TURNIP FLY, OR FLEA BEETLE. 



185 



for in snch weather the "Fly" ov " Flea " Beetles propagate 

 more freely, and use their wings, and consequently spread 

 further ; also heat and drought together keep back the growth 

 of the plants, which are therefore exposed for a longer time to 

 fly-ravage. Frost, or cold with drought, or cold with rain, or 

 any kind of weather or circumstances that are unfavourable 

 to plant-growth, also throw the crop under the power of this 

 pest ; but heat and drought are the worst, because they are 

 good for the fly as well as bad for the plant. 



In many of the following notes it will be observed that it is 

 advised, by autumn cultivation (where this is practicable), or 

 by working the land as early in spring as it can be done, to 

 preserve the moisture that has accumulated during the winter 

 for the benefit of the germinating plants. By thus preparing 

 the soil beforehand, little stirring of the ground is needed 

 when the time comes for seed-sowing; and, instead of the 

 land being repeatedly thrown open to (what is often at sowing- 

 time) a drying sun and air until the surface moisture is com- 

 pletely dried out, the application of the use of cultivators or 

 scarifiers, which expose little fresh soil, is enough. The 

 surface of the ground, which has been mellowed by exposure 

 to frost, or weather influences, gives a fine tilth suitable for 

 germination, retains moisture evenly, and gives it out gradu- 

 ally and genially for plant-growth. The most favourable 

 conditions are thus secured for the germinating crop, and 

 there is the further advantage that where the land has thus 

 been well cleaned and cultivated beforehand there will have 

 been all the less food and shelter for the fly in winter and 

 spring, and consequently less risk of attack. 



Methods of cultivation found most suitable for "pushing on 

 healthy, rapid growth of the i^lant, and so carnjing it from 

 under iwwer of the jig. — "It is well known that want of moisture 

 is the great promoting cause of injury by the fly. Next to this 

 is a rough, badly-prepared soil in poor manurial condition. 



"Autumn cultivation should be aimed at as much as pos- 

 sible. Land intended for Turnips should not require any 

 ploughing in spring, and as little scarifying as possible. A 

 few hundredweights of good artificial manure, applied either 

 before or when the seed is sown, promotes a strong and rapid 

 growth of the braird until it gets into rough leaf, when danger 

 from the *' Fly" is over. 



** After a long experience I never saw a failure of a braird of 

 Turnips on land which had been long and well-prepared 

 before the seed was sown. Good seed and plenty of it, three 

 pounds per acre, drilled deeply from (say) two to three 

 inches, ensures a good start, even in the driest times. 



" The application of soot, lime, nitrate of soda, or guano, 



