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298 QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. {1 Sepr., 1901. 
The field was harvested on 14th August, and the results in yields per 
1 morgen were found to be as follows :— 
Plot A. Rolled, without top-dressing ... 17°96 centners. 
» 3B. Rolled, with top-dressing ... wees AT gy. 
» C. Unrolled, without top-dressing ... L984 
» D. Unrolled, with top-dressing... .-- 19°36 
In explanation of these results, Dr. von Seelhurst writes in effect :— The 
rolled plots had, as already stated, been retarded in their development. Since 
no injury to the plants had been committed, the only possible conclusion is that 
the consolidation of the soil decreased its powers of nitrogen-elaboration, 
resulting in a less luxuriant plant growth. In this way the danger of ‘ lodging’ 
was averted. In addition, the plants in the compressed soil will, without doubt, 
have had a firmer hold. The result of the less vigorous development was a 
relatively smaller harvest in the case where the decreased supply of available 
soil-nitrogen was not compensated for by a nitrogenous top-dressing. Where 
this was given, however (plot B), the dressing could only produce its invigorating 
effect slowly, in consequence of the compactness of the surface-soil, so that at 
first the growth was sluggish. The consolidation of the soil (in plot B) 
militated against ‘lodging’ in a high degree. The final result under such 
conditions could not be otherwise than a comparatively high return. On the 
unrolled plots, in consequence of good aeration, nitrification was very active, 
producing generous growth. Indubitably these conditions would have led to a 
larger yield if ‘ lodging’ had not ensued, this being partly due to the luxuriant 
development of the plants, and partly to the insufficient hold upon the soil 
possessed by the roots. In the case of plot D, where the top-dressing of 
nitrate of soda had’encouraged a growth already rich, ‘lodging’ naturally took 
place earlier than on plot C.”~ 
These two experiments are isolated, but it seems probable that further 
research, carried out under different conditions, will tend to support them and 
the conclusions that they give rise to. Put in brief these conclusions are :— 
(1.) That rolling wheat or oats when from 6 inches to 8 inches high 
diminishes the tendency towards lodging in two ways— 
(a) Firstly, by retarding nitrification and thus preventing a too luxuriant 
growth. 
(b) Secondly, by consolidating the soil and securing a firm hold for the 
roots. 
” 
” 
(2.) That rolling without a top-dressing of a nitrogenous manure, to 
counterbalance the decreased amount of nitrogen becoming available for plant 
food, results in a smaller yield than that obtained on unrolled plots.—Agricul- 
tural Gazette, London. 
NEW DRESSING FOR CEREALS. 
In a bulletin issued by the Agricultural Experiment Station of the Wis- 
consin University, we find a very favourable account of a new dressing for 
seed wheat, barley, and oats as a preventive against smut. This fungoid 
disease is described, as well as experiments made with “ formaldehyd,” which is 
a remedy against the kind of smut known as “stinking” smut. The bulletin 
then says :— ; 
Various methods haye been used to prevent smut in the small grains, 
but the method now acknowledged to be best is that known as the ‘ formalde- 
hyd” treatment. This consists in sprinkling the seed with a 40 per cent. 
solution of formaldehyd gas, according to the directions given in this bulletin. 
Formaldehyd is a colourless, pungent gas obtainable from wood alcohol 
and readily soluble in water. It may be purchased at drug stores in liquid 
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