NOTES AND QUERIES. 



Afforestation of Reclaimed Lands. 



229 



In connection with the subject of afforestation, the following 

 official notice is of interest : — 



"The King has been pleased to enlarge the terms of 

 reference to the Royal Commission on Coast Erosion, and to 

 direct them to inquire whether, in connection with reclaimed 

 lands or otherwise, it is desirable to make an experiment in 

 afforestation as a means of increasing employment during 

 periods of depression in the labour market, and if so, by 

 what authority, and under what conditions, such experiment 

 should be conducted ; and to add to the Commission the 

 following new members : — Mr John Galvin, Mr E. Stafford 

 Howard, C.B., Mr H. C. Monro, C.B., Dr W. Somerville, F.L.S., 

 F.R.S.E., Mr Eraser Story, and Mr John Ward, M.P." 



Basic Slag on Seed-Beds. 



{With Plate.) 



The value of basic slag as a fertiliser has been demonstrated 

 and proved in many ways; but as I am not aware of its having 

 been tested on seed-beds — in this country at least — I am 

 sending the accompanying photograph, along with table of 

 measurements and explanation. 



These measurements illustrate the rate of growth of two lots 

 of Scots pine, the specimens measured and photographed being 

 average sized plants of their respective lots. 



Those illustrated by No. i were raised at PoUok, the seed 

 having been sown in beds prepared in the usual way, and a 

 light dressing of well-matured farmyard manure dug in; but, 

 before covering the seed, basic slag was sown on the beds 

 at the rate of about 12 cwts. per acre. This was the only 

 special attention they received, except that during a spell of 



