49G 



Questions in Parliament. 



[Aug., 



in some detail in an article published in the issue of this Journal for January 

 last, consists in immersing the seeds in a solution of common salt and water 

 (4 oz. to the gallon) or calcium chloride and water (8 oz. to the gallon), and 

 applying an electric current to the solution, and afterwards drying the seeds 

 at a temperature of 100° F. 



The experiments conducted by Mr. Sutton and described in his small 

 pamphlet were intended to ascertain (a) whether the process is sufficiently 

 beneficial as regards results to justify the expense it entails, (h) whether the 

 benefit is due to the process as a whole, including the use of electricity, and 

 (c) whether equally satisfactory results could be obtained by immersion of 

 the seed without theiuse of electricity. With this object comparative tests 

 Av-ere made of seeds untreated in any way, seeds treated by the Wolfryn 

 Process, and seeds treated in the same manner as under the Wolfryn Process 

 except for the actual electrification, which was omitted. The experiments 

 included both a germination test under glass and a field test, and the seeds used 

 were carrot, swede, cabbage and mangold. In the opinion of the author the 

 results in both cases could only be regarded as inconclusive, one or two points 

 only being slightly in favour of the electrified seed. The outdoor tests as a • t 



whole appeared to be no more conclusive than were the tests for germination, 

 the returns from the electrified seed sliowing no advantage over the other 

 sections, except to a small extent in the case of mangolds. 



QUESTIONS IN PARLIAMENT. 



Foot-and-Mouth Disease-— In reply to a (jucstion by Capt. Coote, it was 

 stated that the number of animals slaughtert-l during the last 3 months in 

 connection with riie outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease was : cattle, 772 ; 

 sheei.. .5,2(35 ; pigs, 271 ; goats, 2. (13th July, 1920.) 



Milk Prices in Wiltshire.— In reply to a question by Capt. R. Terrell, 

 the Food Controller stated that he was informed that the avor;ige price 

 received by producers of milk in the Soutli-AVestern area during May and June 

 was Is. 2d. per gallon. The price in this area w;is governed by the fact that a 

 considerable proportion of the milk produced at this season was not retailed 

 as liquid milk. l)m had to be converted into cheese, and other milk products. 

 (15th July, I'J-it).) 



Potato Spraying.— In reply to a (juestion by Mr. Jordell, in leference to 

 an alleged difficulty in adequately spraying potatoes in West Norfolk on 

 account of the shortage of sulphate of copper, it was stated that the Ministry 

 exercised no control over the production or distribution of sulphate of copper. 

 No information had reached the Ministry which would indicate that supplies 

 were insufficient to meet the demand, provided that consumers were prepared 

 to pay the market [trice. (15th July, 1920.) 



Tenure of Allotments.— In reply to a question by ]Mr. Hallas, who 

 inquired whether the Ministry is receiving representations from Associations 

 of Allotment Holders, prayhig for security of tenure to be attorded to the 

 allottees, and what steps it is proposed to take in the matter, it was stated 

 that the Ministry was aware of the desire of allotment associations and 

 allotment holders for security of tenure. Absolute security of tenure for 

 allotment holders could only be secured by the land being purchased by the 

 local authority or by the allotment holders themselves, but the capital value of 



