568 



Miscellaneous Notes. 



[dec, 



Destruction of Charlock by Lime Nitrogen. —According to some experiments in 

 Germany, lime nitrogen (calcium cyananide) has proved a means of destroying 

 charlock. In one case \ cwt. of lime nitrogen was 

 dissolved in about 90 gallons of water per acre and 

 Miscellaneous Notes, the crop (a mixture of peas, vetches and barley) 

 sprayed. In another case the fertiliser was applied to 

 the land at the rate of about 60 lb. per acre, with 

 the result that most of the charlock was killed, and a very luxuriant crop of oats 

 produced. Similar results were obtained with peas. It is thought, however, to be a 

 question whether the result would have been satisfactory if rain had not fallen shortly 

 after the manure was applied, owing to the possibility of injury to the oats. {Mitt, 

 der dentschen Land-Gesell., 20th July, 1907.) 



Potato Drying in Germany. — The method of potato drying in Germany which was 

 described in this Journal (September, 1906) as a new means of utilising the surplus 

 potato crop appears to have been largely adopted in that country, and it is claimed 

 that the dried potatoes form an excellent feeding material for cattle, cows and pigs, 

 which may be used as a partial substitute for maize. According to a communication 

 issued by the German Potato Dryers' Union, it is also suitable for feeding horses as a 

 substitute for oats, and has been successfully used for the purpose by a number of 

 farmers. {Zeit. fur Spiritusindustrie, 12th September, 1907.) 



Prevention of the Cabbage Flea. — Reference has been made in this Journal 

 (August, 1905) to experiments carried out in Germany for the purpose of testing 

 measures recommended for the prevention of the Cabbage Flea {Haltica Oleracea). 

 Among them, dusting the plants with tobacco dust is mentioned as satisfactory. 

 During the present year this pest has been very troublesome in Germany, and this 

 remedy has given excellent results on a large area of white cabbage, to which it was 

 applied at the rate of rather less than 3 cwt. per acre. Four days after the applica- 

 tion none of the insects could be found, nor did they appear again subsequently. It 

 is mentioned that successful results can only be expected in dry weather, as rain 

 would wash the tobacco dust into the ground. {Prak. Blatter fiir Pflanzenbau, 

 June, 1907.) 



Agricultiiral Scholarships in Ireland. — The Department of Agriculture and 

 Technical Instruction for Ireland offer Scholarships in Agriculture, Horticulture and 

 Forestry, tenable at the Albert Agricultural College, Glasnevin. Each Scholarship 

 entitles the holder to (1) free admission to the first year's course of instruction at the 

 College ; (2) third-class railway fare for one journey to and from the College in each 

 Session ; and (3) either of the following at the option of the Department : — (a) a 

 maintenance allowance of one guinea per week while in attendance at the College ; 

 or (b) free board and residence at the Albert Agricultural College, Glasnevin, Dublin, 

 together with a small grant towards the cost of books and apparatus. 



A Scholarship is tenable for one year, but, if satisfactory progress is made by the 

 holder, it will be renewed for a second and even for a third year to enable the student 

 to complete the course at the College. 



These Scholarships are intended to afford the sons of Irish farmers an opportunity 

 of training for posts as County Instructors or Teachers under the Department's 

 Programme, and special importance is attached to proficiency in practical work, 

 which is the chief subject of the examination. 



The Agricultural Faculty at the Royal College of Science was established by the 

 Department in 1900. Since then there has been an increasing demand for these 

 scholarships. Already forty-three young Irishmen, who have held scholarships and 

 passed successfully through their course at the College have received appDintments 

 as County Instructors, Teachers, etc. 



Conditions of Employment of Gardeners at Kew. — Applicants for admission as 

 gardeners into the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, must be unmarried, between 19 and 

 24 years of age, and must have been employed not less than four years in good gardens 

 or nurseries. They must be healthy, free from physical defect, and not below 

 average height. 



