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The agricultural lime carried by rail during the year ended the 31st March, 1936, was 1,520 tons greater than in the previous year —the smallest annual increase recorded in recent years. The quantities, in tons, of agricultural lime carried annually by rail since Ist March, 1930, are — North South Total for Island. Island.' Dominion. 1930-31 .. .. .. .. .. 72,678 83,168 155,846 1931-32 .. .. .. .. .. 70,570 69,766 140,336 1932-33 .. .. .. .. .. 94,701 79,713 177,117 1933-34 .. .. .. .. .. 99,919 94,068 193,987 1934-35 .. .. .. .. .. 116,482 128,256 244,738 1935-36 .. .. .. .. .. 106,872 139,386 246,258 The extent of the fertilizer investigations carried out by the Fields Division may be gauged partly by the fact that at 31st March, 1936, 510 fertilizer trials were in progress. These com prised 466 devoted to pastures and 44 devoted to lucerne and annual crops, and included 160 which were laid down in the year under review. The survey of the response of grassJand to fertilizers which has been continued from previous years, and which is to be continued in the future, accounts for half of all the fertilizer trials. A main objective is to ascertain the role of potash and lime in association with phosphates, and latterly trials have been laid down for the purpose of throwing light on the relative merits of various phosphatic fertilizers, including " Heskett " slag. The trials show that, generally, attractive results are obtainable from phosphates, and that at times lime alone, at other times potash alone, and at still other times both lime and potash, may advantageously be used in association with phosphates. From such evidence it seems likely that some farmers err by not spending money on lime, while others err by spending money on lime, and that a parallel position obtains in regard to the use of potash. It seems also from the experimental work under review that fertilizer practice should be based mainly on the information resulting from - trials and observation in the field, instead of on generalized or traditional considerations such as may arise from attaching undue weight to what has happened under different circumstances or what has been taught in other times or places. Some of the views expressed at times about lime and also about superphosphate well exemplify the need of adjusting views to current knowledge relative to local circumstances. There is much gratifying evidence that the results of fertilizer trials carried out by the Fields Division over a period are widely influencing farm practice—the manuring of pastures and cereals are striking instances —but, at the same time, there is some evidence that at times fertilizer practice so fails to accord with the best available knowledge that the farmer's purse suffers gravely. Stock-disease. A continuation of general freedom from contagious diseases in horses has again been recorded in the year under review—an exception is provided in some cases of strangles. The position relative to diseases of cattle is far from being so satisfactory, although the year has been a normal one. Of the 478,963 cattle (exclusive of calves) examined at abattoirs and slaughterhouses, 6'52 per cent, were affected with tuberculosis in varying degrees, an increase of 0-98 per cent, of infection in comparison with the previous year. Of 14,423 cattle subjected to the tuberculin test, 7-9 per cent, reacted. While blackleg remained at a satisfactory level, there was evidence of increase in the number of cases of Johne's disease. Work designed to assist in the control of this disease is in progress. Though the Johnin test cannot be described as completely reliable, it is most helpful in control. There was practically no change in the incidence of mammitis and contagious abortion. The curative value of vaccination not being established, hygienic control of mammitis is available as a protective measure, about which there is increasing confidence as the result of observations in herds in which hygienic methods have been adopted. Controlling the spread of the trouble rather than curing it continues to be the farmer's only protection against contagious abortion. Temporary sterility was not so much in evidence as in preceding years ; investigations in regard to it are in progress, and the advisability of continuing these investigations is clear. Cattle-tick is not now looked upon as a serious parasite of stock under conditions in New Zealand, and its incidence is governed by the attention given to control measures which are well known. Paspalum staggers in cattle, not previously noted in the Auckland Province, occurred during the year, and was the subject of much study both in the field and at Wallaceville Veterinary Laboratory. Investigation showed that in all cases affected animals had been grazing paspalum attacked not only by ergot, but also by another fungus. No mortality occurred, but the milk-production decreased

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