concerned. The Board are satisfied on consideration of the reports received that the campaign was a marked success. Small experiments have been conducted during the year for the purpose of testing the efficacy of chlorine gas as an agent for rat destruction. It has been ascertained that if used with due precaution and care this gas gives highly satisfactory results. As, however, the gas is heavy and poisonous, its use can be recommended only for open spaces and under conditions where rats do not have access to a higher level than the gas can attain. The Board regret to report that a number of local authorities. have still failed to adopt adequate measures for the enforcement of the requirements of the Act. It is proposed to have special regard to such cases during the ensuing year, and it is hoped that the exercise of the powers conferred on the Board under Section 3 of the Act, where a local authority has failed to take reasonable steps to meet its responsibilities, may be avoided. OTHER AGRICULTURAL PESTS. In the Board's last Report it was indicated that they were considering the question of offering assistance to County Councils who were prepared to organise measures for the extermination of certain agricultural pests in areas where these were unduly numerous. Draft proposals were circulated in the first place to the Agricultural Committees in order that the views of representative agriculturists in the various counties might be obtained. These proved to be generally in favour of the scheme, but on the ground of economy, it was decided to defer further consideration of the matter. The County Council of Caithness, however, voluntarily organised a campaign as a result of which nearly 5,000 gulls, 4,000 rooks, and a large number of pigeons were killed, and large numbers of eggs were destroyed. The Board continued during the year their grant to the County Council of Aberdeen in aid of the scheme carried on in that county for the destruction of pests. Over 45,500 rooks, 6,700 wood-pigeons, 3,900 house-sparrows, 3,000 gulls, and 130 foxes and cubs were destroyed during the season. The Board have, however, been compelled to intimate that the grant will not be available in the season 1922. MAINTENANCE OF LIVE STOCK (SCOTLAND) ORDER, 1920. The circumstances under which the "Maintenance of Live Stock (Scotland) Order, 1920 " was made on 3rd November 1920 were explained in the last Report. This Order remained in force until 11th October 1921, when having regard to the purpose of the Maintenance of Live Stock Act, 1915-an emergency war time measure-and the policy of removing restrictions on trade wherever possible, the Board withdrew the Order as they were satisfied that the general conditions did not justify its continuance. During the operation of the Order, 2770 licences authorising the slaughter of pregnant animals were issued. In seven cases of contravention of the Order prosecutions were instituted and in six of these the exposers or purchasers of the animals were convicted and fined. SUPPLY OF FERTILISERS. The voluntary agreements between the Board and the makers of sulphate of ammonia and of basic slag for the distribution of these fertilisers at maximum delivered prices during the season 1920-21 were not renewed on their expiry on 31st May 1921. The only form of control over the sale of fertilisers that continued to exist during the year was the restriction on export imposed by the Fertilisers (Temporary Control of Export) Act, 1920, to which reference was made in the Board's last Report. By an Order in Council made under that Act on 7th February 1921, the export of certain fertilisers was prohibited, except under the authority of a licence from the Board of Trade. As, however, the supply of sulphate of ammonia proved to be much in excess of the requirements of the home trade, a general licence suspending the restrictions on the export of this fertiliser was issued in September. Individual licences were, however, still required for the export of any consignments of basic slag, superphosphates, and compound manures containing superphosphate of lime or potash. No licences for the export of fertilisers from Scotland were granted except on the recommendation of the Board. The collection of monthly returns showing manufacturers' stocks, production, and deliveries was accordingly continued by the Board in order that they might be kept accurately informed as to the supplies available. It is noteworthy that the returns indicate a reduced demand for fertilisers for home use. This may be attributed to the sudden depression and uncertainty as to the future prospects of the agricultural industry. In last year's Report the figures compiled from the makers' returns were applied to the calendar year January to December. The position is more satisfactorily reviewed, however, by comparing the figures for the last two years ending 31st May; the latter date marks the end of the "fertiliser year" in Scotland. The statement shows (1) the total production at and deliveries from the Scottish works during the years 1919-20 and 1920-21 respectively; (2) the total production and deliveries during the period 1st June to 31st December 1921; and (3) the stocks at the works on 31st December 1921. Superphosphate - Tons. Tons. Tons. Tons. Tons. Tons. Tons. 93,424 73,158 96,724 63,765 21,699 8,243 24,543 126,341 123,487 109,027 100,226 33,435 5,230 35,933 92,535 71,869 87,993 56,008 27,998 15,746 2,538 31,844 29,309 28,400 25,449 7,822 8,297 2,492 Exports.-The total amount of Sulphate of Ammonia exported from Scotland during the year June to May 1920-21 was 79,851 tons, a reduction of approximately 13,000 tons, as compared with the preceding year. A further quantity of 20,128 tons was exported during the period June to December 1921. The exports of other fertilisers were insignificant in quantity. X. ADMINISTRATION OF STATUTES TRANSFERRED BY SECTION 4 (11) OF THE ACT OF 1911. AGRICULTURAL HOLDINGS (SCOTLAND) ACTS, 1908-1920. During the year arbiters were appointed in 35 cases, and extensions of time for making awards were granted in 16 cases. The amount received in respect of fees was £18. 18s. No charges on estates were granted under Sections 13-16 of the Act of 1908. In terms of Section 21 (1) of the Agriculture Act, 1920, the Lord President of the Court of Session has appointed a panel of persons, numbering 44, from whom any arbiters nominated, otherwise than by agreement, for the purposes of an arbitration under these Acts must be selected. DESTRUCTIVE INSECTS AND PESTS ACTS, 1877 AND 1907. WART DISEASE OF POTATOES (SCOTLAND) ORDER OF 1918. The work of inspection was maintained almost continuously throughout the year. During the spring a large number of farms in the districts in which Wart Disease exists was visited for the purpose of examining potatoes of the 1920 crop. A thorough inspection of the potatoes was made at each farm, but no evidence of the existence of the disease was discovered except in two instances where tubers bearing slight traces of the disease were found. Immediate steps were taken to apply the provisions of the Order to the farms in question and to regulate the disposal of the infected stocks. The growing season was well advanced before notification of any further outbreaks of the disease was received. This may be attributed to the effect of the prolonged period of dry weather that prevailed during the earlier part of the summer. The disease was found in several gardens and allotments within a few days after the heavy rainfall at the beginning of August which terminated the drought, and which was succeeded by a spell of broken weather favourable for the development of the disease. The total number of fresh outbreaks reported or found during the year was 281, of which 243 occurred in gardens and allotments and 38 on farms. The distribution by counties of the farms on which the infected crops were found was as follows:10 in Lanark, 5 in Ayr, 5 in Fife, 4 in Clackmannan, 4 in Renfrew, 4 in Stirling, 2 in Midlothian, and I each in Bute, Dumbarton, East Lothian, and Linlithgow. At the close of the year the G number of farms in Scotland declared to be infected with Wart Disease was 204. Of the outbreaks in gardens and allotments, 135 occurred in the districts scheduled under the Order as "infected areas.” In view of the responsibility attaching to small growers in these scheduled districts to plant only potatoes of varieties approved as immune from Wart Disease, these cases were fully investigated, and in any instance in which the requirements of the Order appeared to have been contravened, the local authorities were asked to institute proceedings against the offenders. Generally, however, it was found that the disease had attacked "rogue plants of susceptible varieties introduced by the use of impure seed." In such cases, the growers concerned were advised of the measures which should be taken to ensure the purity of the seed potatoes planted by them. The remaining 108 outbreaks in gardens and allotments occurred in districts outwith the scheduled areas. As a precaution against the further spread of the disease, notices were also issued applying the provisions of the Order to gardens and allotments adjoining the plots in which the disease was found, the occupiers being thereby restricted to planting potatoes of varieties resistant to the disease. The total number of gardens and allotments in respect of which such notices were served was 85. Proceedings in respect of contraventions of the Order were taken by the local authorities against 105 growers, the offence generally being that of failure to report the presence of Wart Disease. Convictions were obtained in all cases. INSPECTION OF POTATO CROPS OF THE IMMUNE VARIETIES. In previous seasons the inspection of potato crops under the scheme conducted by the Board for promoting the growing of pure stocks of the immune varieties had been undertaken free of charge to the growers, but it was decided to place the scheme upon a self-supporting basis during 1921 by charging fees at the following rates: For inspection of crops (a) Not exceeding 2 acres.... 5s. 2s. per acre or part of an acre. For re-inspection of crops in cases of appeal .... 5s. per acre. For the information and assistance of potato growers the Board published a pamphlet containing a full and detailed description of the distinguishing characteristics of the different varieties of potatoes and of the various "rogues" commonly found in stocks of the immune types. There was a considerable demand for this leaflet. Applications were received for the inspection of crops representing a total area of 28,150 acres. This was a decrease of over 8,000 acres, as compared with the area for the previous year. The difference is attributable to the reduction in the total acreage of potatoes grown in 1921. The counties from which the largest numbers of applications for inspection were received were Perth, Forfar, Fife, and Dumfries. The examination of the crops necessitated visits of inspection to 2,960 different farms or holdings. Twenty-two temporary inspectors were employed to assist in this work, these being selected in the same manner as in previous years. No alteration was made in the panel of referees appointed to undertake the re-inspection of crops in cases of appeal. The examination of crops of the early varieties was commenced in the last week of July. In some districts, however, these crops were not ready for inspection until the beginning of August as a result of the prolonged period of drought which was not broken until the end of July. The work of inspection proceeded rapidly and was completed in all districts by the beginning of September. The number of certificates issued in respect of crops approved as being true to type and of satisfactory purity was 2,754. The total acreages of the different varieties for which certificates were granted and refused were : |