408 Summary of Agricultural Experiments, [aug., 



/ I 



An increase both in the yield and in the straw was, therefore, obtained 

 by the addition of nitrate of soda to the potash and phosphate, while 

 the variation in the starch and nitrogen content of the barley was not 



great. 



Prof. Stoklasa, therefore, recommends that when barley follows 

 sugar-beet to which nitrate of soda has been given, a moderate dose, 

 say, 90 lb. per acre, of nitrate of soda should be applied. Larger quan- 

 tities would not be desirable, as the nitrogen content of the barley 

 would be increased. 



Cutting of Potato Tubers: Effect of Time of Cutting on Growth 

 (Mitt, der Deutscher Landwirtschafts-Gesell., 1st May, 1909). — Experi- 

 ments have been conducted at Frankenthal (Palatine) by Herrn J. 

 Osterspey and Renner in 1907 and 1908, to test the effect of cutting 

 the seed on the subsequent crop. The conclusion reached was that 

 the productivity of tubers cut lengthwise is, under suitable conditions, 

 equal to that of middle-sized tubers of the same weights. 



On dry soils and during cold weather the cut tubers compared favour- 

 ably with whole tubers if the cutting took place shortly before planting, 

 so that the tubers did not suffer from a loss of moisture in consequence. 

 On the other hand, the cutting was found to be disadvantageous under 

 similar conditions when it took place eight days before planting. 



On wet soils and during warm, damp weather the cutting of the 

 tubers shortly before planting proved disadvantageous, whereas tubers 

 cut eight days and two days before planting were equal to whole 

 tubers both as regards growth and production. 



It is considered, therefore, that tubers should be cut two days before 

 planting on damp soils, but in dry weather and when the land is dry 

 it is preferable to cut them immediately before planting. The drying 

 of the potatoes can be diminished by covering them with wet sacks. 



Lime-sulphur Wash as a Fungicide (United States Department of 

 Agriculture, Bureau of Plant Industry, Circular No. 27). — During the 

 year 1907 experiments were conducted in the United States with a view 

 to test the value of a lime and sulphur wash as a fungicide and insecti- 

 cide, and the results were referred to in this Journal in October, 1908 

 (p. 522). It was shown that a specially prepared wash composed of 

 10 lb. flowers of sulphur and 15 lb. fresh stone lime in 15 gallons of 

 water had given good results against certain fungus diseases. 



More extensive experiments were planned and carried out in 1908 

 in five States (Georgia, Arkansas, Nebraska, Illinois, and New Hamp- 

 shire) under the supervision of Mr. W. M. Scott, Pathologist in charge 

 of Orchard Spraying Experiments, United States Department of Agri- 

 culture. 



The solutions were chiefly tested as remedies for peach scab (Clado- 

 sporium carpophilum, Thiim), brown rot (Sclerotinia fructigena, Schrot, 

 cherry leaf-spot (Cylindrosporium padi, Karst), and apple scab. The 

 object was to ascertain if these washes could be used with advantage 

 on growing trees without the injury to the foliage which results from 

 applications of Bordeaux mixture. 



The following three preparations were tested : — 



(1) Home-boiled lime-sulphur wash, composed of 15 lb. sulphur, 20 lb. 

 lime, and 50 gals, water. The lime and sulphur are boiled together 



