474 



Orchid Beetle. 



For infested wheat plants the mixtures mentioned would 

 be applicable. 



For onions invaded by eelworms, sulphate of potash, 

 sulphate of iron and nitrate of soda, mixed together at the 

 rate of 2 cwts. of each per acre, will be found most beneficial. 

 This mixture must be applied directly the plants flag — and 

 in most cases this infestation is noticed very early — chopped 

 in close round the plants. Good results have followed from 

 a dressing of 5 cwt. of kainit, 1 cwt. of sulphate of iron, and 

 2 cwt. of finely powdered guano. 



As this eelworm infests many weeds, this is another 

 reason, if one were wanted, for keeping land clear. The 

 principal host-weeds are shepherd's purse, spurry, blue 

 cornflower, sow thistle, buttercup, soft crane's bill, teazel, 

 daisy, forget-me-not, rib grass, climbing buckwheat, and 

 squills. It also infests lucerne, buckwheat, the chive 

 and several species of hyacinth, besides the various 

 species of grasses enumerated above. Dr. Ritzema Bos 

 gives a list of no less than 34 host-plants of this eelworm. 



An Orchid Beetle [Xylehorus fierforans, Wall), 



I and 2, Beetle highly magnified ; 3, Natural Size ; 4, Infested Stem, 

 showing hole made by the insect. 



In December last some stems of Dendrobium Phalanopsis 

 Orchids were submitted to the Board for examination, 

 as many of these plants in an orchid house were sickly, 



