1899.] PUBLIC DOCUMENT — No. 33. 143 



bulletin, containing G7 pages and 14 plates, gives a full 

 account of the parasitic species of nematode, its life history 

 and development, together with the results of an extensive 

 series of experiments on the methods of controlling the 

 pest. In these investigations the worthlessness of many 

 supposed remedies has been brought out, and a practical 

 method of treatment developed l)y which the trouble can be 

 successfully and economically avoided. From a consider- 

 able amount of data accumulated during the last three years 

 it appears that the loss experienced by cucumber growers 

 who have been troubled with nematodes in the greenhouse 

 equals 25 to 85 per cent, of the marketable crop ; and it is 

 hoped, from the positive results obtained, that little trouble 

 may be experienced hereafter with this pest. There are still, 

 however, some further experiments being made upon nema- 

 tode-control methods, in co-operation with large greenhouse 

 growers, along lines which promise cheaper and efficient 

 results. 



The principal investigations with which this division is 

 concerned at present are largely in connection with market- 

 garden crops such as are cultivated in greenhouses. The 

 division is supplied 'wdth greenhouses excellently arranged 

 for experimental purposes, and containing space enough to 

 carry on investigations from which reliable deductions can 

 be drawn. The more important greenhouse crops grown 

 in our gi-eenhouses for experimental purposes are those rep- 

 resenting consideraljle importance in this State, namely, 

 lettuce, cucumbers and tomatoes ; and it may be justly said 

 that there is no class of agricultural pursuits Avhich is re})re- 

 sented by men of greater intelligence, skill and knowledge. 



A brief outline of some of the investigations may not bo 

 out of place : — 



(«) Experiments on the control of the " drop " in lettuce, 

 and a study of the little known ha])its of the fungus causing 

 the same. A lettuce house, 40 l)y 12 feet, is devoted to 

 these experiments. 



{b) Observations on the "top-burn" in lettuce. 



(c) Experiments on the mechanical conditions of the soil, 

 as aftecting the growth of lettuce. 



