Various Fertilisers.

66

277

In another instance brought to my notice, not this material but another, under the name crude sulphate of potash," and represented to contain 35 per cent. of potash, was sold to a farmer at the price of 67. 10s. per ton. On proceeding to use it for making up a mixed manure in which sulphate of ammonia formed an ingredient, the farmer noticed a strong smell of ammonia to be given off, and therefore sent me a sample of the potash salt to examine. On analysis I found it to be strongly alkaline and to contain potash equal to the guarantee, but mainly in the form of carbonate of potash, and this it was that caused the loss of ammonia. This was quite unknown to the vendors, who had themselves purchased it merely as containing a certain amount of potash. They agreed to make the purchaser an allowance of 30s. for the 14 tons bought. 5. Mustard Cake.

This material occasionally finds its way into the market, being used for manurial purposes in much the same way as rape cake, to which it is practically equal, as the following analysis shows :—

The price of this was 37. 12s. 6d. per ton, delivered at King's Lynn. It was a very clean sample and must be considered good value.

6. Flue Sweepings.

A sample was sent me which I was told consisted of the sweepings of flues from electric lighting works, and it was thought that it might be of value for manure. Analysis of it showed, however, that it had practically no value, and its composition was as follows:

7. Lead Poisoning.

A case having occurred in which no less than seven bullocks and heifers were killed, the matter was investigated by me, the local veterinary surgeon having been unable to account for the loss. In the stomach of one of the beasts that had died were found some pellets, which, on examination, I ascertained to be lumps of white lead with linseed oil. It transpired that during the course of extensive alterations to a mansion the contractors had stored their paint, &c., in a hut in the park. The cattle had evidently broken into this, obtained access to the stores, and, attracted by the oil, had eaten up the white lead, and died in consequence.

The following is a list of the samples sent by members of the Society for analysis during the twelve months, December 1, 1901, to November 30, 1902 ::

Superphosphates

Dissolved bones and compound artificial manures

Raw and degelatinised bones

Peruvian guanos

42

46

43

22

Basic slag

Fish and meat guanos

Nitrate of soda

Sulphate of ammonia

Potash salts

Salt

Shoddy.

Soot

19

65

4

11

15

1

17

2

ANNUAL REPORT FOR 1902 OF THE
CONSULTING BOTANIST.

DURING the year December 1, 1901, to November 30, 1902, 275 applications were dealt with. Of these 101 were connected · with the purity and germination of seeds, 17 referred to mixtures for laying down pastures, either with regard to those suitable for use, or to the analyses of mixtures that had been purchased; 72 specimens of weeds and other plants were named, and their properties and treatment were reported on; and 60 related to injuries affecting plants. The remainder, amounting to 25, were miscellaneous inquiries.

Grass and clover seeds were, on the whole, pure, and the germination was satisfactory. The only impurity calling for notice was the large proportion of samples of red clover which contained seeds of dodder. These amounted to ten per cent. of the whole.

Applications were dealt with from the following Government Departments :-H.M. Office of Works, The Irish Congested Districts Board, the Government of New South Wales, and the United States Department of Agriculture, Washington. WEEDS.

Some of the weeds about which inquiries were made referred to plants that grew in pastures and were unknown to the senders. Illustrations of some of them are given in this Report, and descriptions are given of others that are more frequently met with.

Ranunculus bulbosus Linn. (Bulbous Buttercup.)-This was sent under the belief that it had poisoned several ewes, but though it possesses the acrid properties of other species of buttercups, it is not likely to have so serious an effect on a sheep as to cause its death.

Lychnis Githago Linn. (Corncockle.)-A too frequent impurity among wheat and other cereals. It sometimes occurs in considerable quantity as an impurity in leguminous seeds, especially in tares. It should not be allowed to produce seed. Being an annual, it may in this way be easily got rid of. The seed is dangerous, and has proved fatal to fowls that have fed on the cleanings of seeds, where corncockle is often present in considerable quantity.

Ethusa Cynapium Linn. (Fool's Parsley.)—An annual umbelliferous plant with some resemblance to parsley. It can be at once distinguished by its nauseous smell when rubbed between the fingers, and the long involucral tails which hang down from each group of flowers. It has proved injurious to man, when eaten under the impression that it was true parsley. No record exists of its being injurious to stock; Linnæus, indeed, in his experiments gave it to cows, sheep, and horses without any apparent injury. Cases of death to cows were suspected of being caused by this plant, which occurred in some quantity in the pasture. No doubt it might have been hurtful if any considerable quantity had been consumed, but there was no evidence that the plant had been eaten.

Sherardia arvensis Linn. (Field Madder.)-This is an innocent weed found in cultivated fields. It is an annual with four to six leaves in a whorl round the stem, and small bluish flowers in terminal tufts. The seeds, or rather fruits, crowned with the four indurated spiny calyx leaves are frequent impurities in clover seeds.

Scabiosa succisa Linn.-Scabious is a useless weed, common in meadows and pastures, which sometimes is allowed to extend until it seriously diminishes the value of the pasture. It is a perennial plant, with purplish blue or white flowers; it cannot be got rid of except by digging. It should be cut when it is in flower and the heads removed and burned. The root is abruptly cut off as if it were bitten. From this the plant has got the name of "Devil's-bit Scabious," and obtained from the old herbalists the highest praise for curing all kinds of maladies.

Hieracium Pilosella Linn. (Mouse-ear Hawkweed.)-A small composite, with lemon-coloured flowers, which is not unfrequent in dry pastures. It is injurious only in so far as it displaces useful plants. It is a perennial plant, and besides increasing by seeding, which it does freely, as it is not touched by stock, it multiplies itself by its creeping stems or stolons, which root and produce independent plants. When it appears in a pasture care should be taken to spud it out and thus prevent it spreading, as it frequently expels every other plant when it gets a footing.

Ajuga reptans Linn. (Bugle.)-A common weed in moist. pastures. It is a perennial plant, with blue flowers in a leafy spike. Creeping runners are thrown out from the plant above ground, which root and spread the weed. It is harmless, but avoided by animals and occupies the place of useful fodder plants. This weed can be got rid of only by digging it out.

Cuscuta Trifolii Bab. (Dodder.)-An impression exists that dodder will not grow in some districts, and that it is safe

FIG. 2.-Devil's-bit Scabious.
Scabiosa succisa Linn.

A. The plant half the size of nature; B. The umbel in flower, natural size; C, A single flower magnified five times; D, The umbel in fruit; E, A single fruit magnified five times; F, A cross-section of half a fruit, magnified five times; the seed occupies the whole oval space in the centre.

G, The plant half the natural size; H, Flower twice the natural size; J, Fruit four times the natural size.