6 



THE YOUNG NATURALIST. 



be easily done, as their stunted or distorted growth points them out plainly, 

 and they are chiefly to be found along the water-furrows or in wetter parts 

 of the field. By this means the risk of future attack is much lessened, but 

 measures of prevention beforehand would be better," I fear the above plan 

 would hardly suffice in cases similar to that we saw at High Leigh. It would 

 be impossible to pluck all the visible heads affected without trampling down 

 the good ones, and apart from this they would be difficult to find an account 

 of the excessive growth of weeds. It is a question whether a better plan 

 would not be to leave the worst parts standing, and when the rest of the 

 crop is removed to burn off all that remains. This would effectually deal 

 with any animal life, Chlorops included. " The injury is in consequence of the 

 feeding of the maggot lessening the supply of food to the ear, a distorted 

 growth being formed, and the date of development retarded ; therefore, what- 

 ever manure or treatment of the ground will promote healthy growth will be 

 of service. One means towards this is thorough drainage of the soil, as it is 

 upon the wettest parts of the field (by the water furrows), and on the most 

 retentive soils (stiff clays) that the greatest amount of damage is noted as 

 being done. Drainage would also make the soil warmer (by enabling it to 

 retain the heat otherwise given off by evaporation of the surplus water ; the 

 application of manure would be more effective, and consequently the healthier 

 plant-growth promoted would give quick maturity, with increased quantity 

 and quality of produce. Barley, being a shallow-rooted plant, feeds in the sur- 

 face-soil, and comes quickly to maturity, therefore it needs that its food should 

 be abundant and of a soluble kind ; and it is for this reason that the applica- 

 tion of any nitrogenous or ammoniacal manure, combined with phosphates, 

 increases the yield to such an extent. This necessity is, of course, greatly 

 increased when the stems are being injured by the maggot-attack," 



To these I would add as a private opinion, whilst admitting my thorough 

 inexperience, the desirability of taking all practicable measures for the des- 

 truction of stubble and chaff, and preventing its dispersion by the wind. 

 Where a steam thresher is used it ought to make a good fuel, if not too 

 thickly heaped on the fire so as to smother the flame. 



As regards the comparative danger of future depredation, I think the 

 farmers of this district (if proper measures be taken), need not be under much 

 apprehension from this species. The Cklorops, in contra- distinction from the 

 " Hessian," is indigenous, or at least is no new importation, and I see no 

 reason why it should be worse in the future than it has been in the past, 

 whereas the Cecidomyia as its specific name destructor implies, when once it 

 gets a footing overruns everything like a host of locusts. Prevention is better 

 than cure, hence the desirability of our familiarising ourselves with it 



