Juae 1896 .] 



FOREIGN OFFICE REPORTS. 



71 



Agricultural Syndicate for the Departement of the Charente- 

 Inferieure, with the object of ascertaining the kind of potato and 

 mode of planting which gave the largest return. 



Experiments were made with a large species called " Geante 

 bleue," and with five other varieties, which were tried in three 

 ways, the weight of the seed being exactly the same in each 

 case. The best results were obtained with the " Geante bleue " 



as shown in the following table : — 







Total Weight of Seed, 128 lbs. 



Weight of 

 Crop obtained. 



1st. By planting the largest sized tubers, weighing 10^ ounces, 

 whole 



2nd. Medium-sized tubers weighing 5j ounces, also planted 

 whole ------- 



3rd. Medium-sized tubers of 5y ounces cut up 



lbs. 

 835 



770 



583 



It is stated that the results of the whole of the experiments 

 showed that the best return came from seed of the largest tubers 

 planted whole. The next from medium-sized tubers planted 

 whole, and by far the worst from cut seed. 



Experiments made with bouillie bordelaise confirmed the 

 conclusion deduced from the results of previous trials, viz., 

 that no harm is done to healthy plants by dressing them 

 with the Bordeaux mixture as a preventative of disease, pro- 

 vided it is properly applied. The dose of sulphate of copper 

 and lime in the proportions generally used is not strong enough 

 to injure the leaves, and if applied with a very fine spray, so as 

 not to stop up their pores, no injurious results follow. 



[Foreign Office Report, Annual Series, iVo. 1683. Price l^d.] 



Agriculture in Palestine. 



In a recent report by Mr. J. Dickson, H.M, Consul at Jerusalem, 

 it is stated that the harvest throughout Palestine during 1895 

 was a poor one, the winter rains having been scanty, and the tithes 

 collected by the authorities from the different villages were con- 

 siderably less than the amount levied the previous year. The 

 Jewish colonies, founded through the benevolence of societies and 

 of private individuals belonging to that community in Europe, 

 though not altogether self-supporting, are said to be increasing 

 in size, and are ably managed, giving occupation and subsistence 

 to numerous Jewish immigrant families who would otherwise be 

 destitute. 



It seems that the apparent disinclination of the Jewish race 

 to devote themselves to agriculture has hitherto been a 



