338 



Prevalence of Yellow Rattle. [July, 



From these and smaller plot experiments, Mr. Collinge concludes : 

 (i.) That ground unslaked lime is better, where finger and toe 

 disease is present, than ordinary slaked lime, and that this alone gives 

 a reasonable amount of success. 



(ii.) If sulphuring the land follows the liming, the results are con- 

 siderably better. 



(iii.) That if the two treatments are applied we have an antidote 

 for this disease, which, at the same time, greatly benefits the soil. 



OFFICIAL NOTICES AND CIRCULARS. 



A Report on the Agriculture and Soils of Kent, Surrey, and Sussex, 



by Messrs. A. D. Hall, M.A., F.R.S., and E. J. Russell, D.Sc, has 



. • been recently published by the Board. The 



Agriculture and Soils suryey of the agriculture and soils of the 



of Kent, Surrey, three south-eastern counties was begun by 

 and Sussex. Mr. j| a u - m I $gg ) an( i was originally intended 



to relate only to the soils of Kent and Surrey. In 1907, 

 however, on the removal of Dr. Russell from Wye to the Rothamsted 

 Experimental Station, it was decided to add Sussex to the area 

 under investigation, and to include a general account of the agriculture 

 of this well-defined natural district. The earlier analyses of the samples 

 of soils which were made at Wye Agricultural College, were repeated 

 later at Rothamsted, in order to bring them into line with the later 

 analyses made at Rothamsted. The account of the agriculture of the 

 three counties is based partly upon the personal experience of the 

 authors and partly upon information obtained from circulars of enquiry 

 addressed to farmers in the district regarding rotations, varieties of 

 crops, woodlands, &c. 



Beginning with a review of the natural features of the district, the 

 report includes an account of the crops, forestry, and live stock of the 

 three counties, traces the relationship of the soils to the crops, and 

 concludes with a description of the soils with tables of analyses. 

 The report is well illustrated, and is accompanied by maps showing the 

 geological formation, rainfall, and the distribution of various crops. 

 It may be obtained at the office of the Board, 4, Whitehall Place, 

 London, S.W., price 2s. 6d. y post free, bound in green cloth. 



The Board of Agriculture and Fisheries have received information 

 that the weed known as Yellow Rattle, Rattles, Rattlegrass, Cock's- 



■d ■, j. comb, and Horse-penny, is very abundant in 



Prevalence of ' . . ■ y tm_ j • ,u 



Yellow Rattle some districts this season. They desire, there- 



fore, to draw the attention of farmers whose 

 hay crops may be infested by this annual weed to the necessity for early 

 mowing, in order that the plant may be prevented from ripening and 

 scattering its seeds. 



The weed, specifically known as Rhinanthus Crista- galli, L., is most 

 abundant in poor, worn-out grass fields, and early mowing, followed 

 by manuring in autumn and spring, will do much to clear infested land. 

 An article on Yellow Rattle, illustrated with a coloured plate, appeared 



