Sheep Worrying. 



211 



of cases they destroy it. The central leaves of the plant die- 

 off, and become yellow and brown, and by degrees the entire 

 plant withers away. When, however, the larvae feed between 

 the outer leaves, as seems often to be the case, the plant may 

 survive. Crops that sometimes look irreparably damaged 

 often tiller out and produce a moderate yield. 



The larvae, after turning into pupae, hatch out into flies 

 about June or July. Both larvae and pupae are characterised 

 by having curious branched external spiracles near the- 

 head. These flies give rise to a second brood upon the 

 corn, the eggs being probably laid upon the developing 

 grain. In Sweden this second attack is often harmful, 

 producing light, shrivelled samples of corn ("frits"). 



Little or nothing can be done when a crop is badly 

 attacked. One feature has been noticed in districts 

 where the frit fly is abundant, namely, that early sown crops 

 suffer the least. Some oats sown on the 29th March were- 

 not attacked, while others sown on the 29th April had 

 over seventy per cent, of the stems attacked. Early sowing 

 of oats has therefore been strongly recommended, and when 

 the attack is first noticed the loss may often be materially 

 lessened by giving a good dressing of soot and nitrate of 

 soda. Where a field is severely damaged it is as well 

 to plough it up deeply at once, so as to bur}^ the pupa^ of 

 the flies and thus prevent the appearance of the second 

 or summer brood, which cannot easily be destroyed. 



There is a possibility of this species being spread with the 

 seed. The small yellowish brown puparia (pupa-cases) may 

 get harvested with the oats or barley, and seed corn should 

 therefore be examined and rejected if there are any signs of 

 the puparia. 



Sheep Worrying. 



The Board of Agriculture have issued the following circular 



to Clerks to County Councils in Great Britain on the subject 



of sheep-worrying by dogs : — 

 Sir, " . 29th July, 1901. 



I am directed by the President of the Board of Agriculture to inform you 

 that he has for some time past had under his consideration the representations made 



