299 



On the other hand batches of Coffee seeds were soaked, before 

 germination commenced, for one hour, two hours, and three 

 hours respectively, in a 1 per cent, solution of commercial formalin, 

 without sustaining the slightest injury. In fact the batch of seeds 

 soaked for three hours was the first to germinate, owing to 

 the consequent softening of the testa. This amount of soaking, 

 immediately before sowing, is calculated to destroy any fungus 

 spores present on the surface of the seed without producing any 

 untow T ard effect. 



The following account of a similar method of disinfecting 

 Cotton seeds carried out by the officer of the Imperial Department 



News 



W 



" Experiments have been carried out by officers of the 

 Imperial Department during the past year in Antigua, Barbados, 

 and St. Vincent, with a view to finding out what method of 

 disinfection should be recommended to planters of cotton. The 

 experiments in Barbados and St. Vincent have been carried out 

 on a field scale, and therefore the results may be taken as a guide 

 to practice. 



41 A wooden tub should be carefully washed out, and a solution 

 of 1 in 1,000 corrosive sublimate made up in it. This should then 

 be covered down and allowed to stand. After a few days (say a 

 week), when the reaction between the wood and the corrosive 

 sublimate has finished, this solution should be run away, and a 

 fresh supply made up by dissolving 1 oz. of corrosive sublimate 

 to every 7 gallons of water. It is estimated that I gallon of the 

 solution should be sufficient to disinfect 12 lb. of seed at a cost of 

 a little more than lc. The cotton seed is soaked in this solution 

 for twenty minutes, then removed and spread in a thin layer, on 

 a clean floor, or a clean canvas, to dry, either in the shade or in 

 the sun. While drying, the seed should be turned several times, 

 and when thoroughly dry it will be ready for planting, or may be 

 put into bags and stored ior some time. No seed should be 

 planted without first being thoroughly dried. It is advisable to 

 use a new solution for each new batch of seed. 



" It has been shown that it is unnecessary to wash in pure 

 water after soaking in corrosive sublimate if the seed is not to be 

 kept for more than a few days before planting. If the seed is to 

 be stored for any considerable length of time, it might be advisable 

 to wash in pure water for ten minutes after taking from the 

 disinfectant solution. 



" The germination of the seeds, after disinfection for twenty 

 minutes, would appear to be in no way affected, and, m some 

 instances, germination has been somewhat hastened by tne 

 soaking." 



Calabash Tobacco Pipes.-Among the exhibits from Cape Colony 



at the South African Exhibition held in London during he earl} 

 part of this year was an interesting series of specimens illustrating 

 the Calabash Pipe industry. 



29041 



