THE CARROT AND CABBAGE ROOT FLIES. n 



From the different accounts which have been given of the 

 life-history, it is evident that there is much variation and great 

 irregularity in the development. 



PREVENTATIVE AND REMEDIAL MEASURES. 



When the plants are singled the soil should be closely pressed 

 around the root, so as to prevent the flies depositing their eggs there. 

 Heavy watering has also been recommended for the same purpose. 



Sand or ashes saturated with paraffin, scattered over the young 

 plants tends to keep the flies off them. Watering with paraffin and 

 water, i gill of the former to i gallon of the latter, after thinning 

 has also proved most successful. 



A good dressing of gas-lime dug into the soil before sowing 

 has answered in many localities, as also strong liquid manure 

 when the flies are first noticed. 



The Cabbage Root FJy. 



PJiorUa Imsticae (Bouche). 



The larvae of this fly have been received from the counties of Stafford, 

 Warwick, Worcester and Derby. 



In 1894 Professor Slingerford, of the Cornell University 

 Agricultural Experiment Station, published a very valuable paper 

 on this fly, and amongst the various remedies suggested, the only 

 effective ones were the application of a tarred disc of card around 

 each plant, and the injection of bisulphide of carbon into the ground. 

 The next best remedy was treating the roots of the plants with a 

 mixture of i Ib. of hard soap, i qt. soap dissolved in a gallon of 

 boiling water, and i pint of crude carbolic. Sprinkling soot and 

 lime around the base of the plants has in some cases proved effective 

 in preventing the fly laying her eggs in the plants. 



Farmyard manure and organic manures generally, are said to 

 attract the flies, and should therefore be avoided. 



Cease to grow cabbages, and cruciferous plants generally, if 

 the infestation continues, on the same land for at least two years, 

 and plough deeply. 



The Pear Midge. 

 Diplosis pyricora, Riley. 



This fly, first determined as occuring in England in 1893, is rapidly 

 increasing. Its presence may be detected by the small stunted 

 fruit, which if opened will be found to contain numerous tiny 

 jumping maggots. Briefly the life-history is as follows. The fly, 

 which is black and gnat-like makes its appearance in April. The 

 female introduces her eggs into the unopened flower-buds, which 

 hatch out into tiny white maggots, tapering at each end of the body. 

 These eat their way into the core of the young fruit, causing it to 



