60 



MUSTARD. 



It is not apparently feasible to apply this treatment for field use, but 

 in garden cultivation, where there is a plentiful supply of water, and a 

 hose, something might be done to carry out the principle. But with 

 regard to "Surface Caterpillars," their history, and the need of more 

 practicable methods of getting rid of their destructive presence, is so 

 well before agriculturists, both here and in America, that I have only 

 alluded to the subject again this year in connection with the unusual 

 extent of observation of prevalence of their attack to Mangolds. 



Surface Caterpillars at roots of young Conifers. — The following 

 note, sent me on November 9th, by Mr. F. 0. Solomon, Lecturer in 

 Agriculture at the Durham College of Science, Newcastle-on-Tyne, 

 gives an interesting observation of the omnivorous propensities of the 

 " Surface Caterpillars," which, in the absence of such food as they 

 may especially prefer, appear, as has been occasionally remarked of 

 them, to attack any kind of root that their jaws can bite into. 



Mr. Solomon observed: — " What pests the Turnip grubs have been 

 this year ! We have at the College a small plot (thirty-three square 

 yards) planted with Conifer seedlings. The little plants have been 

 eaten off close to the ground. We could not imagine what was doing 

 the damage for some time, but when we scraped about for grubs, we 

 collected sixty-six on the thirty-three square yards in a very short time. 

 They are most omnivorous feeders certainly." 



MUSTAKD. 



Mustard Beetle. Phmlon hetulw, Lina. 



Ph^edon BETULai. — Mustard Beetle, nat. size aud magnified ; maggot, magnified, 



and nat. size on leaf. 



For some years back, injury by insect attack to the Mustard crop 

 has become so manifestly a matter reqviiring attention, that early in 



