MONTHLY NOTES ON GRUBS AND OTHER CANE PESTS. 29 



that something was destroying them ; but a most careful search revealed 

 none of the evidences of the flies. 



On this same farm, which belongs to IMr. R. Davis, was a most 

 striking evidence of the value of late planting for grub-infested soils. 

 A large field, which had been planted early, was a total failure, with 

 most of the cane uprooted and rotting upon the ground, while alongside 

 were two fields — October and November planting — which were in perfect 

 condition. The October plants had about 4 feet of cane, and those of 

 November about 2 feet. I was pleased to learn from Mr. Smith, Cane 

 Inspector of the Goondi Mill, a man very keen in his observations upon 

 the cultivation of sugar-cane, that he fully concurred with me in 

 advising la;te planting for infested soils, even though the ratoons are 

 not always successful. He states, however, that the second ratoons are 

 usually up to standard, providing they escape the grubs. 



The grubs have been particularly severe this season in the region 

 about the Mourilyan Mill— many of the fields being a total loss. Digging 

 pits in both cane and grassland disclosed only the grey-backs as the pest 

 of this district. 



The standing scrub was so badly whipped by the cyclone that it will 

 offer very unsatisfactory feeding for the beetles this season, and especi- 

 ally if fire is run through it later on to destroy the fallen timber. 

 There is a possibility that this factor will be a very important one in 

 the control of the grubs next season. I should certainly advise firing 

 the scrub whenever it is practical to do so. 



Parasites op Cane Grubs. 

 Eather careful observations failed to reveal the presence of these 

 wasps either at Mossman or on the Johnstone River, which is rather 

 interesting, since they are so much in evidence in the Mulgrave district. 

 The Muscardine fungus, too, must be rather rare in these districts, for 

 I heard of only one instance where it was found attacking grubs, south 

 of Innisfail. There is a possibility that we might assist materially in 

 grub destruction by introducing these friendly agents in localities where 

 they are not already found. In these new localities the parasites would 

 possibly escape their natural enemies for a time, and, if so, would do a 

 vast amount of good. 



ANTHONY James Gumming, Government Printer, Brisbane. 



