1904. J 



Charlock Spraying. 



i55 



resulted in its being designated in France " Foot-rot." Little 

 success has yet been achieved in preventing this disease.. 

 Dressings of Thomas sulphate and sulphate of iron respec- 

 tively seem to have met with some success here and there. 

 The method of starving the disease is the one just now- 

 recommended. 



In connection with this latter point it is interesting to note 

 that the oat plant is not attacked by the fungus, whilst, on the 

 other hand, a very well-known grass, Sterile Brome, a distinct 

 weed, is, and will therefore harbour the pest unless it is carefully 

 destroyed. The disease is more of educational than practical 

 interest to this country. A description of the fungus is given 

 in an article by Mr. Carruthers, F.R.S., in the Journal of the 

 Royal Agricultural Society, 1872. 



The Edinburgh and East of Scotland College of Agricul- 

 ture have recently issued a report on the charlock-spraying 

 demonstrations which were carried out by 



Spraying* t ^ le ^°^ e S e * n l 9° 2 anc ^ I 9°3 011 2 4 f* arms 

 in various counties in the South of 



Scotland. Six or more acres were sprayed at each centre, and 

 the convincing results obtained induced several farmers to 

 arrange for this area being extended in some cases to as much 

 as 20 acres. Altogether several hundred acres were sprayed 

 under the supervision of the College staff. The dressing- 

 employed was 50 gallons per acre of a 3 per cent, solution of 

 copper sulphate, guaranteed not less than 98 per cent, purity. 

 This solution, it is observed, can easily be made by anyone 

 by adopting the following simple rule : — A gallon of water 

 weighs 10 lb., 10 gallons of water weigh 100 lb., and 3 lb. of 

 copper sulphate added to this give approximately a 3 per cent- 

 solution ; to make sufficient fluid for an acre, 1 5 lb. of copper 

 sulphate should be mixed in 50 gallons of clean water. 



It was intended in these demonstrations to spray as soon as 



* A description of the methods to be adopted for the destruction of charlock are? 

 given in the Board's leaflet. No. 63. 



