720 Agricultural Gazette of N.SAV. [Oct. 2, 1920. 



Quantity of Seed to Sow. 

 This will vary to some extent according to the district in which it is to 

 be sown. In very dry districts, where it may be better to plant- it in drills 

 21 inches apart, 4 to 5 lb. per aci-e is sufficient, but in districts with an 

 average rainfall of 22 inches and over, up to 8 lb. per acre, sown broadcast or 

 through every hoe of the seed-drill, is recommended. When sown broadcast 

 or through every drill hoe, the strain on the harvesting machinery is not so 

 great during cutting as when it is planted in rows some distance apart, the 

 machine being jarred considerably when it strikes the row. 



After-cultivation. 

 When the seed is drilled in, the land requires to be left undisturbed until 

 the young plants are well above the ground and firmly rooted, when a cross- 

 harrowing, to prevent evaporation and level the ground foi- harvesting 

 machinery, should be given. A similar harrowing is also advisable after each 

 cutting has been removed. 



Gumming of Sugar Cane. 



The symptoms of gumming in badly affected cases are most marked and 

 unmistakable, but careful discrimination is required to detect the disease in 

 its early stages. Thus, there is always a danger that slightly affected canes 

 may be reserved for seed purposes, either (1) because the giower has not 

 noticed the symptoms of the disease, or (2) because he imagines that such 

 slight infection cannot result in much harm. 



Too much stress cannot be laid on the fact that diseased sets will result in 

 diseased stools. 



The following measures are recommended as essential to the production of 

 a clean crop : — 



1. Reserve the healthiest portion of the crop for seed purposes. Make 



a separate heap of such canes when cut. 



2. After the canes have sweated in the stacks, examine cut ends carefully 



and reject any showing the slightest signs of gumming. 



3. In cutting up the cane for sets avoid shattering of canes. Disinfect 



knife by flipping in a solution of formalin (5 parts commercial 

 formalin, 100 parts water) or cresol (10 parts cre.sol, 100 parts 

 water) before cutting each cane. 



4. Burn off trash before planting. 



5. Uo not replant to cane any land which has previous!}' produced a 



seriously gummed crop. Adoj)t a rotation. 



6. Avoid badly-drained land when possible. Tt predisposes to the disease. 



— R. .1. NoHLK, Assistant Biologist. 



Correction— \\\ the August issue, page 575, line 20, should read: — 

 "Recent research has shown that certain parasites of horses and cattle, 

 notably the worm producing tumor-like growths in the stomachs of horses, 

 and probal)ly that producing worm nodule-; in cattle, are fly-borne." 



