696 



Intelligence Division Report for 1907. [dec, 



In conclusion the Commissioners observe that unit for unit 

 the nitrogen and the phosphoric acid of sludge seem to be of less 

 value manurially than the nitrogen and phosphoric acid of 

 artificial manures ; at any rate so far as the first }^ear of applica- 

 tion is concerned. It also appears that sewage sludge is not a 

 suitable dressing for quickly growing plants, unless.it is applied 

 in very large quantities per acre. 



The important practical consideration, however, is not whether 

 the manurial constituents of artificial manures are, unit for unit, 

 more valuable than the manurial constituents of sewage sludge, 

 but whether a given increase of crop can be produced more 

 cheaply with sewage sludge than with artificial manures. 

 Sewage sludge has undoubtedly a manurial value, but the 

 manurial constituents being of necessity mixed with such a large 

 proportion of grit, the question of its economic use as a manure 

 depends to a large extent upon the cost of carriage. 



The annual report* (Part II) of the Intelligence Division of 

 the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries deals with the work 



The action taken in regard to American Gooseberry Mildew 

 during 1907, both before and after the passing of the Destructive 

 Insects and Pests Act, is described, as well as the preliminary 

 steps as regards Warty Disease of potatoes. Reference is made 

 to the very large number of insects and of fungus diseases of 

 plants which were submitted to the Board for identification 

 during the year. In every case where the pest could be deter- 

 mined advice was given for combating it, and the information 

 thus communicated has subsequently appeared in this Journal. 



The report goes on to deal with other subjects, which came 

 under the notice of the Board during the year, such as the food of 

 birds, meteorology and its bearing on the crops, weeds, milk 

 tests, and the occurrence of an unknown bee disease in the 

 Isle of Wight. The information collected on these different 

 points was communicated to the public as it became available 

 through the medium of this Journal. 



The number of leaflets despatched from the Board's offices 



Report of the Intelli- 

 gence Division for 

 1907. 



carried out under the Destructive Insects 

 and Pests Acts, as well as with the miscel- 

 laneous duties performed under the general 

 powers of the Board of Agriculture Act. 



* Annual Report of the Intelligence Division, Part II. [Cd. 4401. Price 2^d.] 



