1 06 Insects most injurious to Cultivators : — - 



" That the system of ridging the land with manure under the 

 rows, and drilling on the ridge, be in every possible case 

 adopted. 



" That the most favourable opportunity for ridging be chosen, 

 particularly that the land be not ridged in too dry a state. 



" That, as soon as the land is opened for the manure, it be laid 

 in the ridges formed, and the seed drilled in immediately. The 

 quicker these operations follow each other, the better chance 

 there is of a good crop. 



*' That the manure chosen be adapted to the soil, and such as is 

 likely to insure the speediest growth of the young plant ; and 

 that a full quantity be allowed. 



" That the seed be not deposited In the manure ; but the 

 manure be thinly covered with soil, and the seed drilled in 

 this soil. 



" That a very liberal allowance of seed be given : as much as 

 3 lb. or 4 lb. per acre for drill, and 6 lb. or 7 lb. for broad-cast ; 

 and that the seed be of one year's growth." 



With regard to those measures which have for their object 

 the destruction of the insect, it is evident, that, as it passes the 

 winter in the perfect state, the clearing of the hedge bottoms, 

 and of every other place which can harbour it during the winter, 

 should be systematically attended to. In like manner, the root- 

 ing up of all kinds of wild cruciferous plants growing in the 

 hedges, or their immediate vicinity, which may serve for the food 

 of the beetles until the turnips make their appearance above 

 ground, should also be adopted. It is also evident, from what 

 has already been said, that, as the insects, both in the larva and 

 perfect state, continue their attacks upon the turnip after it has 

 put on the rough leaf, and, indeed, throughout the summer, it 

 must be advantageous to pursue some mode of proceeding for 

 the purpose of dislodging them from the plants. Various plans 

 have been proposed for this purpose. By some, a board, newly 

 painted or tarred, is drawn over the field, when the insect, jump- 

 ing up at its approach, is caught in the paint or tar, and de- 

 stroyed.* By others, a branch of elder is drawn over the field, 

 the insect being affirmed to be greatly annoyed by the smell of 

 that plant. Fumigation, by burning stubble, &c., to the wind- 

 ward, and the spreading of ashes and soot by the hand over the 

 plants, from time to time, as it is washed off by the rain, or 

 swept off by the wind, have also been adopted with partial 

 success ; as well as watering the plants with a watering-machine, 

 when the weather is particularly dry. 



* I learn from M. Hoffmann of Munich, that a somewhat similar practice is 

 adopted to prevent the attacks of the turnip fly, in the neighbourhood of that 

 city. 



