350 FINGER AND TOE. 


usually become lower as the summer advances. Where the 
lambs are cleared off early the ewes may be fattened and 
sold at better prices than can be obtained in the late autumn, 
when they become almost unsaleable. 
The results of the Lledwigan experiment viewed from the 
foregoing standpoints showed that the advantage rested 
with the Wiltshire cross. They not only weighed heavier, 
but they handled better and had a better appearance than 
either of the other crosses. Further, the greater number of 
them were ready for the butcher early in the summer, and 
would, it is stated, have produced a considerably higher 
price than the Shropshire and Leicester crosses had they 
been sold separately. The Leicester crosses fattened 
quickly, but did not weigh as well as the Wiltshires. The 
Shropshire crosses were slower in fattening, but attained 
to greater weights than the Leicesters. The experiment is 
to be repeated. 
FINGER AND TOE. 
A circular recently issued by the Agricultural Department 
of Cambridge University contains some useful observations 
by Professor Somerville on the disease known as Finger and 
Toe, or Club Root. 
Of the disorders affecting turnips, swedes, cabbages, and 
similar cruciferous plants, Finger and Toe is the most serious 
on account of its highly infectious character. It is caused 
by a microscopic fungus which attacks the root at a very 
early stage, and thus induces sweilings, ultimately resulting 
in decay and putrefaction. The spores of the fungus 
eventually escape into the soil, where they remain ready to 
attack other plants of the Cruciferae family. The growth of 
a healthy turnip crop is impossible upon infected soil, but 
in the course of years the spores gradually die, so that while 
it may be impossible to grow turnips successfully once in 
four years, there may be no such difficulty if the interval 
between two cruciferous plants is extended to eight years. 
