386 



THE CABBAGE CROP. 



broadcasted liberally over the field, if before daybreak 

 so much the better, as then the depredators are at full 

 work. If the field be near to the homestead, a visit from 

 the poultry ducks especially is attended with good 

 results. The larvse or maggots of the " cabbage crane- 

 fly " Tipula oleracea in some seasons are very destruc- 

 tive to the roots of the plants during the time they remain 



1. Grub of the T. oleracea. 2. Pupa-case, from which the fly has emerged, 

 or "Daddy-long-legs." 4. Eggs of do. 



3. Crane-fly, 



in the "larvae" state. They are of a dirty brownish or 

 clay colour, exceedingly tough, quite destitute of legs, 

 which readily distinguishes them from the true wire- 

 worm, with which they are commonly classed. They are 

 hatched about April, and change into their next form, 

 that of the " pupa/' about August, during which interval 

 they find subsistence in the fields or gardens, and chiefly 

 upon our cultivated plants, the Brassica family being 

 special favourites with them. Slices of potatoes have 

 been recommended as a bait for them ; if these are placed 

 between the rows, they are attracted to them, whence 



