2l6 



Grubs on Oats. 



LJUly, 



Although this pest attacks many crops it is most frequently 

 really destructive to the oat crop, and especially to oats after grass 

 or clover. The reason for this is that the " Daddy Long-Legs " 

 has a special liking for depositing her eggs on grass or clover 

 fields, and especially so where the herbage is rank. Prevention 

 therefore must take the direction of making the fields so dis- 

 tasteful in some way that they will not prove attractive to the 

 insect. Remembering that most of the eggs are laid in August 

 and September, the following points should have the consideration 

 of farmers : — 



1. Grass and clover fields may be ploughed in June or July, care 

 being taken that the grass is well covered. This system is not 

 uncommon in certain districts, being known as bastard fallowing. 



2. If it is not practicable to break up the grass or clover leys 

 so early, they may be dressed in July with three or four tons 

 per acre of gas lime. 



3. If neither of these suggestions is feasible, leys that are 

 intended to be broken up in autumn should be kept as close- 

 grazed as possible. 



If no method of prevention has been attempted, or if the result 

 is not satisfactory, something in the nature of a cure may be 

 attempted in spring, provided the attack is not very virulent 

 and is taken in time. 



Towards the end of April, and early in May, when spring- 

 sown oats are 2 to 3 in. long, they should be dressed with 

 1 to 2 cwt. per acre of nitrate of soda, or with 1 cwt. of this 

 manure mixed with 2 to 3 cwt. of soot. After dressing, the land 

 should get a double-harrowing, and a thorough rolling with a 

 heavy Cambridge roller. The harrowing brings a considerable 

 number of the grubs to the surface, where they are preyed on 

 by rooks, starlings and other birds, and the roller kills a con- 

 siderable proportion. 



' If towards the end of May it is considered that the crop is 

 practically a failure it should be ploughed up, and towards the 

 end of June white turnips, rape, or mustard may be sown. By 

 that time the " Leather Jackets " are getting into a quiescent 

 condition, and are not likely to damage the new crop, and if 

 the weather is favourable the crops indicated will keep down 

 weeds and yield useful green food for autumn feeding. 



