134 



TURNIP. 



October 26th. The following observation also accords with only 

 too many others as to the deficiency of bulbing which often accom- 

 panied the splendid leafage. — " Since I wrote to yon I have had an 

 opportunity, in going the rounds here, of speaking to some of the 

 farmers of the district about their Turnips. They agree that the 

 Turnips are looking splendidly, but nearly all say that they are behind 

 in bulbing owing to the severe check which they received from the 

 caterpillar." — F. N. 



SCOTLAND. 



Berwickshiee. — Giinsfp-een, Fijewouth, N.B., July 21st. From Mr. 

 James Gibson, with specimens accompanying. A large number of 

 specimens of Diamond-back Moth caterpillar were sent, and of these 

 a much larger proportion were still young than was the case with 

 specimens from more southerly localities. The leaves forwarded were 

 about six to eight inches long, and about three-quarters of the leaves 

 might be estimated as destroyed in the case of those least attacked. 

 Some were reduced to little but the veins and ribs, with the remains of 

 just the filmy cuticle of the upper side of the leaf connecting them. 

 —Ed. 



Mr. Gibson wrote on July 21st : — "An unusual pest has recently 

 fixed on the Turnip crop in this particular part of eastern Berwick- 

 shire. Until ten days ago the Turnips appeared quite healthy, and 

 promised to be an abundant crop. When working through the fields 

 end of last week, I observed a few of the leaves drooping, and on 

 examination found small perforations on the leaves. Minuter exa- 

 mination showed that some small caterpillar, or other animal, or 

 insect had wrought the mischief. 



" As the weather was showery, I thought that the plant would 

 overcome the damage ; but instead of improving, the plants are 

 disappearing by acres, and what looked a promising crop ten days ago, 

 I fear will now prove a complete failure. 



"Not only the damage is not confined to my own farm, but various 

 holdings within an area of three miles appear to be similarly affected." 



On the 28th of July, Mr. Gibson wrote : — " All round the coast 

 here the plague of caterpillars is very prevalent ; inland it is not 

 so bad." 



Replies to inquiries in circular (see p. 110), August 10th: — 



(1). " I have about 80 acres under Turnips this season ; from this 

 area I do not expect to have more than 30 acres, and this a very poor 

 crop indeed. As far as I observe, the attack has been very severe 

 along the coast here from within three miles of Berwick-on-Tweed, 

 stretching for ten miles, and about one and a half miles inland. 



