STEM EELWORMS. 



25 



of summer. But though sometimes the maggots do a deal of harm at 

 roots, I am not aware that they were in favilt in this case. 



An account of a large quantity of a good plant of Clover dying off 

 in a most unusual manner at a locality near Malvern was not accom- 

 panied by specimens which gave opportunity to identify the attack 

 satisfactorily. 



The latest inquiry which was forwarded was sent me by Mr. E. 

 Wightman Bell, F.C.S., from High Bridge, Spalding, on April 4th, 

 with a specimen accompanying, and the observation that I was no 

 doubt aware that the Clover crops were dying off to a very great 

 extent, and he would be glad to know if the pests forwarded were the 

 cause ; also that it was to be noted that the more solid portions of the 

 fields have not suffered as much as the lighter, and the same applies 

 to those fields which were well trampled by sheep. 



The specimens sent showed presence of Stem Eelworm Clover- 

 sickness ; but it is well worth note that in a further communication, 

 Mr. Wightman Bell, who is well qualified to report on the subject, 

 mentioned that in almost every case he had observed rmjcelium threads 

 on the leaves of affected Clover. 



A summary of the reports sent of the widespread prevalence of 

 Clover disease during the early part of last year (1898) shows, from the 

 observations of Mr. W. Carruthers in his official Reports to the Royal 

 Agricultural Society, that there was great destruction by " sickness" 

 due to fungoid presence, especially that of Sclerotinia trifoliorum ; and 

 from reports nnd specimens sent to myself there was also, I found, a 

 great prevalence of sickness caused by presence of Stem Eelworm, 

 Tylenchus devastatrix. These two attacks may occur separately or 

 coincidently, and in some of the attack of which specimens were 

 especially observed, as in those above noticed reported on by Mr. 

 Wightman Bell, both the fungoid and Nematoid infestations appear to 

 have been present. 



Other infestations, as of weevil maggots (larvae of Sitones), and of 

 Clover " Eed Maggots" (larvas of Cecidomxjia trifolii), were present; 

 and the first of these is known to do mischief at times at roots of 

 Clover, though, so far as I am aware, it has not been recorded as often 

 causing much damage. The Cecid larvae (the " Red Maggots ") may 

 fairly be presumed to be harmless, as we find them in the decayed 

 matter of the roots, also we have no evidence of their feeding on the 

 living tissues in their winter subterranean conditions, and also we 

 know that when the maggots are in active state in summer they have 

 a peculiarly distinctive method of feeding, — that is, by fastening the 

 edges of the selected Clover leaf together, and within this shelter 

 feeding and turning to the chrysalis state. 



Specimens of other kinds of presence — such as insect larvfp, small 



