140 Seavid Report 01 Economic Zoology. 



avoid doing so. The beetles have no wiugs, so cannot travel far^ and, 

 although carnivorous, they would probably be checked increasing, as 

 wurzel undoubtedly now form one of their favourite foods. 



AVhen young plants are attacked frequent side- and horse-hoeing 

 would disturb them and so do some good. The best plan to adopt 

 is to trap the beetles in the fields. This, 1 i'ancy, would be best done 

 l)y putting down here and there sheepskins, beneath which they will 

 shelter during the day and can then be collected. Sacking or other 

 material would also answer the purpose. I do not think any dressings 

 would affect this pest. 



FRUIT PESTS. 



Some Notes and Communications on Big-bud 

 in Currants. 



I. Currant Bushes free from Black Currant Mite. 



The following information has been sent to the Board : — 



Eegarding this subject it is well-known that this pest is still 

 absent in many districts of Great Britain. It is almost unknown in 

 the greater part of the North of Ireland. 1 have been unable to find 

 it in districts in North AVales ; it does not appear to occur in 

 Northumberland. Mr. A. T. Gillanders has been unable to find it 

 m the latter district, Mr. Wheler tells me it does not occur around 

 Alnwick. A few years ago it was scarcely known in Devon (I do 

 not know if it has been carried there now). I am also told it is 

 comparatively rare in Hampshire. 



Certain varieties, like the Baldwin, are infested all over the 

 country, but others are not. Mr. Bear informs me he has eight acres 

 of Lea's Prolific obtained from Preston that were quite free — and so 

 on with innumerable cases to show there is plenty of clean stock. I 

 do not think, however, there is much clean Baldwin stock, if any. 



[For other information on this subject, ridt' p. 29.] 



II. Currant Bud Mite. 



Many growers state that they have found that repeated hand- 

 picking does good and also hai'd pruning. 



But as stated in Leatiet No. 1, it seems that little good can be 

 done in regard to remedies. 



Numerous other enquiries have been received, but do not call for 

 any special comment. 



