Turnip Flea-Beetle. 



107 



I would, also, strenu- 

 ously suggest the employ- 

 ment of a bag-net, similar 

 to one invented by Mr. 

 Paul of Starston, in Nor- 

 folk, and employed by him 

 to clear his turnips of the 

 Haltica. It is described 

 and figured by Kirby and 

 Spence {Introd.^ vol. iv. 

 pi. 24. fig. 3.); and the 

 mode of its application will 

 be evident from Jig. 32., 

 which is copied from the 

 figure given by these au- 

 thors. 



I would recommend that this instrument should be employed 

 not only in sweeping the grown turnips frequented by the 

 Haltica in the latter part of the summer and autumn, but also 

 the young plants on their first appearance, as well as the wild 

 mustard, and other cruciform plants growing in the hedge- 

 rows. The insects, being swept into the bag, may be easily 

 destroyed. 



The last and, perhaps, the most successful remedy for the 

 destruction of the insect, is, to spread quicklime over the young 

 plant as soon as it appears above ground, to lay it on and around 

 the plant, and to repeat it as often as wind and rain shall clear 

 it off!, until the plant be out of danger. This plan is strongly 

 recommended by the Report of the Do7icaster Committee^ with 

 these observations : — "Lime is so common, that it can be had in 

 all situations ; and it is so cheap, that the cost need not at all 

 embarrass the farmer. The labour in applying it is so compara- 

 tively small, that it is capable of being generally adopted. If 

 the fly should not appear, the lime can be used for other pur- 

 poses ; and no loss beyond the labour of carriage will be sus- 

 tained. We may congratulate the farmer on the satisfactory 

 testimonials in favour of this last method of preservation, and 

 may hope it will be found of the greatest possible benefit, con- 

 joined with other steps which have been before alluded to. We 

 trust the careful and systematic use of lime will obviate, in a 

 great degree, the danger which has been experienced from the 

 turnip fly." 



To these observations I will merely add that, by carefully 

 examining the turnips at a later period of their growth, the time 

 when the larvae are feeding upon the leaves may be easily as- 

 certained ; and that a repetition of the process of sprinkling the 

 lime, having first well washed the plants with water, will, in all 



