n8 



Insect, Fungus and other-Pests. 



[MAY, 



sheep early in the spring, so that the year's growth of the weed 

 is destroyed. 



It may be said that on heavy land a dressing of 7 cwt. of 

 basic slag applied before the end of November wall encourage 

 a luxuriant growth of clover, and if such pasture is closely 

 grazed by stock the Yellow Rattle, as well as other weeds, will 

 be prevented attaining its normal growth and will soon 

 disappear. Such an application of basic slag is only calculated 

 to have the best effect if the field is^grazed, not mown for hay, 

 and the manuring and grazing must therefore be combined. 



Top-dressings of salt at the rate of 5 to 7 cwt. per acre 

 have, in some cases, proved very effective. Percival remarks 

 that " top-dressings of salt tend to destroy it." 



Grazing with sheep in April, accompanied by a dressing of 

 6 cwt. per acre of salt, is stated to have had good results, a 

 field infested in 1896 producing no Yellow Rattle in 1897, the 

 year in which treatment took place.* 



When the plant affects damp ground, as in damp, low-lying 

 meadows and pastures, draining would be a useful measure. 



Where the weed is spread over a pasture it has been 

 recommended that the land should be broken up in order to 

 take one or two root crops to clean thoroughly and again^ lay 

 down to pasture. It is, however, doubtful if this is ever 

 necessary, and owing to the expense involved the measures 

 recommended above would be preferable. 



Description of Plate. 



Flowering plant, showing root, stem, leaves and flowers. Also: (i) Section of 

 calyx with pistil ; (2) Corolla laid open; (3) and (4) Stamens; (5) Section of fruit; 

 (6) and (7) Seed. (1) to (5) and (7) enlarged, (6) natural size. 



Comparatively few specimens have been sent to the Board 

 during the past month, but several of these are of considerable 

 interest. . 



Notes on Insect, Aphides. — Specimens of blackcurrants 

 Fungus, and other from Matlock Bath bore the oval black- 

 Pests, f brown glossy eggs of a species of aphis. 



Winter washing with the following 



* North British Agruidturist, October, 1897. 



+ Notes on insect, fungus and other pests, dealing with the specimens submitted to 

 the Board for identification, and their apparent prevalence, will appear in this Journal 

 month by month. The notes commenced with the issue for June, 1907. 



