1922.] 



Notes on Manures for January. 



929 



The above mentioned 410 pellets contained of rats, mice and 

 voles alone 395 specimens. Let us suppose that in 300 different 

 localities two pellets were obtained daily for a year. On the 

 basis of the above examination 219,000 pellets would account for 

 the destruction of about 210,000 rats, mice and voles, and this 

 is actually what is taking place all over the country. Yet it seems 

 certain that the fact is not realised by farmers and others. 



During the past eighteen months numerous complaints have 

 been received stating that farm vermin have not been so plentiful 

 for many years past. In some districts vermin have increased 

 almost to the dimensions' of a plague. The pecuniary loss to the 

 farmer and to the nation generally can only be reckoned m 

 millions of pounds sterling. Surely it is not too much to ask that 

 the numerous agiiculturai societies and farmers' clubs should 

 interest themselves in a matter so intimately related to their 

 calling. Much also might be done in our rural schools to educate 

 the rising generation on such matters. 



In the interests of farmers and the community in general it 

 is certainly high time that a species of wild bird of such great 

 utility as the Barn-Owl should be most strictly preserved. In 

 spite of statements to the contrary both the birds and their eggs 

 are destroyed and this will continue until much more severe 

 penalties are exacted. 



****** 



NOTES ON MANURES FOR 

 JANUARY. 



E. J. EUSSELL, D.Sc, 

 Rothamsted Experimental Station. 



Another Waste Lime. — In connection with the previous 

 references in these notes to waste lime a correspondent sends 

 the following particulars of a " dried waste mud ' ' which he is 

 able to obtain from a paper w^orks. Its composition is : — 



Moisture 11-9 per cent. 



Calcium carbonate 83*3 



Free lime (CaO) 1-9 „ „ 



Caustic soda (NaO 2) 0-09,, „ 



Small stones and clinker 2-9 ,, 



He proposes to use it on rough pasture land in Derbyshire at 

 the rate of 4 tons to the acre. 



The sample is quite suitable for use and the rate of dressing 

 is sound, but the value of the material would depend on the ease 



