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SKETCHES OP RURAL AFFAIRS. 



and then it is that the great importance of the turnip 

 crop is felt. About a century ago turnips were only 

 cultivated in England on a small scale ; but since then 

 they have spread to every part of the kingdom, and 

 wonderful has been the improvement in our flocks in 



THE BLACK CATERPILLAR. 



consequence. The turnip crop is subject to many 

 enemies. One of these is the turnip-beetle, commonly 

 called the " fly," a small black shining insect, with wings 

 twice as long as the body ; living under the bark of 

 trees, or in the chinks of old palings all the winter, and 



