DIAMOND-BACK MOTH. 181' 



rains (the first of any consequence since the attack), I think that, as 

 far as I am concerned, those plants in which the heart was not 

 injured are safe, and will now come to maturity, though maybe very 

 late. Boughs tied to the scufflers seemed to do good where the attack 

 was bad, and where the plants were fairly full grown. 



(4). " The Turnips first attacked with me were sown on heavy 

 clay ; the land was ploughed in the autumn very dry, and ploughed 

 again in the spring very deep, and in very dry weather. The land 

 had 20 loads farmyard manure, 2^ cwt. of superphosphate, and 2| cwt. 

 of vitriolated bones to the acre. No salt was used. 



(5). " The weather last autumn, as far as I can remember, was 

 dry, and I noticed no weed m great quantity. 



(6). "In one part of the field first attacked was a good deal of 

 Charlock, and at this point the attack began, the Charlock being 

 entirely consumed ; but whether this points to the caterpillar being 

 especially found on Charlock, I cannot say. 



(7). " Starhngs are especially useful in clearing the caterpillars, 

 and I feel convinced that the Rook is also most useful, for this year, 

 especially since this attack, have they been very busy amongst the 

 Turnips. I also notice a great many Peewits and Gulls about." 



Branton, Ahmick, Northumberland, August 11th. From Mr. Wm. 

 Pringle. In his letter accompanying the replies to the circular, Mr. 

 Pringle observed: — "I would not have detected the caterpillar so soon 

 on my Turnips if I had not been staying for a fortnight before July 24tli 

 at Bamburgh on the east coast. In that time I saw whole fields taken 

 off; some were ploughed up and resown ; these were mostly Swedes ; 

 they were all well forward, a great many being closed over the ridge. 



"We are fourteen miles from the sea, close to the foot of the 

 Cheviot Hills. There is no doubt the moths have come from the sea, 

 as the Turnips are more affected as you get nearer the coast. Here 

 we have suffered very little damage." 



Replies to inquiries in circular (see p. 110), August 11th : — 



(1). " I have suffered no loss, as I took means to remove the cater- 

 pillar before they had time to do any damage except making holes in 

 the leaves in some parts of the field. 



(2). "By keeping the scufflers going with birch branches attached. 

 I sent a letter to the ' Newcastle Daily Journal ' * (which I enclose) ; it 



* " The caterpillar plague. — Having tried most of the remedies recommended for 

 the destruction of the caterpillar, the most effective I have tried are birch branches 

 tied on the front of the scufiler, and projecting well over on both sides so as to 

 completely cover the drills on each side. By this means each drill is gone over 

 twice, and the insect completely cleaned off the plants and bm'ied up by the scufiler. 

 The caterpillars were first noticed here on Friday, the 24th ; they have not yet had 



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