1906.] 



Sterilizing Soil. 



lOI 



The Board of Agriculture and Fisheries have addressed 



a circular letter to Agricultural Societies and Chambers of 



T% 1 1 Agriculture in Great Britain, in which 



Damag-e by Rooks. , , , . . ' 



they state that their attention has from 



time to time been drawn to the fact that in certain districts 

 there has been a marked increase of rooks during recent years, 

 and that the tillage area being now more restricted than formerly, 

 the depredations of these birds have become more serious. 

 It is alleged that in some districts the young rooks are not shot 

 systematically, or that the rook-rifle rather than the shot-gun 

 is used, and that, in consequence, a larger proportion of the 

 birds escape. 



While it is generally recognised that the work of the rook 

 is to a large extent beneficial, it cannot be denied that at 

 certain times of the year, and in the case of certain crops, 

 the bird is capable of causing a serious amount of injury. 

 Various suggestions have been made with the view to limiting 

 the number of rooks, but the Board believe that, in the first 

 instance, Agricultural Societies might with advantage approach 

 the owners of rookeries in their districts, asking that at the 

 proper season energetic action may be taken to keep the birds 

 within reasonable limits. The Board have no reason to doubt 

 that such an appeal would meet with a ready and cordial 

 response. 



Where tomatoes are attacked by '' Sleepy Disease" {Fusariiiin 

 lycopersici, Sacc), it is recommended that the soil in which the 



plants grow should be removed and sterilized, 

 g^'l The best and most certain method of 



sterilizing soil is to place it in a heap on 

 naked ground, and not allow a weed of any kind to grow on it 

 When making the heap, place the soil in tiers about one foot 

 thick ; cover each tier with a layer one inch thick of equal parts 

 of kainit and quicklime. The heap should be turned and 

 dressed as directed three times during the year. The heap 

 should be kept moist, as this induces the resting-spores to ger- 

 minate, and it is only when germinating that they can be de- 

 stroyed. Quicklime will not destroy resting-spores. Its use is 

 to kill the mycelium produced by germinating resting-spores. 



