Absence of 
injuries. inj 
Preliminary. 
6 
The bulb inside is sound, but if the outer layer of leaves is removed the 
ecomes affected. 
It is impossible to make any use e of the onions 3 attacked by Quesilio, 
the plant is gathered. 
This disease occurs chiefly in damp — especially in heavy clayey 
soils, but if the ground is carefully chosen, well worked and drained, 
there is no cause to fear it. Ina plantation it ordiiiy occurs in patches, 
such patches corresponding with the dampest parts of the field. 
Nothing is definitely known as to the nature - of this disease, but all 
the symptoms point to the conclusion that it is coe by a 
Another form of evil which injures the onion crop, steals ‘the young 
same time whitish in colour, and the plant ceases to grow. Since this 
takes place quite at ke begiuning of the cultivation, wi is easily repaired 
by pulling up the faded plants and replacing them by healthy ones. 
‘his fading is probably to be attributed either to unfavourable weather 
at the time of transplanting or to the young plants failing to strike 
root, 
here appears to be no trace in the Canary Islands of any insect 
m n the 
the onion-fly or indeed any kind of insect ever attacked their crops. 
Further, I examined numerous samples of onions and failed to find any 
trace either of the insect or its grub. Neither could anything abnormal 
ected in the seeds. 
The onions have in no way deteriorated in quality during the last 
few years; the prices are certainly lower, but this is due to the fact 
that increased production in other parts of the world has lessened the 
lants. 
gathered from plants attacked with the Escarcha or Quesillo, as their 
growth is arrested, and they do not produce heads. It might, however, 
be ne isable to yecdiniiena t enewed pr pria to ad that none of 
assert t, the seed loses its germinating power a vad ne ` Sete It might 
ess of e 
piedi method o P koricaly sealing it itp for atts or tvs eek , ospe- 
cially if it is not thoroughly dry, may 7 perhaps prove a source of danger. 
ARTHUR 
E, SHIPLEY. 
Christ’s a Cambridge. 
October 9, 1886. 
REroRT by Mr. ARTHUR Surptey on the Onton Disease in the 
BERMUDAS 
At the request of Mr. Secretary TAn I visited the Bermuda 
EERE the Poging _ year 1887, to inquire into the causes of 
alent among the onion crops durin the preceding seasons 
and if possible to suggest remedial meas = : z 
> 
