1897.] 



PUBLIC DOCUMENT — No. 33. 



45 



Sulphur for Prevention of Scab of Potatoes (120 Hills Each). 



The use of sulphur in the drill appears to have been abso- 

 lutely without effect. The table indicates that even when 

 seed is planted in infected land the treatment with corrosive 

 sublimate is somewhat beneficial. 



Trial of Hay Caps. 



Another season's use, and very frequent and extended use, 

 of the three styles of hay caps mentioned in my last report, 

 viz., the Symmes' paper board, oiled cotton and cotton 

 impregnated with tannin, has led to the following conclu- 

 sions : — 



1. Caps of some sort are extremely useful, especially 

 with such crops as clover, millets, oats and peas, and other 

 slow-curing crops, especially those much injured by exces- 

 sive handling. 



2. The Symmes' cap is most quickly applied, — an im- 

 portant point, — and is best liked. It appears to be wear- 

 ing very well. 



3. Of the two styles of cloth caps in use, those impreg- 

 nated with tannin arc most durable. The oiled caps are 

 more mildewed than the others and have become much more 

 torn. 



4. It has been found that in some cases, where clover 

 has been cocked quite green and covered with the three 

 kinds of caps and allowed to stand for some time with fre- 

 quent rains, it has kept better under the cloth than under 

 the Symmes' caps. The porosity of the former in such cases 

 appears to be an advantage. 



