IV PREFACE. 



importance. These are the small moth caterpillars at young 

 Wheat (pp. 37 — 40) ; the discovery of the grubs of the Turnip 

 Mud-beetle feeding in the uppermost part of the bulb, and 

 within the base of the leafage (pp. 104 — 110) ; but probably the 

 most important discovery of the year is that which we owe to the 

 skilled researches of Prof. John Percival, of the South-Eastern 

 Agricultural College, Wye, near Ashford, Kent, of the presence 

 of two kinds of Eelworms at the roots of Hops (pp. 52 — 60), of 

 which one kind, which is seriously destructive to various kinds of 

 crops on the Continent, had not previously come under notice in 

 this country, and neither had been previously observed at Hops. 



The most widespread infestation of the past year was that of 

 the Antler or Grass Moth (pp. 12 — 23), which extended over 

 areas in seven or more Scottish counties, and has given oppor- 

 tunity of study of some at least of its parasitic destroyers, to 

 which should be added one more (of which the observation was 

 more recently contributed), that of the two- winged fly, the 

 Exorista lota, of which specimens were bred by Mr. Service, and 

 kindly identified for me by Mr. E. H. Meade, of Bradford. 



The great point of attention, however, of the year has been 

 Ox Warble ; we (that is, those concerned) have been working on 

 constantly, steadily, and with good results, and especial advance 

 has been made in attention to the subject in Ireland. So long 

 as the simple directions, which we have kept well before cattle- 

 owners for the last seven years,* are followed, we do well. But 

 I am bound, though with much regret, to lay before all concerned 

 that there is great cause for being on the alert against advice 

 claiming to be authoritative, yet in which well-proved, easily 

 practicable, and almost costless treatment is left unnoticed, and 

 inefficient application advised. 



During the past season enquiries or observations regarding 

 about or upwards of 140 distinct species of infestations have 

 been sent to me, mainly regarding insect attacks, but also 

 including several other kinds of injurious attacks, as of Eelworms, 

 Eed Spider, Millepedes, &c. 



Of these I subjoin a list of the more important kinds, 

 arranged, as this is merely intended for popular reference, 

 alphabetically by their English names under the heading of 

 their respective orders : — 



Beetles {Coleoptera). 



Apple-blossom Weevil, Anthonomus pomorum .... Ai^ple-flower buds. 



Asparagus Beetle, Crtoceris asjjaragi Asj^aragus. 



Bean-seed Weevils, Bruclnis rufimanus Bean-seed. 



Cabbage & Turnip-gall Weevils, Ceutorhynchiis sulcicolUe Cabbage- & Turnip-roots. 



Chafers, Cockchafer, Mclolontha vulgaris Leafage and Grass-roots. 



,, Rose Chafer, l^hyllopertha Iwrticola .... ,, 



Charlock Weevil, Ceutorliyucliua contractus Young Mustard plants. 



Death-watch Beetles, Anobtum striatum Furniture and timber. 



See Appendix, page lix. 



