86 ROBERT POCOCK. 



and sold above 1000L worth; and that Mr. Smithers, 

 his neighbour, has already thrashed and sold out every 

 quarter he has grown this year. I never knew such 

 exertions or demands ; but this rapid industry in 

 bringing it to market, has been owing partly to the 

 introduction of thrashing-machines; and certainly there 

 was a real scarcity, as the millers of Kent were obliged 

 to go into Essex to market. 



' c Upon asking him about the fly on turnips, he says 

 ants have been looked upon as a remedy, and that Mrs. 

 Tadman, of New House, procured ants from the woods 

 in sacks, and put them on her grounds. That some roll 

 the ground in the night ; but he knew nothing about the 

 insect only that they attack the plant on its coming out 

 of the ground, and called it the fly. 



" Monday, 7th. Dull. Walked to Chalk and got 

 some autumnal squills. 



" Tuesday, 8th. Yery fine day. Mr. Coxe and Barton 

 went to Maidstone Gaol. The Lord Mayor of London 

 came to Gravesend from Lord Darnley's, and went from 

 thence to London in his barge, by water, escorted by 

 the water-bailiff (Nelson) and the city solicitor, Mr. 

 Newman. 



" Wednesday, 9th. Dull day. Mr. Eglintine brought 

 a large-tailed wasp (I believe Sirex gigas) caught on 

 the Town Quay (see Dr. Turton, p. 426). Mr. Button 

 of Birmingham or Sheffield called. Mr. Hutton is a 

 mineralogist. 



" Tuesday, 1 5th. The neat little Peter boat, of nine 

 tons, lies in the canal. She has come round from Dart- 

 mouth, with Captain Ferguson (once in the East 

 India trade) and one man, named also James Ferguson. 

 This man promises to send me some birds, anatomized, 



