142 Summary of Agricultural Experiments, [may, 



8. In winter and early spring, when bees are often attacked, 

 the walls, combs, and alighting board are frequently soiled 

 by the bees. This seldom if ever takes place in the summer. 



Although it is not certain what is the direct cause of this 

 disease it can be distinguished from some of the other 

 diseases to which bees are liable. Thus, in cases of Bee 

 Paralysis, the hinder part (abdomen) of the bees is dis- 

 coloured and blackish. The bees tremble and the wings 

 are bent up in a way that is not the same as the distortion 

 visible in Isle of Wight Disease. In cases of "May Pest" 

 both young and old bees are affected, and their bodies are 

 covered with a light grey dust. In cases of Dysentery the 

 bees soil the combs as. in Isle of Wight Disease, but the 

 droppings are dark and muddy, and not of the yellow colour 

 that is usual in the present disease. A course of treatment 

 for all these diseases is given in the text-books on bee- 

 keeping. 



SUMMARY OF AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENTS* 



Field Crops. 



Seed Potatoes of Different Sizes (Field Expts. in Staffs and Salop 

 and at Harper Adams Agric. Coll., Joint Report, 1910). — The opinion 

 is held by some growers that in the case of Langworthy and potatoes 

 of a similar type large sets should be used, and that though this is 

 a kidney potato and therefore does not sprout freely, it is preferable 

 to cut ware rather than plant seed size. In order to test the point, 

 Langworthy potatoes of the following sizes were obtained from Scot- 

 land : — (1) Seed size, between i£ and 1% inch riddles; (2) large ware 

 size, over 2\ inch riddles; (3) ware size, between \\ and 2 inch riddles. 



The manner in which the seed was planted and the crops which 

 were obtained were as follows : — 



Weight Crop 



of seed of ware 



per acre. per acre, 



lb. tons cwt. 

 Seed size ... ... ... 1,200 8 4 



Large ware (cut) ... ... 3,360 10 12 



Ware (cut) 1,440 10 19 



Ware (whole) 3,040 10 I 



It will be seen that the best result was obtained, both in yield per 

 acre and in return per lb. of seed planted, by cut ware at the rate of 

 1,440 lb. per acre. 



* A summary of all reports on agricultural experiments and investigations 

 recently received will be given each month. The Board are anxious to obtain 

 for inclusion copies of reports on inquiries, whether carried out by agricultural 

 colleges, societies, or private persons. 



