/Innutcl Beport for 1888 of (he Consulting Entomologisf. 311 
farming ; red maggot of wlieat and barley ; scale insect on apple 
and pear, and so-called " slug-worm," the caterpillar of the 
pear and cherry saw-fly, have also been inquired about. 
Serviceable information as to treatment of tulip root disease 
in oats caused by eelworms was sent in, as well as specimens, in- 
cluding in these the attack of the Gephalolms rigidus (Schneider) , 
a species of eelworm not previously recorded as a British kind, 
and which does not form a large swelling of the bulb. I am 
indebted to Dr. J. G. de Man, of Middelburg, for identification 
of this species. 
Inquiries were also sent regarding turnip grub, wireworm, 
willow beetles, &c., and many inquiries regarding the attack 
known as white-eared wheat ; but, after much consultation, both 
British and foreign, we could not find either insect or fungoid 
cause, and, as far as 1 see, it will turn out to be a diseased-stem 
growth, ultimately breaking. 
There was also bad attack in a few localities in spring to 
young wheat from a beetle grub, indistinguishable from that of 
the corn-ground beetle, the Zahrus gibhus. 
All the above I attended to carefully, the successive inquiries 
about many of the attacks often extending over many weeks. 
Besides the above-mentioned crop or farm attacks, specimens 
and inquiries were sent about various timber insects, and 
injurious and other insects, British and Colonial, which I attended 
to as business allowed. Many inquiries were also made as to 
the best methods of gaining and imparting plain information 
such as is serviceable to working farmers regarding farm insect 
attacks. 
Amongst Colonial communications, I may especially mention 
consultation, by request of the Agent General for New Zealand, 
regarding the outbreak of Hessian fly in the northern island of 
New Zealand, and prompt measures taken by him for the preven- 
tion of its further spread ; and likewise communication with Mr. 
Frazer S. Crawford (Inspector under the Vine, Fruit, and Vege- 
tables Protection Act) at Adelaide, South Australia, regarding 
measures for jorevention of the introduction of the pest into that 
Colony. 
I should also add acknowledgment of the assistance with 
which I am favoured in my work both by leading Continental 
Entomologists and Government referees of some of our chief 
colonies and of the United States. The number of letters 
which I have wi-itten during the preceding twelve months, in 
reply to inquiries regarding farm insect pests, or on subjects 
connected with my special work, has been approximately 
upwards of twelve hundred (1,200), but in tljis I do not include 
