104 



TOMATO. 



he considered it would be worih while for him to try the effect of a 

 large variety of chemical applications, carefully observing and noting 

 effects of each, both on the Eelworms, and on the plants. 



The first series of observations was conducted on Tomato plants in 

 pots. In every case pots were used that held four and a half pounds 

 of soil when fairly dry, and soil that was known to be infested with the 

 "Root-knot " Eelworms. About twenty-four different kinds of chemical 

 applications were experimented with, the precise amount applied in 

 each case being noted and stated in " grammes." * The observations 

 were made in almost every case with different amounts of the 

 chemical application, these amounts, together with the effect (or 

 absence of effect) on the plants, and on the Eelworms, being carefully 

 noted. 



Thus in these first observations before me, we have a tabulated 

 record, as correct as the most scrupulous care can make it, of about 

 one hundred and twenty experiments ; these in most cases giving the 

 effects of at least two, and often three, amounts of chemical application, 

 sometimes of many more, and thus forming an interesting record of 

 their effects on plant life ; also of the instances where neither plant 

 nor Eelworm suffered ; of some where the plant was injured, but the 

 Eelworms were still to be found; and of some where the desired end 

 was reached, of the plant continuing in good health, but no Eelworms 

 being observable. 



The result of tbis first series of experiments appears to show that 

 there are a fair proportion of chemical applications which kill the 

 Eelworm, but the expense of the applications would in almost every 

 instance be far too great for remunerative broadscale use. The 

 chemical applications made use of being with a few exceptions the 

 same combinations which were used in the later series of experi- 

 ments, of which the account is appended, it is unnecessary to give the 

 list. 



The detailed tabulated notes of the foregoing experiments were 

 placed in my hands in June, but the observer being anxious to secure 

 absolute certainty in his results, then (with the experience gained by 

 these first experiments) commenced a second similar series, of which, 

 with his permission, I subjoin his own condensed report. 



I cannot help regretting that I am not permitted to publish the 

 first set, as they give precise details, observed with scrupulous care, of 

 effects on the plant and Eelworm life which are valuable in this rarely 

 obtainable minute detail, and if given with the preliminary note that 

 they were tentative preliminary experiments, would have freed the 



* A " gramme " is, as nearly as possible, equivalent to fifteen and a half grains 

 English. 



