226 Summary of Agricultural Experiments, [june, 



farms under control has recently increased. About one-fifth 

 of the milk supply of Plymouth is produced under the "con- 

 trol." 



Milk from the "control " farms does not command a higher 

 price than other milk, but large firms, hospitals, and clubs 

 invariably deal with dairymen under the "control," and 

 doctors recommend their patients to deal with them. Visitors 

 coming to the town often inquire from the Medical Officer of 

 Health where they can obtain pure milk, and though he 

 cannot recommend an individual, he can send them a list 

 of the "control" dairies. 



The farms are inspected at least twice a year. It is found 

 that in practice the dairy farmers under the " control " observe 

 the conditions. There is at present no veterinary inspection 

 of the cattle or bacteriological examination of the milk, but 

 such inspection and examination have been suggested, and 

 there is no doubt that the adoption of these additional pre- 

 cautions would increase the value of the "control," both to 

 the producers of milk and to the public. 



SUMMARY OF AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENTS* 



Experiments with Roots — continued. 



Varieties of Swedes (North of Scotland Agric. Coll., Trans, of 

 Students' Assoc., 1909). — It is pointed out in this Report that in spite 

 of the great acreage occupied by the turnip crop in the North of 

 Scotland, little or no data exist to show which are the varieties of 

 turnips and swedes best suited for the various districts. This Associa- 

 tion has, therefore, initiated a scheme to test the better-known strains 

 of swedes and turnips. Purple Tops were tested in 1909, Green Tops 1 

 will be tried this year, and Bronze Tops in 191 1. 



Ten varieties of Purple Top swedes were grown on nine farms, j 

 The difference between one variety and another on the same farm was ! 

 often considerable, and indicated that every farmer should discover j 

 for himself by experiment the variety most suitable to his circum- 

 stances. On the average of the nine centres there was no very great 

 difference between the varieties. 



Nine varieties of swedes and turnips were tested for their power of re- 

 sisting finger-and-toe. Of the swedes the best was Bruce's Buchan, with j 

 91 per cent, of sound bulbs, and of yellow turnips, Climax and Victor 

 Achilles with 84 per cent, of sound bulbs. The trials are being ! 

 continued. 



* The summaries of agricultural experiments which have appeared in the present 

 volume have been as follows : — Cereals, April ; Cereals and Root Crops, May. The 

 Board would be glad to receive for inclusion copies of reports on inquiries, whether 

 . carried out by agricultural colleges, societies, or private persons. 



