GRAMINEOUS CROPS. 107 



Cure. — Iron sulphate destroys Claviceps purpurea. 

 All lands liable to the attacks of this fungus should be 

 top-dressed with iron sulphate (from ^ to 1 owt. per acre). 



The Smut Fungus {Ustilago carbo) has already 

 been described under " The Parasites of Oats." 



(7) The Parasites of Wheat {Triticum vulgare). 



Aphis granaria, Cephus pygmceus, Chlorops tceniopus, 

 Oscinis frit, and the various species of wire-worms, all 

 attack and greatly iojure wheat crops. As these insects 

 have already been described, nothing further need be said 

 of them. 



The Corn Weevil {Calandra granaria) is the pest 

 of corn-dealers, for it passes its " larval state within the 

 grain on which it feeds, devours the whole of the interior, 

 and then, gnawing its way through the shell, becomes 

 transformed in process of time into its perfect state." 

 The beetle, or perfect insect, is about one-sixth of an inch 

 in length, and is entirely of a blackish-red colour. It is 

 found abundantly in granaries, and is brought over (in 

 large quantities) with Indian wheat. It breeds freely in 

 this country — the female laying an egg in each grain of 

 corn visited for the purpose ; and the larvae hatched from 

 the eggs bury themselves in the substance of the grains 

 upon which they feed in security. " When full grown 

 they undergo their change to the pupal state, in the con- 

 venient little chamber which they have thus formed, and 

 on attaining their perfect state, make their appearance in 

 the world by eating through the husk of the corn." C 

 granaria is one of the most destructive of the family of 

 weevils. " Besides the actual money loss occasioned by 

 these weevils, it is stated that the flour made from wheat 

 much infested by them is injurious to health." 



