Wednesday/, December 11, 1912. 255 



Inspector under the Scottish Board of Agriculture. Mr. Frank 

 C. Atkinson, B.Sc, of Durham University, and now of the North- 

 Eastern County School, Barnard Castle, has been appointed as 

 the new Managei* of the Farm. 



31. The work of the Botanical Department during the past 

 year has been of a very varied character. The earlier months 

 of the year were, as usual, occupied with seed-testing and deal- 

 ing with enquiries as to the best kinds of seeds for various pur- 

 poses. In the early part of the summer many problems con- 

 cerned with the management of meadow land were dealt with. 

 The majority of these were traceable directly to the effects of the 

 long continued drought of 1911. As a result of this, bare patches 

 were found chiefly through the death of the clovers, which 

 became invaded by colonies of annual grasses such as soft 

 brome and various weeds. In some few cases pastures had 

 suffered in the same manner though not to so marked an extent. 

 Such patches should "heal" in a season or so if the annuals are 

 prevented from seeding, but in one exceptionally bad case re- 

 seeding had to be recommended. Weeds for identification were 

 received in larger numbers than usual. Many of these were 

 sent under the impression that they might be responsible 

 for the death of sheep, but none of the species examined were 

 known to be poisonous. Others were common perennial weeds 

 which had obtained a hold in pastures chiefly through bad 

 management in former years. The increasing recognition of 

 the losses caused by fungoid parasites has led to numerous 

 enquiries in this subject. The majority were concerned with 

 the diseases of fruit trees, and in most cases simple curative 

 or preventive measures could be suggested directly. In some 

 few cases special investigations have had to be started with the 

 aid, in most cases, of the Members sending the enquiries. 



32. The work of this Department during the past year has, 

 as usual, fallen under three heads : — The identification of a 

 large number of insects and arachnids, interesting for one reason 

 or another, the giving of advice in the case of insect attack, and 

 the investigation of obscure points in the life history of pests. 

 An unusual number of insects and arachnids have been sent 

 for investigation, including many external parasites of animals. 

 The insect attacks advised upon have included a few of an 

 abnormal character, and have covered a wide field, comprising 

 pests of farm crops, fruit, forest trees, and domestic animals. 

 An enquiry was carried out into the utility of the " Ortel fer- 

 ment," and into the life-history of several injurious insects. Re- 

 newed investigation of the raspberry beetle has brought new facts 

 to light, and further discoveries have been made in connection 

 with the pea thrips. As usual the peculiar weather conditions 

 had a marked effect on the work of the season. 



33. The outbreaks of anthrax confirmed by the Board of 

 Agriculture during the year show a slight decline as compared 

 with the previous year. The returns with regard to glanders 

 continue to be satisfactory, but the progress towards complete 

 extermination of the disease has been less rapid than during 

 1911. In the case of sheep scab there has been since the be- 

 ginni^-or of the year a most gratifying diminution in the number 



