MANGOLD-LEAF OE BEET PLY. DO 



On the 30th of June the first notes were sent me of what was 

 shortly after reported as a widespread and severe attack of this 

 Mangold infestation in North Devon. Mr. E. W. Haydon, writing 

 from Great Coombshead, North Molton, Devon, reported: — "I am 

 sending you by this post some Mangold leaves attacked by the Mangold 

 Fly. You will find the maggot of this fly beneath the epiderms of the 

 leaves, I have taken the leaves from a field of Mangolds on my 

 father's farm. A large number of farmers in North Devon are com- 

 plaining that the fly has done considerable damage to the young Man- 

 gold plants. I have only inspected the fields of Mangolds on my father's 

 farm, and although they are certainly damaged, still I think the crop 

 will not suffer to any great extent." 



On the following day specimens of infested Mangold leaves, with 

 the maggot fully or nearly fully grown, were forwarded to me from 

 Hele, S. Molton, Devon, by Mr. Christian Gould, with the note that 

 they were samples of Mangold leaves from his crop of ten acres, which 

 the maggots were destroying, and which would be quite a failure unless 

 something could be done to exterminate them. 



Other information was sent about the same date, referring to this 

 same attack (well described as of the Mangold leaves containing 

 maggots in blisters like those caused by the Celery fly) being severe 

 in North Devon. 



On the 1st of July also observations were made of the same attack 

 occurring near Camelford, on the north of Cornwall. The attack about 

 this time became so general in the district, that it was brought forward 

 in various of the western papers (in some degree referring to my own 

 remarks) by Mr. W. J. Harris, of Halwill Manor, Beaworthy, North 

 Devon ; and later on I was favoured by the following further notes 

 from Mr. E, W. Haydon, of Great Coombshead, North Molton, Devon, 

 in continuation of those previously sent on the 80th of June. These, 

 it will be seen, are of serviceable interest, as they note a general opinion 

 of the farmers as to nitrate of soda being beneficial in carrying the 

 infested plants over attack ; also they mention the benefit of previous 

 good cultivation, and of various special dressings, and that crops in 

 situations favourable to growth suffered less than others, and likewise 

 some amount of estimate of loss is given. 



Mr. Haydon wrote as follows : — " I have made numerous enquiries 

 about the attack, and have visited many farms in various parts. The 

 early-sown Mangolds have generally suffered more than the later ones. 

 Mangolds sown on the flat have sufiered less than those sown in ridges. 

 All the farmers corroborate what you say in your pamphlet about the 

 effect of nitrate of soda. The attack was pretty well universal, and, 

 as might be expected, those crops which were existing under the most 

 perfect conditions of growth best survived the attack. Where the land 



