64 MANGOLDS. 



was well cultivated and made firm, and had received sufficient 

 dressings of nitrogenous manures, in addition to salt and super- 

 phosphate, the crop best overcame the attack. 



The late, cold, and somewhat dri/ spring checked the growth of the 

 crop, especially those on ridges. I have noticed that those crops in 

 favoured situations, as regards climate, have suffered least of all. In 

 Devonshire, where the hedges are very high, — higher than those 

 of any other county, — that portion of the field which was sheltered by 

 these hedges grew away from the attack better than the rest of the field. 

 Mangolds on high-lying light land have suffered most. I have seen a 

 number of farmers who estimate that their crop will be reduced one- 

 half by the attack. This means a loss of from £5 to £10 per acre. In 

 a few cases the crop has been totally ruined. 



On the 21st of July, also, I had information from Prof. Douglas 

 Gilchrist (of the Bangor University College, N. Wales). Writing from 

 Hafodunos, Abergele, Denbighshire, of the presence of the Mangold 

 Maggot in that district, he mentioned that the attack had con- 

 siderably delayed the crop, which was not one grown extensively in 

 the district ; and also that here, as in some other instances, the infesta- 

 tion was reported as not having been seen before in the district. This, 

 however, is probably from the blisters on the leafage being ascribed to 

 scalding or unfavourable weather influence of some kind or other, and 

 consequently no special examination made which would have shown 

 the maggots within. 



Other communications regarding presence of attack were sent, 

 which it is not worth while to enter on in detail ; but towards the 

 latter part of August information was continued, showing the presence 

 of the late summer attack. 



On August 20th, Mr. C. Coutts, writing from the New Inn Farm, 

 Widmerpool, Nottingham, observed: — " We are the second time this 

 season troubled with maggots in the Mangold leaves. They came 

 first just after being singled, and then in ten days or so left. They have 

 come again, but worse than the first time. The leaves are badly 

 shrivelled up." .... " There are five fields badly damaged, and we 

 have two fields that have not been touched as yet, but look healthy and 

 doing well. I find the fields that are manured with artificial alone are 

 the worst." 



On the previous day (August 19th) specimens were sent me 

 by Major F. Willan, from Thornhill Park, Bitterne, Hants, with the 

 following notes, which show what great injury was then being caused 

 by the infestation : — " Herewith I send some specimens of Mangold 

 leaves. The crop, in a ten-acre field, has been much infested with some 

 grub, which establishes itself between the inner and outer parts of the 

 leaf and eats its way along. Several may be seen in the leaves sent.'' 



