2 RFPORT ox INJURIOUS INSECTS FOR 1903. 



I hope to publish shortly the results of an investigation on 

 this mite, which has now extended over some years, and has pro- 

 duced some very encouraging results. 



Mr. Cecil Warburton in his Annual Report for 1902 < J ) writes 

 " It has occurred to me that great benefit would accrue both to 

 sellers and buyers of black-currant cuttings, if those who supply 

 them would have their crops examined by an expert to determine 

 whether the mite is present or not. A certificate of freedom from 

 the disease would be of considerable value to the possessor of 

 a fine crop, and buyers would be only too glad to be sure that the 

 cuttings supplied to them come from a pure stock. I would suggest, 

 in the first instance, that any . . who believe that the disease 

 is not present in their plants, and who are willing to supply cuttings, 

 should have their fruit gardens visited by an expert, and reported 

 on, and that those . . who require cuttings, should insist on 

 some attestation of the purity of the plants from which they are 

 taken. In this manner much would be done to gradually stamp 

 out the disease." I most heartily endorse this very wise and valuable 

 suggestion, as the importance of obtaining pure stock cannot be 

 over estimated. 



The Birch Gall-Mite. 



Eriopliyes rudis (Canest.). 



Like the former species this seems to be rapidly increasing, especially 

 in Worcestershire and Warwickshire, but fortunately it seldom re- 

 sults in killing the tree. 



II. MYRIAPODA. 

 Notes on Two Millipedes. 



Julus pulchellus, Koch, and Polydesmus complanatus, L. 



The two millipedes here dealt with are common species, widely 

 distributed, and occur in plenty throughout the British Isles. 



It has long been uncertain whether or not these millipedes 

 really do any appreciable amount of damage to crops, and especially 

 to beans and peas. Mr. Cecil Warburton w who has examined 

 infested beans, writes "The Spotted Millipede (Julus gnltatus) has 

 been accused of injuring various kitchen-garden plants. There is 

 often a doubt as to whether this creature is the original cause of 

 injury, or whether it only attacks something already partially decayed. 

 In the present instance, beans alleged to be infested by it were sent, 

 and they were found to have been previously badly injured by the 

 Bean Beetle, Brnchns. In any case, the millipedes certainly aggra- 

 vate the injury." 



1. Journ, R. Agr. Soc., 1902, vol. 63, p. 305. 



2. Journ. R. Agr. Soc., 1899, p. Ixv. 



