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covering the bodies of the insects. For prevention of the rust early 
sowing was advocated, and the belief was expressed that saccharate of 
copper would be useful in spraying for the disease. 
This paper led to considerable discussion, especially in regard to the 
benefits of spraying. Tbe general idea, however, was that if practica¬ 
ble this would be the best way of combating the disease. There was 
also considerable discussion over the matter of producing a rust-resist¬ 
ing variety of wheat, advocated by Win. Fairer of New South Wales. 
Other reports were read and the conference finally submitted a report 
containing numerous recommendations. Among these were early sow¬ 
ing, cutting in the dough state except when to be used for seed, exper¬ 
imenting to obtain rust proof varieties, the establishment of stations 
to distribute standard and desirable varieties, more extended use of red 
varieties in place of the white ones, rotation of crops, thin sowing, burn¬ 
ing of diseased straw, experiments with spraying machines and fungi¬ 
cides, etc. 
Incidentally, the disease known as u take-all” was discussed, the in¬ 
vestigations of a commission of South Australia, in 1867 and 1868, being 
cited to prove that it is due to the presence of a minute animalcule 
which was called Vibrio tritici or eel of wheat. These animalcuhe are 
harbored in a black deposit, a u lichen or moss,” found between the roots 
and the first internode of the wli eat plant. The disease works in patches, 
radiating in all directions from a center and destroys all cereals or 
native grasses in its course. 
The conference, as a whole, may be regarded as a success. Views 
of di verse character were expressed by the delegates, and it is of course 
possible that Avhat would apply in one colony would not in a distant 
one. Should the conference be instrumental in directing attention to 
methods for decreasing the amount of rust, and there is every reason 
for supposing that it will, its meeting will not have been in vain.— 
Joseph F. James. 
