

AND ON FINGERS-AND-TOES. 249 



I have elsewhere discussed at some length the subject of 

 fingers-and-toes in turnips,* and will only quote here, therefore, 

 as the result to which that discussion has led me. " That the 

 cure for this disease appears to be the application of a large 

 dose of lime to the stubble-land in the autumn, after it has 

 been turned up by the plough, "f The questions to be asked 

 by the way of experiment therefore are 



1. Will a large dose of 100 to 200 bushels of lime, applied 

 in that way, prevent this disease of fingers-and-toes from 

 appearing in the subsequent turnip crop ? 



2. Will the application of an equal quantity of lime to 

 another portion of the same land, if laid on in spring, fail to 

 prevent the disease ? The experience of Mr Wilson of Cum- 

 ledge answers this in the affirmative, but it is desirable to test 

 it by a wider experience. 



3. Are all soils poor in lime upon which this disease appears ? 

 My own experience is in the affirmative, but more numerous 

 analyses may bring to light exceptions to this result, and may 

 lead us to a more general cause of the evil. 



As to the disease in oats called sedge or tulip-root, I have 

 never myself had an opportunity of practically investigating its 

 cause or character. On the supposition, however, that, like that 

 of fingers-and-toes, it may be caused or accompanied by the 

 appearance of insects in the roots, I venture to inquire whether 

 it is known 



1. If lime has any effect in preventing its recurrence? and 



2. If it has ever been ascertained whether those soils in 

 which it appears are poor or rich in lime ? 



If they are generally poor in lime, the trial of lime as a pre- 

 ventive of the disease is indicated. If no trials with lime 

 have been made by any of my readers, it may be interesting to 

 make experiments with this substance, especially in Scotland, 

 where the oat-crop is superior in quality as well as in value to 

 the country at large. 



* See Use of Lime in Agriculture, p. 195. The facts there stated will, I think, 

 interest the reader, 

 f Ibid. p. 201. 



