486 THE GARDENER. [Nov. 



plague of black flies, the Rev. John Fountaine, of Brandon, Suffolk, 

 has supplied some very interesting information to the 'Gardeners' 

 Chronicle.' Mr Fountaine states : "They had not been long upon the 

 leaves before they were surrounded with a number of green lice : upon 

 watching carefully, it was evident that these lice were produced (and, 

 as I thought, alive) by the black flies. A further examination with a 

 strong glass confirmed this supposition unmistakably. Not only did 

 the young travel about as soon as deposited, but were alive and kick- 

 ing during the process of parturition, which occupied some minutes. 

 To confirm this fact still further, I held some of the black flies between 

 the finger and thumb of the left hand, and squeezed them gently whilst 

 watching with the glass held in the right hand. The result was — first 

 the green aphis quite alive ; secondly, ditto in an imperfect state ; and 

 thirdly, a lump of green matter in the embryo state. I do not think 

 each fly brought forth above a dozen young ones, but of this I will not 

 speak positively. After they had, however, completed that quantity, 

 they appeared to shrivel up and die." Mr Webster, of Gordon Castle 

 Gardens, also furnished some information in regard to this matter. 

 He states that a plague of flies is not uncommon there in the autumn, 

 although by no means to the same numerical extent as this season. 

 They are commonly known in that locality as the harvest -midge. 

 " The Peach seems a favourite tree for reproducing the species. In 

 a few days after settling upon the leaves an increased number of brown 

 aphides will be seen, especially along the main rib of the leaf, which 

 very soon exhausts its strength in its ripening stage, and causes it to 

 droop while it is yet green, much corresponding to the effects of 

 Physalea Pyrea, which we have more or less every season upon some 

 of the wall Pear-trees." Mr Webster does not think it is the weight of 

 the flies merely that causes the leaves to fall ; and he goes on to state : 

 " I have been on the look-out for it (the aphis) in dry autumns ; and as 

 soon as any are observed on the Peach -leaves, they are syringed over with 

 Gishurst compound, at 2 oz. to the gallon, which helps to taint the leaves, 

 and prevents these pests from having a resting-place. Several of the 

 trees, having fruit upon them this season when the fly was first seen, 

 could not be so easily washed over, and have in consequence lost a 

 large portion of their leaves ; but all those which were taken in time 

 have suffered but little. I deem it of the utmost importance to keep 

 the leaves on until they drop by natural ripeness, which will generally 

 insure a strong healthy blossom in spring." 



There may be some connection between the ravages of the Pine- 

 beetle and the drought ; certain it is that this destructive little insect 

 has left unmistakable evidences of his presence in some districts this 

 season. His visitations have more interest for the arboriculturist than 



