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ox. 



regarding measures of prevention and remedy given at the shows of 

 our own Koyal Agricultural Society ; also by the similar attention 

 drawn to the subject in various localities yearly by other societies or 

 large firms connected with the hide and cattle trade, and notably the 

 attention given at the show of the " Royal Dublin " Society in the 

 jmst winter. 



Under these circumstances it would seem to be but waste of space 

 to go over these points again ; I add, however, the following note sent 

 me by Mr. W. Bailey, Headmaster of the Aldersey Grammar School, 

 Bunbury, Tarporley, Cheshire, to show how (for all practical purposes) 

 this wasteful infestation may be got rid of throughout a district by no 

 more troublesome or expensive measures than the voluntary work of 

 some of the boys of a country school, under instruction as to what was 

 to be done, and with the willing permission of the farmers of the 

 neighbourhood to allow the lads access to their cattle. 



My first report of their work was in 1885 (warbles being then, as 

 previously described, as plentiful as blackberries). It was at first begun 

 under the suggestion and advice of Mr. Bailey the Headmaster, with 

 perhaps some amount of co-operation from myself, and was continued, 

 from the benefit accruing to the cattle, and thence to their owners, 

 with such success, that on Dec. 6th, 1887, an account of their work 

 was read before a Committee at the Royal Agricultural Society, and 

 directed by Council to be published. 



The work has since gone on so satisfactorily, that in the past year 

 instead of giving me his customary detailed report Mr. Bailey wrote as 

 follows : — " Although I again granted the boys a roving commission, 

 and no want of diligence was shown in their search, I am glad to tell 

 you that an exceedingly small number of maggots has been discovered. 

 The highest number brought in by any one boy was 23 this year. 

 You will remember that a very few years ago they were as plentiful 

 as blackberries, and that one boy alone (F. Ravenscroft) destroyed 

 nearly 300. 



" I believe that now all the farmers in this district very carefully 

 examine their stock for warble maggots, and that although we may 

 not be able to stamp this pest out completehj, as long as cattle are 

 bought in fairs at some distance from us, it will always be well kept 

 down." 



The great obstacle in the way of advance in stamping out this 

 attack is ignoeance. It takes a long time to undermine old prejudices, 

 particularly when these agree conveniently with carelessness, idleness, 

 and also with getting oft' damaged beasts at the price of good ones. 



We need to get plain information so well spread, that it may be 

 available for the cattle-men, — as well as for the cattle-owners, and 

 also for working butchers, — that they may know the loss they are likely 



