THE RUTHERGLEN FLY-PEST. 109 



and other arsenious preparations should not be used, and 

 the same remark will apply to any tree when in bloom, as 

 the applications of such solutions may not only injure the 

 flower and prevent the fruit from setting properly, hut 

 bees in visiting the trees may become poisoned and the 

 honey possibly injured. 



In the "Rutherglen Fly -pest' 7 we have an insect which 

 will thrive even on ripe capsicums, and remain uninjured 

 after a heavy spraying of fusel oil, and, at present, benzole, 

 in some form, although perhaps expensive, seems to be the 

 only remedy which can safely be relied upon. 



The old system of driving away insects from orchards 

 by means of smoking is, at the best, a half-hearted 

 measure, as the pest, instead of being destroyed, is merely 

 driven into the orchard or vineyard of one's neighbour, 

 which we must admit is a somewhat selfish proceeding. 

 Every possible perseverance should be used in endea- 

 vouring to find out the place in which the insect deposits 

 its eggs, as having once gained so much knowledge, we 

 may be the better able to cope with this serious enemy of 

 the vigneron and fruit-grower. 



The agriculturist is however, by no means exempted 

 from the losses occasioned by the attacks of this pest, as 

 it has proved to be terribly destructive to green maize as 

 also to potatoes. It behoves all those interested in rural 

 pursuits to unite in this and in other cases whenever a 

 new destroyer, whether it be insect or fungoid, makes its 

 appearance in our midst. 



Before closing these remarks on prevention and remedial 

 recommendations, it may be well to draw the attention of 

 growers to a remedy which has, according to Mathew 

 Cooke, been tried with success against the u False Chinch 

 Bug" in America, in which it is stated that "Early in 

 spring (or as soon as the insects appear on the plants or 

 vines), place loose straw, hay, or other like material 

 around or under plants or vines, so that the insects can take 

 shelter at night; in the morning before sunrise remove 

 the material laid down and burn it. I recommended this 

 for the destruction of the c False Chinch Bug ' on grape vine. 



