The Y Moth. 



211 



the first crop has been carried. The caterpillars being green 

 it is difficult to detect them, therefore careful observation is 

 requisite from May to ascertain whether caterpillars are 

 present in the clover crops. If they are present in formidable 

 numbers the clover should be cut as soon as possible to pre- 

 vent the chrysalids from turning into moths. A correspon- 

 dent wrote that he believed the attack upon one large clover 

 field was stopped by this means, the chrysalids being taken 

 up with the hay and killed by the heat of the rick. 



Lime, and lime and soot mixed, applied in damp weather 

 have been found to be most unpleasant to the caterpillars. 

 Where they are present on turnips and other plants in drills 

 they may be dislodged by bunches of furze, birch, or green 

 broom fastened on each side of a horse hoe. This should be 

 immediately followed by another horse hoe to bury them, 

 or kill them. 



These caterpillars are very fond of thistles and nettles. 

 Several correspondents remarked that they appeared to like 

 the thistles in clover fields just as well as the clover. These 

 weeds should be kept down, as they serve as food for the 

 caterpillars before the clovers and other cultivated plants 

 are ready. 



In Germany they push long troughs of lath and sacking 

 upon two light wheels through the young clover, flax, and 

 beet, before the plants are too high, to catch the caterpillars. 



Many correspondents have written of the inestimable 

 value of rooks, starlings, and other birds in clearing off 

 these caterpillars. Rooks and starlings seem to be par- 

 ticularly fond of them. 



