XI] Flies 133 
show the importance of putting oats in as early as 
possible during March. 
When oats are sown late they should be very 
carefully watched for any signs of attack, and should 
be helped as much as possible through the early stages 
of growth by stimulating manures, such as sodium 
nitrate. 
In the case of a bad attack, when there is little hope 
of the crop being a profitable one, it should be sheeped 
off and the upper surface of the soil ploughed under as 
deeply as possible by means of a skim coulter. By 
these means the maggots and pupa cases are buried 
and the flies are unable to hatch out. After this 
ploughing there is still time for a crop of turnips 
which somewhat reduces the loss occasioned by the 
failure of the oats. 
In cases where future crops, such as seeds or sainfoin, 
are sown with the oats the most profitable method of 
procedure is doubtful. If the whole crop is not 
ploughed in, means must be taken to prevent damage 
in the following season. Spring oats sown near such 
an infected field should be put in as early as possible 
and carefully watched for any signs of attack. 
It is advisable to cut and burn all the grasses in 
hedges and ditches and on the headlands where the 
fly may live during the winter. Winter corn sown near 
an infected field is also liable to be attacked. 
The stubble from infected fields should be turned 
completely under and the cavings from the threshed 
oats, which will probably contain pupa cases, should be 
burned. 
We must continue to bear in mind that the fly is 
always with us and ready to play its part, especially 
