introduces six buyers gets his money back. The Lamps are made of the very best and strongest materials, and are finished in highly-polished nickel. The Light given is twenty times that of the largest oil lamps. Both Lamps are fitted with Automatic Tip Cleaner, and they are the Lamps that never fail. Every Lamp is tested before it reaches user’s hands. Suppliers : STANLEYS (STRATFORD), LTD.,Wharton Rd., London, E.15. No 210 Table Lamp Please mention “ Journal of the Ministry of Agriculture.” Storm Proof Lantern. THE JOURNAL on THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE.—Advertisements. xxii PRIN TARTAR A TNTATRURIRURAUATRTR RN AURIRIRIR INTRON NON wm St) a z | NEW SKINS FOR YOUR ROOFS | ae ve : : I ras ky z: te) 7: Bt FF: a z Z é Z 7 iE $i is SF 7 THE ORIGINAL PLASTIC COMPOUND ¢e iq for Repairing + 2 All Leaky Roofs — ae Et Sticks W), Raabnainalna nai, Z Easily applied with a TROWEL. anywhere. : z4 Also made in SEMI-PLASTI® FORM for applying with Descriptive Booklet sent on ‘ + | - a BRUSH. application. 3 / BAXENDALES MILER steeer, / 2 MANCHESTER. 7: iy And at LIVERPOOL, EDINBURGH and DUBLIN. ¢: as — : yaa Pana Ana tna Mn atatnanetna Anetra tnatina ina inctna nati Drainadnain< ina inaiadnatnainaAnathainahncthalnatnaRnatnednaNnctnstnanainainctnsAna NEW ZEALAND A healthy, wealthy, progressive country, with unrivalled natural resources and unlimited possibilities, THE POPULATION IS MOSTLY OF BRITISH DESCENT. NEW ZEALAN although the Dominion extends over twelve degrees of latitude. The rainfall! is plentiful and well distributed, and the country well watered, rich and fertile. These natural advantages make NEW ZEALAND—tThe Ideal Home for the Farmer and Pastoralist. In the production of Wool, choice Mutton and Lamb, and high-grade Butter and Cheese, New Zealand excels. ‘The Dominion’s average ylelds of Wheat and Oats, Pulses, Clovers and Grasses, and the more familiar ‘‘ British” crops, are admittedly very high. NEW ZEALAND Apples and Pears, and New Zealand Table Honey have a deservedly him high reputation, and other products of the run, the field and the forest—Hides and Tallow, Hemp and Tow, Timber and Kauri Gum —are of an immense annual value. NEW ZRALAND exported last year Wool valued at 419,559,537; Mutton, Lamb =a Beef to the value of 49,219,295, and Breer ae Cheese valued ¢ 4#£10,871,118. The total exports amounted to 452,634,670 " value, and her imports to 430,671,439. This Total Trade of over £,83,000,000 rested on the industry of a population of, 1,108,373 persons, NEW ZEALAND IS A COUNTRY WITH A FUTURE, L} you are interested, write for particulars to— THE HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR NEW ZEALAND, 415, STRAND, Lonpon, Wi thee 2: xxiv THE JOURNAL OF THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE.—Advertisements. Sheep Dip. Paints. Fly Spray for Cattle. | Wood Preservative. Disinfectants. Cattle Foods. MURPHY, '& SON, Ltd., Sheen Lane, London, S.W.14. ALL WEATHERS. ALL CLIMATES. | {37 is é hj 66 99 ES tp i ALLWEATHER | BRAND. a7) We Ly ae a 4 WATERPROOF COVERS OF ALL DESCRIPTIONS. AONE TEED DN A PAE I _ Samples and Prices on application to the Scie Makers: JOHN SMITH & Co. (London, E.), LTD., 44, UPPER EAST SMITHFIELD, E.1. Telegrams: Civilation, Ald. Tel. No.: Avenue 7650 (4 lines). THE JOURNAL OF THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE.—Advertisements. xxv MAXIMUM CROP PRODUCTION IS IMPOSSIBLE WITHOUT JUDICIOUS POTASH APPLICATIONS. The complete series of Potash Fertilisers are only supplied by the Potash Syndicate and are always in excellent condition for sowing and mixing. Kainit, guaranteed minimum 12°4°/, Potash (but | Muriate of Potash 80-85°/, Purity 51°5°/, Potash fF cargoes actually testing up to 15°68 °/,). (Also supplying common salt and Magnesia salts of " at tm 1 PO-95 56°8 proved fertilising value). Potash Manure Salt ge ... 20°/, Potash Sulphate of Potash 90 48°6 oh on oe O82) = GIBe! 5? Sulphate of Potash—Magnesia ... 26°/ ,, (Invaluable for Potatoes) Points about Sulphate of Potash. (1) SULPHATE OF POTASH is usually | (4) SULPHATE OF POTASH is defin- sold with a guaranteed minimum of itely the best Potash combination 48 “ pure Potash. | | for Potatoes, it produces a ‘“‘mealier” Therefore 1 cwt. is an average dressing | potato than the Muriate of Potash, for 1 acre as against 4 cwts. Kainit | with a higher starch content, and 12°4 Y minimum). : ( = ) with superior cooking and keeping A saving in carriage and general hand- | qualities. ling is thus effected. (5) SULPHATE OF POTASH. is like- Besides :— f Do | wise the best for Tomatoes, fruit (2) SULPHATE OF POTASH can be trees, and indeed, for all horticultural used at sowing or planting time, crops where quality of produce is early or late, without any risk of retarding germination or initial crowth. =. important and an excess of Chlorides might prove harmful. (3);SULPHATE OF POTASH has never | (6) SULPHATE OF POTASH is dry any bad secondary effect on the soil ; and friable, and remains supreme on the contrary, it gives rises in the F soil to Sulphate of Lime which may ~ be actually beneficial to the crop. either on the farm or at the factory. — for mixing with other manures, For Supplies of Potash and full Particulars, apply to:— F. W. BERK & Co., Ltd., 1, Fenchurch Avenue, London, E.C.3. xxvi THE JOURNAL OF THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE.—Advertisements. mee Wood Preserving Stain has three important properties : It preserves wood indefinitely, It stains it in rich, artistic colours, It_is antiseptic and _ disinfectant. Please write for colour sheet to 205, Boro’ High Street, London, S.E.1, mentioning Ministry of Agriculture. MAJOR AND COMPANY LIMITED. British Manufactured. Muriate of Potash 50% and 607 PURE POTASH. POTASH SALTS Minimum 207 Pure Potash 99 99 99 LO 99 127, 99 99 Fiue Dust CONTAINING 18/25°/, SULPHATE. SULPHATE OF POTASH. Immediate Delivery from Stock. For Prices and Particulars of Potash and other Fertilisers London Office— Apply THE BRITISH CYANIDES CO., LTD., 49, Queen Victoria Street, Oldbury, near Birmingham. E.C.4. THE JOURNAL OF THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE.—Advertisements. xxvii Running Water f im Your Home A Dayton Electric-driven Water | System will automatically pro- | vide water under pressure at all fixtures—the same as city water supply. | Costs but a few cents a day S| | to operate. Can be run from any current— central station or private plant. Write for literature. Or better still, come in and see this splen- did system. sy = >= =e SB SUPPLY SNE @ ——————— —_} T.B.S. Electrical Construction Co., Ltd. ai 68, Victoria Street, Westminster, London, S.W.1 Telephone: VICTORIA 1972. Tel. Address: ‘SAGTROWNAW, SOWEST, LONDON.” Telegraphic Code: A.B.C. 5th Edition. Marconi Address: ‘‘ EFFICACY, LONDON.” SOLE CONCESSIONAIRES FOR THE UNITED KINGDOM. Specialists in Country House, Estate Lighting, Heating and Power Installations. Send for particulars of the DUAL PURPOSE MARCO PLANT FOR FARMERS. xxvii THE JOURNAL OF THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE.—A dvertisements. Reinforced Concrete Silos. Better and Cheaper than Timber. i: r) No Slackening Les i and : Tightening of Hoops & Stays. No Painting or Tarring Required. Indestructible even by Fire. No Upkeep. Constructed on Modern Sanitary Lines. We have tuilt s these SILOS in 3 ‘all parts of the Estimates and References on Application. James Scott & Son, (ABERDEEN), LIMITED, George Street & John Street, Aberdeen. TheNetting a you will have eventually— BECAUSEit lies dead flat without curves or bulges and gives no trouble. Itismade to stand heavy strains too, being of fine grade wire, galva- 4 nized aftermanufacture. & High quality and low price is another combination that makes “Faultless” the Netting you should test NOW. qj Send us particulars of your require- | ments and we will gladly quote carriage paid prices for large or small quantities, direct from works. United Kingdom. Profitable Farming COMPOUND FERTILISERS For All Crops. SUPERPHOSPHATES. STEAMED BONE MEAL. SULPHATE OF AMMONIA. BASIC SLAG. SULPHATE OF COPPER. THOMAS VICKERS & SONS, Ltd. | WIDNES, LANCS. Telecrams: “Vickers, Widnes.” Telephone 115 (2 lines). HALL & CO. *Phone’: Purley 10. LTD. Lime Burners, COULSDON, L.B. & S.C. Rly. GROUND CARBONATE OF LIME} (For Agricultural Purposes) 20/- per Ton loaded in Bulk F.O.R. Coulsdon. Orders should be booked at once to secure prompt delivery. : | WHITE LUMP & GROUND LIM For Agricultural Purposes. All kinds of CHALK supplied fom Lump Chalk for road making down to extremely Fine Powdered Chalk for Pharmaceutical purposes. Tead Office: Victoria Wharf, EB. Croydon. | Telegrams : Phone : ” ’ ‘© CEMENT, CROYDON. ‘Croypon, 1104. THE JOURNAL OF THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE.—Advertisements. xxix LARGE BLACK PIGS. FIFTEEN HUNDRED BREEDERS with more joining daily TESTIFY TO POPULARITY of this Economical Breed. Try them for their following qualities: Length and Size — Prolificacy : GREAT GRAZERS INCOMPARABLE ‘‘DOERS ” Splendid Constitutions India, Brazil, Peru. Abyssinia, ‘Spain, Switzerland, Belgium, Holland, os italy, Portugal and other countries are buying Large Blacks. : Record price for single pig, 700 guineas. QUARTERLY JOURNAL, 5s. Per Annum. No. 3 published, end of June, 1s. 2d. post free. Descriptive Pamphlet and all Information from L. B. PIG SOCIETY, 12, Hanover Square, London, W.1. (Tent No. 449 a Royal Show at Derby). — WHAT THE DAIRY SHORTHORN ASSOCIATION DOES FOR THE DAIRY SHORTHORN BREED. It promotes the breeding of Pedigree Dairy Shorthorn Cattle. It gives active support in dev eloping , their milk production to the fullest capacity, at the same time maintaining true Shorthorn character. It encourages the development of the Breed, and upholds its claims as the great improver of stock throughout the world. AN INNOVATION. Registration of Dairy Shorthorn Cows for admission to Coates’s Herd Book. In order to cover a wider field, and with the object of breeding up Dairy Stock for admission into Coates’s Herd Book, the Association publishes a. Register of approved Dairy Shorthorn Cows with authentic Milk Records. Entries are invited. YEAR BOOK AND REGISTER. The 1919 Year Book contains authentic Milk Records of 1,194 Pedigree Dai ry Shorthorn Cows, with Photographs of typical animals from leading herds, and a collection of general information of special interest to Breeders of Dairy Stock ; also the Second Volume of the Register containing 1,299 entries of Southern Dairy Cows and Heifers for ultimate progeny 1n Coates’s Herd Book, Copies of the Year Book and Register can be obtained from the Secret: iry, Price 10s, 6d. JOIN THE ASSOCIATION. All owners of Dairy Cattle of the Shorthorn type should become Members of the which is doing so much for the general advancement of their interests. inclusion of their Association FULL PARTICULARS ON APPLICATION TO— The Secretary, Dairy Shorthorn Association, (Dept. 1.). °° 16, BEDFORD SQUARE, LONDON, W.C.1. (Established 1905.) xxx THE JOURNAL OF THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE.—Advertisements. VETERINARY INSTRUMENTS HORSE HOBBLES, Sheather’s. 474 Complete with Leather Collars, Chain Pulleys and cross Hobble. PRICE - &8 17s. 6d. SURGICAL MANUFACTURING C0., Ltd., Veterinary Instrument Makers, 83, 85, Mortimer Street, LONDON, W. ILLUSTRATED CATALOGUE FREE. WHITE FLY ON TOMATOES ‘ NAPTHALIM ” Sprinkled lightly between the rows, and damped slightly just before closing the House for the night EFFECTUALLY DESTROYS WHITE FLY. SAFE! SIMPLE! SURE! TRIAL 1 cwt. bag éarriage paid 16/- Tomato Manure 3 fo Nitrogen = 3'5% Ammonia 12% Phosphates: 3% Pure Potash. PRICE : 17 /- cwt. carriage paid Reductionson Ton or more. RENED RAY & CO. 3, Old Mills, Hounslow. PROFITABLE FEEDING!! OUR STEAM-COOKED FOODS FOR Pics and Pouttry are prepared from THE BEST INGREDIENTS ONLY PERFECTLY STERILISED AND WELL BALANCED. PIGMEAL . MEAT MEAL MEAT and BONE Specially GREEN BONE In Three Prepared ADULT ‘* CHICK,” MEAL. Grades Samples Analysis and Prices on Application to the Makers NATIONAL BY-PRODUCTS LTD. Goschen Buildings, Henrietta Street, Strand, London, W.C.2. “CLAYTON ” GASSING MACHINE for DESTRUCTION OF RATS, RABBITS, &c. producing sulphurous gas of high strength without danger to operator or domestic Animals. Unlike Poisons, Virus and Trapping, it Destroys not only Adult Vermin, but also the Young in the Nests. Used by PUBLIC BODIES, ESTATE OWNERS, FARMERS, &c. Full Particulars fi CLAYTON FIRE EXTINGUISHING & DISINFECTING CO. LT 2, Craven Street, Strand, London, W.C Agent RESSICH & CAMPBELL, 118. Queen St., cua gents we, Day, Church House, Lord Street, Liverpool. i THE JOURNAL OF THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE.—Advertisements. BOTTLING APPLIANCES. » Use Fowler’s75/- Bottling Outfits & have Fruit, q—,- Peas, Pheasants, ~ Partridges, Poultry, <* Grouse, Rabbits and other Foods preserv- ed, ready for Lunch and Urgent Meals, Avoid the cost of keeping | superfluous cockerels by preserving them with Fowler's Bottling Outfits. By arrangement we will pre- serve for you Poultry and Game or purchase the latter for Bottling. Mrs. of Kenmare, wrote 1918—‘‘I find your Bottles most useful for preserving Game, Salmon and Chickens.” Send for Price List— GEO. FOWLER, LEE & Co., Limited, Dept. 5, 72, Queens Road, READING. J. DB. CAMPBELL, Manufacturer of NICOTINE in Bond from duty- free Tobacco. Nicotine makes the very finest Insecticide for fumi- gating, vapourising, or spraying to destroy insects infesting vegetation. Your inquiries solicited. LUND STREET, CORNBROOK MANCHESTER. Lancashire, Cheshire, Shropshire & North Wales. Messrs. BOULT, SON & MAPLES, VALUERS, SURVEYORS, ESTATE AGENTS, AND PROPERTY AUCTIONEERS. Offices: 5, COOK STREET, LIVERPOOL. Teiegrams—“ Acres,’’ Liverpool. Telephones—187 Bank—2 lines. Estates, Farms, Residential and Business Properties only. Periodical Sales of Property at Liverpool, Chester and Preston. ANDREW WEIR & CO. Sack and Bag Manufacturers and Merchants, 21, PARLIAMENT ST., LIVERPOOL. Telegrams : “ Weirsac.” "Phone: 895 Royal. THE ANIMAL PRODUCTS CO., LTD., 24, Benson Street, LIVERPOOL. ORGANIC MANURES OF EVERY DESCRIPTION. Meat Meal, Bone Meal, Blood Meal for Poultry, &c., feeding. YXX1 MILK Wexrorp & S ons (Dairies) Limrrep. Now open to receive offers of Reliable Dairies of WELL COOLED MILK. FULL SUPPLIES OF PLATED CHURNS PROVIDED. CHEQUES FORTNIGHTLY. Call or write full particulars of Summer and Winter Quantities, Nearest Station, etc., to: H. TROTMAN, Managing Director, Chief Dairy Offices, Elgin LONDON, W. 9. Avenue, Advertise IN “The Journal of the Ministry of Agriculture ” CIRCULATION 11,000 Copies a Month, Sole Agents for Advertisements : C. VERNON & SONS, Limited, 38, Holborn Viaduct, E.C.1. 36, North Frederick Street, Glasgow. 56-62, South Castle Street, Liverpool. Leaky Roofs Cuirass Liquid Proofing No. 6 applied with a brush waterproofs concrete, asphalte, zinc flats, felts, and damp walls. Cuirass Products, Ltd., site 69, VICTORIA STREET, en [LONDON, S.W.1. Cutrass Paint No. 1 for Tren goes 3 times as far — saves labour and material costs. VICTORIA FENCING COMPANY, LTD. (T. W. PALMER & CO.), 5, VICTORIA STREET, WESTMINSTER, S.W.1. Sole Manufacturers of “VICTORIA” CLEFT CHESTNUT PALING. Att a itt tA f ra) F a PATTERN UL LILA PATTERN 0437 |i | | i 0438 i 4 eT | The cheapest efficient fence on the market. Prices from ]/] per yard run. Made from best home-grown timber, carefully selected and cleft with the grain. As durable as itis economical, The V.¥.Co. LTD. also make QAK AND FIR FENCES AND GATES, WROUGHT,IRON FENCES AND GATES of all kinds. Send post card for latest Catalogue, A 21. Works: CHURCH ROAD, MERTON ABBEY, and MILL ST., MAIDSTONE. _ THE JOURNAL OF THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE.—Advertisements. | |p H PHOS S PHA! E | | q A radio-active phosphatic fertilser, | | ” contamnmg 60-65% Phosphates. HIGHLY SOLUBLE. | . | 1 | |: | | For grain and roots “ EPHOS” will give results et to superphosphate and basic slag, while it t excels both in the promotion of leaf and stem. “EPHOS” counteracts soil acidity. |“ “EPHOS ” is particularly well adapted be mixing . in compound manures. |cROOKSTON BROS., 38, Grosvenor Gardens, London, S.W.l. faa bl AMNH LIBRARY wii | i THE JOUBNAL OF THB MINISTRY OF nin — ait semante. AGRICULTURAL LIME To All Cultivators of Land: USE OUR GENUINE GROUND LIME | GROUND LIME is a FERTILISER, and secures HEAVIER CROPS with a MINIMUM of EXPENSE GROUND LIME, if applied to the land in quantities of about 10 cwt. or more — per acre per annum, will produce greatly augmented CROPS, whether of Cereals, | Clovers, or Leguminous Plants. THIS LIME is a SOIL FOOD, an INSECTICIDE, a FUNGICIDE, and the BEST REMEDY for “ FINGER-AND-TOE” DISEASE in ‘TURNIPS, &«. For Prices of AGRICULTURAL ‘LIME. AND GROUND CARBONATE OF LIME THE CEMENT MARKETING COMPARY, LIMITED, LIME DEPARTMENT, ‘ 8, LLOYDS AVENUE, LONDON, E.C.3. Telegraphic Address:—** PORTLAND, FEN, LONDON.’ Telephone No:—§690 AVENUE (Private Exchange).