1921.] 



475 



that through neglect of this precaution many thousands of 

 bushels of wheat, barley and oats were lost. Important facts 

 with regard to the outbreak of Black Rust on wheat in South 

 West Wales were discovered, notably in connection with the 

 presence of the alternate host. Barberry, in the area. 



For fuller and more detailed information on insect and fungus 

 attacks on plants in 1919, reference must be made to the Report 

 itself, which gives, incidentally, some valuable information as to 

 the best known means of controlling the attacks. This 's the 

 aspect of the matter which is of most importance to the 

 grower, and the Ministry will always be glad to advise those in 

 need of remedies for plant pests. The Report can be obtained on 

 appHcation to the Ministry, price Is. 6d. net. post free. 



****** 



History has it that lavender was introduced into England in 

 the year 1568. and that for a long time thereafter the home crop 



^ .. supplied the bulk of the lavender oil used 



Cultivation . fi.. ^ t x- i i. 



of Lavender country. In comparatively :.'ecent 



times, however, the industry of lavender- 

 growing was sorely hit by a disease of the plant, and this had 

 the effect of very much reducing the area under the crop and 

 increasing the importation of lavender from France and other 

 countries. The quality of the imported produce, however, was 

 not so good as that grow-n at home and commanded a lower 

 price on our markets. 



The cultivation of the plant in this country is centred more or 

 less round London, and the Mitcham produce is world-famous for 

 the quality and fragrance of its oil. The plant flouiishes best 

 on a warm, well-drained medium loam w-ith a slope to the south 

 or south-west. A loam that is too rich is detiimental to the oil 

 yield, as excessive nourishment tends to the growth of leaf. 

 Protection against summer gales by a copse or wood on thel 

 south-w^est is also of considerable value, as these gales may do 

 great damage to the crop by causing the tall spikes to break 

 away at their junction with the stem. 



As to cultivation, in the autumn the land should first be care- 

 fully cleaned of weeds, which should be burnt. The ashes 

 should be distributed over the ground, together with some 

 ordinary w-ood ashes if obtainable. The soil should then bq 

 prepared by " trenching in " a quantity of short straw and 

 stable refuse, but not much rich dung, and should lie fallow 

 until the following spring, when any weeds remaining should be 

 dealt w^ith as before and the whole ploughed over. Towards lat© 



