32 CORN AND (JRASS. 



of sharp frost. It appears to me worth investigation whether it may 

 not be from time for egg-laying having come in connection with the 

 full growth of the Acari, and that they simply instinctively leave the 

 stored hay in searcli of the proper places for egg-laying. This point I 

 have not yet Imd opportunity for investigating, but it would be well 

 worth going into by those who have the immense numbers at hand for 

 investigation ; or if half a handful or so were sent to myself for 

 examination, I should hope to have no great difficulty in ascertaining 

 to what extent eggs might be present. 



In regard to any prejudicial effect to stock feeding on the Mite- 

 infested hay, a point which is often enquired about, it is satisfactory 

 that, so far as has been reported at present from careful observation, 

 no harm whatsoever has been found to arise from this cause, excepting 

 the sometimes temporary inconvenience of coughing being caused from 

 the tickling of the Mites in the throat. Mr. Colin Campbell, in his 

 communications previously referred to, especially observed, in reply to 

 enquiries on this point, that the Mite-infested hay, regarding which he 

 wrote, " was fed to a large fold of in-calf Highland cows, young cattle, 

 horses, and dairy stock, without doing them the slightest harm, or 

 producing any ill effects." 



Mr. J. England Wilson, whilst still resident near Skene, Aberdeen- 

 shire, wrote me on this point, with specimens accompanying of Mites 

 from hay " well seasoned, but not heated in stack " : — " Horses eat it, 

 but cough very much, owing no doubt to the Mites irritating the 

 windpipe." 



Not having opportunity of observing the details of this hay infesta- 

 tion myself, I cannot say whether this coughing, which is certainly 

 undesirable, often occurs, but I do not think that any other observation 

 of it occurring has been forwarded. If it happens to an extent worth 

 consideration, might not the annoyance be abated or entirely put an 

 end to by moistening the hay before use ? It might be expected that 

 this would make a great deal of difference in the active powers of the 

 infesting Mites, so that they might be swallowed, together with the 

 food, in a condition that would effectually prevent the tickling. I 

 would not venture myself on suggesting any special method of treating 

 cattle or food; but in Youatt's 'Complete Grazier,' 13th edition, 1893, 

 re-written by Dr. Fream, is the following observation : — " It is the 

 writer's opinion that if farmers can make good hay, and will moisten 

 some of it — not soak it — for a few hours before feeding it to the cows, 

 they will feel no need of silage." — (W. F.) If experiment showed that 

 this treatment would keep the Mites quiet, so as not to give trouble by 

 tickling the nostrils, face, or throat of the stock, this would be a 

 point gained. 



How far salt, sprinkled on the hay, or any other dressing known to 

 the farmer not to be hurtful to the animals, might succeed in driving 



