248 STRAWBERRY. 



attention to Medlar and Iris bloom. My gardener has killed 

 more than 2000 already this season, but even this appears to 

 effect no diminution in their numbers." 



A few da3's later Mr. Micklem, writing further regarding 

 the Golden Chafer attack, remarked that the capture that 

 day was 373, " and this in spite of dail}^ destruction since 

 their first appearance." 



The fullest account that I am acquainted with of this 

 Golden Chafer as a Strawberry blossom jDest is that given by 

 John Curtis in the ' Gardeners' Chronicle ' (1841, p. 452) 

 relatively to the partial or total failures of Strawberry crops 

 in different parts of the country in that year, which he con- 

 sidered were undoubtedly in part owing to the ravages of the 

 Cetonia aurata. I extract the passage (duly acknowledged) 

 below : — 



" From its nestling and reposing in the flowers of the Eose 

 it is generally called the Eose Chafer, but it is also attached 

 to the Whitethorn, Candytuft, Elder, Mountain Ash, Peony, 

 and Strawberry, the flowers of which it feeds upon, and the 

 latter were attacked this year" [1841, E. A. 0.] "at the 

 earliest period I ever remember, for on the 11th of May the 

 Eose Chafers were in such prodigious numbers on the flowers 

 and leaves that it became necessary in some gardens to have 

 them collected and killed. 



" The beetles generally destroy the anthers, eating them 

 off' with great dexterity, probably to revel upon the honey 

 secreted in the nectar}^ so that by their agency immense 

 quantities of Strawberry flowers are rendered abortive ; when 

 one crop has flowered they take their flight to another." — 

 (" Euricola " = John Curtis.) 



Prevention and Eemedies. — The beetles are so large and 

 so sluggish in dull weather that there is then no difliculty in 

 taking them by hand ; during sunshine they may be taken 

 with a bag-net, and destroyed in any way that may be most 

 convenient. 



Where the maggots are numerous, they should be got rid of 

 by turning over the soil, or by spreading neglected heaps of 

 rich earth, old Cucumber beds, and similar places which they 

 frequent, and hand-picking all that are seen. Poultry will 

 help very much in clearing the grubs, if driven in whilst the 

 ground is being turned over. 



Where the attack is on the roots of growing plants (in 

 enclosed. places), it will be found serviceable to have a few 

 tame rooks or sea gulls in the garden, as they can dig down 

 with their bills amongst the roots which could not otherwise 

 be meddled with, and clear large numbers of the grubs without 

 harming the plants. 



