50 



YOKKSHIKE. 



SUMMAKY OF TABLE. 



This table gives particulars, contributed by Mr. W. Scott, from 

 Broom Close, Boroughbridge, Yorkshire, regarding attack of Turnip 

 Fly, including dates of sowing and germination, and is of great value, 

 showing the effect of well-moistened soil in pushing on the plant so as 

 to drive it past the power of the fly.* 



It will be observed that the first sowings of plot 4 on May 19th, 

 plot 1 on May 21st, and one sowing of plot 5 on May 25th and 26th 

 were attacked, and plots 4 and 5 entirely eaten off : the weather at 

 sowing- time being noted at the various dates as being warm and dry ; 

 dry ; and showery on the night of the 24th. 



From the rainfall returns it appears that the total amount of 

 rainfall during April (at Aldborough, Boro-Bridge) was only 0-74 in. 

 that is, somewhat less than three-quarters of an inch ; and from the 

 1st until the 19th of May the fall only amounted to 0-82. This small 

 amount of rainfall would be rapidly absorbed or evaporated, and 

 the consequence would be a dry ground much more suitable for fly 

 presence, as observed, than growth of the young Turnips. 



Plots 2 and 6, both drilled on May 28th, after such a heavy 

 thunder-rain on the night of the %6th as prevented getting on the ground 

 sooner to continue work, were never touched by fly, excepting a dozen 

 or so of ridges in plot 2, next the infested plot 1 ; and this absence of 

 fly is especially important to observe in the case of plot 6, as this is 

 part of the same field as plot 5, of which we thus see that the part 

 sown before the thunder-rain of the 26th was taken entirely by fly, 

 and the part of which the sowing was delayed two days by this rain 

 was never touched, and gave an excellent crop. This rainfall amounted 

 to 0-54 in., that is, rather more than half an inch, representing 

 a fall of rather more than fifty tons per acre, and must have com- 

 pletely soddened the surface, consequently set up a supply of moisture 

 for a few days, which would do good, both at the roots and by 

 evaporating round the young plants, which it will be noted respectively 

 "came up at once" and "came well," and thus were carried on till 

 the rainfall seven days later, from the 4th to the 8th of June, occurred 

 to help vegetation, followed by successive rains from the 15th. 



Plot 7 sown on June 4th and 6th, plot 3 sown on June 21st, and 

 plot 5 redrilled June 23rd, 24th and 27th, were sown when rainfall 

 was recommencing on the moistened land, or was well established, 



* For the returns of rainfall at Aldborough, Boroughbridge, that are appended 

 I am indebted to the courtesy of the Rev. E. W. Marriott. 



