240 Report to the Annual General Meeting, 



have met Mr. Freear at the annual shows of the Society will 

 have vivid memories of his lucid explanations and of the keen 

 interest he took in his work. The whole of the experimental 

 work at Woburn is deeply indebted to him for the ability and 

 zeal he ever displayed. 



The Council have subscribed a sum of £50 towards the Fund 

 raised for the building of a new Laboratory, in celebration of 

 the Centenary of Lawes and Gilbert. 



During the past year 188 samples of the smaller agricul- 

 tural seeds, 32 samples of cereals and 4 mixtures of gra^s and 

 clover seeds were received for analysis. In a detailed report on 

 the results of these analyses, now in preparation, full information 

 will be given with regard to their purity and germinating 

 capacity. Fifteen weeds were identified and, where feasible, 

 measures were suggested for their eradication. 



Enquiries with regard to fungoid diseases were less numerous 

 than usual : they numbered only 28 and few proved of any 

 general interest. The one outstanding exception is the "corky 

 scab " of potatoes recently scheduled by the Board of 

 Agriculture. 



General enquiries embraced a wide range of subjects such as 

 the value of horse chestnuts for feeding purposes, the possibility 

 of cultivating soya beans and maize in this country, the pre- 

 paration of fungicides, the selection of grasses for special soil 

 conditions, the distribution of some poisonous species of plants, 

 etc. The total number of such enquiries was 102. Included in 

 the total are some twenty requests for information with regard 

 to the cropping capacity of some of the newer varieties of cereals. 

 The increasing demand for information on this subject is being 

 met by recording as completely as possible the results from the 

 different experimental stations where such varieties are 

 systematically tested. 



The work of the Zoological Department during the year has, 

 as usual, comprised the giving of advice to members in connection 

 with insect attacks, the identification of specimens, and research 

 on the life-history of particular pests. The applications for advice 

 have covered a wide field, including internal and external animal 

 parasites and various creatures injurious to farm crops, fruit and 

 forest trees. They have not, however, been affected as much as 

 was anticipated by the remarkable weather conditions of the 

 year. Certain pests — notably some species of Aphis, and 

 Diamond-back moth — have been more prevalent than usual, but 

 there have been few surprises, and the work has been largely of 

 a routine description. A research into the relation of pheasants 

 to agriculture was commenced at the beginning of the year and is 

 still proceeding. 



The Council, through their Veterinary Committee, have 

 had under consideration various matters connected with animal 

 diseases, and representations have been made to the Board of 

 Agriculture and Fisheries with regard to the methods of dealing 

 with sheep scab, swine fever, and the conditions governing the 

 importation of Irish cattle into this country. The Report on the 

 Tuberculosis experiments at Woburn concluded last year has 

 been issued to Members. 



