FRIT FLY. 39 
inferiority of yield and unevenness of time of ripening, is very in- 
ferior to a regularly grown crop; but still some moderate return may 
thus be secured, if the nature of the mischief is known in time for 
good dressings to be applied which (weather permitting) will push on 
the side-shoots at once. 
Mr. Gibb wrote as follows:—‘‘I enclose a few Oat-plants taken 
from a field somewhat late sown that has suffered much from attacks 
of Wireworm and Frit Fly; in some parts the plants have been nearly 
cleared. The weather is still against the plants remaining being able 
to tiller out and fill up empty spaces, while these pests still attack and 
destroy the tender shoots that are sent forth from the sides.” 
On June 6th Mr. P. H. Foulkes, writing to me, with specimens of 
Frit Fly accompanying, from the University Extension College, Read- 
ing, observed :—‘‘ In the attack of Frit Fly which I mentioned, and 
about which I was consulted, I recommended a dressing of nitrate of 
soda, and this has already done good. In one part of the field soot 
had been applied as a top dressing, and this was left undressed with 
nitrate; although this part is free from weeds as compared with the 
nitrate-dressed portion, yet the latter portion looks much the better, 
and is picking up wonderfully after the attack.” 
Mr. Foulkes also observed :—‘‘ Last year a portion of the field was 
sown with Mustard, and ploughed in; in this portion of the field the 
Oats have been attacked to a greater extent than in the other portion, 
which was free from Mustard last year.”—(P.H. F.) This is sent by 
the observer merely as an isolated record, but which may prove of 
interest. 
The above remarks on some of the Frit Fly appearances of the past 
season are given just to show that where this attack is known by 
sight it is still present, and probably if it were better known, so that 
the method of failing of the attacked plants was distinguished from 
what is owing to other causes, much harm would be spared. 
The sign of the infestation being regularly established is much of the 
young plant appearing to be dying towards the end of May; but if 
watch was kept, especially in the southerly and south-westerly counties, 
earlier in the month, and on the first signs of damage the cause was 
looked for, we could then, by the presence of the small maggot inside 
the shoot, distinguish this attack, and, instead of rolling as for Wire- 
worm, or applying remedies which are no use in this case, give right 
treatment at once. 
This consists in application of such stimulants as will best push on 
growth, so that all the plants which are not touched may fill up the 
blanks, and tillering may do all it can in good time; and it should also 
be noted that in cases where the plant is so destroyed that it has to be 
ploughed in, that, so far as is possible, it should be thoroughly buried 
