1910.] State Aid for Agricultural Research. 



653 



encroach on each other and cover the greater portion of the 

 surface of the fruit. 



In the case of apple, cherry, and quince, the trees should 

 be sprayed with half-strength Bordeaux mixture on the first 

 appearance of the disease. Diseased shoots should be 

 removed. 



Bordeaux mixture, even when very much diluted, cannot 

 be used for spraying peach trees, but a fungicide known as 

 "self-boiled lime-sulphur mixture" can be used on peach 

 foliage without injury. The method of preparing this fungi- 

 cide is given in this Journal, June, 1910, p. 212. It must 

 not be confounded with " lime-sulphur wash," in the pre- 

 paration of which the ingredients are boiled together over a 

 fire, as this preparation scorches the foliage. 



In the course of his report to the Board of Agriculture and 

 Fisheries on the Distribution of Grants for Agricultural 

 Education and Research during 1908-9 

 The Allocation of State and 1 909-10* Mr. Middleton refers to 

 Aid for Agricultural the improved prospects of agricultural 

 Research- research owing to the passing into law 



of the Development and Road Improve- 

 ment Funds Act of 1909, and discusses some of the general 

 considerations which bear on the question of State aid for the 

 investigation of agricultural problems. 



A public department, he points out, when authorising the 

 expenditure of money on research is bound to take into con- 

 sideration the probable value of the work to the State. It 

 cannot rest satisfied with the assurance that sooner or later 

 all accessions to knowledge will benefit the country. The 

 taxpayer of to-day naturally wishes to see a return for his 

 contribution, if not in his own lifetime, at least in that of his 

 children. It is obvious, therefore, that, as a matter of 

 elementary justice, the question of time must receive considera- 

 tion from any department entrusted with the expenditure of 



* This Report [Cd. 5388, Price 7\d.\ in addition to a general Report on the 

 Grants made* in the years named, describes the recent change in the arrangements 

 for Agricultural Education which has been agreed upon between the Board of 

 Agriculture and the Board of Education (see Journal, Oct., 1909, p. 529). It also 

 contains particulars of courses of instruction, &c, at the institutions to which grants 

 are made, and information as to the agricultural work of County Councils. 



