254 



THE BLACKTHORN, 



The weather was uncommonly favourable to them 

 that year ; they laid their eggs without interrup- 

 tion, and the larva found no difficulty in attaining 

 its full development. A rainy season at the time 

 when the Plum is in blossom is their greatest 

 enemy. Their numbers for another year may be 

 diminished by daily collecting and destroying the 

 plums which fall to the ground. Their increase 

 may also be materially checked by destroying the 

 fly itself while employed in laying its eggs or 

 sucking honey from the young blossoms. 



