Vlll 



Mr. Shoobridge said that might be accounted for by more silica 

 being taken up, and causing a hard substance on the leaf. The 

 same fact was noticed with rust in wheat, and where there was more 

 silica in land the plant was harder, and was not affected in the 

 same way. . 



Mr. Bastow said that he first studied peronospora mtestans when 

 he was in Manchester. They had a large quantity of manure to get rid 

 of and wanted to get a market for it. The soil round Manchester 

 was very heavy, and the disease at that time was creating very great 

 havoc among the potatoes. They allowed a few of the market garde- 

 ners to try this manure, and it was found that it was better than horse 

 dung, and the potatoes were comparatively free from disease. 



LONGFORD COAL. 



An interesting paper was read by Mr. R. M. Johnston, P.L.S., on the 

 Longford coal. The paper was illustrated by diagrams, and he dealt 

 with the various seams worked up to the present, giving analysis pre- 

 pared by Mr. W. F. Ward, Government analyst, of a sample of the 

 coal. 



Discussion took place, and Mr. Stephens spoke favourably of the 

 Norwich coal measures ; but deprecated the waste of money in boring 

 for coal without sufficient data to go upon, or any reasonable prospect 

 of satisfactory result. 



EXPLANATION. 



Mr. Abbott, superintendent of the Botanical Gardens, wrote stating 

 that a telegram irom Melbourne that appeared in The Mercury of the 

 6th April re evidence given by him before the Royal Commission on 

 Vegetable Products, "viz., that fruit-growing in Tasmania was on the 

 decline," was incorrect. The answer regarding the fruit-growing in 

 Tasmania, given by him, was as follows : — That we grew fruit 

 extensively. That orchard ground had a special value. That the area 

 under fruit had increased greatly during the last few years. That fruit 

 trees were still being planted largely. That the ordinary jam- 

 making was the only mode of preserving at present practised, the 

 American process of drying would no doubt come in time, as over- 

 production would lead to it. That during the last year or two there 

 had been over-production, especially in small fruits, more particularly 

 raspberries. That some of the older orchards were dying out, and that 

 he was of opinion that many would do so if only on account of the codlin 

 moth that had got such a hold of them. That except some of the 

 districts having declared themselves to be clean, the Codlin Moth Act 

 was at present a dead letter. That he did not think vine planting in 

 Tasmania was on the increase except at Maria Island, where large 

 numbers had been put in with good prospects. That no doubt some 

 parts of Victoria would be found equally suitable for the production 

 of fruit as Tasmania; but that, speaking as a whole or generally, he was 

 of opinion that the hot winds would interfere with its successful 

 production." The above from memory is the gist of the evidence 

 given on fruit growing as applied to Tasmania. 



Mr. Shoobridge said that the trees in his locality had a tendency 

 to be very short-lived. Orchards planted 14 or 15 years ago have 

 seriously decreased. The ends of the branches died away, and the trees 

 were very much smaller. No amount of care, attention, or watering, 

 appeared to keep up the fertility of the trees. 



Mr. STEPHENS : Is that not "caused by the ground being badly 



Mr. Shoobeidge said no. This occurred in some of the most porous 

 soils he knew of. There was very little difference whether there 

 was irrigation or not. 



