STEM BEL WORMS. 29 



regard to what is carried from the land, it should be borne in mind 

 that if it becomes mixed (as in litter, for instance) with manm"e, the 

 Eelworms will in all probability be carried out again to reinfest the 

 fields- It should also be remembered that they may be carried to an 

 amount to do mischief in such surface earth of the infested field as 

 may cling to the boots of workmen, or agricultural implements or 

 garden tools. In this manner patches of infestation are very liable to 

 be formed and spread. 



All measures, whether of treatment of the ground or of liberal and 

 rich manuring, of a nature suited to drive on hearty growth are of use 

 in supporting infested plants if of material suited to its special nature, 

 but nitrate of soda (so far as reports- to myself go) has proved nearly 

 or wholly valueless as an antidote to Eelworm-sickness. 



Of special applications for Clover and Oats, whether as preventives, 

 as manure in the preparation of the land, or as dressings to bring a 

 crop over attack, sulphate of potash alone ; as a mixture with sulphate 

 of ammonia ; or both of these with phosphates, have been found most 

 serviceable. 



Sulphate of potash at the rate of 1 cwt. per acre has had a good 

 effect in stopping the disease and bringing a good crop ; — also at the 

 rate of about ^ cwt. per acre it has done well. 



As a manurial application, a mixture of about two parts sulphate 

 of potash, three parts sulphate of ammonia, and four parts of phos- 

 phates, brought remarkably healthy plants, with few exceptions. 



A recipe found to answer well in case of attack in " Tulip-rooted 

 Oats" or " Stem-sick Clover" is — sulphate of ammonia four parts, 

 sulphate of potash one part, and steamed bones two parts : this at the 

 rate of l^ cwt. per acre, followed up by a dressing of 2 cwt. per acre 

 of sulphate of ammonia. 



The following note of experiment in treatment of Clover-sickness 

 at Kothamsted, which I was kindly permitted to use, showed entirely 

 satisfactory results : — " A mixture of sulphate of potash 3 cwt., and 

 sulphate of ammonia 1 cwt. per acre, was applied on April 3rd." The 

 disease ceased, and the Clover made a very vigorous growth, which 

 was continued markedly in the second crop. Sulphate of iron at the 

 rate of 2 cwt. also answered very well both for stopping the disease 

 and giving good growth; at the rate of 1 cwt. the sulphate of iron was 

 not so serviceable. 



A rotation such as will not give immediate succession of a crop 

 liable to Eelworm injury to one which has suffered from infestation 

 (as may be in the case of alternation of Oats and Clover) either at 

 once or before sufficient time has elapsed for clearing the land of the 

 wormlets, is of great importance. 



