168 TURNIP. 



leaves attacked by no means, in all cases, showed only the "laced work " 

 or " muslined " appearance, which is characteristic of Diamond-back 

 infestation, where the upper cuticle of the leaf still remains but 

 partially injured, it is necessary in working it out to any definite 

 purpose to be sure what we have in hand. 



This is particularly the case with regard to distinction between 

 attack of caterpillars of the Diamond-back Moth and those of the Tur- 

 nip Sawfly, which were also present in the past season, notably near 

 Ulceby, in Lincolnshire, and of which Mr. Fraukish (of Limber, 

 Ulceby), who is perfectly qualified to judge on the subject, wrote me 

 (see note, p. IIG) in reply to my inquiries, " It would be perfectly im- 

 possible for us, or any one, to separate the damage caused by the 

 different caterpillars." 



Remedies which would act easily and promptly on the Sawfly 

 caterpillar would be very likely to have little or no effect on that of the 

 Diamond-back'; therefore, in order to be certain of what we are dealing 

 with, I have given (with hardly any exceptions) only observations of 

 contributors who sent me specimens ; " and readers who wish to collate 

 the notes given may easily do so by turning the pages so as to take 

 the information given by the different observers under the various 

 numbers of the " replies to inquiries in circular," and comparing these 

 points (or those following and preceding with regard to accounts of 

 first attack and ultimate results). 



The great singularity of the attack consisted in the very sudden 

 outburst of the infestation of an insect (which has long been known to 

 be fairly common aud abundant amongst Turnips and Cabbages) taking 

 place not as might have been expected over inland and coastland 

 indifferently, where these crops are generally grown, and their favourite 

 weed plants found ; but for the most part, and also most destructively 

 and markedly, on a strip of coastland running the greater part of the 

 length of the east seaboard of England and Scotland. 



Difference of opinion appears to exist as to whether the infestation 

 was home-bred or wind-borne from other countries. So far as is 

 shown by the evidence given it appears to mc to have been wind-borne. 



By examination of the notes given under the head of " Appearance 

 of Moths," pp. 155 —157, it will be seen that great numbers of these were 

 noticed at various localities, coincidently with observation of easterly 

 winds, and that these having been observed at the shores or outside 



* A few will also be found from contributors who appeared to be qualified to 

 judge of what was present, and in the quotations 1 was permitted by favour of the 

 Editor to make from the ' Alnwick Guardian ' I have given the notes of the 

 Northumbrian observers to jJresc nee ; but I have given little or nothing broadscale, 

 hearsay or reminiscence, for fear of measures, should they again be wanted in 

 haste, not being found to stand the test, 



