j64 



] oiirnal of Af:_r/culiiin' . 



[jo March. 1910. 



following chemicals were used during the experiments carried out at 

 that time : — 



1. A mixture of sulphate of potash and sul[)lia(e of ammonia. 



2. A dressing of lime. 



3. Spraying the plants with diluted phenvle. 



4. Spraying with dilute corrosive sublimate. 



5. Dilute rorrosive sublimate ajiplied to the soil in the badly affected parlb. 



6. Sulphate of iron forked in between the rows of the onions. 



These chemicals, it is stated, produced no^ effect, the disease being as bad 

 on the treated as on the untreated plots. Since then, numerous experiments 

 for the eradication of this pest have been tried by other investigators, 

 principally on their own initiative. Amongst these, special attention must 

 be made of Mr. R. J. Fletcher, of North Geelong, whose work extended 

 over a period of foin- vears. and included not only the effect of chemical 



DISEASED ONIONS ON THE RIGHT, SHOWING DAMAGE CAUSED BY THE 

 EEL-WORM. (half NATURAL SIZE.) 



substances and manuxes on the affected land, but also a study of the lite 

 history and habits of the eel -worm. By this observer over 300 plots were 

 treated, scattered over nine different farms in paddocks known to be 

 diseased, and included within an area of 30 square miles, thus getting a 

 variety of soils, drainage, and other conditions. 



The chemicals used were the following : — Sulphurous acid, chloride 

 of lime, arsenic and soda, potassium cyanide, corrosive sublimate, spent 

 oxide fro-Ti gas works, common salt, ground quicklime, freshly slaked lime, 

 saccharated solution of lime, flowers of sulphur, precipitated sulphur, and 

 na])hthaline. Out of this comprehensive list of chemicals, he found that 

 sul]~)hurous acid and ammonia were the only two that gave results worth 



