83 



MUSTARD. 



Charlock (or Charlock-seed,) Weevil. Centovhjnchm contractus, 



Marsh. 



Ceutoehynchus contractus. — Natural size and magnified. 



The exceedingly minute weevils figured above, which in 1893 did 

 much damage to germinating seed and young plants of White Mustard 

 on the grounds of Holderness Mustard-growers, reappeared similarly 

 in the past season in the Holderness district in vast numbers during 

 April on the young Mustard, and later on were reported by hundreds 

 on the Mustard in the neighbourhood of Hull. 



On the 2nd of May, Mr. H. L. Leonard, writing from Preston, 

 Hull, mentioned: — "I regret to inform you that the small weevil 

 {Cetitorhynchus contractus) is again present on our Holderness Mustard 

 crops, and is doing a large amount of damage. Some crops were sown 

 very early, and were bitten by a sharp frost on April 21st ; this 

 checked the growth of the plants, and the weevils completely destroyed 

 them in three or four days. They have not worked under the surface 

 this year, but have eaten the leaves, and also through the stem. 



•' Later-sown crops are being checked in their growth a good deal 

 by these insects, but I hope with fine weather the plant will grow 

 away from them." 



On the 12th of June, Mr. Leonard reported again on the condition 

 of the crop relatively to weevil presence up to date of writing, givmg 

 the earlier part somewhat more in detail, and also drawing attention 

 to the importance of conditions calculated to press on a strong healthy 

 growth as a means of lessening the effect of insect ravage. 



g2 



