FINGER-AND-TOE. 157 



applied in caustic state, would be beneficial not only by its subsequent 

 effects on the crop plant, but by its immediately destructive effects 

 on the Fungus spores, or the exceedingly minute Slime Fungi, when 

 germinating, but in whatever way it may be brought about, the good 

 effect of the application is definitely recorded by Dr. Voelcker. 



In his leaflet on the use of gas-lime in agriculture,* Dr. Voelcker 

 notes (p. 4), with regard to the attack on the Turnip field above 

 alluded to : — " At my recommendation the occupier applied a heavy 

 dose of gas-lime, which completely cured the evil." Also in the same 

 publication it is noted: — "A large dose of gas-lime applied to the 

 stubble land in the autumn before it has been turned up by the 

 plough, in many instances, is an effectual cure for this disease." — 

 (A. V.) 



The strength of the dose of course varies with circumstances, but 

 if put on at above date, when the land can be left untouched for six 

 weeks or so, to allow the gas-lime to oxidise, two tons per acre might 

 be used. The gas-lime should be put on in fresh caustic state, and as 

 in this condition it poisons or destroys plant, and also insect life, thus 

 being a most effectual remedy for many field troubles, time must be 

 given for the changes in its chemical nature to be carried out, by which, 

 when lying exposed to the action of the air, it changes to a manure 

 of the nature of gypsum, a safe and beneficial dressing for many crops. 



In some instances lime and soot have been found to answer in 

 checking Club presence, as noted in the following observation from 

 Mr. Eyden, the head gardener to S. Berger, Esq., of Bragbury, 

 Stevenage, Herts. In this case the Club was extirpated, and as Mr. 

 Eyden's experience extends over 22 years, his observation is valuable, 

 but it would be of interest to have special further observations to 

 ascertain clearly whether this would not equally be the case if the lime 

 only was used, without the admixture of soot. 



Mr. Eyden wrote as follows : — " When I first came here I had 

 whole breadths spoilt of Broccoli and Cauliflowers, which have been 

 more subject to attack here than any other green. The first year I 

 was here I found I had got a bed of plants attacked ; I pulled all up 

 and burnt them. I simply sowed some lime on the ground and 

 replanted it, dipping the roots of each plant in sooty water before 

 planting it, and when taken up not one root was in the least affected. 

 Since then I have always treated them in the same way, and have had 

 very few Clubs." — (W. E.) 



* See four-page leaflet ' On the Composition and use of Gas-lime,' by Dr. 

 Augustus Voelcker, Prof, of Chemistry to the Royal Agricultural Society of England. 

 Printed by King, Sell, and Eailton, Gough Square, E.G. Procurable by any book- 

 seller. This is a most useful leaflet, full of practical as well as scientific infor- 

 mation. 



