TURNIP FLV 



393 



TURNIP FLY OR BEETLE 

 Haltica nemorum (with larva and chrysalis) 



the crop when the crop is ready. The so-called ' Fly ' is a beetle 

 named Haltica tiemorum, a little jumping thing, strongly made and 

 decidedly voracious. The larvae are not to be feared, except that, 

 of course, they in due time become beetles. In its perfect state as 

 a winged jumping insect this creature makes havoc of the Turnips, 

 and the crop is only in danger while in the seed-leaf stage. It 

 is in the spring and early sum- 

 mer chiefly that their ravages oc- 

 casion perplexity, for they awaken 

 from their winter torpor active 

 and hungry, and have a ready 

 appetite for almost any cruci- 

 ferous plant. Hence we see the 

 leaves of Radishes pierced by 

 them, and all such weeds as Char- 

 lock, Cuckoo Flower, Hedge Gar- 

 lic, and Water Cress serve them 

 for food until the Turnip crops 

 are on the move, when they will 

 travel miles, even against the 



wind, to make havoc of the farmer's hopes. Very many preventive 

 and remedial measures that are sound in themselves are neverthe- 

 less not generally practicable. We shall enumerate them briefly as 

 they occur to us, leaving the ultimate choice of weapons to those 

 whom fate may condemn to use them. 



The safest course against Turnip Fly is to promote a quick germi- 

 nation of the seed and strong growth of the plant in its first stage of 

 the seed-leaf. The cotyledons are tender and tasty, perhaps sugary 

 from Nature's process of malting ; and while the seed-leaf is assail- 

 able, the Haltica makes the best of the shining hour. It is of no 

 use to dress the seed with any mixture, and it is a mistake to regard 

 the spots on the seed as the eggs of the insect. This, however, may be 

 said with safety, that the seed sown should be all of one age, and the 

 newest possible, because of the need for a quick and strong growth. 

 When a powerful manure is sown with the seed, the quantity of seed 

 should be increased, because of the considerable portion that will be 

 killed by the manure. It is important always to drill in Turnip seed, 

 for broad-casting seems to invite the Fly ; at all events, a drilled 

 crop is generally the safest. 



The sprinkling of slaked lime over the young plant is at once a 

 safe and an effectual process, and possesses the additional advantage 



