THE ESSEX FIELD CLUB.
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portions of various species of grass, and there is no end to the possibilities of mutual
help for botanical and agricultural study. If farmers noticed, for instance, that
the turnip-beetle fed exclusively upon Cruciferae, they might more carefully eradi-
cate Erysimum Alliaria, "Jack-by-the-Hedge," and other early cruciferous weeds.
Farmers are fast learning the value of clean seed, as shown by their consulting
the Royal Agricultural Society's botanist, and consequently the Corn-cockle
(Agrostemma githago) is getting scarce, and perhaps Cuscuta, the Dodders, may
also be eradicated. It was a botanist, M. Decaisne, who first showed that the
Yellow-rattle (Rhinanthus) and allied plants, by being parasitic upon the roots of
grasses, are the cause of the poverty of many pastures in which they occur ; whilst,
on the other hand, botanists have, as shown by Mr. Plowright, had to admit the
truth of the farmer's opinion, which they so long scouted, as to the identity of
Corn Mildew (Puccinia graminis and Uredo segetum) and Barberry rust (AEcidium
berberidis), they having been shown to be but stages in the life of one plant. In
spite of the stimulus of a rapidly increasing foreign competition since the repeal of
the Com Laws in 1845, British agriculture has not shown the energy in the search
for new objects of cultivation that it might have done. Maize as fodder, Prickly
Comfrey, Tussack Grass in the Hebrides, the hardly successful Sugar-beet and
Sorghum, and, above all, Italian Rye-grass for sewage-farming are the chief ex-
periments made in this direction. Maize, though seldom ripening grain, is rich
in sugar when young, and forms a useful late crop on poor sandy soils, lambs being
very fond of it. Hart's Giant Sainfoin seems a great improvement on the common
sort, and more might perhaps be done with Whin, which will grow on shingle and
when bruised, while young, is very acceptable to horses. The agriculturist might
well imitate the procedure of the horticulturist who ransacks the world for new
plants, selects, hybridises, and studies size, flavour, perfume, productiveness,
suitability to soil or climate, immunity from disease, and early or late bearing.
Dr. Masters suggests that every farm might have a series of small experimental
plots, primarily to test purchased seeds, but also to ascertain those varieties best
adapted for particular situations or to produce improved ones. In this, or in
other ways, farmers may add many useful data to the sum of scientific knowledge.
It is one of the main functions of a Field Club to catalogue and study the plants
of the county—trees, grasses, weeds and fungi, among others ; and the lecturer
concluded by appealing for help from all, whether members or not, in two forms :
1st, the communication of observations, necessarily more or less desultory, but not
by any means, therefore, valueless, for systematic record ; and 2nd, financial, to
enable the Club to adequately publish its results "pro bono publico."
A vote of thanks was passed to Prof. Boulger for his address, and the meeting
terminated. It had lasted much longer than was anticipated or desired, and but
little time remained in which to take leave of the kind friends at Hyde Hall, and
re-enter the carriages for the return journey to Bishop's Stortford, which was made
along the ancient highway to Cambridge.
An excellent tea was provided at the "Chequers" Inn, Bishop's Stortford, and
the remainder of the evening was spent in visiting the Church and other objects of
interest in the town, while some members were privileged to visit Mr. Pritchett at
"Oak Hall," and examine the many interesting antiquarian objects there collected,
including the vast specimens of conglomerate above referred to.