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This insect has great powers of increase. It appears early in the spring from the pupa- 

 cases, having passed the winter under ground, and also probably some specimens pass the 

 winter in the perfect state. It breeds rapidly, only about two weeks being required in 

 summer for each brood to mature, and there are probably six or eight broods in a season. 

 Mr. L. O. Howard found that, at "Washington, the time required from the laying of the 

 egg to the appearance of the fly was from 10 to 17 days, and that the fly breeds from 

 the middle of May till the middle of September. 



Although only brought under my notice in July last, from enquiries made I have 

 no doubt that this pest has been present on our Canadian stock farms throughout the 

 summer. It was introduced into the United States only six years ago and has spread in 

 all directions over many States of the Union and has now invaded Canada also. It has 

 reached the most southern States and lately as far west as Texas. Curiously, how- 

 ever, long before it had ever reached Texas it was spoken of by farmers as " the Texas 

 fly," and to-day in Canada more enquiries are made concerning it by this name than any 

 other. 



Remedies. 



Notwithstanding the great loss which will undoubtedly result to stock-owners if they 

 neglect to attend to this new enemy, there is no reason why it should not be kept within 

 control by simple, cheap and well tested remedies. It is a most important matter and one 

 that should be taken up by all Farmers' Institutes and Dairymen's Associations, so that if 

 possible some united effort might be made to control it while the numbers are small in 

 spring, and eventually to stamp it out. All that is necessary is for everyone to try first 

 of all to learn what the true life history is, and in accordance with this to apply the best 

 remedy and try to induce his neighbors to do the same. 



The remedies are cheap and easily applied ; but will require constant attention to 

 make them effective. They are of two kinds, (1) preventive, or such as keep the flies from 

 biting the animals ; (2) active, or such as aim at the destruction of the insects either as 

 maggots or flies. 



1. Preventive. Almost any greasy substance will keep the flies away for several 

 days. Lard, train oil, tanner's oil, fish oils, with a little sulphur, carbolic acid or oil of 

 tar added, will keep the flies off for from five to six days. The two latter will have a 

 healing effect on any sores which may have formed. Carbolic acid and oil of tar will mix 

 suflficiently well with fish oils if the two substances be placed together in a bottle and well 

 shaken. One ounce of either may be added in two quarts of oil. Axle grease and tallow 

 have been also used to advantage. It may not be amiss to point out that no injury 

 whatever results from the flies settling on the horns, as they only go there to rest, and 

 cannot possibly do the horn any injury. Tar has been largely used to put on the horns 

 of cattle, but it answers no better than the greasy substances mentioned above, and 

 makes the animals in a horrible mess ; moreover, if the flies are driven from the horns 

 they merely fly to the animal's body, where they can do much more harm. 



The remedy of this class which will eventually be found to be the best, is the 

 mixture known as the Kerosene Emulsion, which consists simply of a mixture of soap- 

 suds with twice the quantity of ordinary coal oil, made as follows : Boil two ounces of 

 common soap in one quart of rain water until the soap is dissolved, then turn it into 

 two quarts of coal oil and churn it violently with a syringe or force pump for five 

 minutes, when it will be of a smooth, creamy nature. This gives the stock emulsion, 

 which must be diluted before using with nine times its measure (that is 27 quarts) of 

 water. It will mix much more easily with the water if done at once, before the 

 stock emulsion cools. This mixture may be applied to the animals either by means 

 of a sponge, or, what will certainly be found most convenient where there are many 

 animals to treat, by means of a force pump and spraying nozzle. This can be done in a. 

 few minutes after milking, and one or two pints will suffice for each animal. 



