Notes, Communications and Reviews. 429 



The fi)llowiiig paragraph, taken from the Bulletin already 

 quoted, describes what was found to l)e the best method of 

 treatment : — 



" Preparation and use of formalin. 



" Formalin, or formal, is the commercial name for a solution 

 "containing from 35 per cent, to 40 per cent, of formic 

 " aldehyde in water. It can be purchased from the chemists in 

 " bottles at about Is. 'od. per pint, or at reduced rates for larger 

 " quantities. It should be freshly purchased when required. 

 " One pint of formalin mixed with every twenty gallons of 

 " water used will give the most effective strength (1 part in 160 

 " of water). The mixing may be done in a clean tub or in any 

 " other convenient vessel. It mixes readily with water. The 

 " seed corn should be placed in a coarse sack, or better still a 

 " wicker basket, and moved slowly up and down for about ten 

 " minutes in the solution, so that every grain is thoroughly 

 '* wetted, after which it must he spread out to dry.'' The 

 italics are ours ; harm is apt to result from neglecting 

 the precaution indicated in the words so italicised. " When 

 "quite dry it is ready for sowing. The same solution may be 

 " used over and over again. The actual cost of dressing in this 

 " way will not exceed a small fraction of a penny per bushel in 

 " addition to the labour." 



This formalin treatment for " seed " barley should be more 

 widely known than it is, as much loss is occasioned by failing 

 to carry out a process which is very cheap and easy of 

 application. 



K. J. J. M. 



Veterinary Studies for Agricultural Students/ — A handbook 

 treating of this most important subject, for the use of those 

 who ai*e eventually to practice farming is, at the present 

 moment, much in demand ; therefore, the volume now under 

 review was read with considerable interest. Though the most 

 captious would be bound to admit that it contains much useful 

 information, the most lenient critic could not hold that the 

 author has pi'oduced anything very ideal for its purpose. 



It seems to be common sense to demand in this respect 

 a book which will, ahovf all things, tell of, illustrate, and 

 describe syniptons of disease, and so enable a student to learn 

 quickly how to recognise them. It is by this knowledge that 

 the ti-ained agriculturist ought to profit to the greatest extent. 

 For, on the one hand, if he is well taught in matters of 

 elementary diagnosis, he will save some money by not sending 

 for the professional veterinarian in cases of trivial illness, and 

 on the other he will save even more by a diagnosis made early 



By H. M. Reynolds, B.S.A., D.V.N., M.D., Macmillan & Co., New York. 



